I’m a trail runner running wearing an Altra MB Carbon and a timp. I picked up the Spec2 to run on compacted gravel flattish trail. These shoes fit like a glove . No plate, but it’s literally a rocket compared to my Plated trail runner. Night and day performance increase. Very comfortable.
I’m a big fan of the Cyclone 2, and the Specter 2 looks like it is capitalizing on what makes the Cyclone 2 great and just doing it more. These are on the to-buy list.
One of the Matt reviews I've been waiting for. I've been excited for this release since TRE. A lightweight, non-plated trainer/racer. A Cyclone 2 with more stack. Thanks, Matt; you confirmed everything I was excited about. The insole issue is not a concern.
@@MyFatAdaptedLife There sure is a lot to love about this shoe! It’s funny how my perception has swung from plated shoes being the best and novel fast running option to non-plated fast shoes being the more exciting thing. It’s like anyone can put a plate in a shoe and make it feel fast, but to do it without a plate is impressive.
Whats on you laces? Step counter? I have the topo cyclone for track days. I wear a lot of yellow to stand out to cars so this fits with that but color is 10x 0. 😂 This seems like it might be a good race day shoe for slower runners like myself. Maybe I'll get it on sale when the 3 comes out and then I'll drop in my powrunn+ insoles from saucony.
The things on my laces are Stryd footpods. You have the Cyclone so you know how the Pebax foam feels and this feels like that, only more so because there is more foam. It sure would make a good (un-plated) race-day shoe.
TOPO is on the rise. After Cyclone 2 now Specter 2 with full PEBA midsole. Here is a company that is offering good running shoes with a good value proposition.
Excited for this one! Agreed, Topo could do so much better than these Ortholite insoles. They feel nice initially but I find myself swapping them out after ~200km. How is the ride compared to other beaded Peba shoes, Tyr Speedworks or Endo Speed 4?
I love the first edition, how much nicer is the full pebax? Can you tell a big difference? Finally, will they be coming out with more than just 2 colorways?
I didn't run in the first version, but knowing how Topo's EVA feels in other shoes, I think the full PEBAX foam will feel slightly softer and definitely more responsive. I haven't heard about the release of other colorways.
Original Specter didn’t work at all for me; I couldn’t relate to the positive reviews. Maybe the rocker was in the wrong spot for me? I’ll be interested to try version 2. Oh, and totally agree about the ortholite insoles. They soak up water, and hard to get back into the shoe.
@@jenwatters7124 Sorry to hear the original Specter didn’t work for you, but I’ve been there where a shoe gets a lot of positive buzz and then just don’t work for me. It’s frustrating! You’re the only one to corroborate that the insoles are like little sponges! 😂 It makes me wonder if everyone else either isn’t sweating or running when it’s wet out.
I have run in a lot of different TOPOs and really only have issues with the ATMOS. Great shoe for the first 100 miles or so. But feel like the cushioning is breaking down and causing my feet to get hot. The toe box is fine, just the cushioning past 45 minutes
@@SprintTri58 That’s surprising due to the 38mm of stack in the heel, but Topo’s Zipfoam isn’t my favorite. The Pebax in this Specter 2 is totally different and worth a try.
The volume is the one issue I see in a number of shoes as I find the Phantom 3 has the best fit as tried the Atmos and it has more volume and laces up like the Spectre 2 you show. One answer is if one can find an insole that takes up the more space but it not overly supportive. I have tried my usual 12's and they fit better volume wise but do get some toe issues on longer runs so go up to 12.5's with no issues but it then exacerbates the volume issue. Not sure the answer as no one seem to have a good low volume shoe with a larger toe box. Had the original Spectre and was just too stiff and not a great shoe. So now the question is do I try these and as they have the 30 day return at least I can order them and send back if just to much volume.
@@tonykonvalin9959 I would say it’s best to try them and send them back if they don’t fit correctly. Brands make small tweaks with shoes that can be the difference between fitting well or not.
Is the volume at least even throughout? I haven’t had this observation before, but I can probably boost the volume in the software I’m using. Thanks for letting me know!
I’m a trail runner running wearing an Altra MB Carbon and a timp. I picked up the Spec2 to run on compacted gravel flattish trail. These shoes fit like a glove . No plate, but it’s literally a rocket compared to my Plated trail runner. Night and day performance increase. Very comfortable.
@@TheActiontkr Glad to hear they’re working so well for you! This is one of my favorite shoes of the year for every reason you mentioned.
I’m a big fan of the Cyclone 2, and the Specter 2 looks like it is capitalizing on what makes the Cyclone 2 great and just doing it more. These are on the to-buy list.
The "to-buy" list is a well-deserved place for them to be. You're spot on with Topo just making a maxed out Cyclone 2!
One of the Matt reviews I've been waiting for. I've been excited for this release since TRE. A lightweight, non-plated trainer/racer. A Cyclone 2 with more stack. Thanks, Matt; you confirmed everything I was excited about. The insole issue is not a concern.
@@MyFatAdaptedLife There sure is a lot to love about this shoe!
It’s funny how my perception has swung from plated shoes being the best and novel fast running option to non-plated fast shoes being the more exciting thing. It’s like anyone can put a plate in a shoe and make it feel fast, but to do it without a plate is impressive.
@@its_Matt_B_ That's great to hear because I try to avoid plated shoes for training. I want to feel that I'm doing the work rather than the shoe.
Excited indeed...since TRE. Thx, Matt.
@@MyFatAdaptedLife You haven’t been alone! The running-Internet has been excited for this one!
