Seems like Topo has been evolving and making huge strides with innovations while Altra feels stuck in the mud. I used to be a huge Altra fan, but feel like their shoes have barely evolved over the past few years
I’ve heard lots of complains about the quality of Altra too. The shoes falling apart, etc. I like what topo is doing and like that they’re not just zero drop either
I'm loving this shoe, too! Only three runs so far, two of them workouts. They were awesome for 6x1mi cruise intervals. For shorter track intervals, I like their little sibling, the Cyclone 2. For me, the Cyclone 2 is a more fun shoe-extremely lightweight and more bouncy than the Specter 2-but a little too minimal for longer workouts. Sometimes I feel the wide toebox (on both shoes) isn't great for cornering at speed, but for 95% of runs I like it much better than a pointy shoe.
Yeah intervals is the one run type where this shoe didn’t feel ideal to me even if it could hit the speed. It’s great overall though. I should hopefully be getting the cyclone 3 soonish so I’m excited to see how that feels
@@fransera it has a much bigger platform than the Cyclone 2 and a wider toebox. I ended up returning the Specter 2 because my forefoot was sliding around in the toebox, causing blisters.
@@johnwhitesides566 both, the foam in the Speedworks is very bouncy, honestly one of the bounciest on the market and in my opinion more than the elite too. That and topo is built with a very wide base and heel flare so it’s VERY stable while the Speedworks is VERY unstable so that gap in stability is huge. Personally I can’t handle the Speedworks for longer stuff because my ankles etc work overtime but I love it for shorter faster stuff and like 10k and below races
@@raddadbodtv That's quite helpful. Given that they have similar prices and stacks, my main concern is the Specter's smooth outsole. This will be a tempo/threshold shoe for mixed surfaces, including some grass and packed sand. So, the added stability will help, but will traction be an issue?
I am sorta new to running and I really like this shoe. I have wide feet and am flat footed (I have custom insoles). What shoe could you recommend that is similar to this that would be good for tempo, interval, and long distance runs 4-6 miles)? I really thought these shoes would be it, but as soon as you said not shine for interval training I knew it was too good to be true.
Honestly as a newer runner you don’t necessarily need multiple shoes. These will do just fine for you for intervals as well! The reason I don’t like them as much is just that there are better options for that specifically but this is one of the best all around shoes on the market
@ thank you for your honest review! I think I will pick these up! I would say I’ve been running since June and I’ve used Hoka Clifton 9 for road running. Then I bought the challenger 7 for the trail but once it starts to snow I need something for the treadmill. I hope these will be good for the treadmill!
I am looking for a new shoe for long runs which will include progression long runs and interval work as well as slower 20mile plus runs and wanted to use my New Balance Rebel V4's as my uptempo, threshold runs, just wondering if you think it's a bit redundant to have both to be used in that configuration? I am using the Saucony Tempus for my long runs at the moment which I really enjoy but wondered about these as I loved running in my Saucony Endorphin Speed 3's for long runs but preferred a non plated toe if shoe for my long runs? I'm only light, 115lbs. Love the videos mate.
I don’t think it would be redundant, the specter will definitely do better (at least in my opinion) for some of that longer stuff and be more stable overall. Im not going to be reviewing it personally as I’m not a stability shoe user but the saucony tempus just updated and does have pwrrunpb in the latest edition so the new one may have a little more pop for you if you wanted to stick with the tempus line as well
@@raddadbodtv Thanks for the reply mate, I didn't actually realise the new Tempus had an extra 1mm of foam from the previous model. I don't actually need to run in a stability shoe but like the design of the Tempus and have really enjoyed them, especially because they can go slower for recoveries but can pick up the pace for progression runs and intervals during longer runs. Just thought the spectra 2 would be closer feeling to the speed 3 and 4's without the plate and less drop as well.
I bought the atmos and I’m planning to return it. I have narrow heels and I can’t get a great heel lock. I’m wondering if the Specter 2 has the same dimension as the atmos.
Seems like Topo has been evolving and making huge strides with innovations while Altra feels stuck in the mud. I used to be a huge Altra fan, but feel like their shoes have barely evolved over the past few years
I’ve heard lots of complains about the quality of Altra too. The shoes falling apart, etc. I like what topo is doing and like that they’re not just zero drop either
I'm loving this shoe, too! Only three runs so far, two of them workouts. They were awesome for 6x1mi cruise intervals. For shorter track intervals, I like their little sibling, the Cyclone 2. For me, the Cyclone 2 is a more fun shoe-extremely lightweight and more bouncy than the Specter 2-but a little too minimal for longer workouts. Sometimes I feel the wide toebox (on both shoes) isn't great for cornering at speed, but for 95% of runs I like it much better than a pointy shoe.
