Topo Athletic Specter 2 | Full Review

[@chrisreyes7326]

You sold me! Topo has become my favorite running shoe company as a wide foot boi/former Altra fanboy. No frills but well built and with solid tech. Wish they looked a bit better though

[@Wings_nut]

If the Specter 2 is a stacked Cyclone 2, then I'm all in. A lightweight, non-plated trainer/racer. Oh yeah!

[@sethdbrown30]

Lmao at the blown out calf comment, so true.

[@emilybarry9410]

MEGA Topo fan!!! Be waiting for this one!!!

[@blaineshaw136]

Pre-ordered and cannot wait to test these bad boys out!

[@hufemeve]

TOPO is doing things right - It's the go-to alternative for Altra, as far as wide toe-box & natural foot shape geometry. I still have the Specter 1, which will likely be replaced by the year's end by its 2nd version.

[@kmshultz]

I get what Thomas is saying about that thicc platform-it looks funny-but the alternative is often a narrow, tippy heel which seems to be more common in these higher-stack tempo shoes. Thomas mentioned that tippiness in the recent First Thoughts on the Hoka Mach X 2. I have noticed it in the TYR Valkyrie Speedworks and the Atreyu Race Model. Many noticed it in the earlier Endorphin Speeds. (Maybe Saucony fixed that in more recent versions; I am sure Robbe's comparison of the Specter 2 to the ES4 is spot on.) So this Specter 2 should be a responsive, light, stable, almost-supertrainer option for those of us who loathe the tippy tippy. I'm gonna pick up the Specter 2 for sure, LOVED the Cyclone 2! Thanks for the review fellas.🏃‍♂

[@nobushan4100]

Hope TOPO create a trail version of this shoes!

[@LofotenDoc]

I’ve been running in Altra almost 10 years now and I’ve never felt stronger well into my 40’ies. No achilles problem, no bunions, no calf pain. Racing can be done in plated supershoes still with ease. Topo is a great variation from Altra but honestly the Cyclone 2 is bottoming out if you take them on more than a 5 miler and the previous Specter was so hard it’s only good for gym work or walking. Surely hope this is the real deal!

[@runners_box]

I love Saucony ES4, so I'll definitely give those a try. Especially that they are non-plated - looking really nice! Thanks for the review 🙌

[@edwardcreighton2638]

Have Cyclone 2, like a baby Speed 3 without the plate. Like the wider toe box. Topo widely available in Thailand but seem not to be a success. Great review.

[@SeeChadRun]

"Sleeper hits of 2023"... I agree (I also am testing this shoe out) however the shoe hasn't released yet. Regardless, the Specter 2 is a fun shoe that encourages and rewards all paces. It's a simple shoe that delivers exactly, and only what you need.

[@wylelias]

regardless of how good the shoes are, it's always a wonder to me how well the foot shape fits my foot and I love it. Every other company I'm getting wides with horrible color ways :(

[@edwarding4355]

I have 9mm drop.Addidaa, topo 5 mm drop, Altra 4mm drop, and Altra 0 drop. I used to be full 0mm drop, but I am.open though I still appreciate 0mm drop the most. And I am learning to run in highly rockered shoes and toe-spring

[@El_myth]

You got me with that toyota analogy

[@Maochan81]

The stack and drop reminds me of mach 6, which i love. How does it compare? I use Altra's for hikes, love the foot shape.

[@argeelearner3978]

How does it compare to the Asics Nimbus? or Superblast?

[@BradEinhorn]

Can't wait for this! Thanks and a dumb question - is that the women's model you tested or will that be a men's colorway too?

[@Believeintherun]

Not sure on the color options

[@cookinginpawleys]

My concern with the Cyclone 2 was the midfoot was too narrow. I hope this has a straighter last more similar to the Ultrafly line.

[@mxz_archery]

Fit wise, how does this compare to the Cyclone 2? About the same or any adjusted size recs?

[@karatechop]

I've been wanting a daily trainer version of the Cyclone 2 but I've found other Topos to be too firm. This sounds like what I've been looking for!

[@kmshultz]

The Atmos and the Phantoms (which I actually liked) are certainly firm, I agree. I just can't do the regular Zipfoam Topos anymore, after trying the Cyclone 2. They feel dead. PEBAX all the way!

[@TheOnlyTrueYeti]

Have they also increased the ark highs in this like in the MTN R 3?

[@stevengersdorff6377]

how does it compare to the Atmos?

[@jefreywith1f924]

For my Cyclone's 2, I had to go a half size down because they were too long. I wonder if these are the same or true to size.

[@Manuel-901]

Good morning. Fantastic description. Another comparison: Topo specter 2- Saucony kinvara 15. What do you think, please???. Like to Thomas and Robbe. Happy monday.

[@snowwalker9999]

Kinvara is probably a lot firmer. Different foam.

[@Stormpop]

Any chance of Specter 2 vs Endorphin Speed 4 between two shoes?

