Topo Athletic Men's ST-4 Comfortable Cushioned Durable 0MM Drop Road Running Shoes, Athletic Shoes for Road Running

I can't attest to running durability but these are probably the best zero drop casual sneaker I have ever worn. Priced great and yes its true 1/2 size small.

I have been running in zero-drop shoes for several years now.  My current go-to pair of running shoes (from another brand) is now discontinued, so I've been hunting for a suitable replacement that ticks the boxes of having lower stack height but still enough cushion to handle long-ish runs (over an hour).  I'd tried on a pair of the ST-3s last year and found them very firm and a little too narrow around my metatarsals.  But after being impressed with what I saw in Topo's ad for the ST-4, I thought I'd give the next iteration of the ST a try.Right out of the box, I was reminded of Topo's signature fit, including snug midfoot area and roomy toebox.  I was impressed by just how well locked-in my midfoot and heel felt, especially given the ST-4's minimal upper material and generously-sized toebox - definitely none of the side-to-side sloppiness that I've come to expect from other zero-drop brands.  The heel counter is as close to perfect in holding my heel in place as I've found in any of the shoes I've tried out/worn in the last several years, and the very premium-feeling Ortholite insole left my feet feeling nice and comfy.  Overall, lots in the ST-4's favor from a fitment standpoint.That said, if I had to touch on things that could be improved, there'd be two-1) Midsole firmness - In warmer weather, I really enjoy the snappiness and responsiveness of the ST-4's midsole, which is definitely on the firmer side relative to my current pair of shoes (which has within 1mm of stack height but feels significantly softer and more cushioned).  If 10 were most firm, I'd say these shoes' midsole is an 8/10 on its own.  The Ortholite insole definitely helps to bring the net firmness down to a 6 or 7/10.  But once temps drop (say, under 40°F), the midsole gets very firm (9/10) and pretty inflexible, at which point the insole can't quite keep up.  From my perspective, this current iteration seems best suited for warmer weather/indoor workouts where temps are well above freezing.2) Arch support - If I'm upright, I'm either barefoot or wearing minimalistic shoes, which my feet have definitely adapted to.  As a result, they have become very strong but still flexible, with strong arches and intrinsic foot muscles to match (see photo).  But even despite my relatively high arches, the firm/rigid arch support in the ST-4 didn't let my arches move at all and left them and my 4th and 5th metatarsals feeling sore if I wore the shoes for more than an hour at a time.  Definitely very different from what I'm used to when running barefoot/in minimalistic shoes, where my arches are allowed to flex up or flatten down throughout the gait cycle.So what's my takeaway?  The ST-4 is a very well-made, purpose-built shoe that I think will suit the needs of the average person looking for a lower-profile, zero-drop shoe for shorter runs/workouts in warmer weather or indoors.  And while I'd definitely still recommend it, it just doesn't let my feet function as "naturally" as I would've hoped/expected from the advertising (other than letting my toes splay).  For the time being, I'll be looking into other options for my next pair of shoes while eagerly awaiting the ST-5 in hopes of toned-down arch support and slightly more accommodating midsole.

I have strong feet and high arches, and like a more minimal shoe to promote good running form. The previous version of this shoe was a perfect road shoe for me: zero drop, wide toe box, secure mid foot, enough cushion for longer runs, no padding around my achilles, and no "support" to prevent the natural flex of my arches.The ST-4 still ticks those boxes except, for some reason, Topo added an arch support. A healthy, strong arch is basically a leaf spring - and springs don't work if you fill in the empty spaces with foam.So, for me, these are not running shoes. They will work fine as recovery shoes though, and I plan to use them as work shoes on days after long runs.

The new soles Topo switched to are cheap rubbish compared to the old ones. Their overall quality is significantly dimished. I still have my old pair of ancient fly-lite 3's that are way more comfortable and well designed than these.They make a loud noise on every step unless I walk very carefully. They look nowhere near the same level of quality. Topo seems to ahve really stepped off.

I liked these a lot. I used them for crossfit, long distance running, and just random things. They are super comfy even being a minimalist type shoe. Unfortunately, the sole is starting to disbond from each other. I remember reading this was a problem for some other people before I bought it, but decided to try them anyway. I used them rigorously for about 10 months before they started disbonding.

Bought these shoes for walking and they felt pretty good for normal use. In late June took them on a trip to Las Vegas and did lots of walking. Started getting pain on the ends of my toes on the right foot. Gradually got worse and worse, felt like my toenails were being pushed back into the toe. Ordered size 12 and normally wear 11 1/2 after seeing earlier review about half size smaller than advertised. Why only on the right foot I don't understand unless each shoe is a different size. Tried to return but window closed. Be aware if looking at them, my advice look elsewhere.

While they are zero drop and have a wide toe box, I wouldn’t call these minimalist shoes. Topo did something altogether pointless and curved the sole so that the outside of your front foot hits the pavement first. While this is natural form for barefoot runners, I don’t see the point in having the sole emphasize this for you.The rear of the sole is angled on one side to facilitate the outside of the heel hitting the pavement first when walking. While this is natural form for most people while walking, I don’t see the point in “aiding” natural form on a minimalist running shoes.If you want a true minimalist shoes but need some cushioning, give the Freet Pace a try.

These shoes did not fit true to size. I had to remove the insoles to even be able to wear them. After removing the insoles however, I actually really like these shoes. I am currently using them for long distance runs, as I transition slowly to more minimal/barefoot running shoes. Without the insoles, they are comfortable and have a roomy toe box. I do think I’ll order another pair in the future. I will remember to go a size up though!

Fit was great, very comfortable, zero drop, slightly cushioned. But within a month the upper was starting to go through over my big toe - I’m a bit hard on shoes in that area, but to put it in context, the only other pair of trainers I’ve actually worn through are over two years old and I’ve also worn the sole away under the forefoot. This pair you can still see the moulded pattern on the tread. I’m going to patch them, but I won’t be buying the brand again - not cheap shoes, clearly cheap materials.

As a zero-drop shoe, it didn't feel like one. The OrthoLite arch support is intrusive, giving the sensation like as if the shoe has a 6mm drop. Maybe I will consider removing the insole one day.The glueing was careless. My laces were glued stuck to the eyelets on BOTH left and right shoes. I managed to dislodge the one on the right shoe, but the lace on the left is glued stuck to an eyelet permanently. Worse, the length of the lace was not balanced, so it's a problem I have to live with. Photo attached shows the problem. I have no idea how to get it dislodged safely without affecting other glued parts. Never had this problem even among cheap shoes, so I don't understand why Topo cannot get this right.Laces were extremely long. I am forced to do the runner's knot in order to keep the length reasonable.Overall, really poorly made. I am disappointed and I don't recommend it.

I don't regret buying these , partly got them because they are a lower stack height , but am transitioningover to barefoot shoes and these may have been better with Vibram soles and thicker rubber with less foam.They are comfortable but a bit spongy .