Topo Athletics Ultrafly 6 Is Quietly One of the Best Stability Shoes

The Topo Athletic Ultrafly 6 is the shoe equivalent of a favorite t-shirt. It’s not flashy, but it fits just right and feels so comfortable, you want to wear it daily. The Ultrafly 6 delivers this lived-in-comfort out-of-the-box through its natural foot shape and discrete stability support.

From the moment I laced these up to the end of a long run, the Ultrafly delivered comfort and support. I’ve tried a variety of wide toe box shoes but these offered one of the best natural foot fits. There’s plenty of space for toe splay but my heels fit securely.

I expect to use these dependable trainers for all my road runs and paved adventures.

This shoe is great for runners who want a stable all-purpose shoe with wiggle room for the toes and a responsive cushion.

Topo Athletics Ultrafly 6 Overview

For years, Topo Athletic has been my preferred shoe brand because it offers a high-quality running shoe with a natural foot shape.

Many runners can benefit from a wider toe box either because their feet swell after a few miles, need extra toe wiggle room, or have a wide forefoot.

I belong to the latter group. My husband calls my feet “flipper shaped,” but a running store employee more politely describes them as “Topo-shaped.”

Given my love of Topos, I had high expectations for the Ultrafly 6. It did not disappoint. It’s getting added to our Best Topo Running shoes list!

When I first received the Ultrafly, I was immediately enamored with the rich indigo coloring and the simplicity of its style. Lacing up, I noticed how comfortable these shoes are.The cushioned stability felt natural and kept my form sharp even when I finished my long runs.

I tested these shoes at a variety of paces, distances, and terrains, because this is January in New England, many of the roads have a sheen of ice, salt, and gravel.

The tread was not substantial enough for some of these conditions, but better than many road shoes. (Even trail shoes become squirrely on ice.) These are true road shoes and work best on dry paved or gravel roads and paths.

When updating the Ultrafly 5, Topo increased the stack height in the Ultrafly 6 by 2mm. This should protect runners from excessive impact. The Ultrafly’s support system has also been redesigned to provide gentle form correction.

Overall, the Ultrafly 6 delivers a dependable, stable ride with plenty of space for the toes to play.

These look like a classic running shoes. They have a subtle style but little flash. I love the indigo purple and I expect it to wear well, hiding some of the inevitable dirt and damage. Additionally, subtle patterning on the upper provides visual interest.

Topo Athletics Ultrafly 6 Fit

Topo nails a natural foot shape. I have wider forefoot, and for me, the shoe fit exactly as it should. The shoe gave me space where I needed it but without shifting or rubbing.

The Ultrafly 6 spacious toebox allows the toes to move or swell. I can wiggle my toes while wearing these! Despite the width at the toe, the heel narrows slightly for a secure fit.

At the midfoot, the upper does not restrict my high volume feet but clearly would fit a lower volume feet as well. The flat laces stretch slightly, allowing them to be tied more securely and reducing the likelihood that my run will be derailed by a loose lace.

Under foot, these shoes have moderate arch support and a newly designed medial post. The medial post means a section of the shoe’s midsole is firmer than other parts of the shoe.

Rising from the sole, the upper is slightly stiff, especially towards the heel. This slightly stiff upper and redesigned medial post provides gentle support for runners who overpronate. This can be particularly helpful at the end of a long run when form starts to deteriorate.

The Ultrafly’s tongue moderate padding prevents pain on the upper foot from the laces. I prefer a moderate amount of padding on the tongue. Rather than preventing pain, too much tongue padding can hurt my high volume feet. For me, a little cushion under the tongue is comfortable; too much is misery.

The heel’s collar lining has light padding to ensure a secure fit and prevent rubbing. Additionally, a guided heel holds the foot centered in the shoe during runs.

Topo Athletics Ultrafly 6 Feel

When running, these shoes feel cushioned and responsive more than springy. The layered sole creates a comfortable base that can help your legs absorb the miles.

Topo’s OrthoLite insole is smooth and plush. It feels comforting against my foot and makes the miles seem easier. I’ve used both Topo’s OrthoLite insole and their trail insole, the FKT. Compared to the FKT, the OrthoLite has more give and a smoother feel. But it also absorbs water. After a rainy run, my shoes squished with every step.

Topo’s ZipFoam midsole creates a responsive base. This lightweight foam feels sturdy and responsive underfoot. Noticeably, the foam was sturdy enough to run in gravel and ice without showing wear.

Topo says the tread has been improved for durability and traction, and I found the tread adequate for road and gravel runs. However, it could not handle icy roads, wet gravel, or tricky terrain. In these conditions, I strapped on a pair of YakTrax. These traction devices allowed me to run outside without slipping. Without them, the Ultrafly would be relegated to road-only shoes, as they are designed to be.

The Ultrafly’s rocker provides smooth transitions during runs. I could move easily from heel to toe across a range of paces.

The upper is constructed from recycled mesh and breathes well. As I ran, I could feel the air circulating, a welcome feeling even in the winter. Clammy, sweaty feet feel frigid. Dry feet are warm feet.

The Ultrafly reminds me of the Veloci Mesa. Both road shoes have a natural foot shape and provide stability. The Ultrafly has a wider toebox, which may be preferable for wider feet.

Both shoes weigh about the same. (The Men’s Mesa is 9.5 ounces and the Ultrafly is 9.6.)

One key difference is drop. The Mesa’s 10mm drop is considered a high drop running shoe. Higher drops reduce strain on the calf and the Achilles, but can increase strain on the hips and knee for some runners.

The Ultrafly has a 5mm drop – my favorite drop height. A lower drop might improve cadence, front or mid foot striking, and reduce knee and hip pain.

The two shoes offer different stability systems. The Ultrafly has a medial post and external heel counter to reduce overpronation. The Mesa improves stability through a rigid sidewall. I found the Topo Ultrafly’s system less obvious than the Mesa’s. Both reduced pronation and felt good underfoot.

While both shoes are great stability shoes, I prefer the Ultrafly’s shape and drop. I prefer the lower drop and wider toe box that the Ultrafly delivers.

Similar Shoes to the Topo Athletic Ultrafly 6

We’ve tested a few that feel similar, but different based on the brand fit:

Who Tried It?

Becky Trudeau lives in New Hampshire and enjoys trail running in the mountains near her home. She has completed multiple half marathons, a mountain marathon, and a 50k with 7,000 feet of elevation. When not running, you may find her mountain biking, backcountry touring, cross-country skiing, or reading a mystery.

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