@@its_Matt_B_ 👍
I love the Cyclone 2, so I'm going to preorder this one. A higher stack, daily trainer version of the Cyclone sounds perfect 👌
@@karatechop Yep! Basically this is a high octane Cyclone. 💪🏽
Loved the last ones. These will be on my shopping list 🤩
@@lindaskalde6111 These are definitely list worthy! If you liked the original you’re going to love the 100% Pebax midsole in this one! 🙌🏽
Love topo shoes.
@@i.p2088 The Specter 2 has the potential to bring a lot more people to Topo! This shoe brings a lot to the table.
Winter shoe for here in South GA too. Sounds good! Never tried out Topo.
If you're going to try Topo, this is the one! 👊🏽
Whats on you laces? Step counter? I have the topo cyclone for track days. I wear a lot of yellow to stand out to cars so this fits with that but color is 10x 0. 😂 This seems like it might be a good race day shoe for slower runners like myself. Maybe I'll get it on sale when the 3 comes out and then I'll drop in my powrunn+ insoles from saucony.
The things on my laces are Stryd footpods. You have the Cyclone so you know how the Pebax foam feels and this feels like that, only more so because there is more foam. It sure would make a good (un-plated) race-day shoe.
TOPO is on the rise. After Cyclone 2 now Specter 2 with full PEBA midsole. Here is a company that is offering good running shoes with a good value proposition.
100%! You get a lot with this shoe!
Excited for this one! Agreed, Topo could do so much better than these Ortholite insoles. They feel nice initially but I find myself swapping them out after ~200km. How is the ride compared to other beaded Peba shoes, Tyr Speedworks or Endo Speed 4?
The ride is similar in that the foam feels reminiscent of the Speedworks and Speed 4, but because it's not plated it rides very different.
I love the first edition, how much nicer is the full pebax? Can you tell a big difference? Finally, will they be coming out with more than just 2 colorways?
I didn't run in the first version, but knowing how Topo's EVA feels in other shoes, I think the full PEBAX foam will feel slightly softer and definitely more responsive.
I haven't heard about the release of other colorways.
Original Specter didn’t work at all for me; I couldn’t relate to the positive reviews. Maybe the rocker was in the wrong spot for me? I’ll be interested to try version 2. Oh, and totally agree about the ortholite insoles. They soak up water, and hard to get back into the shoe.
@@jenwatters7124 Sorry to hear the original Specter didn’t work for you, but I’ve been there where a shoe gets a lot of positive buzz and then just don’t work for me. It’s frustrating!
You’re the only one to corroborate that the insoles are like little sponges! 😂 It makes me wonder if everyone else either isn’t sweating or running when it’s wet out.
I have run in a lot of different TOPOs and really only have issues with the ATMOS. Great shoe for the first 100 miles or so. But feel like the cushioning is breaking down and causing my feet to get hot. The toe box is fine, just the cushioning past 45 minutes
@@SprintTri58 That’s surprising due to the 38mm of stack in the heel, but Topo’s Zipfoam isn’t my favorite. The Pebax in this Specter 2 is totally different and worth a try.
@@its_Matt_B_ I really like the original Topo Spector. Looking forward to trying the updated Spector
@@its_Matt_B_ it’s super weird with the ATMOS. It feels great for short runs, race warmups and cool downs.
The volume is the one issue I see in a number of shoes as I find the Phantom 3 has the best fit as tried the Atmos and it has more volume and laces up like the Spectre 2 you show. One answer is if one can find an insole that takes up the more space but it not overly supportive. I have tried my usual 12's and they fit better volume wise but do get some toe issues on longer runs so go up to 12.5's with no issues but it then exacerbates the volume issue. Not sure the answer as no one seem to have a good low volume shoe with a larger toe box. Had the original Spectre and was just too stiff and not a great shoe. So now the question is do I try these and as they have the 30 day return at least I can order them and send back if just to much volume.
@@tonykonvalin9959 I would say it’s best to try them and send them back if they don’t fit correctly. Brands make small tweaks with shoes that can be the difference between fitting well or not.
Anyone else struggling with the volume of these videos? Always have to increase quite a bit compared to other videos
Is the volume at least even throughout?
I haven’t had this observation before, but I can probably boost the volume in the software I’m using. Thanks for letting me know!
Yes, for sure.
Use the volume control
@@DaveIrish66 🤣
Can you compare its midsole softness to that of Superblast 1 & 2, & Triumph 20/21 please
@@dhoang75 Sorry, I haven’t run in the Superblast 2 or the Triumph 20/21. The midsole is softer than the original Superblast.
How does it compare to Cyclone 2?
@@cmigotsky It’s like the Cyclone, but with a higher stack so it’s going to feel more protective, especially at longer distances.
Specter 2 or Topo Atmos?
Specter 2 because of the pebax foam. 🙌🏽
Atmos as a daily, Specter for speed…?
@@dark-k3u Yes, this would work but I bet you'll find you want to run in the Specter 2 more often!
@@its_Matt_B_thanks!
The Atmos feels good, but the toebox is a little too wide for me. I will have to try the Specter 2 on first
I’ve run 200 miles in the ATMOS but find it breaking down and getting hot feet. They are now my easy shorter day shoes. I still really like them
I NEVER use stock garbage insoles. Try something that actually works
@@SprintTri58 Have you even found any stock insoles that work for you? Sometimes they can be ok and other times, as you say, complete garbage.
Matt, I find that the Curex Run Pro hit the sweet spot. Not over stiff but still offer nice support and seem to work good with wet feet
@@SprintTri58 Thanks for the rec! I had no idea where to start; there are so many!