Topo Specter 3 Review
The Specter 3 is the latest fast racing trainer to come from Topo, following on from the success of the Specter 2. It is part of the plateless racing trainer category of shoes available today, and its aim is to provide a shoe that offers superb lightweight performance for interval training, tempo and threshold running, and is even suitable for racing. For runners who don’t want to use a carbon-plated shoe for every faster session, these plateless shoes are the perfect substitute when you want to go faster.
The first thing to say about the Topo Specter 3 is wow! This shoe wins hands down for looks…and it looks fast! Whilst this is not an area I’m usually concerned with, Topo have completely redesigned the Specter from earlier editions and have transformed it into something very different. You just want to put them on! The midsole attracts your attention immediately. Made of ATPU Rev Foam, replacing the already brilliant Pebax foam of its predecessor, it has increased stack height (39mm heel – 34mm toe), and the rocker is most pronounced at the toe box, making the push-off so much more energetic and propulsive. When you first put them on, you’ll be amazed by how bouncy the feel is. Having heard of ‘pillow-soft’ cushioning but never really appreciated it, now I do. The initial feel is, if I’m honest, a little unstable, but that is because they are designed for running fast, not walking about. Take them out onto the road and put your foot down, and that is where the faster toe-off excels.
The midsole is designed with comfort and stability in mind. Looking down at your foot, the upper sits in the middle, while the midsole expands out on either side of the forefoot to provide the wider platform stability needed with the high-performance ATPU Rev Foam. This helps balance the softness and rebound of the foam and gives the shoe a more stable base underfoot. The drop is 5mm, which is the highest drop of any Topo shoe, again with performance in mind and maximising the late rocker propulsion at the toe.
This, for me, is the shoe’s best feature when running at speed. You really feel the natural roll from heel strike to toe-off and the power behind it as you stride along, and it does create a type of effortless feel to the shoe. In addition to this, Topo’s anatomical toe box allows your feet the room to function comfortably inside the upper, and as someone with wider feet, this is perfect. If you enjoy brands like Altra but want a fast shoe with a higher stack and softer cushioning, then this might be the shoe to try.
Surprisingly, the Specter 3, whilst looking larger than the Specter 2, is lighter: men’s 219g and women’s 172g (around 15g lighter than the Specter 2). This is due to the improved ATPU foam technology. The fit of the Specter 3 is also a plus. The heel cup is more structured and stiff than the Specter 2, but only at the base. This creates a stable feel for your heel, whilst the top of the heel and collar are padded and flexible, so it fits your ankle without any slippage.
The tongue has two lace loops, so the foot does feel locked in for the ride, and the mesh feels silky-soft and breathable. The upper mesh is lighter, with perforations along the side and around the toe box to increase the airflow and keep feet cool. It fits extremely smoothly around the foot, and the added bumper around the toe box ensures the feet feel a layer of protection from any unwanted obstacles. On the outsole, the surface has been toughened up to create a more durable material that increases traction, so when conditions aren’t ideal, you can still power off.
If you’re a fan of the Specter 2 (I absolutely love mine) and looking for the next upgrade, be prepared for a very different experience. The firm feel of the midsole has gone, and so runners who want that responsive reaction with the ground may initially dislike it, as it is completely different to what you’re used to. If you’re transferring across from other plateless shoes like the New Balance Rebel 5, then you’ll love this shoe.
If you’re yet to try a Topo shoe, they are similar in length to Altra, Brooks, Saucony and 361. If you use Hoka, Karhu, New Balance, INOV8 or La Sportiva, then we would suggest trying half a UK size smaller in Topo running shoes to get a similar length. For example, a UK 11 in Topo is a similar length to a UK 11.5 in Hoka or New Balance.
The Specter 3 is a very different shoe from its predecessor, but for runners wanting a soft, lightweight and energetic plateless option for faster training and racing, it has a lot to offer. With its smooth rocker, secure fit, trademark Topo toe box and, to me, great looks, it delivers a fast and comfortable ride without losing the natural feel that makes Topo shoes stand out.
Alternatives to the Specter 3
New Balance Rebel 5
The Rebel v5 is one of the most versatile road shoes currently available. It’s comfortable enough for easy days, responsive enough for short intervals, and light enough for race efforts. It uses PEVA and EVA to create its lightweight, cushioned midsole, allowing you to run at speed, but also use it for everyday running. If you’re looking for a single shoe that can handle a mix of training, including some faster running and races, the Rebel v5 is well worth considering. Personally, this is most like the Specter 3, in my opinion, as it has the same bounce and speed as the Specter and the width fitting means my foot sits comfortably in either shoe. Available in wide fit for men, D and 2E and for women, B and D width.
