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The second iteration of this Topo Athletic trainer marries comfort and motion.

The RW Takeaway: The Phantom 2 won over testers with its surrounding comfort and firm, supportive cushioning.

Price: $140 Type: Road Weight: 10.3 oz (M), 8.3 oz (W) Drop: 5 mm

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Preserving the original’s traits, the new Phantom provides an accommodating fit with a generous amount of toe room. Some testers scoffed at the appearance of such a wide toebox but appreciated how its odd shape prevented black toenails and blisters. But the standout feature is the two-piece midsole, which provides firm cushioning and shock absorption—perfect for high mileage and runners with an aggressive cadence. “I found the cushioning to be top-notch from front to back,” said one tester who’s a self-described heel striker. “It was like running in a soft moccasin that held your foot secure without any unwanted motion.”

The Phantom’s coziness puts it in the same class as the Brooks Glycerin and Altra Paradigm. Throw in some stability features—an external TPU heel counter, wider platform, and secure lacing system—and you have a well-rounded trainer that locks in your foot and guards against ankle rolling. One small ding: It’s really warm. The thick upper can make the shoe a furnace on hot days, and it became “pretty sloshy,” in the words of one tester, after a rainy run.

Tim B. | Tester since 2017 Arch: Medium | Gait: Neutral | Footstrike: Midfoot Previously tested: Topo Athletic Runventure 3, Salomon Sonic 4 Balance

“This wasn’t a shoe that I would have purchased for myself, but it ended up being a shoe that I needed. I was coming off an Achilles injury and the support and cushioning really helped me to recover faster. I would still run in my Saucony Endorphins, but I found I would have less pain and soreness on the days that I ran in the Phantoms. I attribute that mostly to the cushioning, which is probably the best feature of the shoe. I ran mostly on roads and some loose gravel paths and it was supportive while recovering from an injury.”

Adrian S. | Tester since 2021 Arch: High | Gait: Neutral | Footstrike: Midfoot

“These shoes have seamlessly found a home in my running routine. They are comfortable, durable, and have given me a new appreciation for a roomier toebox. They were most comfortable on the road and packed gravel trails where they provided just the right amount of responsiveness and stability. Despite their generous cushioning, these shoes still have some nice ‘pop’ off the road. (They did feel a bit sluggish on the track and softer sections of the rail trail. As a cushioned daily trainer, they are excellent.) These are great shoes to burn long miles and were a welcome friend during a recent ridiculously hot marathon. My comparable Brooks Adrenaline GTS 21s feel a little quicker on the track and light trails, but the Phantom 2s are a softer and smoother cruising shoe.”