Topo Specter 2 Performance Review

Topo Athletic is known for its anatomical fit, zero-to-low drops, and no-fuss attitude. We at WearTesters have appreciated the brand’s approach in many of the road and trail models we’ve tested over the years, including the Magnifly 5, Ultrafly 5, Pursuit 2, and others.So, when we saw the Topo Specter 2 would be sporting a new, full Pebax midsole (rather than the Pebax core within an EVA carrier/frame of the original Specter), we were more than a little excited.

Though we didn’t formally test the Topo Cyclone 2 of last year, that shoe’s all-Pebax midsole and sleeper hit reputation only further heightened our interest. We were pumped to see how the brand’s well-executed uppers would combine with even more of that high-performing, Pebax foam in the Specter 2.

Let’s jump into more detail.

What is the Topo Specter 2?

Topo bills the Specter 2 as, “[a] high-performance, max-cushioned trainer designed for up-tempo, long-distance running.”

While this version is still plateless, the midsole is now (as noted above) 100% Pebax. The Specter 2 also gains 2 mm of stack height over the original Specter, with 37 mm in the heel and 32 mm in the forefoot for a 5mm drop.

Topo has also tweaked the outsole to improve durability and traction. The last on which the Specter 2 is built still honors Topo’s commitment to an anatomical (i.e. foot-shaped) fit, and the upper is made of a rather flexible recycled mesh.

One of the most striking visual features of the Topo Specter 2 is the pronounced sole flare at the heel. It extends significantly beyond where your actual heel sits in the shoe and is also a little bulbous directly under the heel. Along with the flared shaping of the midsole, there’s a unique-looking bevel under the lateral side of the heel to help with transitions.

Even fresh out of the box, the foam looked a little raggedy where the horizontal lines are etched into the flared portion (aqua on the women’s launch colorway). But it appears to be a purely cosmetic issue.

Now that we know what we’re working with, let’s see how all of that played out in practice for each of our testers.

How did the Topo Specter 2 perform for Annie?

Annie: Whenever I see a box arrive from Topo, my tootsies rejoice. My feet are wide through the ball of the foot but pretty average elsewhere. So, the way Topo’s anatomical fit is designed – with extra room in the forefoot but a secure hold in the midfoot and heel – is generally a win for me.

I’m also more than a little obsessed with the two tiny lace loops integrated on the tongue of each of the Topo shoes I’ve tested. The way the midfoot locks down as a result is like a hug with the perfect amount of squeeze – enough pressure to feel totally caring and sincere, but not so much as to crack a rib (which, I guess, in this case, would be the equivalent of some serious lace bite).

My one complaint about the execution of the upper is that the sides of the tongue (which is not gusseted) had a tendency to curl under whenever I put on the shoe. I had to loosen the laces a fair amount in order to carefully keep the tongue spread flat every time. But I otherwise really enjoyed how flexible the upper was, especially at the midfoot and heel. It also played a huge part in how the overall ride worked for me, but more on that later.

The fit was true to my usual Topo size in that I probably needed a women’s 6.25. But seeing as that’s not a thing, I was content enough in my 6.5. That is a conundrum I often face as someone who straddles the sizing line with regard to both length and width.

As it was, I did experience some minor sliding within the forefoot of the shoe on higher-paced turns and sharper downhills. And while it wasn’t a persistent presence, it occasionally caught up with me on runs topping 2.5-3 hours in the form of rubbing at the medial side of the ball of my foot.

However, I suspect some of my qualms are more a result of my sitting on the sizing bubble rather than any huge fault of the actual fit. But I’ll be interested to hear what Drew experienced on that front.

I’d also say that the forefoot shaping of the Specter 2 doesn’t feel quite as bulbous as in other Topo models, such as the Atmos, Magnifly 5, and Ultrafly 5. That’s not to say it’s narrow or overly shallow; but the rocker and toe spring do make for a bit more of a performance-feeling fit (by Topo standards). The toe of my pair is upturned in such a way that – given my 5’0” height – I’m fully serving holiday elf vibes. But, honestly, I can’t say I’m not into it.

As for the ride itself, the Topo Specter 2 was keen on keeping my cadence nice and high and managed to remain lightweight over the long haul despite that substantial sole flare at the rear. It felt most at-home on lengthy progression runs that started easy and ended up around marathon to half-marathon pace.

It’s not nearly as bouncy as I expected for a 100% Pebax midsole, but I found it came to life the farther forward I brought my footstrike. If you were to segment a running shoe into 5 zones, with 1 being the toe, and 5 being the back of the heel, I usually strike somewhere around what would be a 3.5. Because of that in-between strike zone of mine, the Specter 2’s lateral bevel and the rest of the heel cushioning underfoot hit at a slightly awkward spot every once in a while. It kind of felt like a split sole dance shoe at times (iykyk).

So, depending on where you strike, I could see the bulbous feeling under the heel and the lateral heel bevel combo either being amazing or possibly being the cause of an odd, mildly segmented feeling underfoot. If you’re a forefoot striker, I imagine you’ll be so clear of the back of the shoe that it won’t be a factor for you at all.

That said, it didn’t actually cause me any problems. In fact, the geometry really snapped me through and got me loaded onto my big toe in a way that didn’t overtax the joint there (something I occasionally risked in the Asics Noosa Tri 16, a shoe that did a similarly excellent job of aiding with that loading and subsequent push-off).

