If you ran in the original Cyclone, forget everything you knew about the shoe and consider this its debut. The second iteration fits, feels, and rides nothing like the first version.
The Topo Athletic Cyclone 2 is what the first Cyclone wanted to be. Like a specter, the Cyclone’s true potential as a hard tempo shoe was always there. But really, Topo’s marathon shoe, actually called Specter, served as a guidepost for the Cyclone 2. Most noticeable is the new Pebax midsole (the same foam used in the Specter), which replaced the Cyclone’s EVA-based Zipfoam core.
Pros
- Lightweight but generously cushioned
- Responsive Pebax midsole
- Who its for
- Health & Injuries
- and Altra Rivera 2
Cons
- Little stability
- Topo Athletic Cyclone
| Type | Neutral Road |
|---|---|
| Weight | 6.9 oz (M), 5.5 oz (W) |
| Heel Stack | 28 mm |
| Forefoot Stack | 23 mm |
| Drop | 5 mm |
- Who it’s for: Runners training for half and full marathons; those in the market for a lightweight, non-plated shoe for racing and long runs
- Preceded by: Topo Athletic Cyclone
- Ran like a plated shoe, said wear-tester Scott Cole: oz M, 5.5 oz W, Who its for, A Part of Hearst Digital Media, Breathable mesh and a Pebax midsole make the Cyclone 2 primed for long runs
- Midsole foam: Pebax
- Ride: Bouncy and fast—the shoe has a slight rocker profile and high energy return thanks to that Pebax foam
Topo Athletic Cyclone 2 Overview
EVA was the industry standard for running shoes until more-dynamic foams came along. After testing shoes with Pebax midsoles, it’s hard to revert back to ol’ EVA. I discovered this when I ran in the Brooks Launch. The Launch was a personal favorite before 2020, before Pebax—first used mostly in super shoes—overtook the training category as well. I’ve kept the Launch 9 in my rotation, but I’d be hard-pressed to choose that shoe over more responsive models for certain workouts, like the nitrogen-infused Who its for (excellent for speed days) or the Saucony Tempus, which also has Pebax foam (ideal for long runs).
Running in the first Cyclone, I found nothing special about the ride. The high rebound I’ve come to expect wasn’t part of the running experience. But it’s there in the second version. The Cyclone 2 achieves that magic trick of providing more cushioning and more energy return in a lightweight package. In fact, a men’s size 9 weighs an ounce less than the OG Cyclone. Topo has succeeded in making its lightest shoe plush and amping up the ride.
And this plushification goes beyond what’s underfoot. Besides the new midsole, another welcome change is a more traditional heel collar. The previously thin and flimsy collar is now soft and padded to securely hug your ankle.
Lastly, Topo redesigned the outsole, making it thinner to save weight while still providing reliable traction.
“‘Light’ and ‘fast’ are the first words that come to mind,” said tester Justin Christein, who has a high arch, neutral gait pattern, and runs with a midfoot strike. “I enjoyed a pop from the shoe that I wasn’t sure I would get with the Pebax, because I thought it might lack stability. But the outsole stabilizes the soft foam beautifully.”
The Cyclone 2 is the true companion shoe to Topo’s Specter. It’s the more lightweight choice for speedwork, tempos, and daily runs of three to six miles.
The Cyclone 2 Feels Fast—But Will It Last?
Across the board, our testers pointed to the Cyclone 2’s light weight and soft, supportive cushioning as favorite features of the updated shoe. Some, like Christein, most liked the shoe’s responsive ride and high rebound, promoted by the Pebax midsole. Others, however, first noticed the Cyclone 2’s significant drop in weight. (In a men’s size 9, the shoe has lost more than an ounce from its first version.)
+ Pro: Lightweight—But Supportive
“While I enjoy the fit, the foam tech of Topo Athletic’s shoes has always felt dated,” said tester Scott Cole, a medium-arched, midfoot-striking, neutral gait-patterned runner who previously tested the Sales & Deals and Altra Rivera 2.
“I tried the first Cyclone and didn’t care for it at all, but these shoes—Cyclone 2—were actually a ton of fun. Nice and light, good traction, with some nice pop in the sole. They still have some minor issues, but the Pebax foam is a big step forward! Ran like a plated shoe.”
Other testers, like Ken Burkholder, who is a forefoot striker, runs with a neutral gait pattern, and has a medium arch, said the Cyclone 2’s light weight translated to speed.
“I shaved approximately five to 10 seconds off my average pace for each mile on runs of three to seven miles,” Burkholder said.
+ Pro: New Upper Has a More Streamlined Fit
A heavy check mark in the cons column of the original Cyclone was its flimsy upper. The heel collar was thin, the flat tongue went askew steps into my run, and the overall fit wasn’t secure. The shoe got a facelift for the second version. With the Cyclone 2, Topo went traditional, improving the upper with a padded heel collar and tongue. The result is a comfier, more locked-in fit for wide- and narrow-footed runners alike.
“The shoe fit comfortably and the laces and tongue secured my foot perfectly,” said Christein. “The tongue is thicker than one might expect from such a light upper, but it works great. Not once did I have to adjust the tongue or laces while running. My foot felt locked-in the entire time. The length and the width fit my foot snuggly and comfortably. There was no jamming of my toes or sliding of my feet.”
- Con: Early Signs of Wear on the Sole and Upper
Burkholder had previously tested the original Cyclone and emphasized how the second version is the better of the two. “I prefer this latest Topo Cyclone to the original I had tested for the following reasons: it has a lighter, more responsive feel, and the overall shoe and toebox was a bit too wide in the original Cyclone. I love the speed of this shoe.
“This being said, I do wonder about the long-term durability of the Cyclone 2. There is considerable wear on the outsole. Furthermore, there is noticeable ripping and wear in the upper mesh of the shoe.”
Tester Heather Manning also said she wasn’t sure about the Cyclone 2’s lifespan after noticing wear on the soles during testing. When contacted four months later, however, she’s still running in the shoes and has yet to retire them.
Amanda is a test editor at Runner’s World who has run the Boston Marathon every year since 2013; she's a former professional baker with a master’s in gastronomy and she carb-loads on snickerdoodles.
