Topo Athletic Specter 2 Review
By Andrea Myers and Matthew Klein
The Topo Specter 2 is the long awaited update to the original Specter, which we tested in 2022. The Specter was Topo's first shoe to feature Pebax in the midsole, although it was a combination Pebax core within an EVA frame. The original Specter was a firmer riding uptempo trainer that I (Andrea) found best for 10k-marathon paces. After the release of all-around DOR favorite Cyclone 2, we were excited to see what a 100% Pebax Specter would bring, which is what we have in v2. Specter 2 maintains its firm ride and gets a redesigned outsole, with 2mm additional midsole stack and a more aggressive rocker profile.
Topo Athletic Specter 2Price: $164.95 at Running Warehouse
Weight: Unknown
Stack Height: 37mm / 32mm
Drop: 5mm
Shoe Purpose: Non-Plated Performance Trainer
Pros: Anatomical toe box provides comfortable forefoot fit, overall secure fitting upper, aggressive rocker geometry provides a rolling ride
Cons: Midsole is quite firm for being full Pebax and no plate, lower volume upper in toe box may not work for some, thicker mesh upper is noticeable in hot temps
RUNNING SHOE SUMMARY
The Topo Athletic Specter 2 is a maximalist, non-plated, full Pebax performance trainer. Topo says it is ideally suited for workouts, uptempo long runs, and marathon racing. While the original Specter had a Pebax core wrapped in an EVA frame, v2 has a full Pebax midsole and has gained 2mm of stack in the rearfoot and forefoot over v1. It also has a more pronounced posterior sole flare and more aggressive forefoot rocker and toe spring. With a firm ride and stiff platform, the shoe is best for runners with neutral mechanics who need a shoe for uptempo long runs and easy runs.
SIMILAR SHOES: Brooks Hyperion Max 2, New Balance Balos v1
PAST MODEL: Topo Specter 1
FIT
(To learn how a shoe should fit, check out our full podcast on fit by Matt Klein.)
Matt: The Topo Specter 2 fits me true to size in my normal Men's US size 10. It feels slightly short when walking around due to the moderate-to-high amount of toe spring. On the run, this evens out and the shoe feels true to size. The fit is classic to Topo with a wider toe box and more normal width midfoot and heel. The toebox is wide with a normal volume. The mesh upper provides some stretch both side to side and vertically, but it is secure. This transitions into a normal width midfoot with a thinner, non-gusseted tongue. The tongue does stay in place but there is not much structure to the midfoot. This has caused me some slight sliding during quick turns but is fine going forward. This finishes in a normal width heel that has mild heel collar cushioning. The heel is quite flexible and there does not appear to be a counter. Those with heel sensitivities will love this shoe as it has been extremely comfortable against my heel bone. The inner liner of the upper is highly comfortable and has been excellent for sockless wear. I have worn this shoe sockless up to 7 miles and full days casually without issue. However, once it gets wet or sweaty it takes a long time to dry as it is quite warm and absorbs moisture quickly. So those wanting to use it in wet weather or who are sweaty should know this shoe takes time to dry.
Typical Size: Men's US Size 10
Shoes that have fit Matt well: Saucony Guide 17, ASICS Kayano 30, Hoka Gaviota 5, Saucony Endorphin Elite, Nike Ultrafly
Shoes that have fit snug: Hoka Arahi 7, Saucony Kinvara 14
Shoes that have fit large: Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2, Altra Timp 5
Andrea: The Topo Specter 2 fits true to size in my usual women's 9.5. This is in contrast to the original Specter, which I tested in a size 10 and definitely needed the 1/2 size up for length. In Specter 2, I have a full thumb's width from the front of my big toe to the end of the shoe. The anatomical toe box provides sufficient width, but definitely has less volume as compared to the original Specter or Cyclone 2. This did not bother me, but was a noticeable change. The midfoot and rearfoot are normal width and I did not need to crank down the laces to achieve sufficient lockdown. The non-gusseted tongue is held in place with lace loops and I did not have any issues with the tongue slipping while running. The flexible heel has mild padding and fit comfortably. The recycled mesh upper is on the thicker side and I was aware of lack of breathability on my longer runs this summer. The upper took a full day to dry after a particularly hot 15 miler, despite being placed next to an air conditioning vent.
