Customer Reviews Topo Athletic Specter 2

About 30 miles into this pair. I use my Specter 2's for mostly road running, but also some well-packed rail trail. They fit my wide brick of a foot, which is nice. The shoe has both enough width and volume for me in my normal Topo size. The foam is bouncy and lively. Less plush and more "springy". When running, you don't sink into them as much as you compress the sole and feel it spring back. They feel lighter than the Hoka Bondi 8s EEEE they are replacing. I didn't weigh them...don't know if they actually are lighter. But the feel of them when on my feet is a whole different experience. The Bondis felt like Clydesdale hooves, and the Specter 2s are energetic, at least for a high stack shoe. I don't mind going faster in the Specter 2s. Hated to in the Bondis.

Runs true to size, rocker and Pebax feel great underfoot. Would buy again. Wear as a trainer for a half marathon #sweepstakes

Good recovery shoe away from the. Mainstream regular sneaker names. Beautiful color complements.

6'2" 200lbs runner. My feet are wide at the forefoot and narrow through arch and heel. Topo for is perfect. Way better than Altra. I previously ran in the Phantom and got 450 miles out of them. The Spectre 2 surprised me with amazing cushion on impact yet responsive through push off. The upper is so light and breathable I don't even notice it.

I've been running about 25-30 miles a week and love these so much I bought a second pair. I'm a big guy at 220lb and the pebax foam really holds up. They are springy without controlling my run too much. They have helped me PR 10k and my feet feel better than ever. I switched over from another wide toe box brand and will say Topo adds the space without being sloppy. Heel still supported. I will keep buying these as long as they keep making size 14!

I have owned a lot of Topos and l love these. They run easy, great stability, and look good to boot. I am training for a full marathon and for long run trainers really hit the spot better than my Phantom 2 or 3 and a bit more pop, and lighter than the Atmos Hoping the contact rubber lasts longer than the midsole.

I'm actively trying to regain fitness after developing arthritis from huaraches that took away my ability to run. I am overweight and middle aged. These shoes are extremely comfortable, able to easily be secured at the ankle, and are providing exactly the support I needed. I did replace the insole with a blumaka insole (the 14-14.5 fits my size 14 shoes without modification) because I tend to wear out the ortholight insoles quickly.

Updating my previous review - Topo should include "Recommended for Wide Feet" in the description. You could water ski in these. If you found Topos to be too narrow or snug before then these should suit you very well. In Hokas I always have to order wide (2EE) but have never had to in Topo (Specter 1, Atmos), or Altras. I found the Specter v1 to be perfect in width (foot shape) and cushioning. Version 2 is a completely different experience. Bouncier than I need as I'm strictly a walker, but I'm getting into it. With thin athletic socks (Feetures) they feel quite big. But I love the color - blue/blue - and in cold weather I'll be able to wear thick smart wool or hiking socks. I should warn you about that whale-tail heel projection. It always catches on the riser of the rear stair when going down steps. I have to go down sideways to avoid pitching face first down the stairs. I wear size 11.5 and anyone around this size will face this problem, smaller feet may not. Overall I'm upping my rating to 5; initially I was thrown by how different they are from v1. But they fit so well in my regular size and, once you get used to the bounce, are very comfortable.

As advertised, version 2 of the Spector improves on version 1 (which I loved) by extending the Pebax the entire length of the shoe and adding a bit more cushion. With all that, this version in a men's size 10 is only .2 oz. heavier and *still* well under 9 oz. at 8.75! I love the spring and responsiveness along with the higher stack height. Not only a great trainer that I will rotate with my Altras, but I could race a half or full marathon in them too. Great update!

This was such a unique upgrade to the Spector and Topo line up in general. This shoe fits unlike the Topo road and trail shoes I've previously run in. I've been on a few long runs with them now. Each time I slip my foot in I'm surprised how my foot lands on the heal and mid sole. It's so much more of a spring feel than a cushion - my pref. These glide like an elite running shoe. The upper is light and minimal. The heal is super responsive, and distributes to the ball seamlessly. Well done!

Received these shoes yesterday and laced them up this morning for an interval workout. First impressions balled up into a single word is wow! They picked up speed nicely and were comfortable during warm up, cooldown, and speed work. The foam is soft enough for the slower paces, but firm and responsive enough when you're really looking to pick up the pace. The ride overall is smooth and responsive with a nice turnover. The shoe fits true to size and the upper wraps the foot nicely. 10 out of 10

I use these for my longer, tempo workouts and some long runs and love the new foam they added. These are super springy and feel comparable to my other racing shoes, but afford me more natural toe splay and have a less aggressive heel drop. The fit is lightweight and breathable, not something I even think about which is exactly what I want. Coming from the Alphafly and Vaporfly, they don't feel quite as "race" like, but I feel much more stable on these and they feel plenty fast.

I am 55, overweight, with heel spurs and chronic Achilles tendonitis, plus damaged lungs from severe bronchitis suffered while I was in the military...over 30 years ago. I was a runner back then. I had to stop running due to my breathing issues. (I also now have Morton's neuropathy.) Running was no longer in the cards for me. I developed large heel spurs and Achilles tendonitis a few years ago and was sent to physical therapy. I was referred to a specialty running store by my physical therapist, and the owner recommended a pair of Ultrafly 4s. They changed my life. My neuropathy and tendonitis are under control and I have gained enough confidence to begin running again. The Ultrafly 4s are great, and my daily shoe, but the insoles have begun to disintegrate slightly after less than a year. So, I bought the Specter 2s as dedicated runners, and they are sublime! The are so comfortable and light. The cushioning really helps absorb impacts (my hips and knees are appreciative) and the curvature in the sole seems to put less stress on my Achilles tendon while running. I no longer have foot pain, I am losing weight, and my run times dropped significantly when I switched to the Specters. I feel like I have my identity back. After over 30 years....I am a runner again! (And with winter coming up soon, I am planning on purchasing a pair of the Trailventure 2 WPs) Fantastic product and I recommend them to friends and family.

