Article by Renee Krusemark, Ernst Linder and Sam Winebaum
Topo Specter 2 ($165)
Pros:
- Strong weight to cushion ratio: Renee/Sam/Ernst
- Cushioned yet responsive midsole: Renee/Sam/Ernst
- Energetic, toes in the game toe off: PEBAX foam, broad platform, effective rocker.with flex: Sam/Ernst
- More relaxed fit, softer riding, and more cushioned than v1: Sam
- Broad, secure and comfortable upper: Sam/Ernst
Cons:
- Rockered ride can impede natural foot flex: Renee/Ernst
- A yet wider toe box may challenge narrower feet in lockdown to the front of the platforma at faster paces: Sam
- Loses some of the quick stable response and snappiness of v1 as the firmer EVA carrier is eliminated. Sam
Introduction
Sam: The Topo Specter 2 is a daily road running trainer now entirely powered by supercritical PEBAX foam. A rocker based shoe with the same geometry as its version 1, it gains 2 mm of stack height front and back to 37mm heel / 32 mm forefoot and eliminates the prior outer EVA carrier foam and gets some flex. While it gains 5g in weight, it is still remarkably light for its stack height and broad platform checking in at 8.2 oz / 232g in my US8.5 sample.
Topo is a rapidly growing road and trail shoe brand whose motto is “Move Better”. All Topo shoes have an anatomical upper with in my view the unique characteristic of having as solid a hold (and comfort) for narrower feet (such as mine) as for broader higher volume feet, and that is the case with the Specter 2. Topo heel to toe drops range from 0mm to 5mm with a 5mm drop here.
Positioned by Topo as “a high performance, max cushioned daily trainer designed for up-tempo long distance running”. Let’s see if that is what we found. Please read on for all the details.
Most comparable shoes ( full comparisons at the end of the review)
ASICS Noosa Tri 16
New Balance Rebel v4
Craft Pacer
Stats
Approx. Weight: men's 8.3 oz / 235g US9
Sample Weight: men’s 8.2 oz / 232g US8.5 ( V1 : 8.0 oz / 227g US8.5)
women’s sample 7.8 oz / 221 g US W8, 6.95 oz / 198g US 7.5
Stack Height: men’s 37mm heel / 32mm forefoot ( 5mm drop spec)
Previous Version: 35mm heel / 30mm forefoot ( 5mm drop)
Platform Width: 85 mm heel / 70 mm midfoot / 105 mm forefoot
Previous Version: 85 mm heel / 65 mm midfoot / 105 mm forefoot
First Impressions, Fit and Upper
Renee:
The Specter 2 made a great first impression with its lightweight, full Pebax midsole. I’m hoping those who aren’t familiar with Topo will give it a look as the shoe provides a unique ride that some runners will enjoy, especially compared to other shoes on the market that are higher drop and heavier for their stack of cushion.
I’m between half sizes, and prefer a 7.5 in Topo as compared to my usual size 8 in other brands. I suggest your typical Topo sizing. Those new to Topo might want to half size down if already between half sizes and especially if you have a narrower lower volume foot..
The Specter 2 is the first Topo I’ve worn where my toes hit the front of the shoe. I don’t think I need a half size up, just a note for runners who, like me, are between half sizes. I think the distinct geometry/rocker underfoot makes the shoe feel slightly shorter. And I should mention I run gravel roads, and the length was only an issue when running downhill over clumps of dirt. The upper has great security in the heel and midfoot, as all Topo shoes are for me. Breathability is okay. The upper doesn’t have super thin mesh, which is good for durability in a daily trainer.
Sam: As always with Topo, a superb upper. Simple and effective, the upper provides solid heel hold and comfort for a wide range of foot widths and volumes including my narrower lower volume feet. Not easy to do and Topo pulls it off in every shoe in my experience
The fit is yet more relaxed and the toe box broader than v1, as shown above. The midfoot is well held with the inside of the upper having a more extensive array of overlays than v1.
Topo continues its excellent cord loops on the tongue to hold it in place and without a gusset strap. The top edge of the tongue has a softer mesh edge.