Andrea's Typical Size: Women's US Size 9.5
Shoes that have fit Andrea well: New Balance Beacon v3, Brooks Hyperion Max, Topo Cyclone 2, Nike Vaporfly 3, Altra Via Olympus 2
Shoes that have fit snug: Saucony Kinvara 14 (length and toe box width), Altra FWD Experience (length and width), Hoka Cielo Road (toe box width), Saucony Endorphin Speed and Pro 1-3 (length)
Shoes that have fit large: Adidas Boston 12 (length), Adidas Adios 8 (length)
Doctors of Running Checklist
Is This a Good Shoe for Walking: Yes
Is This a Good Shoe for Standing: Maybe
Is the Forefoot Flexible: Minimal
How Flexible is the Shoe: Minimal
Is This a Good Heel Bevel: No
Recommended for Haglunds: Yes
Recommended for Sockless: Yes
Durability Expectation: Average
PERFORMANCE
Andrea: The Topo Specter 2 is a high stack, highly rockered
performance trainer. The rocker profile feels significantly different
than the original Specter because of the more aggressive toe spring and
the large posterior sole flare of v2. The large posterior sole flare
made the shoe feel less nimble for me as a midfoot striker. While I
liked the original Specter for 10k-marathon paces, I found Specter 2 to
be better at easy to marathon paces. I tested Specter 2 at a variety of
paces, ranging from easy pace to threshold. While I liked the firm ride
and rolling feel for easy pace-marathon pace, I found the shoe a bit
sluggish at threshold effort. The posterior flare makes the shoe feel
more like an 8mm drop than its stated 5mm drop. The full length Pebax
midsole is very firm and has low compliance and resilience. It feels
just as firm as the original Specter, which had a Pebax core in an EVA
frame. It feels nothing like the bouncy Pebax midsole of Cyclone 2. This
is not necessarily a bad thing, but do not expect Specter 2 to feel
like a higher stack Cyclone 2. The shoe does feel lighter on foot as
compared to v1 and I found it to be most ideally suited to uptempo
longer runs. My longest run in the shoe was 15 miles on a combination of
paved road and dirt rail trail, and I appreciated the high underfoot
protection and rolling ride.
I was also pleased that the rubber
outsole provided sufficient grip on the dirt, even in muddy spots. I
have 40 miles on my pair and there is no visible wear on the rubber
outsole or exposed midsole, which is more impressive considering some of
those miles were on dirt. I would expect higher than average durability
from the outsole. For midsole durability, I got 250+ miles on my first
pair of Cyclone 2s, so it is likely that the thicker Pebax midsole of
Specter 2 will have similar or better durability. The midsole has
softened mildly after 40 miles, so it is possible that it will break in
further and perhaps provide a little more compliance than it does
currently.
Matt: The Topo Specter 2 is a lightweight trainer with a full PEBAX midsole. The ride is on the firmer end as the midsole is neither resilient or compliant. It is highly cushioned thanks to the tall stack height but it not bouncy. The geometry is quite aggressive with a large posterior heel flare, a large forefoot rocker and toe spring. Although there is a large posterior lateral heel bevel, the posterior flare makes the rear half of he shoe feel a bit clunky. There is a 5mm drop listed and the flare also makes it feel slightly higher than that. The heel transitions into a normal midfoot and the solid forefoot rocker makes for an easy transition off the toes. This large rocker and firmer sole (relatively) makes the shoe feel best at easier and uptempo efforts. I have tried to do faster workouts and struggled to push them any faster than fartlek efforts. Easy and longer efforts are good but this shoe does not turn over quick. It feels like a training companion to the Cyclone 2, rather than a more cushioned version.
The smooth outsole and exposed PEBA midsole foam make this a shoe best for roads and not uneven or aggressive terrain. Unfortunately, I caught the posterior lateral outsole piece after 20 miles and it has begun to come off. The rest of the sole has worn well, but those who scuff or shuffle during their running gait may have reduced durability in this shoe.