I recently discovered that for the pace that I'm running on the road (10-12 min/mile) having a carbon plate can actually cause "knee over extension" which is actually the injury I've been struggling with. This shoe has the comfort and stability of PEBAX, wide toe box for Altra comfort, perfect stack height for transitioners like me, and relatively light-weight for a "do it all" daily trainer. I've comfortably put more than 200+ miles over the last month on these and have enjoyed every bit of it. Only issue - the outsole isn't durable enough for the expected 400+ miles.

I've had several pairs of the Specter and Specter 2. I love the feel, cushion and light weight of the Specter 2, but the new sole wears out prematurely. I do wish they would go back to something more durable.

I really love this shoeit's super comfortable and a great performer. My biggest wish, though, is that it came in a wide option. That would take it to the next level for me. Looking ahead to Version 3, I'd love to see just a little more cushion and an update to the overall aesthetics, especially the colorways. Honestly, the orange-ish colorway was a miss for me. When in doubt, I think simple and clean designs always win. On the Cyclone 3, you guys nailed it with the black and lime comboit almost makes the logo look like an eclipse. It's bold yet simple, and I think more colorways like that would really resonate. Overall, this shoe is awesome, and I truly love the comfort. I'm only nitpicking because I want to see even bigger strides by 2026.

After a decade away from running, I'm trying to jump back in, but lots of the "healthy-foot"-focused shoes have felt too clunky and too wide in the midfoot/heel, while performance-oriented shoes just feel awful on my feet. I tried on a pair of Specter 2 in a local shop and fell in love. While these shoes are probably overkill for my slow/easy days, they still feel good & they really shine when I pick up and go on quicker training runs. Excited to put them to the test in a race next month!

I love the toe box and the cushion on these shoes! I have big feet and most shoe manufacturers seem to translate that into a narrow toe box. Not so with these. There are two reasons for the 4 instead of 5 star rating. 1. When the pavement is wet from a rain, the traction is perilous. I run with my dogs and have been toppled several times trying to break. 2. The skids on the sole keep peeling off, requiring gorilla glue repairs. That said, I'd buy them again!

I rotate these with the Specter I and use them for workouts and long runs. They took a little longer to break in, but after 40ish miles they feel amazing on my feet. I only wish the Pebax had a little more spring to it, like the Cyclone 2. These are much firmer. I'm not a fan of the extended heel either, but figure it doesn't really do anything except add a small amount of weight to the shoe. The tongue is so much better than version 1. I can appreciate a good tongue. #sweepstakes

A fast and light shoe

I'm usually in zero drop (Magnifly) or 3mm drop (Flylight) and wanted to try the Pebax but it only is available in 5mm drop (Cyclone 2, Specter 1&2). The Specter 2 is a 37/32 stack and I'm coming from the Flylight's 23/20 zip foam. I tried the Specter 2 for one run. The platform runs about a 1/2 small so the drop caused my toes to jam unless I snuggled the laces uncomfortably tight. Even then, the rocker at the front caused my toes to rub uncomfortably enough I took the shoe off. I also didn't like that the shoe made a squish sound. Swapping them out for Magnifly 5. Rating 4/5 just cause it could be me and not the shoe. The shoe feels fast and well cushioned otherwise.

I currently have 3 Topos - Atmos, Specter (1), Specter 2. The Specter 2 is a bit of an overkill with significantly more cushioning, similar to the Atmos, than the original Specter which I really like, but did wish for additional color choices. I also have a variety of Hokas and Altras. I was drawn to Altra because of the foot shape but the zero drop doesn't work that well for me. That led me to Topo. No wide version is necessary with them for those, like me, who have medium to wide feet. However with the new 2 they've blown out that forefoot, you definitely will not need a wide option. I also believe the cushioning is a bit excessive but they're still well balanced and stable. So for those who find the Atmos to be a little less stable or balanced than they'd like but still want a lot of cushioning than this could be the perfect choice. With Hokas I've always had to order wide (2EE), no need for that here. So, I'm a bit conflicted, as Topo changed features they didn't need to but at the same time made some better - padded tongue, more padding in the heel collar. Although to be honest I was mostly attracted by the new color choice - I got the blue/blue. This is a very different shoe from other Topos, and a huge change from the original Specter. Just be certain what you're looking for in a shoe before ordering. For me, I like them, but I'm primarily a walker, so a bit of an overkill. For those familiar with Hoka, these are very similar to the Gaviota 5. But even in those I had to order a wide.

Use both road &!trail shoes. The specter sizes and feels great. The sole didn't last. Very disappointed!

Topo is my go-to running shoe brand. I want to like these shoes. They're light. But they have too much stack height (i.e. - cushion) thus absorb too much energy (rather than provide a propulsive effect). Color choice is odd; why not a neutral Black or Grey? I prefer the Magnify or Phantom 4 models.

Initially I love these shoes! Still really enjoy them, BUT after only 150 miles the souls are coming apart. I figured I wasn't going to get the 350 miles I usually get from asics, but not even 200 miles. I only run in them on the road and I log all miles on shoes due to a past injury running in old shoes. I love everything about them except the life. I thought this would be my new go to shoe. M