Topo Specter Elite Overview & First Run Review
Below we are grading Topo's new race day shoe, the Specter Elite, on its midsole, upper, outsole, step-in comfort, and design. We compare it to the Hoka Cielo X1 3.0 and help you decide if you should ry it out.
The Topo Specter Elite might be one of the biggest surprises of the year. From the incredibly bouncy ATPU RevFoam midsole to the accommodating race-day upper, this shoe checks nearly every box we look for in a marathon racer. The outsole is the only area that leaves a little room for improvement, but it’s still more than capable of handling race day.
Topo Specter Elite Specs
The Specter Elite is Topo’s pinnacle racer. With a full ATPU RevFoam midsole, a full-length carbon fiber plate, Topo’s signature spacious toe box, and a 5mm drop, this racer looks poised to compete with the best of the best.
Stack Height: 39mm of foam in the heel with a 5mm drop
Weight: 201 grams in a US Men's size 9
Midsole: ATPU RevFoam midsole with a full-length carbon fiber plate
Price: $250
Topo Specter Elite
Comparing the Topo Specter Elite to the Hoka Cielo X1 3.0
Specs
The Topo Specter Elite has 39mm of foam in the heel with a 5mm drop, while the Hoka Cielo X1 3.0 has a whopping 48mm of foam in the heel and a 7mm drop. The Cielo is still race legal because of the way stack heigh is measured 12.5% from the back of the shoe. They both weigh about the same with the Specter Elite coming in at 201 grams and the Cielo coming in at 198 grams in a Men's US sample size 9.
Foam
While the Specter Elite features a new aliphatic TPU foam, called RevFoam, the Cielo uses a PEBA foam to create a bouncy and responsive ride. The RevFoam is also used in Topo's new super trainer, the Specter 3, but likely in a slightly different formulation or tuning.
Geometry
Both shoes feature a significant rocker geometry. The Specter Elite has an aggressive rocker and a protective forefoot feel from the smooth geometry. The Cielo X1 3.0 has an “Illegal” midfoot stack and a highly-aggressive rocker. If you like a rockered geometry in your race day shoe, these both are contenders.
Hoka Cielo X1 3.0
Price
The Specter Elite is coming in on the low end for race day shoes at $250, while the Cielo X1 3.0 is only slightly higher at $275. Both are a great value at those prices for what you are getting.
Upper & Fit
The Specter Elite features Topo’s signature anatomical toebox design while the Cielo X1 3.0 has a narrower, more streamlined upper.
Get the Topo Specter Elite If:
- You value both speed and protection in your marathon racer. This shoe provides the perfect blend of pop, stability, and cushion for runners of all levels.
- You like an aggressive rocker in your race shoe or are missing the unique feel of the Saucony Endorphin Elite OG.
- You have a wider foot, or are looking for an accommodating, shoe for the marathon distance.
For Yowana's full-length first-run review in the Topo Specter Elite, check out the Supwell YouTube channel:
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