Topo Atmos 2 Review | The Wide Toe Box Max Cushion Shoe That Checks Every Box

This was my first time running in a Topo Athletic shoe, but as the queen of race day black toenails, it made me wonder why I hadn’t tried this brand sooner?!

Known for their wide, comfortable toe box with a secure midfoot and heel, I was excited to ditch the tight, sad toe boxes of other brands and wiggle my toes freely in the Topo Athletic Atmos 2! 

The question is: can the Atmos 2 top the original Atmos’ reputation for comfort, cushion and support during long runs? And, does that wide toe box actually mean a more comfortable ride? After a few weeks of running long in the Atmos 2, I’m excited to share my thoughts!

Topo Atmos 2 Overview

This shoe is great for you if you want to wiggle your toes and are looking for a max cushioned trainer to support you on your long runs!

As a half marathon runner, my runs are mostly 5-13 miles with some moderate efforts in the form of tempo or hill repeats. I didn’t get the chance to try any truly fast, short intervals in the Atmos 2, but found they held up well during long runs and longer tempo efforts.

The Atmos 2’s springy ZipFoam will give front-of-the pack runners who like extra cushion a nice bounce! At 8 ounces, this max cushion shoe is fairly light and I found them comfortable to run tempo workouts in, but it’s definitely not a carbon plated kind of fast shoe.

I never had the pleasure of trying on the original Atmos, but from previous wide toe box shoe reviews, I read that the original Atmos was known for its comfort and stack height of 38mm. The Atmos 2 has a stack height of 40mm, but it didn’t feel clunky or heavy despite the additional cushion!

Now it’s important to note that I have also been training in the Mizuno Wave Sky 9 with a whopping stack height of 44mm & 6 mm drop, so I am definitely a fan of the max cushioned shoe game!

Comparing the Mizuno Wave Sky 9’s foam to the Atmos 2’s, the experience was definitely quite different. I found the Atmos 2’s foam to be less yielding, less plush lending to a firmer ride. Depending on your preference, you may find this to be a preferred or less desirable experience.

So the thing I love most about wearing the Atmos 2 is the toe box, but it’s also the thing that makes the Atmos 2 slightly less pleasing to my eye.

As a lover of bright, funky colors, I surprisingly appreciated the very ‘vanilla’ cream color because it matches everything!  That said, because of the shoe’s shape, I probably will not wear the Atmos 2 casually.

Topo Atmos 2 Fit

I consider my foot to be wide throughout, but found the shoe to be comfortable even through the midfoot. Depending on how wide your foot is, this could be a great option for my fellow wide feet runners!

The toe box is SO comfortable! I can’t say it enough. These shoes were sent to me in my usual size 9.5, and I wonder if I could size down in the Topo Athletic brand because of their generous toe box.  

The particular reason I’m curious if a smaller size would feel more comfortable is because the heel does feel a little loose, despite fitting comfortably in the arch, heel and midfoot. My heel felt like it was able to move around more than I’d expect despite having a padded, high heel collar.

Through the midsole, the Atmos 2 does a good job of comfortably cradling my foot without needing to tighten the laces. I spoke before how the cushion feels firmer than what I’m used to, and that firmness started to irritate my arch as I got closer to the 90-120 minute mark of long runs.

However, prior to that 90 minute mark, it really was not an issue. This also could be a result of the slightly smaller heel drop of 5mm compared to the 6mm to which I’m accustomed.

The Atmos 2 rocks an unattached, moderately padded tongue which comes up high, stays put while running, and did not cause me any discomfort while logging miles. The laces were a good length that were able to comfortably tighten and  secure my foot.

Topo Atmos Feel

I rocked the Atmos 2 during warm and cooler weather runs thanks to the transitioning season, and it was very comfortable to wear in warmer weather because of its breathability. 

The Atmos 2 features a full-length ZipFoam midsole cushion which adds energy return to your stride. The foam is comfortable, but not as plush as the other max cushion shoe I train in.

That said, I think this could be a positive for those who want the protective benefit of a high stack, cushioned shoe without the super soft cushion experience. The Atmos 2 felt like it had a more traditional stack height than its towering 40 mm perhaps because the cushion is firmer and the heel drop is 5mm. 

The 5mm heel drop isn’t super different from the 6mm heel drop of the Mizuno Sky Wave 9 I was previously training in, however I did notice that this shoe felt more stable and like the pressure was more evenly distributed across my foot.

Because the Atmos 2 is a mere 8 ounces, this even distribution felt very comfortable, light and easy to carry with me on long runs. 

This is another one of those shoes that’s going to stay in our good for standing all day shoes because the foam really holds up and the shoe breathes so well.

Similar Shoes to the Topo Atmos 2

We’ve tested a few that feel similar, but different based on the brand fit. None of these are going to be quite the same toebox, unless you go for an Altra.

Who Tried It?

Hi! I’m Serena, a registered dietitian specializing in women’s health & running nutrition… and I love to run! A lifelong runner, I alternate between training for the half marathons and marathon distance, although my true love is the half marathon. Despite my obsession with long distances, my weekly mileage is usually around 30 miles per week, so I still have plenty of time to strength-train. If you’re interested in learning more about my training or working together, feel free to message me on Instagram @RunnerGirlDietitian, where I’m often sharing random tidbits on my Stories!

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