[@peakproofuk]

Did thomas roll his eyes at shoes shaped like healthy feet?! ;-)

[@tono1665]

Different colourway to the one that is getting released🧐

[@iakona23]

Could anyone talk about how the length and sizing of Topos typically run? I seem to fit between a 12.5 and 13. I tried on a Saucony Triumph 22 in size 13 and it was too long, 12.5 was perfect, but I tried on a Mizuno Wave Rider 27 and a size 12.5 was too short, my toe was touching against the front of the shoe, whereas a size 13 in the Wave Rider felt perfect.

[@BradEinhorn]

i'd go 12.5

[@iakona23]

@@BradEinhorn ok thank you.

[@jefreywith1f924]

Do you know when Topo will be offering this shoe for sale on their website? I know they offer you a 10% discount on your first purchase if you sign up for their email.

[@Sami32456]

I love zero drop🤔🤷‍♂️

[@christianjosephgorgonia3588]

Me likey!!! Is this better than the Adizero SL 2.? 🤙

[@Believeintherun]

Honestly just different shoes altogether

[@matthiassventoest6800]

Topo is gonna end up taking Altra’s lunch.., if altra keeps throwing out those bootleg foams that loose life at 100 miles, 125 tops… I might try this one, if I end up in the market.., but I have a shoe on the way, as I type

[@stevengersdorff6377]

I agree. How many years have they been using EGO foam?

[@nept123]

Comparing the most expensive Topo shoe with the cheapest Altra foam is not really a fair comparison

[@timsmith7816]

Is Robbe running in the women's version? I don't think Topo offered the Cyclone 2 in a men's 7 or 7.5. I thought Robbe used the women's version of the Cyclone 2. Will the Specter 2 be offered in a men's 7 or 7.5?

[@Believeintherun]

Yeah, women's 9

[@jefreywith1f924]

​@@Believeintherun To bad! I actually like that color better than the 2 color options for the mens.

[@timsmith7816]

@@Believeintherun Thanks. I also went with a women's 9 for the Cyclone 2. Will do the same for the Specter 2.

[@wiggan54]

I like my cyclone 2; but the durability is not good. If the Specter 2 is a lot of the cyclone 2, but with better durability, then I'm in.

[@brewlovinrunner]

Topo is my favorite. Altra lost it.

[@stevengersdorff6377]

Agree. I can get over 100 miles more on a Topo. Altra's wear out too fast.

[@plain-bagel]

I’m definitely picking this one up. Love the cyclone and I’m sure the higher stack will make this great for my long runs. The only reason I haven’t pre-ordered it is because I can’t decide between the two atrociously ugly men’s colorways 😂😢

[@tkwasik]

If only topo had better aesthetics - I really wanted to give it a try few times, but just topo coloraway are always very ugly - or at least in my opinion- and I'm perfectly fine with wide toe box aesthetics !!!!

[@SpiKrishPri]

What about the added reinforcement around the toe box for protection, Completely unnecessary as they are not trail shoes. This added protection at the front is too stiff, limiting the natural movement of your toes, especially during longer runs when your feet swell and need more flexibility. Really a bad idea.

[@bobcabot]

...ja snakes in the plane!

[@andorkish]

So that’s 1 tuck and 1 no tuck.

[@MedicineRunner]

Foot shaped toe box ain’t it when you got Morton foot 😂

[@snowwalker9999]

Zero drop is awful for feet achilles low back shin splints fasciitis hips everything. It's a myth and not science. You need minimum 4-5 mm drop in your shoes. Minimum. I can't wait to try these shoes.

[@jessicac4751]

Hard, hard disagree. There is a transition period when moving from a shoe with significant drop to a low drop or zero drop shoe. This transition period is skipped over by many people which sometimes causes pain. The shoe industry has been a pretty massive crock for centuries. People who don't wear shoes at all or minimal shoes have far fewer problems with their feet and bodies. Our feet and bodies have been manipulated *to fit shoes* versus shoes fitting our feet since around age 2 for most folks in America. Having a significant drop in your shoes is NOT natural. It pitches your body forward so then your body has to acclimate and change to the shoe. It's not good for joints, your back, or your connective tissues. It forces your body to be less stable than it actually can be and wants to be when you're just flat on the floor.

[@snowwalker9999]

@@jessicac4751 I could agree with you to an extent. For walking maybe you could have your body gradually adapt to 0 drop shoes depending on speed and distance. But why would you want to do that if your current shoes work for you. Running is a different animal and your shoes have to be customized to your gait muscles level of training etc. There are other variables to consider. As for folks who run in 0 drop shoes having fewer injuries I have to see the data. There are many reasons for running injuries and shoe drop isn’t number one. I just know if you have untainted calves running with zero drop shoes can be risky.

[@LofotenDoc]

Couldn’t agree more!

[@paulcarlson4230]

Ugly shoes all, but the ultraventure is decent shoe

[@iberiksoderblom]

Whenever a shoe gets a duck-ass like that, it's a big NO from me, no matter anything else!

[@thomascunningham8234]

Why does Robbe always make that creepy smooching sound?

[@JB-hq9yj]

Who cares. Why do you always comment like an a$$hole?