STABILITY
(Learn more about stability in our full guide)
Matt: The Topo Specter 2 is a neutral shoe with a few guided elements. There are no traditional methods of stability and no sidewalls throughout the length of the shoe. The midfoot is wider and does not have a taper on the medial side. The geometry is also quite rockered and promotes a good transition off the toes. The heel has a large posterior lateral bevel but is offset slightly by the large posterior heel flare. This causes a slightly early initial contact that can pitch the foot forward and medial. The PEBAX foam is not soft but does compress. By itself, the midfoot is not unstable but with the added posterior flare, those with medial motion may feel themselves pushed medial quickly. This is accentuated by the sole flaring at the heel, which makes the heel stable but sometimes accelerates motion at the midfoot. The forefoot's sole flare and rocker makes the shoe neutral to slightly guided up front. Those with neutral mechanics will do best in this shoe, particularly in the midfoot. However, those with mild guidance needs in the forefoot may also do well.
Andrea: The Topo Specter 2 is a neutral shoe with several guidance elements. The highly rockered geometry provides noticeable guidance into forward motion and the firm midsole and stiff platform amplify this feeling. There is also moderate sole flare that runs the length of the shoe and is more prominent in the lateral rearfoot and forefoot as compared to medially, similar to the original Specter. This provides guidance for those like myself who have difficulty loading their medial forefoot, but may create issues for those who need resistance to medial motion. The secure fitting upper provides better foot lockdown as compared to other shoes with more voluminous uppers, which can allow unwanted foot translation. While I love the Cyclone 2, I would say the fit of Specter 2 is even more performance-oriented due to the lower volume in the toe box.
Thoughts as a DPT: Posterior Sole Flare
By Andrea Myers
One of the most noticeable features of Topo Specter 2 is the large posterior sole flare, which was not present in v1. Posterior sole flare refers to the extension of the midsole posteriorly, or towards the back of the foot, beyond the heel. Posterior sole flare may cause initial contact to occur earlier in heel strikers, which typically results in a runner landing in increased dorsiflexion and causes the tibialis anterior (as well as the extensor hallucis longus, extensor digitorum longus, and peroneus tertius) to work harder to lower the foot to the ground (working in an eccentric manner) from initial contact to mid-stance. This could potentially result in anterior or medial shin pain due to the increased muscle work required by earlier initial contact. Runners with a history of shin pan, whether anterior or medial, should avoid shoes with posterior sole flare for this reason.
I am not a heel striker and land at my lateral midfoot. The posterior sole flare of Specter 2 made the shoe feel like it has a higher drop than it does, resulting in the feeling of the heel of the shoe getting in the way of my preferred midfoot landing pattern. This was most noticeable at faster paces, which I think is due to the stiff platform and low compliance of the midsole. Interestingly, I did not notice the heel as much when running at easier paces, which I attribute to the decreased force put into a shoe when running slower. I think that Specter 2 would be a better shoe for a greater number of runners if Topo changed the geometry of the rearfoot from this large posterior flare to a moderate heel bevel, which mimics the shape of the calcaneus. For midfoot and forefoot strikers, a heel bevel can help get the rearfoot of the shoe out of the way and better meet those runners' preferred movement path.
Queen, R. M. (2004). The effect of positive posterior heel flare on muscle activation, kinetics, and kinematics during running gait. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Matt: The Topo Athletic Specter 2 is a decent upgrade with the full length PEBAX midsole and weight drop. However, there are several places that would benefit from improvement. The large posterior heel flare is the first place that could be removed. While the bevel is in a great position, it needs to be moved forward. The heel flare only gets in the way and is not appropriate biomechanically for most heel strikers. It also adds unnecessary weight and make the shoe feel weirdly biased toward the rearfoot. The PEBAX foam is also firmer than expected. I did not find this shoe to be that resilient or compliant. Finally, ripping off the posterior lateral outsole piece in 20 miles is not great for durability. A longer coverage of outsole material, a midsole with more resilience and compliance and reduced heel flare would make for a far smoother and more versatile shoe. Topo definitely has a unique portion of the market making anatomic toe box shoes with full length PEBAX, so I hope they continue to improve this shoe as it provides a special option for those interested in the unique things it has.
