| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| + Propulsive yet stable + New ATPU foam + Versatile + Lightweight + Great value for price + Breathable, comfy upper | – None |
I’ve put more miles on the Specter 3 during testing than any other shoe I’ve tested this year for a reason. Find out what makes this trainer so special in this Topo Specter 3 review.
Topo Specter 3
| STACK | WEIGHT | PRICE |
|---|---|---|
| 39/34 mm (5 mm drop) | M9: 7.7 oz/220 g W7: 6.3 oz/180 g | $170 |
Boasting a new midsole, upper, and outsole, Topo calls the Specter 3 an almost full reinvention of the Specter 2. That’s right: forget everything you knew about the Topo Specter! For some, that won’t be hard to do, considering you’ve likely never heard of the shoe…or the underrated Topo brand. It doesn’t help that the Specter hadn’t previously been made in size 15. That’s right! Exciting news for those of us with gargantuan tootsies: this is the first Specter we can run in! And it couldn’t have come at a better time–spoiler: the Specter 3 is my pick for trainer of the year, in case the title of this review didn’t already tip you off.
Of course, Topo releasing a great shoe shouldn’t be a surprise, unless you’ve been living under a rock-hard outsole. One of my favorite daily trainers, the Topo Atmos is a phenomenal max cushioned pair that offers a stable, responsive, and comfy ride for a variety of runs. The Specter complements the Atmos quite well, as a speedier, lighter tempo trainer.
Ride
What makes the Specter 3 an all-around winner? The all-new ATPU-based RevFoam, which is a total game changer. It’s lighter and provides more energy return than the previous Pebax-based foam in the Specter 2. Plus, there’s a whopping 2 whole additional millimeters of foam underfoot! Ok, that’s nothing crazy, but the new stack height of 39/34 mm offers even more protection from the pavement and makes it an attractive racing option for those who don’t like plated shoes. For those that prefer a plate, good news: The $250 Specter Elite is Topo’s first-ever carbon plated shoe, or any-plated shoe, for that matter. Bad news: It’s not made in size 15.
ATPU foams are all the rage currently, replacing Peba as the energetic foam of choice. RevFoam is very bouncy and provides unmatched levels of energy return. This is easily one of the best foams I’ve run in this year. It’s noticeably more responsive than Saucony’s ATPU-based incrediLUX foam found in the Triumph 24.
If some ATPU is good, then more is better. Fortunately the Specter’s insole is also made of ATPU, cutting weight and adding even more kick to the ride. I appreciate brands experimenting with insoles to make them more dynamic instead of just something to plop my stinky, oversized feet on.
The underfoot sensation strikes a nice balance between soft and firm, providing a happy medium for runners on both ends of the cushioning spectrum.
The shoe’s redesigned rocker geometry moves the rocker farther back in the shoe, offering a more propulsive toe off without feeling unstable. Although I typically prefer a higher drop, the 5 mm drop works quite well with the geometry for me as a heel striker.
A near half-ounce reduction in weight makes the Specter 3 even faster for uptempo efforts and more nimble for long mileage, which are two runs the Specter handles with ease. This shoe comes in at an impressive 7.7 oz (220 g) for a men’s size 9 and 6.3 oz (180 g) for a women’s size 7. You rarely see a daily trainer this light, even for a tempo trainer.
Uses
I successfully used the Specter on runs up to 22 miles, throwing some speed work in the mix. It’s one of the most versatile trainers available, performing well at a variety of paces and mileage. I found it incredibly easy to run faster than intended as this shoe is designed to perform best at speedier paces, but also excels as a daily trainer. It’s one of the only unplated pairs I’d use for actual speed workouts.
I fell in love with this shoe on a 22-mile run. Not-so-humble brag aside, I was stunned at how effortless the nearly 3-hour adventure felt. I easily increased pace every 5 miles until I finished at 7:30/mile pace for the last stretch. It’s unbelievably easy to maintain a pace for mile after mile and I never felt like I was overexerting myself despite it being the longest run of my 18-week marathon training plan. I followed that run up with a 16 miler a few days later and it performed just as well. This is one of the few pairs this year I keep coming back to again and again for runs of all types.
Upper and Outsole
The engineered mesh upper disappears on foot and it’s easy to get a secure foot lockdown thanks to padding in the non-gusseted tongue and heel collar. In typical Topo fashion, there’s a very spacious, wide toebox providing a roomy, anatomical fit. With a minimally constructed (yet supportive) upper, I found it to be very breathable and light. Take note: the laces are long!
The updated outsole adds additional rubber, which translates to increased traction and durability. I had no issues with grip in wet conditions. Through 80+ miles there’s no visible wear and tear on my pair, and I expect excellent longevity for hundreds of miles, which isn’t always the case for tempo trainers.
Price
Topo thankfully didn’t increase the price despite the introduction of an improved foam, a slight addition in stack, and more outsole rubber. Frankly, they ought to be commended for this. Every brand raises the price year over year for even the slightest, most inconsequential update. I won’t be surprised when brands start charging an additional $10 for adding a heel pull tab.
The Specter offers great value at $170 as it provides a more effortless, vastly superior ride than the typical $170 shoe out there. It’s not even particularly close. Plus, the Specter has far more use cases than similarly priced shoes. There are many $170 trainers that fail to deliver a ride even half as dynamic as the Specter, including some plated trainers that sell for $180-$200.
Conclusion
Proving you don’t need a plate to have pop, the Specter 3 delivers the total package for any runner in a nimble, propulsive pair that can truly go the distance. The new ATPU RevFoam, lighter weight, and dynamic rocker geometry position it as a serious contender for trainer of the year.
Topo continues to expand and enhance its lineup and deserves a mention among the bigger, more established brands in the industry; the Specter 3 is just the latest proof.
The Specter 3 is available now on Topo’s website, with a new colorway dropping in October.
Topo graciously provided this shoe to me for wear testing. I was not compensated for this Topo Specter 3 review and Topo didn’t get an opportunity to see this review before I published.