There is no rigid or semi rigid heel counter yet the rear of the foot is very well. I think the secret is a fairly stiff overlay extending from the rear of the shoe to the lace. In v1 the overlay was situated lower on the upper.with the area above it more pliable than here.
The overlay is situated down below the collar edges which, along with the ankle and achilles collar are now considerably more padded than in v1. The midsole now extends further up over the far center rear to stabilize landings.
During an A/B run with v1 on one foot and v2 on the other what I noticed most was the broader not quite as well held v2 toe box. I also noted less upward pressure at the arch in v2, likely due in part to a 5mm wider midfoot platform.
While not the thinnest upper mesh, the Specter 2 has been more than adequately breathable due to the many gray slots which are actually areas where the outer lime mesh knit is not present.
The fit is true to size for me but more relaxed and comfort oriented than the thinner mesh of the V1 on what looks and feels like a slightly narrower v1 upper last. Narrow lower volume feet should try a half size down paying close attention that there is enough length.
Ernst: The first run with the Specter 2 was somewhat of a pleasant surprise with respect to its stability especially with a stack height of over 30mm which is more than I am used to as I have preferred more minimalist shoes for road running.
I did however experience some "foot-dropping" issues and produced a noticeable tap-tap noise indicating an overly stiff shoe for my height and weight. Eventually I seemed to adjust my foot strike which evened out the ride. The shoes also felt "broken in" after 50 miles or so, as the upper in the front toe area molded to my foot from the very pronounced rocking motion during the run.
My unease about the stiffness may also have been compounded by my general use of zero-drop shoes, mostly Altras which require strong foot flexing. Currently, after 75 miles and 10 runs with the Specter, I am happy to report an overall quite positive training experience with this shoe.
The Specter 2 fits to my usual men's U.S. 8.5 size; my wide foot requires a wide toe box that is not severely tapered inwards in the medial front. An initial cramped feeling in the forefoot, typical of brand-new shoes, was not severe enough to consider stepping up to a size 9.
There were no issues of toe jamming or bunion-discomfort even after my two longest runs so far of 17.5 miles on a mix of pavement and packed gravel, and then 12 miles on all pavement. I hope to be able to test the Specter up to the marathon distance.
The shoe's upper is secure and breathable, and is reasonably comfortable during the summer heat.
Midsole & Platform
Renee: The full Pebax midsole is fantastic. The shoe has plenty of stack at 37mm heel / 32 mm forefoot for long runs while remaining lightweight at 7.8 oz / 221 g in my US women’s 8.
The midsole is dense, but not firm, with a comfort/responsiveness ratio that is expected from a Pebax midsole.
The shoe is firmer underfoot than say, FuelCell in the New Balance Rebel v4 and I think that provides more support under the foot. The Specter has a distinct geometry underfoot in my opinion. There’s great support under the arch, in part thanks to the flexible Ortholite insole, with a slight rocker in the forefoot. If you suffer from underfoot pain, the Topo feels like a hug under the foot.
Sam: Nothing like a pure unadulterated (unplated and no carrier outer foam) all supercritical foam midsole. Topo previously gave us a full taste of the soft yet very energetic full PEBAX midsole in their Cyclone 2 (RTR Review). Considerably lower stack height at 28mm heel / 23mm forefoot and as a result lighter it is a super fun plateless racer to speed shoe.
Here we have the same set up but considerably more PEBAX at 37mm heel 32mm forefoot which leads to a more pronounced rocker type shoe vs. flex based as in the Cyclone 2. Specter 1 was also rocker based but due to its outer EVA carrier is quite a bit stiffer than the Cyclone 2 so yet more rocker based than v2 is.
By eliminating the EVA carrier and despite 2mm more stack height than version 1 we have more flex and a softer ride than before.
One might worry about stability, especially at the heel with all PEBAX foam and not plate, but I found that the new wrap up the heel extension of the midsole and cantilever rear of the shoe was stable enough and even at slower paces.
Upfront there is a distinct sensation of a broad platform to push off from, a sinking of the toes into the foam and then a nice smooth if not as responsive snappy toe off as in v1. The difference was clearly felt in my A/B test.
