Customer Reviews Topo Athletic Specter

great shoe

I really enjoyed the feel of these for my last race of 100 miles. I had them on for the first 50 and changed into another brand with high cushioning for the second 50. I developed blisters with the second brand. Topos have almost perfected the 50 mile shoe. I'll be wearing these for my next 100 at Hennepin.

These shoes are nicely cushioned without the bulky feel and added weight usually associated with a high stack shoe. I would love to see a gusseted tongue in the next update.

I have mostly used my Spectors on the road, up until today. I took them to the trails, and they did far better than I would have figured. Of course the ground was dryer than an old man's scalp. I can only guess my opinion would be different if the trail was damp. I have high arches and a narrow foot until you get to my forefoot area. My feet become wide at that point. Typo's especially the Spectors fit my feet incredibly well. The new combination of foams is outstanding! I enjoy a firm but responsive ride, which is what this shoe delivers. When you want to step in the gas, it will launch you.

I have wide feet and finding running shoes that fit has been a lifelong challenge! I want something cushioned for my long runs and I've tried every Hoka under the sun - they either don't fit (even their Wides) or they rub my heels to blisters. The Specter, with Topo's great toe box, are perfect for me. Did a quick 3 miles to check fit was good then a solid 10-miler the next day. Love the Orange/ White combo, matches my Subaru!

First pair of Topos. Running for ~7 years. Wore Altra until they changed, NB Fuel Cell over 2,000 miles but these new Topos have replaced NB. First run-18 miles. Felt stiff initially then the cushion effect. Feet are an afterthought. Reminds me of a Kinvara but with padding. Wear a 2E and the toe box is ample. Picked up a second pair today at local shop. Use them for all types of outings. Excellent shoe Topo. Thank you! Looking into their trail offerings.

These are amazing! They feel great right out of the box. I was a Hoka One One die-hard fan before they were bought out. The shoes have never been the same. These are better than Hoka ever was. An improvement over previous generations of Topo running shoes because there is no break-in time for the foam. These are my favorite running shoes of all time and I have had more than a few.

Amazing. I switched from another brand because they've ruined their shoes, and I've discovered I like Topo even more than I ever did the other brand! These shoes are amazing. I am building my running fitness back, and these helped me go faster and feel better afterwards. Cushion in the right places, comfort with natural toe box fit, and great shape and springiness. Get these, you won't be disappointed.

The Specter is really nicely done. No issues with fit. The upper on the black colorway does feel a touch warm due to the color & summer heat, but breathable. Midsole is really nice, great combo of cushion & responsiveness. The higher stack of the shoe has taken a bit to get used to, don't interpret that observation as a negative. Would like to see the midsole used in other Topo offerings.

Longtime Topo fan but was beginning to worry that they weren't keeping up with light, springy foam technology that other shoemakers have been introducing in their running shoes. The Specter breaks new ground for Topo by offering a very cushioned yet springy and responsive running shoe that is also lightweight. I can't wear zero drop and prefer 3-6 mm drop instead, so this 5 mm shoe is perfect in that regard too. I hope Topo builds on this success and incorporates this new cushioning technology into their other road and trail shoes.

First cushioned shoe that works for my feet since knee surgery. It's responsive and comfortable and love the roomy toe box. The mid foot is a bit tight for me when I tighten it. But that's just in my situation. I've had some discomfort on my sides since surgery. But even with me loosening it up a bit the shoe fells secure throughout. I've been running in them for two weeks now and just love them.

For anyone out there like me, I wear an 11 in almost all Altra models, but since Altra has not been very impressive lately I wanted to try other brands to fill that spot in my rotaion. The specter is awesome. The only thing is I ordered an 11 like my Altra models and my toes hit the end of the shoe (only on one side, my feet are not the same size), so I have to return for a half size up. But once that is taken care of I think this will become my favorite shoe in my rotation.

