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The RW Takeaway: A mash-up of modern, fast shoe tech and barefoot inspiration make this cushy lightweight trainer just weird enough to work for recovery runs to race day.
- Wide, anatomical toebox allows for toe splay
- Pebax layer in midsole improves energy return, without carbon fiber’s stiffness
- More cushioned but lighter weight than Topo’s Phantom 2
Price: $160
Type: Road
Weight: 8.0 oz (M), 6.8 oz (W)
Drop: 5 mm
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In the era when the performance benefits of hyperengineered super shoes can’t be denied, brands that prioritize natural foot movement are in a tough spot. Carbon fiber is extremely stiff and won’t easily flex with your feet. And, like 40mm blocks of Pebax foam, it gets expensive fast, which doesn’t bode well for a small brand’s budget. So, Topo put its own twist on the current industry trends and created the Specter. Without a midsole plate, this max-cushioned shoe mimics a similar bouncy ride that pleases energy-return-seeking runners while letting Topo remain true to its barefoot-inspired roots.
Pros
- More flexible than most plated racing shoes
- Bouncy, max-cushioned ride maintains good stability
- Wide toebox and lower drop allow for natural foot movement
Cons
- Not as fast as carbon fiber-plated shoes
- Some testers disliked the generous toebox for racing
Soft and Stable 35mm Midsole
To pull it off, the design team got creative. Instead of going top to bottom with the most expensive foam, Topo made what I’d liken to a Pebax hot dog—a rocker-shaped bun of more typical EVA foam with the premium material as the frank. Your foot sits deeper inside the midsole, like a bucket seat, which feels very stable and also places you closer to the softer Pebax. Our wear-testers and I could definitely feel it—rest assured, Topo didn’t skimp on the meat in the sandwich. Overall, the setup feels much less like a compromise on cushioning than you might expect.
Of course, if you’re imagining a ride identical to an Alphafly or even a Saucony Endorphin Speed, you’ll be disappointed. The Specter is a different experience, but is nevertheless peppy, responsive, and marathon-capable.
Smooth Ride at Easy and Uptempo Paces
One speedy tester who regularly trains at 6:45 pace for his daily miles accurately summed up the Specter experience. “Running in the shoes, your stride feels like you are just gliding along. My footstrike was soft, but I felt good energy return, while the shoe’s shape and flexibility allowed for a very smooth transition from heel to toe,” he said. “The cushioning is on the softer side, but not so soft that you sink down into it, which can make some shoes feel slow. Instead, it’s a great ride on long runs—more than adequate for double-digit miles.”
A Fit You Don’t Find on Most Speed Shoes
Though I’m fairly new to the brand, I’m confident I could lace up a shoe blindfolded and tell you if it was a Topo. The roomy, anatomical toebox tapers to a snug, narrow fit at the midfoot and a locked-in heel. It’s one of the rare shoes in which I can actually plant and splay all the toes on my wide flipper feet, and engage my entire forefoot for a powerful and satisfying toe-off. This may not work for everyone, though, as runners with very low-volume feet or a preference for racer-snug trainers may dislike the extra wiggle room.
That said, even testers with feet of average width found the upper secure and comfortable, with no reports of bunching mesh or sloppy midfoot lockdown. The lone complaint was that the collar pinches a bit around the ankle when utilizing the final row of eyelets.
Two Testers’ Takes
Caroline L. | Tester since 2021
Arch Height: Average | Pronation: Neutral | Footstrike: Heel
“These are perhaps my new favorite running shoes. I ran long runs, short recovery runs, and speed workouts (ranging from 6:00 to 9:00 pace) on the treadmill and roads in them. I’ve never had a shoe that felt so stable while also being so lightweight. I have been recovering from an ankle injury and working on my foot stability and strength. I found the wide toebox let my foot spread out and land more comfortably. I always felt like I had good connection to the ground surface.
“The Specter has a similarly high level of cushioning to Hokas, but with more responsiveness and less dampening ‘squish.’ It felt super secure and comfortable for 10-plus mile runs, but also light and responsive enough for speedwork. I first thought they would be so soft and cushiony that they would not also be fast, but I’m perfectly confident racing any distance in them.”
Alexey P. | Tester since 2021
Arch Height: Average | Pronation: Neutral | Footstrike: Heel
“Initially, these shoes felt boxy upfront, but I can now say I’ve never worn a more comfortable shoe for long distances. The thick sole provides an incredibly smooth ride (especially on unpacked dirt roads and paths). I mostly ran on roads at 8:00/mile pace. I also got in some flat trail running—which included a 14 miler on paved roads, tow paths, and singletrack. The thick, soft cushioning absorbed the feel of small stones and imperfections in the road. Overall, this shoe is a great durable everyday trainer for me, but I’d prefer to race in a lighter shoe with a more aggressive rocker sole.”
