Topo Athletic Fli-Lyte 6 Review: Keep It Simple, Stupid

Introduction to the Topo Athletic Fli-Lyte 6

KALEB: When I heard I was getting the sixth version of the Fli-Lyte, I was pumped. Sure, it’s not the most exciting release of 2025, but there’s something lovely about simplicity, and I logged hundreds of miles on version five across all sorts of paces and workouts. It’s low to the ground without being minimalist, it’s firm without being brickish, and it lets your foot do its own thing without lacking support. It was a great shoe for when I wanted a break from the marshmallow monsters to work on some lower leg strength and resilience, and while it’s not zero drop, 3 mm is a pretty good bridge for those who are curious about lower-drop footwear. Version six remains largely the same underfoot, with a new mesh upper that aims to be more breathable as well as better looking. Let’s see if Topo Athletic kept a good thing going.

AUSTIN: You might be wondering why I thought about a song written by Nat King Cole in 1943 after receiving the Topo Fli-Lyte 6. The connection surprised me, too, but as someone who loves running and listening to music while doing so, I discovered that the chorus in Nat’s tune offers some insights into posture and form. More on that later.

I reviewed the Topo Athletic Aura in February, but the Fli-Lyte 6 is a far cry from the 38 x 33 stack height. In fact, as Kaleb noted, the Fli-Lyte is ideal for runners who would like to set the heavenly 1080, Nimbus, and Bondi aside for a few days (or weeks) and bring the feet back to earth for some swift, quality sessions.

What we like about the Topo Athletic Fli-Lyte 6

KALEB: If you’ve read our Fli-Lyte 5 review, the good section here is largely the same. Underfoot is the same 23/20 mm stack, with what seems to be a slightly updated formulation of ZipFoam. It remains firm and protective underfoot, but might have a little more bounce than the previous version. Either way, bounce was never a massive component of the Fli-Lyte, so it’s hard to tell and ultimately not too important. What is important is that the balance of protection and ground feel in this shoe remains just about perfect.

The updated upper would typically be a positive for me: I loved version five’s upper, but the thinner mesh on version six not only looks better, but breathes and fits better too. I received a sleek off-white/tan colorway that definitely makes this shoe acceptable “run and then actually walk around out in public” material. A note on fit: last time I reviewed the Fli-Lyte, I received the woman’s equivalent of my US M9 (W10.5), which actually ended up holding my foot really well because of the slightly narrower heel. This time around, the upper didn’t wrap my foot quite as securely, and I noticed a little extra length in the fit, so I’d consider sizing down a half size.

Still, like any Topo shoe, the upper’s security is great. It leaves plenty of splay in the toebox but secures the midfoot and heel well. I didn’t have any issues with hotspots or pressure from the laces.

Moving underfoot, there’s not a whole lot to comment on, and that’s really not a bad thing. The goal of the Fli-Lyte is to keep a low profile, avoid getting in the way, and let your body do its own work. ZipFoam is a great compound for a low-stack shoe: it’s firm enough not to bottom out, soft enough to protect you from the road, and juuuust bouncy enough to avoid feeling dead. I said this in my last Fli-Lyte review, but I think this shoe is the perfect fit for the original Saucony Kinvara gang (are y’all still alive? That shoe came out back in ancient days of yore for a youngster like me).

AUSTIN: As a newcomer to the Fli-Lyte family, three characteristics emerged for me: the look, the versatility, and the fun. First, the look. I received the navy and white color, though the navy only extends as far as the name, logo, and outsole. In other words, that pristine white will disappear quickly as the miles accumulate. The toebox provides generous space, and though the tongue isn’t gusseted, I didn’t experience any migration to the point of irritation. Topo’s minimal tongue padding, flared heel, and Ortholite insole further enhance the fit.

