The RW Takeaway: The ST-3 is a minimalist shoe for runners who like a barefoot ride without stubbing their toes.
- Lightweight and flexible midsole and upper
- Slim heel collar makes this shoe packable
- Not much cushioning
Price: $100
Weight: 7.2 oz (M), 5.9 oz (W)
Type: Road
More From Runner's World
Running in the ST-3, you realize the separation between a minimalist shoe and a racing flat. The shoe’s flexibility, for instance, translates to not much snap for sprinting and track workouts—but don’t write off this shoe yet when it comes to speed. The ST-3 can pack in swift without the stiff, its lightness as close as you can get to shoeless freedom—running in shoes. It’s the kind of trainer that’s the bare minimum without being bare.
Our testers didn’t sequester themselves to pavement; a wide toe box helps with dexterity, allowing your toes to flex and splay, making the shoe ideal for nimble and quick footing over paths strewn with rocks or brambles. The blucher saddle (a one-piece, open-lacing-style upper with the eyelets on flaps) provides a tight, secure hold around the forefoot.
The ST-3 may not have a carbon plate, but it will help turn up the speed—if you have a light instep. Exclaimed one wear tester: “I liked this shoe for its intended purpose: fast, light running!” However, he admitted the ride was “a little too hard.” Runners prone to knee or arch pain may want to instead shop for a sturdier, more robust in the cushioning department kind of shoe. All others who love that barefoot feel without having pebbles embedded into your foot will appreciate how the ST-3 mimics shoeless freedom.
Lightweight and Secure
A thin layer of foam provides very little cushioning. Running on hard surfaces for a stretch in the ST-3, you may experience soreness and fatigue in your legs. Short distances, say that local 5K, is where this shoe really shines, when it comes to racing.
Testers said the fit and ride rivaled Altra’s Escalante, stating the ST-3 seemed to feel more secure around the saddle. They also commented that the toe box was wide enough without making their toes feel like they were “swimming in extra space.”
“I was surprised by the support in the platform of the shoe,” said a tester. “I anticipated a lot more rolling, as I’d had in the Altra Escalante. I’d say the Topo is a more stable and supportive shoe.”
Pliable and Packable
Absent from the ST-3, like the one before it, is a rigid heel counter and cushioning. The first ST had a padded heel collar, but Topo slimmed down the rim with the ST-2 and now the ST-3, making it collapsible for packing into your running duffel. The fitted collar caused some rubbing in the back of the heel, but testers liked how the snug fit kept out road and trail debris.
Wear Tester Feedback
Lisa K., tester since 2017
Arch: Medium | Gait: Neutral | Footstrike: Midfoot
“While I wish there was a tad more cushioning throughout, I’d prefer the cushioning on the Topo to a shoe with too much. While I liked that I could feel the ground underfoot, I could also feel larger stones. I would have appreciated a bit more cushioning for running downhill on the road, as I’m a taller runner; I experienced a bit more jarring coming downhill than maybe a smaller runner. Overall, I preferred running in them on a cindered rail trail or flat roads to rolling hills (nothing super steep).”
Benjamin R., tester since 2012
Arch: Medium | Gait: Overpronator | Footstrike: Midfoot
“Since I am a forefoot runner, I liked the zero drop. My foot lands perfectly every time and they are light. I believe the shoe brings out certain running personalities and these are fast. Every training run was faster than usual. These will be my 5k racing shoes!”
Pros
- Thin heel collar is collapsible and keeps out debris
- Lightweight and flexible
Cons
- Little arch support and cushioning
Amanda is a test editor at Runner’s World who has run the Boston Marathon every year since 2013; she's a former professional baker with a master’s in gastronomy and she carb-loads on snickerdoodles.
