Topo Athletic Tribute

Alberto Cebollada. Perhaps this model Topo Tribute is the tribute to the minimalist concept with "0" drop, with a 16 mm protection, the ideal shoe with which to run fast those runners technically more refined. Or..., simply a different model with which you can work on your technique and feel each of your footsteps, being the right one to work on your running technique and get into natural running.

A real "featherweight" with a stratospheric 215 gr thanks to an upper of a single ultra-breathable mesh and simple reinforcements of exquisite thermosealing that provide great overall flexibility and an immediate response to each of the movements of the foot.

A few months ago we introduced you to a new American running shoe company "Topo Atheltic", based in Boston and headed by Tony Post (To-Po), former CEO (Chief executive officer) of Vibram. The CEO is usually the highest position in a company. I remind you that Vibram was the pioneer of minimalism in the USA and the brand that came up with the "five fingers" concept and created the minimal trend and the controversy about the minimum vs maximum soles that is still going on. Last year the first models of the Topo collection were presented with a clear "Vibram" reminiscence in which the big toe was separated from the other four. But among the new 2016 models contemplate this Tribute or "tribute" that retains the basics of minimalism but with the particularity of greater protection of the midsole especially the forefoot. With zero drop it provides enough cushioning and foot protection to get you started in natural running with confidence, a narrow heel and a particular rounded toe cap that offers generous toe room and allows you to feel the position of the foot on the ground with every stride.

Tony Post recently said he was pleased with the acceptance that the anatomical design of his models is having among American athletes. Now they are entering Europe expecting the same and are now available in Spain from www.vertical.es.

"The runner knows that getting better, stronger or faster is not the result of chance but that you have to make things happen... According to Topo there are a number of options that allow you to be better than yesterday, including choosing your running shoes, a smart decision that will allow you to train harder and do it again every morning."

The common values of the different models in its collection for asphalt, trail and gym are the anatomical last, very light and neutral mid-height midsoles, and a design that tries to favor the natural movement of the foot.

Midsole and Cushioning

It has a lightweight eva midsole that offers a cushioning that can be classified as decent for its 16 mm thickness, keeping the drop at 0 mm.

Around the main eva chassis in white color is superimposed a profile or trim in black color that subtly contains the upper.

It is not an EVA that stands out especially for its softness or cushioning capacity but for allowing a good transfer of the terrain through its structure. The amount of foam in the midfoot and forefoot is sufficient to ensure impact protection, which requires a good technique.

Strengths

The 0 drop allows you to vary the midfoot and forefoot support with total freedom according to your pace and needs, especially when performing running technique exercises or running fast series at cadences above 180 strides per minute.

Carrying 16 mm. of rubber under the metatarsals is appreciated with the passage of km. especially for those who do not have such a refined running technique.

Insole and last

The shape of this shoe is, as in all Topo Athletics models, "teardrop-shaped", wide at the front and narrow at the back, an "anatomical" last that adapts to the anatomy of the foot, providing plenty of room for the toes.

Of all the Topo shoes I have tried, these are the ones with which I have achieved the best foot fit, as they have the least wide last of all the models.

The insole is glued to the inside of the shoe and adds 5mm more cushioning while retaining an anatomical design that represents in relief the plantar footprint.

Strengths

The insole also maintains the anatomical shape of the last and also has a double and curious foam rubber insole glued under the main one; this 2nd insole as a plantar footprint serves to adapt to the user's footprint and cushion the pressures a little more, which improves comfort.

Opportunities for improvement

If your foot is particularly wide, this model may not be as comfortable as the rest of the Topo collection.

Upper

The lightweight feel of this model is partly due to the lightness of its minimalist midsole but especially because of the super ventilated mesh upper.
A mesh with very open exagonal holes whose interior is reinforced with fine nylon threads that give the sensation that your foot breathes as if you were wearing flip-flops.

To give solidity to the structure, Topo uses exquisite lightweight thermo-seals that join the toe cap to the heel support.

Both the rounded toe and the heel support have a greater rubber reinforcement that gives strength especially to the toe being a common detail in several models of the brand. The external and internal side is by means of diagonal strips in vertical disposition that join the lace fastening system with the midsole and reinforce the areas of greater stress without compromising the flexibility or the natural movement of the foot.

The entire upper and buttresses are very soft and pliable, allowing the foot to move in any direction. The upper mesh is so translucent and breathable that you can feel the air rushing through your toes with every stride.

The collar around the ankle is thin but has minimal padding for comfort. The heel has a U-shaped recess that frees the Achilles tendon from any possible friction. The tongue is thin and wide and the nubuck finish is very pleasant to the touch.

There is no plastic heel counter although the material overlap is greater at the base providing some containment.

Strengths

Round toe and reinforced by impeccable thermo-sealing, hyper-breathable mesh that allows you to feel the air between the toes in each stride and resistant to scratches. It has a rear strap as a puller that facilitates the entry of the foot inside that could well be dispensed with it but in this model has a reflective detail that provides security to the runner.

Opportunities for improvement

I have used these shoes without socks and the absence of internal lining and the nylon plastic upper feels hard and facilitates the appearance of chafing on the skin of the toes and instep in its upper part. On the inside, you can notice the union of the rounded structure of the toe cap with the thermosealing that joins the upper.
In my opinion, a natural running shoe should be able to be worn without socks and should fit the foot like a glove without rubbing.

Outsole

The outsole has a more resistant black rubber placed on the outside of the heel and at forefoot level on the propulsive and toe area. The rest leaves the white eva of the midsole exposed to wear but allows a pleasant midfoot support sensation. On the inside of the heel and on the outside of the forefoot there is a harder green rubber that serves to give a bit of stability to the foot strike.
It is not a shoe with which to pretend to run long distances since the lack of protection of the eva accelerates its wear.

Strengths

The use of more resistant and solid black rubber at the 1st MTF joint is a good idea as it facilitates the propulsion of the foot at toe-off through the first toe.

Profile and type of user

This is a shoe with a minimal concept and featherweight but with a sole that protects properly with which you can work on your running technique or simply do a quick series. Its peculiar hyperventilated upper and its anatomical design allow you to feel the air between your toes and enjoy every stride.

The rubber midsole provides a pleasant feeling of protection without offering a soft cushioning that could distort the sensations coming from the sole of the foot, being a model that as a whole is ideal for beginners in natural running and to improve running technique.

It is a model that fits well to carry in the backpack and use it only for technique exercises and speed series. The zero drop requires caution and a progressive adaptation process to avoid overloading.

During the first weeks I recommend using heel cups of different heights to progressively reduce the drop until the necessary neuromuscular adaptation is achieved to be able to use them without feeling discomfort in the triceps sural the days after.

Rating

• Lightweight 10
• Cushioning 7
• Flexibility 8
• Responsiveness 9
• Stability 7
• Grip 8