Topo - Specter 2

I loved the Rebel v3 because they were more dynamic. The Rebel v4, while it works for interval work at u/4:10 min/km, isn’t the Rebel v3. I’ve bought another Rebel v4 since, with the release of the Rebel v5, they’re on clearance at low prices, and I think they’re perfect for easy runs at u/5:15–5:20 min/km. If I want something faster I might go for the Topo Cyclone 3 or the Flame Mix, although I prefer non-plated shoes for training. Until now I’d been using the Topo Specter 2, but the outsole rubber is peeling off, and I think the Rebel v4 can take its place and do well there. I don’t want shoes like the NB 1080 or the Clifton… I prefer lighter options

Topo Spectre 2. Well cushioned, energetic, lightweight, and a spacious toe box to help prevent blisters.

For only your second race I’d stick to shoes you are already comfortable in. There is lots to learn about racing a marathon before throwing an exotic shoe variable into the mix. If I’m going to use a shoe in a full marathon it has to pass three tests. A 10mi run, a 13-15mi run and a 20mi run where I don’t have concerns the shoes may cause more problems than they solve. I’ve passed many people fighting super shoes in the final 10k. My first pair of plated shoes were endorphin pro 4s. I will use them up to half marathon distance but they are too unforgiving if I start to tire. I just ran a 3:31 as a 41yr old at 195lbs in topo spectre 2s. They did great, very similar feel to the EP4 but without the plate stiffness. I’m aiming for a 3:15 on my next race (which will be my 6th full) and am in process of trialing the adizero 4s. I’m still trying to dial in the upper fit on them and if they don’t work out at the 13-15mi benchmark then I’ll use the spectre 2 again. If the adizero 4s don’t work out then I’ll try alphaflys through the stage gates. The good news is that even if I don’t want to use a shoe for a full marathon I can still get full miles out of them running intervals and thresholds.

I find it quite stable personally. I’m sensitive to unstable shoes like the Nobablast 5 and can’t use them. The Spectre 2 feels like a lower stack height than it is and it’s super broad across the forefoot, ever broader than my other two pairs of Topos. The cushioning is responsive, but not marshmallows like some super shoes. I find it a very good middle of the road shoe that’s lightweight and cushioned enough to race a marathon in and I’ll grab it for a standard long run or even threshold run without thinking twice.

Topo specter 2. Lightweight, responsive and well cushioned Peba mid sole. Stable enough to run slow but picks up the pace well. Super wide toe box to keep your toes wiggling and blister free. I love my Evo SL and AP4 but when runs get to 20-26mi I choose foot comfort as the primary deciding factor and the specter wins even though I run faster in the AP4.

Topo Specter 2. I wear it for almost everything that isn't trail.

Have you tried Aero glide 3 ( Bouncy but stable compare to SL Evo) or Topo Spectra 2 (firm pebax race foam)? its easier for me to speed up on with them, than NB5.

Topo Specter 2 (half size up) and Atmos or Atmos 2 in wide have been Godsends for me. Nimbus in 4E as well as Nike Pegasus/Vomero in XW have been getting less wide with each release. Specter 2s are a bit snug widthwise but they are so lightweight and bouncy I love them. Atmos are great in wide with plenty of room for my paddle feet. The natural toe box is truly a game changer, will have to give Altras a try someday but all "normal brand" Asics, Nike, even the NB 1080s in 4E seem to be getting more narrow, and after going Topo I don't think I'll go back. I'm 6'0" 195 lb and average 25 miles a week, 7:00/min is fast for me and 8+ is slower. Have had issues with Mortons neuroma in one foot which has been saved using Yoga Toes daily, wider daily shoes(Whitin brand on Amazon), and Topo for running. Edit: I just received and ran in the Atmos 2s in wide and they are a touch more narrow than the Atmos, small blister on one pinky toe I imagine they will be fine after a few runs. I also am a supinator/mid to forefoot striker.

3:55 this year, Topo Spectre 2. Full PEBA midsole, no plate. Worked great.

