Topo Phantom 4 WP Review | Waterproofing Winter Runner

Finally! Everything I love about the Topo Phantom 4 is now available in a waterproof design. The shoes aren’t particularly jazzy, but they are just what they need to be: perfectly comfortable and functional. 

After over a decade in business, Topo just released their first-ever waterproof shoe. This is also the first waterproof shoe of its kind. The Topo Phantom WP fills an important need for runners who want a low (but not zero) heel drop and full toe splay with some springy cushioning and protection from the elements. 

As a person who loves running in the rain and snow, but usually sucks it up and deals with cold and wet feet, I am thrilled to finally have a shoe that keeps me warm and dry.  In wet weather, I usually wear old sneakers and tap into my ballet routes.

Every puddle prompts me to skip to the side or jeté across. I was a bit skeptical of how well a shoe could actually protect my feet from the rain. (Can’t the water get in from the top?) But I was pleasantly surprised that my feet stayed dry even when gleefully splashing through puddles on a 12-mile run.

I felt like a kid again and didn’t end up with soggy shoes. 

If you want to enjoy your runs regardless of the weather, look no further than the Topo Phantom 4 WP.

Topo Phantom 4 WP Overview

I got the Phantom 4 WP on a sunny day, but couldn’t wait to find out how they performed in the rain. I took my kiddo to a nearby splash pad and put the shoes to work.

They feel just like the regular Phantom 4 we reviewed, but with slightly thicker fabric. Water beads up on the surface and rolls right off. Astonishingly, the exposed areas of my socks didn’t get very wet, and less surprisingly, the covered areas of my socks were dry too. 

The Phantom WP 4s have all the essential features of the Phantom 4 plus specialty waterproof fabric (more on that technology below). After the initial splash pad test, I was able to jump into a long run in these shoes without any need to break them in first.

The toe box, laces, midfoot, arch, heel, and grip all feel the same as the Phantom 4’s. For me, a waterproof shoe that I save for wet-weather days must not require any adjustment time or special conditioning. 

The shoes are decently insulated, so I don’t think I will wear them on dry and warm or even moderate temperature days. However, I imagine I will wear them on dry, very cold days to take advantage of the warmth. 

I enjoy my bright rainbow Topo Specters, but I am also a big fan of the stormy grey and sky blue Phantom 4 WPs. The colorway fits the vibe of the rainy and snowy days I wear the shoes. Plus, I can see myself opting for these over other casual shoes like Blundstones when it’s wet or snowy.

Topo Phantom 4 WP Fit

For me, the Phantom 4 WP are true to size and consistent with what I wear in other Topos and Altra. They provide the same roominess and feel as the rest of the Topo lineup. There is plenty of space to wiggle my toes and splay them out as wide as I please! Even with the space, my toes still feel secure. Thankfully, I don’t worry about blisters in these shoes. 

The comfort extends to the midfoot, arch, and heel. All of these areas fit just right: snug but not too tight; supportive, but not overbearing. Lacing is straightforward, too. I’m relieved Topo has much better laces than Altra because those always come untied. I can put on these shoes, run out the door, and not think twice. 

The shoe fit is stable and not at all rigid. All Topos feel like a gentle but not constricting hug for my feet. I don’t like mushy foam, and I don’t want my feet to feel like they are floating on clouds. I also don’t want to run in stiff shoes or barefoot. The cushioning strikes the right balance.

Topo’s ZipFoam™ is a proprietary combination of the classic, bouncy Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) and newer, more durable Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU). It’s elastic, comfortable, and reliable. 

The shoe’s tongue is lightly padded, attached at the base and around the midfoot, and unattached at the top. The tongue design feels appropriate and is not really something I have to think about (who wants to think about the tongue of their shoe?).

However, I was a bit concerned at first that water could find a way to seep in around the edges or by the laces. Thankfully, that doesn’t seem to be an issue. 

I’m starting to think the Phantom 4 WPs were made for my feet.

I can slip the shoes on, tie the laces, and get right to running. The heel fits securely but not too tightly. There’s no rubbing or pinching. As a sometimes heel striker, I can move through my stride comfortably and without thinking too much about the shoe.

My mind is on the run, and that’s precisely the way I want it to be.

Topo Phantom 4 WP Feel

A year or so ago, I went through base building, marathon training, and racing with Altra Escalantes, Experience Wild, and Experience Flow. I loved the natural and free feeling of the Escalantes, but I couldn’t handle the zero drop for all my miles.

I liked the spacious toe box of the Form and Flow, but the shoes’ exaggerated rocker and stiff feel kept me from buying more once I maxed out their mileage.  On a whim, I decided to try Topos. I first landed on the Phantom 4s because that’s what was available at my local REI, and they felt great when I tried them on. 

They have the natural feel and zing I love about the Altra Escalantes, a 5mm drop which is much easier on my calves, and plenty of space for my toes. I quickly went on a mission to try on more shoes in the Topo family.

Now, I also regularly run in the Specter 2 and Cyclone 3. 

The Phantom 4 WP feels more robust than the other Topos in my rotation. The fabric is notably thicker and warmer due to the eVent® stormST technology, which is actually pretty interesting. It is a PFAS-free, plant-based fabric that is waterproof, windproof, and breathable. 

On my first run, I made the mistake of wearing my nice Darn Tough wool socks. It was 70 degrees outside and rainy. Water didn’t get into my shoes from the outside, but my feet started sweating pretty quickly.

I feel like it was my own fault that I missed out on the “breathable” quality of the fabric, and I won’t make that mistake again. I was much more comfortable when I switched to my thinner Injinji socks.

That being said, I look forward to running in these shoes with my winter wool socks when the temperature drops. Maybe I’ll be able to ditch the toe warmers. Maybe, just maybe, I’ll even be able to run on the days when the snow is starting to melt and turn into gross, giant grey puddles at every crosswalk. 

While it’s too soon to say how long the Phantom 4 WP shoes will last, they are likely comparable to the rest of the Topo lineup, which consistently holds up for 400+ miles. If you only wear these on rainy, snowy, or extra-cold days and take care to properly air dry them after wear, they might very well end up as the longest-reigning shoe in your collection.

Who Tried It?

Hi, I’m Katie, an artist and writer based in NYC. Running is my all-time favorite method of transportation, decompression, and adventure. There is something really special and freeing about traversing the world with my own two feet. I love running my local NYRR marathon and 9+1 races, but my favorite runs are with my kiddo, first in a jogging stroller and now on a bike. After 15 years of road running and trail hiking, I’m finally combining those loves and exploring trail running. Cheers to many more miles! Find me on Instagram @LightShapeShadowForm.