Customer Reviews Topo Athletic Fli-Lyte 4

I love the minimal heel drop and wide toe box. The only reason I didn't rate 5 stars is that the arch support is quite aggressive for a neutral shoe.

I like the toe box size and the cushioned run. I am used to running in a very minimalist shoe so this has plenty of cushion for me. I don't like the padded tongue, especially on the sides they are tapered like many tongues are and it digs into my foot. I have a small high arched foot and the tongue, on longer runs, wants to dig into the top side of my foot.(same issue with the ST-4) I prefer a minimal sewn in tongue. I am not totally sold and will keep looking for the perfect shoe.

I ended up returning these. I loved how roomy the toe box was and the amount of cushion was perfect, but the tongue was super puffy with a lot of loose fabric and the heel was too wide. I'm always between sizes so I think for someone that is a true women's 12, go for it.

I have loved for a shoe as a health care worker for year's. I have literally tried every brand you can name. I went to a store that fits feet per a co workers recommendation... I was hesitant as I just tried a different shoe someone loved and it fell apart and gave me red toes. Best decision I made! They told me my foot type and then recommended these shoes and I wear them for 12 to 14 hour shifts and I just love them. I don't have red marks. I don't have hard areas. My feet and legs don't scream when I get home. I don't know about running but I would guess it would be the same seeing as how that's basically my pace throughout my shift.

I have been wearing the Fli-Lyte for several years and loved it. I love the wide toe box and light weight feel. I like being able to feel the ground because it is not a built up, stiff shoe. But why did you add an arch support in the 4? I don't need it! I ran in my new shoe and could feel the arch and it bothered me. You already make a "stability" shoe and this should have been left as a "neutral" shoe. I am returning the Flight-Lyte 4.

They feel 1/2 a size small and a bit narrower than the 3's. The heel is a lot stiffer, but seems to be softening up as I wear them more. They're good for my shorter runs, where as the 3's were my go to for every run.

I struggled to find athletic shoes that allowed my toes to spread and allowed me to wear toe separators between my last two toes to prevent my neuromas from being triggered. Topo fly lite 2s were a goddess send !! I wore my last pair into the ground so I bought the newer version 3 and noticed that toe box was narrowed and there is a quite a lift at the front of shoe that forces your toes upward putting awkward strain on the foot on runs, workouts, walking. I wore them in the dirt and mud so I kept them but I wear them now without insoles and only for not impact workouts. Please bring the 2s backs!

I loved my first pair of ST3s, but these run about a half size small! Such a bummer to have to return and swap. Overall though - good shoe. Just wish for some sizing consistency!

I have been wearing the Fli-Lyte model since the Fli-Lyte 2, and just ordered the Fli-Lyte 4. Unfortunately, I am not happy about the changes that have been made to them. There is now a pitch to the back with the slanted heel and the stiffer middle of the sole, that this shoe has totally changed my running form. I will not be wearing them much, because changing my running form will not benefit me at all. I just finished a marathon wearing the Fli-Lyte 3, and was totally happy with that shoe. Not with this one.

I have primarily worn the fli-lyte model since version 2.0. This has been my go to shoe for and I have owned several pairs. This shoe was the perfect transitional minimalist shoe, which I have used to run several half marathons. Enough stack height to not feel the ground/rocks, etc. but not a highly cushioned shoe. why the unnecessary addition of arch support in this neutral shoe?Makes it unusable for me. Please in the next version, remove the arch support and keep the minimal features.

Road walking and a bit of running

I wore two pairs of fli-lyte 3's while training for an ultramarathon in 2021 and absolutely loved them! Perfect amount of support and a nice wide toe box. The new fli-lyte 4's were just subpar. It felt like there was a wedge from my heel to my toes. The toe box is smaller and made the front of my foot hurt. I did one 5 mile jog in them and couldn't wait to take them off. I hate it when shoe companies have such a great product and then completely change it. I so badly wanted another pair of fli-lyte 3's.

I use my Topos for running, walking and warm weather hiking (when the trails are ice-free). I felt like I had finally come home when I put my feet in the Fli-Lyte 3's. I ordered multiple pairs. I went to order more recently, only to find the shoe had been "upgraded." The Fli-Lyte 4 took away the cushiony, free feel I loved. It's replaced with too much structure through the mid-foot area, noticeable lack of cushion, and loss of the soft tread on the bottom of the shoe. This happened to me too w/ the ST-2. I went to order more, they were no longer available, and the "upgrade" just didn't work for me. I feel like I'm starting over trying to replace the Fli-Lyte 3, and my feet are very hard to please!

I love Topo shoes and I usually get the mayfly with a very small heel drop; but it did not come in my size so I went with the 3 mm heel with zip foam.....it is ok but I cannot reason out why the left shoe, only is soooo noisy. I was going to return them but I need a running shoe and my last pair of Topos were in bad shape.

After over a decade of serious running, my Fly-Lite 3s were in my top 3 of favorite shoes, ever. Version 4 has been a let-down so far. The toe-box is slightly narrower and my third and forth toe rub against the shoe fabric (I bought the same size as my 3s). I HATE the new lacing system. It doesn't criss-cross over the foot enough for a secure fit, so the shoe is either too tight or too loose. I have yet to complete a run (anywhere from 7-15 miles, on average) where I don't want to rip the shoes off my feet afterwards. In every run so far I have had to stop and adjust the lacing multiple times because my foot was either sliding in my shoe or falling asleep because the lacing was too tight. I can't imagine running a marathon in these, which is SO disappointing because I was hoping to wear Fly-lites forever! In spite of my complaints, I really do fly in these shoes. My Fly-Lite 3s were literally falling apart and unwearable so I had to borrow my daughter's shoes for a couple of weeks until Fly-Lite 4 appeared. As soon as I began running in the Fly-lite 4s, I dropped 10-15 seconds off my average mile time as compared to my runs in my daughter's (brand new) shoes. I loved the Fly-Lite 3s, but am really struggling with the 4s.

Returned

I have been running in Fly Lytes for years now, mostly for shorter and faster workouts. I LOVED the previous versions - fast, light, comfortable, some of my all time faves. The changes to the 4 have made it impossible to run in. I am now rehabbing from injuries. I can run in my other Topos pain free, just not the new Fly-Lyte. Disappointed I now have a pair of shoes I can't run in. Please bring back the fit of the previous versions!

These shoes felt pretty normal when I first bought them. They felt a little stiff, but I thought I would break them in. They were maybe slightly bigger than I remembered this size being, but nothing crazy. However, in the first 3 long runs, the right shoe has caused severe pain in the heel of my foot, and now it is going up into my knee. I have never had this problem with any Topo shoe before, and I have been buying these shoes since 2015. I wore my old pair and the problem went away. Not sure what is wrong, but probably will be returning these.