Renee describes the foam well and I agree with her comparison to New Balance’s FuelCell which feels airier, less dense and less stable in the plateless Rebel v4. The PEBAX is an expanded bead foam unlike the FuelCell and feels closer to foams such as PWRRUN Pb from Saucony in its new softer 2023-2024 form, so a foam with more squish and deflection under load but with a quick return. It also reminds of Craft’s TPE based Px foam in the Pacer (RTR Review) a shoe with a very similar stack height and weight but a considerably broader and somewhat unwieldy heel platform.
Bottom Line: The Specter 2 midsole provides ample cushion, energetic rebound and has a strong weight to cushion ratio. No plates, no gimmicks. It is very pleasing and protective at the same time. A near ideal midsole for all but faster paced tempo and intervals due to its somewhat muted response and snap.
Ernst: I share everyone's enthusiasm about the full Pebax midsole. Its geometry and its responsiveness appear to be just right to provide stability while at the same time enabling a smooth ride and promote a strong rocker motion to enable good speed.
I surely agree with Sam's remarks about heel stability. I was initially suspicious about increased use of cantilever in new shoes thinking that it would increase heel touching. But I see in the Specter that the very distinct heel-tapered midsole combined with cantilever and overlays all contributed to heel stability without any negative effect on the foot landing. I usually land on my mid-foot.
I strongly agree with Renee about the shoes firm arch support which has been consistent in all the Topo shoes I have been wearing, and which is often lacking in other brands.
Outsole
Renee: The outsole has minimal hard rubber coverage, and with the thick Pebax midsole, it doesn’t need more coverage. I ran on gravel, and couldn’t feel any rocks. I don’t think this is the best shoe for uneven gravel terrain (see my notes in the ride section), but it is easy to control because of the secure upper and light weight. There’s some convex shaping to the outsole under the forefoot, which contributes to the rocker/geometry I described in the midsole section.
Even the exposed sections of the outsole have no wear (discolored from dirt and running over mulberries). The Pebax is dense, so I expect the shoe to have above average durability for most runners as compared to some of the shoes listed below in the comparisons.
Sam: Rubber is where it is needed for traction and wear in a relatively thin but durable density single compound that in previous Topo such as Specter 1 proved long lasting.
By eliminating rubber where it is not in contact with either landings or take offs, Topo eliminates weight and also allows the shoe to be well decoupled at the rear allowing for smooth transitions in conjunction with rear rocker.
Upfront, the longitudinal grooves allow for more flex than in v1 which had more continuous coverage there and was stiffer. This new outsole arrangement, along with the elimination of the outer EVA carrier leads to a smoother easier toe off, although one that is not quite as dynamic and snappy as before, leaning the shoe somewhat more towards easier paces and all around daily training
Ernst: Adding to Sam's description of the rubber outsole: Apart from the longitudinal grooves, the surface of the rubber is ever so slightly grooved, almost microscopic, which may provide some extra traction. But I noticed that after 75 miles, this structure is already smoothed out from usage on the usual landing points which, in my case, is most of the lateral side. For comparison, in the Topo Cyclone 2, this fine structure is almost entirely gone after 215 miles of usage, yet its Pebax shows no visual signs of wear-out which is a good sign pointing to possible longevity of the Specter 2. The outer rubber wear-out is probably not an issue of grave concern as even a smoothed-out rubber still provides sufficient traction in most cases.
Ride, Conclusions and Recommendations
Sam: The Specter 2 mellows out some and mostly for the better as we have a softer energetic all PEBAX ride that is protective, pleasant and friendly at any pace.
Topo’s “Move Better” motto is actually felt especially at the forefoot and toe off with the broad platform and upper allowing the toes to splay, drive into the foam (and the individual toes are actually sort of felt working) with push off smooth and easy if not as quick and up tempo in feel.
As said above, the ride is not quite as snappy, quick rolling and responsive as in v1 at faster paces and that is OK as for fast Topo has the Cyclone 2. I do miss that faster reacting forefoot at faster paces and wonder what a bit more continuous rubber upfront and more securely held forefoot might do to accentuate the rocker and response a bit more.