I have always loved the Topo fit, and looked forward to Topo developing a shoe with lots of cushioning. The Specter does a great job of creating a soft, fast, comfortable ride, with a great fit - snug in heel, lots of space for toes. The Pebax core is discernible, and future versions of the shoe may benefit from a wider, deeper core. A joy to run in, and one of the best shoes I have run in.

I was excited to see Topo come out with a high stack performance shoe and the Spectre doesn't disappoint. Works best at quicker paces, and gives a great roll and pop when picking it up. Fit is a Topo fit, so it's snug around the midfoot and nice and open in the forefoot. Only negative is that, for me, it's a little loose around the ankle so some debris could sneak in. But on roads that's not an issue. Great shoe!! 10/10 recommend

I've ran in Topos for several years both road & trail. The Spectors are the best ever if the tounge was longer

Been with Altra for 10 years but the shrinking toe box made me look at my options. The Topo fit great, the mid sole is top notch and they are incredibly light for the amount of cushion. I will buy again. #sweepstakes

Both road & trail

I love this shoe for my Sunday 2+ hour runs. While it isn't as "springy" as the Cyclone 2, it is more cushioned. The only thing that keeps me from giving 5 stars is that they simply do not drain. I am a *heavy* sweater, and in the Florida humidity it only gets worse (if possible). These shoes hold so much that I'm considering drilling drain holes. Maybe it's the way the foam surrounds the Pebax that creates a bucket, I don't know, but I hope this issue can be addressed in the next version.

Moved from hoka Clifton's. An easy transition. Just a little harder foam but the stack height is similar. Toebox amazing. Tongue would be nice with just a little more padding.

This is my first pair of shoes from Topo's & I wasn't disappointed. Today was my first run of 4 miles & they felt good. Its sizzling in Florida yet the shoes weren't hot. I wear thin socks yet my feet didn't sweat nearly as bad as other shoes I use. Didn't experience any blisters or foot pains. The shoe fit true to size and felt very nice when I put it on. When I first walked in it, I was suspect how it would feel running, but when I ran it really felt good. Looking forward to more runs.

These are great shoes. The upper is mesh, so they're not something you'll want to wear when it's wet or really cold. My one complaint is the same one I have with the Phantom (but not with the Ultrafly): the toe box isn't quite wide enough on the lateral side, at least for my wide feet, so my little toe feels squished. Otherwise I love the big toe box combined with some snugness in the midfoot and a firm heel.

Perfection in some areas, horrible in others. Upper: Almost perfect. the midsole (reviewed below) finally lightened up and felt more comfortable around 200mi, but then the upper tore. The fit was perfect and almost not comparable to anything else. I just with the medial and outer midfoot sections wouldn't have torn open. Lockdown and sizing was absolute perfection though. Lasting closer to 300-400 would be adequate, it doesn't need to be beefed up to outlast the midsole, but at least slightly more support to last 300+ would be nice. Midsole: This is the biggest gripe... out of the box, was ultra stiff and felt like no compression. Let a teammate try (borderline elite runner) and he felt the same like there was no return in energy. After breaking them in for about 80 miles they lightened up and felt better, but once the upper finally tore, I did a test and cut open the midsole. The *Pebax core* and not the EVA is what was rough with next to no compression. I was surprised.... pressing my thumbs into the EVA gave way, the pebax felt closer to wood than to foam. Unless the pebax is taken back to formula, I'd say this shoe is better off just EVA without the rock hard pebax core. Outsole: Seth Demoor would have smiled and given his top rating to the tread. Sticky, and just enough, while being minimalistic and durable! I love Topo's in-house tread.

This is my 3rd pair of Topo's, but first for road. Overall I think it's on the verge of being great, but a handful of small things that could be improved. The good; clean exterior with minimal stitching. Perfect stack height, lots of cush, but stable. Could be better; Fabric very thin, needs overlay on toe. Needs more rocker, as the stride is very flat thru the middle. Upper isn't plush at all. Toe curve a bit aggressive, rubs middle/ring toes. Add 1mm to outsole. Topo color combos are bad.