I’d wear whatever your long run shoe is, at those paces. Don’t overthink it. Comfort is gonna be king for 5+ hours on your feet. I ran a 4:27 last year in max cushion Altras, then a 3:55 in the spring in Topo Spectres. Still haven’t talked myself into a super shoe. Maybe once I’m pushing for 3:30.

My current “rotation” (selected at random cuz they’re pretty similar in cush and responsiveness) is the Superblast 2 and Topo Spectre 2.

Same. For some reason my Topo Spectre 2s just stopped feeling good running, but they’re still great walking shoes. Which is good since I had three pairs. 😆

Since it seems we like some of the same shoes (Supercomp trainer, Evo SL), try the Topo Specter 2. I had some issues on long runs with the SC Trainer being too tight on my pinky toe and caused a very minor injury, which the Topo toe box fixed for me. I have wide feet too and find that Topo’s are accommodating enough for my feet. Specter feels more stable to me than the SC Trainer, but I don’t really need a stability shoe so my perception of the run experience is based on that. I have about 330 miles on my Specter 2’s and they still feel pretty good and the foam has held up so far.

Wider than average foot person here. I’m still loving the Topo Specter 2’s. It’s full pebax foam and no plate. The rocker is just right. The shoe looks super unsexy but it’s worth it.

There is nothing I have enjoyed less than running in Bondi’s. That is a hard pass for me. Like running with cement blocks strapped to my body. I do like the Topo’s. I did my last 10 mile race with the Specter 2 and I felt great the whole time. I also really enjoy the New Balance Rebel v4 but I wouldn’t take them on a half marathon. V5 have a little more stack so might be suitable for a half depending on your time on feet. If you do go with Bondi’s I had to go with an extra wide when I bought them and in Topo’s I can wear regular in the Specter and Cyclones and I can wear wide in New Balance. That said, when you go extra wide in the Bondi’s the toe box finally becomes roomy and comfortable.

Agree, also generally wear a women’s D width and the Specter and Cyclone has been very enjoyable to me. For OP, if you want something with a little more stability, the Topo Ultrafly might be a shoe you can look into, but for trails, you could try the Vista specifically comes in wide width, though you might not actually need a wide in Topo. I got my dad into the Vistas and I haven’t seen him take them off since he got them, he’s on the trails a lot for a 72 year old and he just loves them.

Most of the shoes recommended are 5mm drops so should be fine. The Specter has a lot of extra foam extended from the heel that gives some added protection for heel strikers without having to increase the drop. I didn’t really notice a difference when I went from 8mm to 5mm. You can use the Topo website to try to find a dealer near you. There is only one running specific store that stocks them in my city and then some outdoorsy chain stores that have a small variety of shoes, mostly trail, and I only live in a mid-size market in Canada so I’m optimistic that the website will be able to direct you somewhere local that has them.

Hoka Clifton 9 - The shoe that got me back to injury-free running. My everything and trails too shoe. 355mi, retiring soon Topo Cyclone 2 - Light and fun, these shoes are a joy to run in. Originally short run shoes, my feet are happy with 10mi runs. 296mi Hoka Mach 6 - My “fast” shoes. A bit tight, so mot my favorites. The carbon plate gives a solid platform for (relative) speed and longer distances. 218mi Topo Specter 2 - These should be a great longer run shoes, but it’s too soon to tell. So far my feet are happy and the shoes seem to work better at a faster pace. 31mi With the Cliftons cycling out of this rotation, I’ll need to add a shoe with lugs for mud & snow.

You could give Topo Scepter a try. I find them very padded under my forefoot and a little springy. Max run in them so far is 10mi, no complaints from the feet.

I agree on the high arches in Topo but the Specter 2 has been my favorite daily trainer over the last several years. I do just as much road as I do trail, so I have a lot of road shoes but mostly geared toward faster efforts. Specter have been the go to for easy miles, though sometimes I'll my Zegama's for that as well.

For these type of runs I use one of the following:  - superblast 2 : great at marathon pace all the way down to easy pace. Can go faster but not where it’s best  - Adios Pro 3 : excellent from marathon pace down close to half marathon pace. Can go easy but not its strong point  - Topo Specter 2: similar to Superblast but with a wide toebox and maybe slightly firmer. Grip is worst of the 3 options