The upper is versatile with plenty of room for broader feet and enough hold for narrower ones. I do miss the somewhat more secure front hold of v1 while appreciating the increased collar padding and rear support.
Overall, Topo has delivered another hit in a string stretching back at least 2 years. The Specter 2 is a modern and fun super foam and geometry trainer that is polished, light and foot friendly making it a top choice as an all around daily trainer.
Sam’s Score: 9.3 /10
Deductions for a bit more forefoot hold for my narrower feet and a more snappy dynamic toe off for faster paced days.
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Sam's Initial Video Review
Renee: The ride is distinct. The Pebax midsole is great, offering a lightweight, responsive yet protective ride. As an uptempo, mid or long distance shoe, it’s a great option.
The underfoot geometry hugs the midfoot/arch and has a rocker from the mid to the forefoot area. All of that makes maintaining a consistent pace easy and comfortable, especially for anyone with foot pains. I found the rocker/geometry to be overbearing at times, when I’d prefer a more traditional underfoot ride with a natural flex. I’ll use the shoe for the 10-15 mile tempo runs and maybe the occasional/shorter easy run.
The shoe works best for me for the long run on even terrain (I know, it’s a road shoe!). For shorter, faster efforts, I prefer less of a rocker, and I think the flared heel contributes to that opinion. At no fault of the shoe’s purpose, it’s better on smooth terrain than gravel, so take my thoughts with a grain or two of sand if you run on paved roads.
Renee’s Score: 9.1/10 (-distinct underfoot geometry won’t be for everyone, -lack of flex underfoot for daily miles).
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Ernst: The Topo Specter 2 is a nice surprise for a daily road trainer. Novel to me is the high stack height and the pronounced geometry of strong tapers in the midsole in both, the frontal toe box area, and the rear heel area, which promotes a strong rocker movement. Yet the shoe provides great stability through its reinforcements in the uppers around the heel/Achilles area and the rear cantilever shaped midsole.
All these features have been engineered together without packing too much weight into it. After a short getting-used-to period I found the Specter to be surprisingly soft and comfortable for my feet. While I have adjusted my gait to the very definite rocker motion, I am still slightly uneasy about its effects during long on-pavement runs when fatigue sets in and form starts to falter.
Having done numerous road races from short to marathon distance for a year now in the Specter's cousin racer, the Topo Cyclone 2, which is much softer and has similar features but with considerably less padding / stack height, I have gotten used to the forward motion with a non-plated shoe. The Cyclone is more nimble, thus providing more connection with the natural flex in the toes, which I like.
However I welcome the addition of a similar albeit heavier but sufficiently cushioning trainer especially for longer distances. I have also used the Specter 2 for warmups before switching to the Cyclone 2 (RTR Review) in several races now which worked seamlessly for me. They are a nice pairing indeed, as Sam mentioned.
Ernst’s Score: 9.3/10. (deductions for stiffness and lack of toe flex)
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6 Comparisons
Index to all RTR reviews: HERE
Topo Specter 1(RTR Review)
Sam: Covered in the review. The Specter 2 mellows out its ride a bit while increasing the fun and energy return factor with an all PEBAX midsole, eliminating the EVA carrier and adding 2mm more stack height. It loses some of the stiffer rocker of v1 while increasing its flex. The upper is clearly roomier (and not quite as well held up front ) as v1 but more comfortable.
Craft Pacer (RTR Review)
Sam: Very similar riding foams the Craft heel platform is a big 15mm wider so it is more rear stable but that broad heel is noticed as in the way at times. Similarly stacked and about the same weight with a similarly energetic foam, it doesn’t quite pull its platform together as well as the Topo. Its light upper is roomy and comfortable as well as true to size but doesn’t quite have the hold or polish of the Specter’s.
New Balance Rebel v4 (RTR Review)
Renee: The Rebel is an even lighter weight shoe, with just as much stack for long runs and a more responsive ride for short, fast paces. The shoe has a wider platform in the current version as compared to the old Rebels, but it rides more traditional than the Specter 2. I prefer the Rebel v4, but would recommend the Specter for those who like a rocker and who need/enjoy a supportive arch feel.