Andrea: I enjoy running in Specter 2 and will definitely continue using it for easy runs and uptempo long runs. That being said, the midsole performance falls short of what I would expect for a high stack, non-plated Pebax midsole. This shoe is very firm and has very little bounce, which limits its use for me to slower paces. We know that Topo can make a bouncy Pebax midsole because the Cyclone 2 is an incredible performance trainer. I would like to see Topo give v3 a little more compliance and resilience. I also would recommend that they trim down the unnecessary posterior flare and increase the heel bevel slightly to make the shoe perform like a shoe with 5mm drop. The shoe could also lose a little more weight by refining the mesh upper and hopefully making it more breathable. Otherwise, I think this is a nice update on v1 and I always appreciate the stellar Topo fit.
WHO IS THIS SHOE FOR?
Matt: The Topo Specter 2 is a high stack height, non-plated lightweight trainer that works best for easy runs, long runs and mild uptempo paces. The firmer PEBAX and long geometry make it best at easier efforts as the heel can get in the way during faster things. Those who like a low-drop shoe but don't want it to feel low will do best in this shoe as it feels like a higher drop than the listed 5mm, Those who do well with firmer rides will also like this rare PEBAX option, especially if they want a wider toe box. The sole is plenty protective, but those who are light on their feet and do not scuff the sole will do best from an outsole durability perspective. I (again) feel that this a is a training companion to the Cyclone 2 given its firmer, easy pace biased ride and higher stack height. It functions best as a higher mileage/workhorse shoe rather than the advertised performance trainer. That is not bad but instead provides a unique, wide-toe box option for those who want a PEBAX midsole without the mushiness.
Andrea: The Topo Athletic Specter 2 is a maximalist, non-plated performance trainer that is best for easy pace to marathon pace. Despite its full Pebax midsole, it has a very firm ride which limits its use to slower paces. The large posterior sole flare will make this feel less like a 5mm drop shoe and more like an 8mm drop, particularly for those who land further forward. That being said, I have enjoyed running in the shoe and appreciate its classic Topo fit and protective ride. At $165, it is less expensive as compared to similar shoes, but is also the firmest and least responsive by far. There are also several non-PEBA shoes that provide more compliance and resilience and are better suited to a range of paces. Specter 2 will work best for those who are looking for a firm, workhorse shoe for marathon pace and slower.
GRADES
Matt
Fit: A- (Wide toe box with comfortable but slightly warm upper. Fit feels slightly short due to toe spring but evens out on the run)
Performance: B/B+ (Firmer PEBAX with highly rockered ride best for easier and uptempo efforts. Posterior flare causes early initial contact but forefoot is smooth)
Stability: B/B+ [Neutral] (Sole flare in heel and forefoot create mild guidance. Softer midfoot and posterior lateral heel flare creates mild medial pitch)
Value: B- (Unique shoe but firmer, less versatile ride and how quickly I ripped through the outsole makes me concerned for the overall value)
Personal: B (Good, comfortable shoe but limited durability and versatility make this a challenging shoe for me. The wide toe box and great upper is awesome for sockless wear though)
Overall Design: B/B+
Andrea
Fit: A (Classic Topo anatomical toe box with a little less volume for a more secure fit. Only negative is thick upper which gets hot and bogged down with sweat in high temps.)
Performance: B/B+ (Firm, rockered ride feels best for marathon pace and slower. Large posterior flare makes the shoe feel like a higher drop than it is. I would like it to be a more versatile performance trainer, but it excels at slower paces and long runs.)
Stability [neutral]: B+ (Nice guidance elements for those who have difficulty loading their medial forefoot. Aggressive forefoot rocker/toe spring provide comfortable forward guidance.)
Value: B+ ($165 makes it lower price than many other high stack Pebax shoes, but it does not have the bounce that is expected of such a shoe.)
Personal: B/B+ (Great for easy pace-marathon pace, but disappointing that it doesn't perform at faster paces.)
Overall Design: B+
SHOP | SUPPORT DORTopo Athletics Specter 2Price: $164.95 at Running Warehouse
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