The wide toebox is topos main feature and I am glad they do that because almost nobody else does. Why would you want them to change that?? Literally every other shoe brand has pointy toeboxes with knit upper. Having a slimmer toebox with a stretchy knit upper doesnt really help the foot to work properly because the sole is still going to be narrow. So you need that wide sole.
You're right. The wide toe box is a great quality to have in all shoes. I just think there's 'too much' space or width for my narrow feet. With so much movement (no matter how tight I tie them) it gets distracting and feels awkward to run. I also have Merrells Vapor Glove 5 (also reviewed) but wear inserts to help with the impact and love them. They feel like a glove and are wide enough for me. Thanks for being honest and sharing your views. I also appreciate you watching my video.
@ROY FR Same. I went from 10.5 to 11.5. However because of my current ankle situation, wearing shoes with more support is best for now. These Topo shoes are great in the toe box but the width is just too wide for my feet. There's too much movement going on and forces my pink bone to hold my weight. That's what lead me to have a stress fracture.
@@GabeCuello thanks... great to know. i love the hfs shoes and also recently picked up the mesa trails for light trail running which i think are perfect for that and great on the road too. on those days when i'm doing recovery runs or just want a bit more cushion for a slightly long run/race, i opt for my topo ultrafly 3s, but since getting into the zero drop and loving the feel of the xeros generally, they are a bit too stiff/cushioned and over supported for me. the st-4s seemed like a good solution for these days just having a bit more structure/stack to them while maintaining a fairly minimal feel and funner more responsive groundfeel. maybe i'll keep looking or see what happens with the st-5. their shoes seem to evolve well.
How do these shoes restrict lateral movement? This is as minimal of a shoe as they come. This shoe literally has no heel counter. And it sounds like you are in need of some type of ankle support given your ankle conditions, which is the opposite of what you are saying. These shoes probably didnt work for you because they have no ankle support (i.e. they have very little lateral or medial ankle restrictions). Same with your comment about the "stiffness" of the shoe. It is a 16mm stack with very soft midsole and insole. It is about as much as you can do with that small stack height. And this is the whole point of a minimal shoe...to feel the ground. Are you drunk?!
I was so unimpressed with Saucony's Freedom 5. Got these after trying some UA HOVR shoes with a carbon plate inside. Thinking these ST-4s will work well for road running and sled cross training.
*_What do you currently wear that's minimal for road running and can speak highly of?_*
The wide toebox is topos main feature and I am glad they do that because almost nobody else does. Why would you want them to change that?? Literally every other shoe brand has pointy toeboxes with knit upper. Having a slimmer toebox with a stretchy knit upper doesnt really help the foot to work properly because the sole is still going to be narrow. So you need that wide sole.
You're right. The wide toe box is a great quality to have in all shoes.
I just think there's 'too much' space or width for my narrow feet. With so much movement (no matter how tight I tie them) it gets distracting and feels awkward to run. I also have Merrells Vapor Glove 5 (also reviewed) but wear inserts to help with the impact and love them. They feel like a glove and are wide enough for me.
Thanks for being honest and sharing your views. I also appreciate you watching my video.
@@GabeCuello Well consider yourself lucky having narrow feet and enjoy the endless options on the market...
@@GabeCuello After running in zero drop for 6 years I have gone from a U.S 11 to an 11.5 and my feet are wider.
@ROY FR Same. I went from 10.5 to 11.5. However because of my current ankle situation, wearing shoes with more support is best for now. These Topo shoes are great in the toe box but the width is just too wide for my feet. There's too much movement going on and forces my pink bone to hold my weight. That's what lead me to have a stress fracture.
Altra does it too
why do so many of these shoes curve upwards at the toes? what's the term for pure flats
Hey, unfortunately, I don't know why they add the slight curve but I do feel you.
Thats why I ended up getting barefoot shoes.
@@GabeCuello even a bunch of the barefoot ones have
I wear xero hfs. Have you tried those in comparison with st-4?
Yes! I own 3 of the HFS now lol.
They are much more comfortable and better looking than the ST-4.
@@GabeCuello thanks... great to know. i love the hfs shoes and also recently picked up the mesa trails for light trail running which i think are perfect for that and great on the road too. on those days when i'm doing recovery runs or just want a bit more cushion for a slightly long run/race, i opt for my topo ultrafly 3s, but since getting into the zero drop and loving the feel of the xeros generally, they are a bit too stiff/cushioned and over supported for me. the st-4s seemed like a good solution for these days just having a bit more structure/stack to them while maintaining a fairly minimal feel and funner more responsive groundfeel. maybe i'll keep looking or see what happens with the st-5. their shoes seem to evolve well.
How do these shoes restrict lateral movement? This is as minimal of a shoe as they come. This shoe literally has no heel counter. And it sounds like you are in need of some type of ankle support given your ankle conditions, which is the opposite of what you are saying. These shoes probably didnt work for you because they have no ankle support (i.e. they have very little lateral or medial ankle restrictions).
Same with your comment about the "stiffness" of the shoe. It is a 16mm stack with very soft midsole and insole. It is about as much as you can do with that small stack height. And this is the whole point of a minimal shoe...to feel the ground. Are you drunk?!
I was so unimpressed with Saucony's Freedom 5.
Got these after trying some UA HOVR shoes with a carbon plate inside.
Thinking these ST-4s will work well for road running and sled cross training.
Why do you think low stack zero drops arent ok for 21km? Its better.
It's this outdated idea that everyone needs lots of cushioning for longer distances, which is obviously not the case
You should have eleborated on the negatives.