https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/new-balance-fuelcell-rebel-v5-review/
Saucony Azura
A well-cushioned running shoe that is happiest when moving quickly but has enough cushioning and stability to be versatile enough for slower-paced runs and longer runs too. The stack height is 40mm in the heel and 32mm in the forefoot, giving an 8mm heel-to-forefoot drop. As the midsole is quite firm, the Azura doesn’t feel unstable in any way. The rocker shape of the midsole, which Saucony calls Speedroll Geometry is designed to keep the foot moving when it touches the ground, reducing braking and helping to maintain a quick cadence. It helps the runner maintain a more upright posture and feel lighter on their feet, keeping them moving along quickly with less effort. Its not as bouncy in the feel to the Specter 3, and gives an overall more stable feel.
https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/saucony-endorphin-azura-review/
Hoka Mach 7
The Hoka Mach 7 is a lightweight neutral road running shoe designed for quicker runs, yet versatile enough for everyday training. Built with a supercritical EVA midsole that provides a high level of rebound. When you increase the pace, the foam responds quickly, helping you accelerate and maintain speed. At the same time, the rocker profile is not overly aggressive, meaning the shoe remains comfortable when jogging or cruising through steady miles. The midsole also avoids being overly soft, so you retain a good sense of ground contact and stability. With a 5mm drop and stack height of 37 mm in the heel and 32 mm in the forefoot, it encourages a midfoot landing. On the run, the responsive midsole and subtle rocker geometry help it feel light and efficient underfoot, making the Mach 7 a speed-oriented everyday running shoe. Mach 7 is also available in 2 widths for men and womens’ versions. The feel is less bouncy than the Specter 3, and the rocker is more subtle than in some of the other alternative shoes, making it an easier shoe to run in at slower paces too.
https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/hoka-mach-7-review/
Brooks Launch 12
The Brooks Launch 12 is a lightweight road running shoe that is versatile enough for fast running and slower, easy runs. Although a much firmer shoe than the Specter 3, the Launch 12 has a nimble, light and energetic feel that is ideal for the road runner who likes to run quickly on most of their runs. The stack height is 35mm in the heel and 27mm in the forefoot, with an 8mm heel-to-forefoot drop, and it has no rocker, so the propulsion comes from the foot, which differs greatly to the late rocker in the Specter 3. The Brooks use a single-density DNA Flash midsole making it a much firmer and smoother ride than the Topo Specter 3.
https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/brooks-launch-12-review/
Mount to Coast R1
The Mount to Coast R1 is a neutral road running shoe designed for ultra-distance road racing or training. However, it feels very much like an old-fashioned road racing shoe. The midsole has very little compression and feels responsive, allowing you to run quickly, while still offering enough cushioning that even after a two-and-a-half-hour run, my legs felt relatively fresh. The stack height is 35mm in the heel and 27mm in the forefoot. The drop feels slightly lower than the stated 8mm, but the shoe does not try and control your gait, making it a lightweight, responsive, and well-cushioned neutral road running shoe. In the Specter 3, the late rocker does control your foot through the heel strike to toe off, increasing propulsion, combined with a cushioning midsole that is much softer and springy in comparison.
https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/mount-to-coast-r1-review/
VJ Fusion Tempo
The VJ Fuzion Tempo is a road-to-trail running shoe with a difference, the Tempo has been designed to run smoothly on tarmac while remaining flexible and nimble enough for technical singletrack. The Tempo is designed for faster running, with a firmer and more responsive midsole. The midsole uses SuperFOAMance+ foam, which is firm and delivers great rebound when compared to other foam technology. It is nitrogen-infused, creating a sealed structure that prevents air from escaping and stops water or grit from entering. The midsole features a rocker shape that provides a greater sense of propulsion, quite like the Specter 3. Rather than sinking into the foam, you are pushed forward more efficiently, making the Tempo feel faster and more responsive at steady or higher paces. The stack height is 34mm in the heel and 28mm in the forefoot. And this 6mm drop encourages a midfoot landing, helping reduce heel striking and improving agility on trails. In comparison, the Specter 3 is entirely designed for road and other smooth, hard-packed surfaces.
https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/vj-fzn-tempo-review/
Brooks Ghost Amp
The Brooks Ghost Amp is a very bouncy-feeling neutral road running shoe designed to be versatile enough for everyday easy training runs as well as faster running. It offers cushioning and comfort when running easily, with plenty of propulsion and rebound when required. The heel-to-forefoot drop is 6mm, making it easy to land through the midfoot and discouraging a heavy heel strike. This helps the shoe feel light on your feet and makes it easier to run faster in. In comparison, it has the same bouncy, light feel as the Specter 3, but with no rocker, it doesn’t have the dramatic late rocker propulsion as the Specter 3.
https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/brooks-ghost-amp-review/
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