Yeah intervals is the one run type where this shoe didn’t feel ideal to me even if it could hit the speed. It’s great overall though. I should hopefully be getting the cyclone 3 soonish so I’m excited to see how that feels
@@raddadbodtv The Cyclone 2 in all-white is a hot shoe! Topo's only good looking shoe IMO. :D Thanks for the review of the Specter 2.
How's the fit of Specter 2 compared to Cyclone 2?
@@fransera it has a much bigger platform than the Cyclone 2 and a wider toebox. I ended up returning the Specter 2 because my forefoot was sliding around in the toebox, causing blisters.
@@kmshultz What is a white shoe good for? Keeping it on a shelf?
In Canada the Topo Specter 2 is $250 and the Superblast 2 (always sold out) is $280. At that price range the difference is negligible imo.
How does it compare to the Tyr Speedworks re ride?
Speedworks is a lot snappier but is also a lot more unstable
@@raddadbodtv Unstable in the sense of a narrower platform or more bounce or both?
@@johnwhitesides566 both, the foam in the Speedworks is very bouncy, honestly one of the bounciest on the market and in my opinion more than the elite too. That and topo is built with a very wide base and heel flare so it’s VERY stable while the Speedworks is VERY unstable so that gap in stability is huge.
Personally I can’t handle the Speedworks for longer stuff because my ankles etc work overtime but I love it for shorter faster stuff and like 10k and below races
@@raddadbodtv That's quite helpful. Given that they have similar prices and stacks, my main concern is the Specter's smooth outsole. This will be a tempo/threshold shoe for mixed surfaces, including some grass and packed sand. So, the added stability will help, but will traction be an issue?
How's the forefoot and midfoot of Specter 2 compared to Cyclone 2? Cyclone 2 forefoot workable for my 2E bunion but midfoot is too narrow.
I am sorta new to running and I really like this shoe. I have wide feet and am flat footed (I have custom insoles). What shoe could you recommend that is similar to this that would be good for tempo, interval, and long distance runs 4-6 miles)? I really thought these shoes would be it, but as soon as you said not shine for interval training I knew it was too good to be true.
Honestly as a newer runner you don’t necessarily need multiple shoes. These will do just fine for you for intervals as well! The reason I don’t like them as much is just that there are better options for that specifically but this is one of the best all around shoes on the market
@ thank you for your honest review! I think I will pick these up! I would say I’ve been running since June and I’ve used Hoka Clifton 9 for road running. Then I bought the challenger 7 for the trail but once it starts to snow I need something for the treadmill. I hope these will be good for the treadmill!
Is it softer and more energy return than the Atmos, I like my Atmos but feel the midsole is a Little hard
I’m going to say yes but haven’t run in the atmos personally
I am looking for a new shoe for long runs which will include progression long runs and interval work as well as slower 20mile plus runs and wanted to use my New Balance Rebel V4's as my uptempo, threshold runs, just wondering if you think it's a bit redundant to have both to be used in that configuration? I am using the Saucony Tempus for my long runs at the moment which I really enjoy but wondered about these as I loved running in my Saucony Endorphin Speed 3's for long runs but preferred a non plated toe if shoe for my long runs? I'm only light, 115lbs. Love the videos mate.
I don’t think it would be redundant, the specter will definitely do better (at least in my opinion) for some of that longer stuff and be more stable overall.
Im not going to be reviewing it personally as I’m not a stability shoe user but the saucony tempus just updated and does have pwrrunpb in the latest edition so the new one may have a little more pop for you if you wanted to stick with the tempus line as well
@@raddadbodtv Thanks for the reply mate, I didn't actually realise the new Tempus had an extra 1mm of foam from the previous model. I don't actually need to run in a stability shoe but like the design of the Tempus and have really enjoyed them, especially because they can go slower for recoveries but can pick up the pace for progression runs and intervals during longer runs. Just thought the spectra 2 would be closer feeling to the speed 3 and 4's without the plate and less drop as well.
For sure a contender, their peak is high enough but can they maintain it the whole year?
We’ll have to wait for the playoffs to see!
I bought the atmos and I’m planning to return it. I have narrow heels and I can’t get a great heel lock. I’m wondering if the Specter 2 has the same dimension as the atmos.
I would assume yes, was it your first topo or have you worn them in the past?
@@raddadbodtv first one