Customer Reviews Topo Athletic Specter

I have run in Topo for years now, and I think this is the best fitting model yet. Great protection for my feet with firm cushioning that is very responsive for speedwork and comfortable for long runs. Snug around the midfoot with the usual roomy toe box. Great shoe!

My Pilates teacher who I'm working with to heal plantar fasciitis and some other issues recommended these shoes to me and I love them! They are so lightweight. Had to get half a size up compared to other brands. The heel not being super high is very helpful. My one issue- ya'll are killing me with these color options! I wish there was a standard black pair. I plan to eventually look for another pair similar to this at Topos but that hopefully has other color options.

Love, love, love! This is my third pair of Topos and they are just as awesome as the first. Very light weight and cushioned. Also love the color - I am a sucker for flashy kicks!

The Specter felt PERFECT immediately! No need to break it in -- This is the shoe i would put up against all the light weight, carbon plate racing shoes of today that are being made by more well known shoe brands. i am spreading the word about this model. It has all the cushion you need for comfort, roomy toe box and propels you forward like the pricey carbon plate shoes. But, the Specter feels more stable --wide enough, yet snug enough in the heel . Perfect road running and racing shoe!

Best running shoes ever! Better than brooks and hukas and way better looking.

I have psoriatic arthritis and, ironically, keeping moving is the best medicine but not always easy to do. These shoes, this design, allows me to walk at nearly the pace of a nonarthritis sufferer. I'll never buy another brand. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Roomy tow box allows for all my toes to lay flat in the shoes rather than other running that squish my pinky toe while still feeling secure around the mid foot and heel. The shape of the shoes heels propel you forward and is very light and cushioned so feels like you're wearing nothing. Highly recommend especially if you're like me and your wore vapourflys that squished your toes and felt uncomfortable but you want a shoes just as high performance.

Was a Hoka fan, but now obsessed with these! LOVE the toe box and cushioning. Please add more colors!

They are perfect. Room for my toes, perfect cushion for my arthritic 65 year old feet, perfect stability!

My original review pointed out the fact that I was getting small blisters on the ball/bunion area of my foot. I loved everything else about these shoes, but returned them because of the blisters. I went back to my Magnifly 4 and after a couple of weeks, they were giving me blisters as well. Hmm. Could it be my feet and not the shoes?? I contacted Topo and they suggested that I try the Ultrafly since they have more 'volume' to them. And they do, and the blistering stopped. But I wasn't super happy with the Ultrafly. They were fine but there was no "wow" to them. I couldn't stop thinking about the Specter. So I ordered them in a 1/2 size larger than before. Lo and behold, no blisters. They are a little roomy length-wise, but I think I'm going to be Ok with that because these shoes are just a-mazing. Springy, cushy, light. I will probably buy a second pair as a back up :)

I train for and run marathons and ultras. All my road runs, both pavement and gravel/dirt, are in these shoes. As a small woman with a high arch, I am prone to supination, but the foot shape/wide tie box helps me correct that, preventing injury. Additionally, these are the perfect match of high cushion and bouncy responsiveness. I have literally never owned a better shoe. Now please just make one just as cushy with good tread for the trails!

Incredibly comfortable and lightweight, great support in the arch area and I love the wider toe box and how they narrow towards the heel for a more snug fit. I use them for light trail running and walking. My feet and legs feel great and no more foot pain. These check all the boxes and I am thrilled with my purchase. I will definitely be purchasing these again & again!! I bought the expresso/peach and they are so cute : ) LOVE!!!!

I have been waiting for a style that combined the wide toe box with a moderate heel-to-toe drop like this 5mm as well as the substantial cushion underfoot. The Specter FINALLY offers all 3 and it's my new favorite! Thank you!

I have been running in the Phantoms and Ultraflys and am now a convert to the Specter. I love the lightweight cushioning and responsive feel of them. I've felt a little movement from side to side when running on grass or off-camber, but on roads they are great. I'm an 8.5 in the Ultrafly and was between sizes in the Phantom 2. These fit perfectly in an 8.5. Did my first long run in them today and I didn't have the tired/ouchy joints I sometimes get from long road runs.

Having had bilateral hip replacements and soon the 2nd of my knees replaced, support is critical for my lower body. Love the fit and comfort of the shoes and also love the lacing options Topo provided.

I wear these for my cardio dance class. Toe box is perfect for my old feet. The Cush in these is great. Wish they gave me better lateral support-but I know this is not what they were designed for. Was wearing these till I found Hoka's. Then when these came out bought them. So far so good.

Perfect for road running. Lightweight cushioned and breathable.

I wouldn't change anything with this one - perfect toebox, perfect cushion, perfect drop. Thank you!!! After bragging about them to my running buddies, 5 of them ordered them too and love them

I have worn the Phantom 2 and appreciate it for its roomy toe box; ankle support; and moderate cushion; however, miss the responsiveness and lighter weight of shoes with a carbon plate (albeit lacking ankle support). The Spector has that lighter weight with a roomier toe box and ankle support making it a better fit for my training/racing.

I LOVE Topos! They have been the best shoe to happen for my feet. The roomy toe box and yet secure heel is exactly what I needed. As an ultrarunner I have more than 1 pair in rotation. The Specter is a welcomed addition to help with cushioning as the distance during the race increases.

I run my feet do not hurt and my food doesn't feel cramped. I wanted something that had minimal drop and I find 5mm to be the perfect drop. Shoes haven't always been my friend but I would be happy to rep these all day long.

I love Topos and wanted to try a different style but was disappointed. Just not wide enough. Didn't want another pair in same color - Phantoms 7.5W grey. Come on make different styles in W and different colors.

I had to loosen the laces to the max amount in order to enjoy running in these shoes. Overall, too tight in the forefoot and I could feel my toes hitting the front constantly. Ordered a half size up and I'm hoping they'll work out.

I ran my last half in these. I love them but it feels like they're a little smaller than previous pairs. I could be wrong.

The footbed felt wonderful from the beginning - cushy and springy. However, I encountered some hot spots: the tongue and the top eyelets. They are caused by the stiff leather. It took about 70 miles for it to break in. I bought my regular size for Topo, but these run slightly loose and slightly long, but not enough to size down. As others have mentioned, they are bit slippery on wet surfaces. I purchased the white color, which looks very nice, but, of course, shows dirt. Side note: My complaint with Topo is to get a better color palette for their shoes, yuck. And, please go back to the tongues of old, these new tongues don't cut it.