JUSTIN: Okay. Now. This may be a little rough, but please, it’s just my opinion after trying a lot of shoes to find the ones that work for me: my foot shape, pronation, expectations of energy return, sensitivity to foam density, etc. etc. I am to a Shoe Retailer as a Gluten-Free, Vegan, Raw Vegan hypochondriac is to a fine-dining restaurant. Eyes will be rolled, but I know what I want and what keeps me happy and healthy.
The Midsole. I’d just love to start by saying I really appreciate the names that companies use for their materials. ZipFoam is one of my favorites to date. But it only goes as far as that. For me, this foam feels like it’s just graduated from college and is on a cross-country road trip with their friends Ashleigh and Braxton to “find themselves” before ultimately getting matching tattoos in Vegas and returning to work at Starbucks in their hometown. I just don’t know what it’s trying to be. It doesn’t feel soft/plush enough to be a daily trainer, it’s not bouncy enough to be a tempo day workhorse, and it’s not snappy enough to be a race day shoe. TL;DR: There is nothing really. (Maybe that’s why it’s called Phantom?). Maybe people enjoy that? The more “Born to Run” minimalist feel that allows people to be in touch with their ancestors, but I don’t think that’s how Topo wanted to market this shoe.
The Ride. As I have talked about in shoe reviews, I’m big on shoes that allow all types of runners to thrive in them. The heel striker, the mid-foot maniacs, and the fore-foot fanatics all deserve a chance to find their true love. I’m not sure where this shoe falls. As I got some miles under me, I was trying to figure it out, which is always a huge red flag for me. I never feel like I should have to alter my gait to have the shoe “work” for me; it should be the other way around. And believe me, I tried them all. The one that seemed to work the best was landing directly on the forefoot, where the midsole is widest and provides the most stability. I found the heel quite narrow, which for me created a back-to-front movement that just wasn’t enjoyable. I felt like I was fighting for my easy pace.
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