I think the flexibility of both the upper and the midsole itself (thanks in part to the absence of a plate) were absolutely key to keeping the heel design from posing a larger problem to my midfoot-ish strike. That flexibility allowed my foot to thread the needle, so to speak – enough so that I still enjoyed running in the Specter 2.
So, my experience of the Topo Specter 2 was mostly positive, with some oddball caveats – all of which make me extra curious as to what Drew thought.

How did the Topo Specter 2 perform for Drew?

Drew: I can start by agreeing with Annie that the tongue loved to fold when putting on the Topo Specter 2, the turned-up-toe elf vibes were real, and this is the narrowest Topo I’ve ever put on my foot. Still roomy up front, but not what I’ve gotten used to with Topo.

I can also agree that the heel was odd. It hit the ground weirdly at times and often felt softer than the front of the shoe. This created a disjointed feeling where the forefoot and heel weren’t on the same page. What’s odd is that the feeling kind of came and went…maybe as a result of my tired legs during a long marathon build. So I’m not sure everyone will experience this, but those that lose form and heel strike harder as legs get heavier will likely feel the same heel to forefoot problems I did.

But, overall the Topo Specter 2 is a very serviceable shoe. Its feel is somewhat similar to the feel of the New Balance Rebel v4, one of my favorite shoes of 2024. It’s flexible, lightweight, can pick up the pace when needed, and the upper allows good airflow. It ticks a lot of boxes on the checklist of best daily trainers.

That said, along with the disjointed nature of the heel and forefoot, there’s a few issues. For example, the outsole isn’t very durable and was only ok in wet, mildewy conditions. The rocker geometry also won’t work for everyone…though it is very stable.

For me, the Topo Specter 2 does a lot of good but has several little imperfections that chip away at its place as a great daily trainer thus leaving it in the category of solid but not spectacular.

Pros

• Plenty of cushion for long runs
• No mushiness
• Accommodating yet secure fit (unless you are potentially between sizes like Annie)
• 100% Pebax midsole option for those with wider feet
• Flexible in all the right places
• Value
• Lightweight

Cons

• Not as bouncy as expected for a 100% Pebax midsole
• Sole flare and bevel design at the heel may be a bit awkward, depending on your mechanics
• Outsole durability

Is the Topo Specter 2 wide foot friendly?

Annie: If the forefoot is where you typically need extra width, then yes. If you are sensitive to a platform that narrows slightly at the medial arch, you may want to try on the Topo Specter 2 to be sure it will work for you. Given that an anatomical fit is more specific in nature, it’s never a bad idea to make sure the shape matches well with your foot’s own curves and swerves.

But if you don’t often find yourself on the sizing bubble, the ability to cinch down the midfoot and heel this comfortably and effectively leads me to believe that the fit of the Topo Specter 2 will actually work for most narrow footers and wide footers alike.

Drew: Yes, the Topo Specter 2 is wide forefoot friendly but not quite 100% wide foot friendly like most Topo running shoes.

Is the Topo Specter 2 worth $165?

Annie: $165 is consumer-friendly to me. I’d take the Topo Specter 2 over most $160 daily trainers for its roomier forefoot, its long progression run/uptempo distance capabilities, and its full Pebax midsole that is oh-so-easy on the legs. While it may flag a bit as you get into paces beyond tempo effort or so, the Specter 2 still offers plenty for its price.

Drew: $165 is a fair price for a shoe featuring a 100% Pebax midsole, great fit, and some versatility. Annie’s right, the Topo Specter 2 is a pretty easy choice over many daily trainers at the $160 price point.

Topo Specter 2 Summary

Annie: While I didn’t have quite the perfect experience I anticipated in the Topo Specter 2 and felt its heel geometry was unnecessarily odd at times, I ultimately enjoyed the ride.

It’s a sort of sneakily successful shoe. The Topo Specter 2 doesn’t have the bouncy wow factor of a lot of other Pebax models; but it’s impressively light, is very capable of long, uptempo efforts, and is extremely leg-saving. I was far fresher than I had any right to feel after runs of 3+ hours. That tells me that the Specter 2 could be one of the most affordable marathon race options out there, particularly for those who aren’t keen on plated shoes but still want (and deserve) a roomier forefoot with all the protective qualities of Pebax.

Drew: The Topo Specter 2 is a high end daily running shoe that can get uptempo and feels good on and below foot most of the time. Some people like myself will be better served by other shoes due to the heel/forefoot disparity and the odd geometry. But others will love it and take it out for long runs on the regular.

The Topo Specter 2 is a shoe I recommend trying on in store (or grabbing from somewhere like Running Warehouse with its awesome return policy) just to make sure none of its issues affect you. If the Topo Specter 2 works with your foot, you’ll be really happy with it as a daily trainer.

How does the Author Run?

Drew Whitcomb (age 42, 6’6″ 195lbs): Runs daily with a once a week rest day. Runs a lot of miles due to testing needs and a growing affinity for long-distance races. Regularly competes in marathons, half-marathons, 10k, and 5k races.

Annie Keris (age 39, 5’0” 117lbs): Typically follows a “two days on, one day off” running routine. “On” days include daily miles, speed work, and long runs. An “off” day usually involves yoga and mobility/recovery work. Enjoys occasional racing but perhaps enjoys the training process even more. Gravitates most toward the half marathon distance, but ventures into the 10k and 5k as well. The marathon is thus far uncharted territory…

Disclosure

While Topo Athletic did send pairs of the Specter 2 to facilitate this review, the company had no involvement in this review, didn’t receive an advance look at it, and has not attempted to influence it.