The Topo Athletic Ultrafly 6 is the shoe equal of a favourite t-shirt. It’s not flashy, however it suits excellent and feels so snug, you need to put on it day by day. The Ultrafly 6 delivers this lived-in-comfort out-of-the-box by its pure foot form and discrete stability assist.
From the second I laced these as much as the top of a future, the Ultrafly delivered consolation and assist. I’ve tried a wide range of broad toe field footwear however these supplied among the best pure foot suits. There’s loads of area for toe splay however my heels match securely.
I count on to make use of these reliable trainers for all my highway runs and paved adventures.
Who’s the Topo Athletics Ultrafly 6 a great match for, let’s break it down by some frequent classes:
- Vast Toes: The roomy toe field offers a lot of snug area on the entrance of the shoe.
- Heavier Runners: Sure, Ultrafly’s tall stack and springy ZipFoam midsole soak up impression, plus mild pronotation assist.
- Lengthy Runs: Loads of cushion and nice area for ft that swell over lengthy miles.
- Entrance of the Pack:Not a racing shoe, however a pleasant a part of the weekly rotation.
Purchase Topo Athletics Ultrafly 6
This shoe is nice for runners who desire a secure all-purpose shoe with wiggle room for the toes and a responsive cushion.
Topo Athletics Ultrafly 6 Overview
For years, Topo Athletic has been my most well-liked shoe model as a result of it gives a high-quality operating shoe with a pure foot form.
Many runners can profit from a wider toe field both as a result of their ft swell after just a few miles, want additional toe wiggle room, or have a large forefoot.
I belong to the latter group. My husband calls my ft “flipper formed,” however a operating retailer worker extra politely describes them as “Topo-shaped.”
Given my love of Topos, I had excessive expectations for the Ultrafly 6. It didn’t disappoint. It’s getting added to our Greatest Topo Trainers record!
Once I first obtained the Ultrafly, I used to be instantly enamored with the wealthy indigo coloring and the simplicity of its type. Lacing up, I seen how snug these footwear are.The cushioned stability felt pure and saved my type sharp even once I completed my lengthy runs.
I examined these footwear at a wide range of paces, distances, and terrains, as a result of that is January in New England, most of the roads have a sheen of ice, salt, and gravel.
The tread was not substantial sufficient for a few of these circumstances, however higher than many highway footwear. (Even path footwear change into squirrely on ice.) These are true highway footwear and work greatest on dry paved or gravel roads and paths.
When updating the Ultrafly 5, Topo elevated the stack peak within the Ultrafly 6 by 2mm. This could shield runners from extreme impression. The Ultrafly’s assist system has additionally been redesigned to supply mild type correction.
Total, the Ultrafly 6 delivers a reliable, secure trip with loads of area for the toes to play.
These appear to be a traditional trainers. They’ve a refined type however little flash. I like the indigo purple and I count on it to put on nicely, hiding among the inevitable filth and harm. Moreover, refined patterning on the higher offers visible curiosity.
Professionals
- Roomy toebox
- Pure feeling stability
- Safe heel match
Cons
- Absorbs and holds water
- Not for slippery circumstances
- Not constructed for velocity
Topo Athletics Ultrafly 6 Match
Topo nails a pure foot form. I’ve wider forefoot, and for me, the shoe match precisely because it ought to. The shoe gave me area the place I wanted it however with out shifting or rubbing.
The Ultrafly 6 spacious toebox permits the toes to maneuver or swell. I can wiggle my toes whereas carrying these! Regardless of the width on the toe, the heel narrows barely for a safe match.
On the midfoot, the higher doesn’t limit my excessive quantity ft however clearly would match a decrease quantity ft as nicely. The flat laces stretch barely, permitting them to be tied extra securely and decreasing the probability that my run will probably be derailed by a free lace.
Below foot, these footwear have average arch assist and a newly designed medial put up. The medial put up means a bit of the shoe’s midsole is firmer than different elements of the shoe.
Rising from the only real, the higher is barely stiff, particularly in the direction of the heel. This barely stiff higher and redesigned medial put up offers mild assist for runners who overpronate. This may be notably useful on the finish of a future when type begins to deteriorate.
