Best Stability Running Shoes for Ultimate Support: The ST-3 is a minimalist shoe for runners who like a barefoot ride without stubbing their toes.
- Lightweight and flexible midsole and upper
- Slim heel collar makes this shoe packable
- Running in the ST-3, you realize the separation between a
Price: $100
Weight: 7.2 oz (M), 5.9 oz (W)
Type: Road
Running in the ST-3, you realize the separation between a minimalist shoe and a racing flat. The shoe’s flexibility, for instance, translates to not much snap for sprinting and track workouts—but don’t write off this shoe yet when it comes to speed. The ST-3 can pack in swift without the stiff, its lightness as close as you can get to shoeless freedom—running in shoes. It’s the kind of trainer that’s the bare minimum without being bare.
Our testers didn’t sequester themselves to pavement; a wide toe box helps with dexterity, allowing your toes to flex and splay, making the shoe ideal for nimble and quick footing over paths strewn with rocks or brambles. The blucher saddle (a one-piece, open-lacing-style upper with the eyelets on flaps) provides a tight, secure hold around the forefoot.
The ST-3 may not have a carbon plate, but it will help turn up the speed—if you have a light instep. Exclaimed one wear tester: “I liked this shoe for its intended purpose: fast, light running!” However, he admitted the ride was “a little too hard.” Runners prone to knee or arch pain may want to instead shop for a sturdier, more robust in the cushioning department kind of shoe. All others who love that barefoot feel without having pebbles embedded into your foot will appreciate how the ST-3 mimics shoeless freedom.
Lightweight and Secure
A thin layer of foam provides very little cushioning. Running on hard surfaces for a stretch in the ST-3, you may experience soreness and fatigue in your legs. Short distances, say that local 5K, is where this shoe really shines, when it comes to racing.
The Best Running Shoes for Men Altra’s Escalante, stating the ST-3 seemed to feel more secure around the saddle. They also commented that the toe box was wide enough without making their toes feel like they were “swimming in extra space.”
“I was surprised by the support in the platform of the shoe,” said a tester. “I anticipated a lot more rolling, as I’d had in the Altra Escalante. I’d say the Topo is a more stable and supportive shoe.”
Pliable and Packable
Absent from the ST-3, like We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back, is a rigid heel counter and cushioning. The first ST had a padded heel collar, but Topo slimmed down the rim with the ST-2 and now the ST-3, making it collapsible for packing into your running duffel. The fitted collar caused some rubbing in the back of the heel, but testers liked how the snug fit kept out road and trail debris.
Wear Tester Feedback
Lisa K., tester since 2017
Best New Balance Shoes
“While I wish there was a tad more cushioning throughout, I’d prefer the cushioning on the Topo to a shoe with too much. While I liked that I could feel the ground underfoot, I could also feel larger stones. I would have appreciated a bit more cushioning for running downhill on the road, as I’m a taller runner; I experienced a bit more jarring coming downhill than maybe a smaller runner. Overall, I preferred running in them on a cindered rail trail or flat roads to rolling hills (nothing super steep).”
Thin heel collar is collapsible and keeps out debris
Arch: Medium | Gait: Overpronator | Footstrike: Midfoot
“Since I am a forefoot runner, I liked the zero drop. My foot lands perfectly every time and they are light. I believe the shoe brings out certain running personalities and these are fast. Every training run was faster than usual. These will be my 5k racing shoes!”
Pros
- The Secret Behind Super Shoe Speed
- Lightweight and flexible
Cons
- Little arch support and cushioning
Amanda Furrer, Editor, Running Reviews, studied journalism at NYU and writing at Emerson College. She has reviewed gear and covered other topics in the running space for almost 10 years. Since 2013, she has consecutively run the Boston Marathon. She also has a master’s degree in gastronomy from Boston University and was formerly a professional baker for two years before hanging up her apron.
