u/nutelamitbutter

I was fortunate enough to get a pair of the newly released Topo Specter 3 and don't regret buying it. Out of the box i used them for a 2 hour steady state long run and have been super impressed.

Some stats:
10k pace: 3:45
Half marathon pace: 3:55
Easy run: 5:15
Steady state: 4:30-4:40

Fit: TTS
It's my first Topo shoe so i didn't know what to expect. I went with my usual size and it worked out well. The roomy toebox feels very comfortable, no issues with my toes over there.
Upper is also very comfortable and breathable, throughout the run my experience has been positive. Only downside are the laces as i feel their quality is somewhat average.

Midsole:
Topo's new foam called RevFoam is a winner. It is soft, but not too soft. For long runs this shoe can definitely compete with the likes of the Megablast, CM3 Hyper, Superblast and others.
It felt very easy to keep a somewhat faster pace throughout the run. Out of the box i got the feeling that the shoe wants to go fast. It can handle easy paces, however when running faster the Specter is truly shining. For very hard intervals i'd probably take something else, however for long runs even up to half marathon pace, it can handle it all with ease. The sweet spot will likely be the marathon pace.
The shoe is light, the foam is responsive - everything you want.

Stability:
No issues here, even heel strikes shouldn't worry about it. On the road the shoe feels at it's best, however even on trails i haven't experienced any problems.

Durability:
I expect the shoe being able to make many kilometers, grip has been excellent from my point of view. It might not be at Superblast 2 levels, however 500-600km should definitely be possible.

Comparisons:
The Specter 3 is somewhat similar to the EVO SL. However the stability is much better, i do feel like the rocker is also more aggressive. Both are fast shoes but i think the Specter can handle a bigger variety of paces. While i only tried the CM3 Hyper just once, you do notice the difference in stack height immediately. It's not super heavy, though the Specter feels noticeably lighter and makes it easier to pick up the pace.

Verdict:
For long runs, the Topo Specter 3 has been an absolute winner.
It can do multiple types of sessions, even though going long is the speciality.
I can't wait to try the Specter Elite since the foam is the same.
For €195, you're getting more than enough.