The Ultrafly’s tongue average padding prevents ache on the higher foot from the laces. I favor a average quantity of padding on the tongue. Reasonably than stopping ache, an excessive amount of tongue padding can damage my excessive quantity ft. For me, somewhat cushion underneath the tongue is snug; an excessive amount of is distress.
The heel’s collar lining has mild padding to make sure a safe match and forestall rubbing. Moreover, a guided heel holds the foot centered within the shoe throughout runs.
Topo Athletics Ultrafly 6 Really feel
When operating, these footwear really feel cushioned and responsive greater than springy. The layered sole creates a snug base that may assist your legs soak up the miles.
Topo’s OrthoLite insole is clean and plush. It feels comforting towards my foot and makes the miles appear simpler. I’ve used each Topo’s OrthoLite insole and their path insole, the FKT. In comparison with the FKT, the OrthoLite has extra give and a smoother really feel. But it surely additionally absorbs water. After a wet run, my footwear squished with each step.
Topo’s ZipFoam midsole creates a responsive base. This light-weight foam feels sturdy and responsive underfoot. Noticeably, the froth was sturdy sufficient to run in gravel and ice with out exhibiting put on.
Topo says the tread has been improved for sturdiness and traction, and I discovered the tread ample for highway and gravel runs. Nevertheless, it couldn’t deal with icy roads, moist gravel, or tough terrain. In these circumstances, I strapped on a pair of YakTrax. These traction units allowed me to run outdoors with out slipping. With out them, the Ultrafly could be relegated to road-only footwear, as they’re designed to be.
The Ultrafly’s rocker offers clean transitions throughout runs. I might transfer simply from heel to toe throughout a variety of paces.
The higher is constructed from recycled mesh and breathes nicely. As I ran, I might really feel the air circulating, a welcome feeling even within the winter. Clammy, sweaty ft really feel frigid. Dry ft are heat ft.
The Ultrafly jogs my memory of the Veloci Mesa. Each highway footwear have a pure foot form and supply stability. The Ultrafly has a wider toebox, which can be preferable for wider ft.
Each footwear weigh about the identical. (The Males’s Mesa is 9.5 ounces and the Ultrafly is 9.6.)
One key distinction is drop. The Mesa’s 10mm drop is taken into account a excessive drop operating shoe. Greater drops cut back pressure on the calf and the Achilles, however can improve pressure on the hips and knee for some runners.
The Ultrafly has a 5mm drop – my favourite drop peak. A decrease drop would possibly enhance cadence, entrance or mid foot hanging, and cut back knee and hip ache.
The 2 footwear supply completely different stability programs. The Ultrafly has a medial put up and exterior heel counter to scale back overpronation. The Mesa improves stability by a inflexible sidewall. I discovered the Topo Ultrafly’s system much less apparent than the Mesa’s. Each diminished pronation and felt good underfoot.
Whereas each footwear are nice stability footwear, I favor the Ultrafly’s form and drop. I favor the decrease drop and wider toe field that the Ultrafly delivers.
Comparable Footwear to the Topo Athletic Ultrafly 6
We’ve examined just a few that really feel related, however completely different primarily based on the model match:
- Mesa Quick– The Mesa has a better drop (10 mm) however gives stability with a large toe field. These are nice alternative for runners with heel and calf discomfort.
- Asics Gel Kayano 32– This average drop (8 mm), excessive cushion stability shoe has a extra conventional (slim) foot form.
- Saucony Information 18 – A stability shoe that’s supplied in a variety of widths (common, broad, and further broad). These are barely heavier (8.6 ounces for girls’s) and have 6 mm drop with much less overt stability.
95%
Topo has actually are available in to their very own and this cushioned stability shoe goes to win over loads of runners. No have to go zero drop to get that foot formed design so many love. Now we simply need their designs to leap ahead a bit extra.
Purchase Topo Athletics Ultrafly 6
Who Tried It?
Becky Trudeau lives in New Hampshire and enjoys path operating within the mountains close to her house. She has accomplished a number of half marathons, a mountain marathon, and a 50k with 7,000 ft of elevation. When not operating, you might discover her mountain biking, backcountry touring, cross-country snowboarding, or studying a thriller.
