Topo Athletic Ultrafly 5 Review

The Topo Athletic Ultrafly 5 is an everyday training shoe for runners who need some anti-pronation support. The Ultrafly 5 features significant changes in both the level of anti-pronation support and the amount of cushioning.

Pronation describes the motion of the foot as it strikes the ground. When the foot touches the floor, the arch compresses to absorb the shock and then reshapes, springing you off the end of your big toe. Over-pronation occurs when the arch doesn’t reshape quickly enough, causing the runner to push off from the inside of their big toe. Since running is a repetitive action, especially on hard, flat surfaces, this can lead to aches and pains as joints work out of alignment and parts of the leg endure excessive strain. A running shoe designed to offer anti-pronation support has mechanisms to reduce or control the arch compression, promoting push-off from the end of the big toe.

The drawback of shoes with substantial anti-pronation support is that they can reduce the natural function of the foot. As the foot doesn’t work inside the shoes, it can weaken over time, potentially increasing the need for more support. Topo shoes are designed to allow natural foot function, providing stability, cushioning, and propulsion while strengthening the feet as you run, similar to other running muscles. Feet that over-pronate are more flexible, and this flexibility doesn’t vanish when switching to a shoe that allows foot function. It takes time for ligaments, tendons, and muscles to strengthen and function properly. This is why Topo Athletic created the Ultrafly—to allow foot function while offering mild pronation support.

The Ultrafly 4 offered very mild pronation support, which meant it didn’t provide as much support as rival shoes like the New Balance 860 or Brooks Adrenaline GTS. Thus, it was suitable for runners who didn’t need extensive pronation support but preferred the stability the Ultrafly offered. The Ultrafly 5’s increased support may be too much for neutral runners, who might prefer Topo Athletic’s neutral everyday training shoes, such as the Topo Athletic Phantom or the more cushioned Topo Athletic Atmos.

The enhanced support in the Topo Ultrafly 5 primarily comes from a plastic cup that extends higher up the heel cup compared to the Ultrafly 4. This change increases the stiffness of the Ultrafly 5 at the heel, reducing twisting of the calcaneus (heel bone). Additionally, a firmer piece of rubber in the midsole extends further forward in the Ultrafly 5. This firmer section doesn’t compress as easily as the softer midsole, which helps reduce arch compression and promotes push-off from the end of the big toe rather than the side.

When running in the Ultrafly 5, you’ll notice the heel more as it controls the foot compared to the Ultrafly 4. This sensation subsides after a few runs as you adjust to the new feel.

The heel-to-forefoot drop remains 5mm, consistent with all Topo Athletic shoes, to promote a midfoot landing. This allows the foot to absorb shock, stabilize, recoil, and propel you into your next step. If you are a heel striker, the Topo Athletic Ultrafly 5 offers sufficient cushioning and is designed to support the foot throughout the gait cycle. The stack height has increased by 2mm to 30mm in the heel and 25mm in the forefoot. To offset any potential instability, the base of the Ultrafly 5 has been widened, and there is more rubber on the outsole for increased durability and traction.

The Topo Ultrafly midsole is still split into two sections: a softer foam against the foot and a firmer, more responsive foam underneath. This construction provides a soft initial landing while maintaining stability and a positive push-off. The midsole foam is Topo Athletic’s new Zip Foam, which is softer and more durable than previous versions, giving the Ultrafly 5 a more cushioned feel and a more flexible forefoot. This flexibility enhances foot function, traction, and speed. The Topo Athletic Ultrafly 5 is not a plush jogging shoe but an all-around everyday training shoe that comfortably handles long runs, easy runs, steady runs, and some intervals. Although it lacks a rocker or carbon plate for extra propulsion, the cushioning is responsive enough to allow for increased pace.

BROWSE TOPO ATHLETIC ULTRAFLY 5

Like all Topo Athletic shoes, the Ultrafly 5 features a broad, rounded toe box. If your current shoes have a pointed, narrow toe box, Topo Athletic shoes might feel roomy. This space encourages the feet to spread on impact, providing natural cushioning, stability, and propulsion. When the foot spreads, it stretches the plantar fascia, a large elastic band on the base of the foot, which helps spring you into your next step. Shoes that are too narrow and have a pointed toe box limit foot function, increasing reliance on cushioning and propulsion while stressing the legs due to reduced foot and ankle support. The broad, rounded toe box also features a straight big toe line, allowing for a positive push-off and reducing the risk of bunions by preventing the big toe from being pushed into a point, which strains the joint.

Despite the broad toe box, the Ultrafly 5 has a snug-fitting heel and midfoot for support, while allowing your toes to wiggle freely. This may feel unusual if you are accustomed to tighter toe boxes. Although the cushioning in the Ultrafly 5 feels softer than in the previous version, it is not overly soft or mushy. Your foot needs to sense the ground to function properly. When running in the Ultrafly 5, I noticed it felt slightly softer, likely due to the wear on my Ultrafly 4s. Over time, the midsole of running shoes compresses and loses some bounce, so my Ultrafly 4s probably had more spring when new.

The heel cup has a moderate level of padding—enough for everyday comfort but not excessive. The tongue also has just enough padding and features two tabs that the laces thread through to prevent slipping. There is an extra lace hole for a snugger fit at the heel or for butterfly lacing.

The Ultrafly 5 weighs 228g in a women’s UK5 and 281g in a men’s UK8, which is light for a shoe designed to handle everyday mileage. Topo Athletic shoes are similar in length to Altra, Brooks, Saucony, and 361. If you use Hoka, Karhu, Inov-8, La Sportiva, or New Balance, you might consider trying half a size longer to achieve a similar fit.

In summary, the Topo Athletic Ultrafly 5 offers more pronation support than its predecessor, making it as supportive as comparable shoes from rival brands. The cushioning is softer, and the forefoot is more flexible, further enhancing foot function.

Other Considerations
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23: A more pointed toe box. Available in three width Men’s and two width Women’s. The cushioning feels firmer than the Topo Ultrafly 5. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/brooks-adrenaline-gts-23-review/

New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v14: Available in two width Women’s and three width Men’s. A stiffer more controlling shoe. Not as flexible in the forefoot. The cushioning feels similar. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/new-balance-860v14-review/

Hoka Arahi 7: Available in two width Men’s and two width Women’s. The cushioning is softer and the Arahi has a rocker or curve to the midsole to help maintain a more upright posture and give the runner some propulsion. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/hoka-arahi-7-review/

Karhu Ikoni: Karhu use a Fulcrum to give some propulsion and stability. The Anti-pronation level is similar to the older Ultrafly 4. So, they don’t offer quite the same support as the Ultrafly 5. The toe box isn’t as rounded but, the big toe line is straight which allows for a good push off. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/karhu-ikoni-2-0-review/

361 Kairos 2: Available in two width Men’s and two width Women’s. The midsole is slightly curved to give some propulsion. https://www.northernrunner.com/361-m114#t267

Altra Paradigm 7: A zero drop shoe available in two width Men’s and one width Women’s. These can be worn by neutral runners as well as those that need some support. The zero drop promotes a midfoot landing which reduces a lot of pronation and the support level is good. The broad rounded toe box is similar in shape and volume to the Ultrafly and gives the feet room to function. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/altra-paradigm-7-review/

Altra Provision 8: A zero drop shoe like the Paradigm but, with a bit less pronation support and a much firmer ride. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/altra-provision-8-review/