The midsole is more dense in the Specter 2, so runners who feel as if the Rebel’s midsole might pack out quickly (not an issue for me) might prefer the firmer Pebax in the Specter. I wear a half size shorter in the Specter than my normal. The Rebel’s upper is thinner and more breathable, but the security of the Specter upper is far better.
Sam: The Rebel v4 is indeed lighter and lighter in feel from upper to its airy very soft PEBA/EVA blend. Not nearly as stable or pace versatile towards slower paces as the Topo , it focuses on faster efforts. Its fit is notably broad for a performance oriented shoe due to its light weight materials.
Saucony Ride 17 (RTR Review)
Renee: The Ride gained weight, stack, and platformwidth from its previous version. The Specter is the lighter option with a more dynamic midsole. The Ride has a traditional higher drop (8mm vs. 5mm for the Topo,, flex type “ride” as compared to the Specter’s rocker geometry. I like lightweight shoes, and the Specter has a clear advantage. Both work great for long runs, it’s just a matter of preference for lower or higher drop along with traditional or rocker. I wore a half size shorter inthe Specter.
ASICS Noosa Tri 16 (RTR Review)
Sam: Somewhat lower stack height, lighter by almost 1 oz /28g, and more quick responding, if firmer, the Noosa Tri 16 leans faster paces than the Specter from ride to its snugger more performance focused upper.
adidas Adizero SL 2 (RTR Video Review)
Sam: The latest SL has the same heel height but doubles the drop to 10mm. It weighs slightly more. Its combination of a new soft Lightstrike foam and inner Lightstrike Pro core deliver a similar softer energetic ride and one that relies on its drop and flexibility vs the more rocker based (and deeper forefoot cushion) of the Topo. The SL upper is not nearly as polished as the Specter’s and does not have as good midfoot support or as much toe box room. It is a super fun shorter distance faster paces trainer but for longer hauls I would choose the Specter.
Tester Profiles
Renee is a former U.S. Marine journalist, which is when her enjoyment of running and writing started. She isn’t that awesome of a runner, but she tries really hard. Most of her weekly 50-60 miles take place on rural country roads in Nebraska, meaning mud, gravel, dirt, hills, and the occasional field. She has PR’s of 1:30:59 for the half marathon and 3:26:45 for the marathon.
Ernst lives on the New Hampshire Seacoast area and loves being able to run "from his doorstep" on several connected trail networks. While being the shortest student in grade school, he found almost all sports to be overly challenging, but "distance" running seemed to be natural for him. Eventually his family steered him towards competitive orienteering in his teenage years in Switzerland. This all stopped when he became an exchange student and moved to the USA.
But the seed was sown, and eventually the running spirit reemerged. Throughout the years he has rediscovered orienteering, pursued road, trail and mountain running, adventure racing, triathlon and nordic skiing.
He turned towards more competitive running when Loco started organizing races in the Seacoast area, first half marathons in 2007, and later marathons. His marathon PR is 3:03 at age 59, and he has numerous USA Track and Field New Hampshire age group state records. He is 68 years old 5ft 5 inches (165cm) tall and weighs 135 lb (61 kg).
Sam is the Editor and Founder of Road Trail Run. He is in his 60’s with 2024 Sam’s 52th year of running roads and trails. He has a decades old 2:28 marathon PR. These days he runs halves in the just sub 1:40 range if he gets very, very lucky. Sam trains 30-40 miles per week mostly at moderate paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Utah be it on the run, hiking or on nordic skis. He is 5’9” tall and weighs about 164 lbs, if he is not enjoying too many fine New England IPA’s
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4 comments:
Sam - how does the midsole compare with that of the similar stack, plateless, PEBA, Cielo Road?
As a major Cyclone 2 fan with marathon aspirations this year, I'm psyched for this shoe. Thanks again for the solid review and video.
Hi Road Trail Run,
how does it compare to Topo Athletic Atmos ? From the Specs it looks pretty identical...
thanks and best regards, Roland
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