Second, the versatility. I have a dedicated shoe bag for trips, and I recently packed the Hoka Skyflow, Puma Magnify Nitro 2, and Fli-Flyte 6 for Florida. I like to rotate daily, but if I had to bring one model among the aforementioned three, I would choose the Fli-Flyte. I would choose it for short runs, tempo runs, and long runs. Kaleb is probably half my age, so he probably took the Fli-Lyte further, but I’m still nimble at 43.

Finally, the fun. I smiled the moment I finished lacing the Fli-Lyte. I felt lively. I felt spry. I felt fast. I bolted after starting the first run before relaxing into a conversational pace. This is a fun shoe on the road. The ZipFoam midsole is responsive. Firm but not harsh. Outsole coverage shines, too. I think the fun stems from exchanging max cushion monsters for a snappy speed demon. I love the Nimbus 27, but the Fli-Lyte 6 excels at reminding me that concrete and asphalt still exist to elevate the experience.

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What we don’t like about the Topo Athletic Fli-Lyte 6

KALEB: Topo’s in-house rubber compound is still kinda crap. It’s better than it has been, and it’s always fine in dry conditions. I probably won’t be ripping corners in the rain in this bad boy anytime soon, which is a shame because the fun of the Fli-Lyte is that you feel light, nimble, and peppy. Keep it out of slick conditions, and it’ll do just about everything else great, though.

Like I said above, I had some extra length in the toebox, which messed with my security and confidence in the shoe. It’s not a deal-breaker; it’s just enough to feel a little sloppy, and this shoe is most enjoyed when it feels like an extension of your leg. Those few extra millimeters past my big toe knocked the fun of this shoe down a notch for me. A half-size down (or my woman-equivalent size again) would likely be perfect.

AUSTIN: The exposed midsole might facilitate some slip on slick pavement. If you know me, I harp on long laces too — I’d shorten those. Otherwise, I have no notable gripes.

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Final thoughts on the Topo Athletic Fli-Lyte 6

KALEB: In a world of supertrainers, lower-to-the-ground, unplated shoes still have a notable use. Your lower leg muscles and tendons won’t be able to make the most of a supershoe’s plate-and-foam combo if you completely rely on their assistance to do the work for you. A few sessions a week of something simple and low-drop can really up your body’s ability to return energy effectively, especially when paired with form drills and strides (don’t skip ‘em, folks).

It’s probably fair to say that we’re not returning to the pre-supershoe era, but supershoes are simply another tool in the belt to be used effectively, and more minimalist-oriented shoes have been in the belt longer than anything new being cooked up. The Fli-Lyte might not be as exciting as an Endorphin Speed or a Vaporfly, but consider snagging a pair so you can get the most out of race day.

AUSTIN: According to Topo, the Fli-Lyte 6 is comparable to the Saucony Kinvara, Brooks Launch, and Altra Rivera. Personally, I’d argue it’s closer to the Altra Escalante based on stack height figures, ground contact, and weight, though that’s my experience. I’d give the Fli-Flyte an edge, but other runners may prefer the Escalante. On a related note, there aren’t many daily trainers in the $120-130 range, but the Kinvara, Launch, Escalante, Rivera, and Fli-Lyte provide runners financial relief amidst inflation and tariffs.

Lastly, remember that remark earlier about the 1943 Nat King Cole song? The Fli-Lyte reminded me of “Straighten Up and Fly Right.” Fli-Lyte. Fly right. I know, I know. I have a strange mind that draws strange connections, but music is integral to my identity. Between running with music and playing drums, I’ve been exposed to numerous genres. And since I love music, I drew the line from the shoe to the snare.

I used the song title as a reminder to pursue better posture and form. Straighten up. Fli-Lyte. Fly right. Keep your head up, shoulders relaxed, back straight, and a forward lean. Next, utilize the lower weight and lower stack to facilitate a higher cadence and a quieter foot strike. Finally, take off and soar. If you would like to improve your running form, consider adding a low-stack trainer into your rotation. Fli-Lyte to fly right.

You can pick up the Topo Athletic Fli-Lyte 6 for $130 in August 2025 from REI by using the buttons below.

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