Altra and Topo Athletic Go Mainstream(ish) With Their New Wide-Toe Racing Shoes

It’s not a stretch to suggest that every single running shoe manufacturer is now capable of churning out a solid race day option using the newest high-tech foams and some type of carbon-fiber plate. You might reach for one over others because the fit or comfort suits you better than anything else. You might be brand loyal. Heck, you might just like the colors. But, you no longer have to show up to a starting corral feeling like you’re at a disadvantage because you’re not wearing X brand’s racer.This didn’t happen overnight. It took some shoe brands a few iterations to build a truly speedy shoe. That is the case here with Altra and Topo Athletic. The two brands that tread most closely to the minimal/barefoot formula have made big strides—approaching more mainstream construction—to build their fastest racing shoes yet, the Vanish Carbon 3 and Specter Elite. Let’s take a look at what’s happening with these models and which would suit you best.ProsAggressive rocker for fast turnoverPEBA foam is a big improvementGenerous forefoot spaceConsOne of the heavier super shoesMore rubber than a super shoe requiresKey SpecsWeight7.7 ozDrop4 mmHeel Stack40 mmFoamPEBAPlateCarbon; split toeProsA-TPU foam is soft, light, and bouncyLighter than the AltraComfortable for long racesConsForefoot might be too roomy for some runnersAvailability mostly limited to physical storesWeight7.1 ozDrop5 mmHeel Stack39 mmFoamA-TPUPlateCarbon; spoon shapedWait … They’re Not Zero Drop?Modern racing shoes not only have bouncy foam and stiff plates but also typically include a rockered sole or tall heel-to-toe drop. Both of those latter features reduce the work required from your calf, which can have economy benefits when running fast over long distances. But, neither of those were really features of Altra or Topo shoes before the introduction of the Vanish Carbon 3 and Specter Elite.Both of these new racing shoes feature some drop. Altra actually started rolling out 4mm drop options after it was acquired by VF Corporation (parent to The North Face and other outdoor brands)—offering 4 mm of drop greatly broadens the available customer base; the 4mm shoes are the fastest-growing segment of Altra’s business right now. Topo, on the other hand, has offered shoes in a variety of drops, though all were still on the low end of the spectrum. Both still hold close to the company values, even if they’re inching closer to what’s out there from more traditional shoe brands.The rockers might be the most shocking features of both shoes. The Topo, in particular, has an extreme rounding at both ends of the shoe. The heel bevel turns up sharply, as does the toe. The Vanish Carbon 3, too, has a rocker. Its version starts curving upward even further back toward the midfoot, so much so that you feel a bump under your midfoot.I found the Altra Vanish Carbon 3 rocker aggressively gets you onto your toes and makes the shoe feel snappy.A difference here, though, is that your foot still sits relatively flat within the Altra—the rocker happens mostly where the rubber meets the road. The Topo has more toe spring, so your toes curve upward slightly and are held in that position as you run. This can help you to get over the stiff sole during your stride, but having your toes fixed in an upward position can pose problems for runners without enough flexibility at the toe joints.Modern Foam Upgrades Deliver Big ResultsBoth shoes got a boost in the bounce department with this round of updates, though they ride quite differently.The Topo Athletic upgraded from PEBA in the Specter 2 to an aliphatic TPU (A-TPU) midsole in the Specter Elite. A-TPU seems to be among the highest performing foams on the market right now because it can be formulated to be exceptionally soft, light, and bouncy all at the same time. (Back before the super shoe era, you had to settle for only two of those qualities from a foam.)The Topo Athletic Specter Elite uses A-TPU foam, which gives me the comfort I seek for long efforts at fast paces.The Altra Vanish Carbon 3 features a PEBA sandwich around the carbon plate, delivering a massive upgrade in cushioning and propulsion compared to the TPE that was used previously.While both are exceptionally thick, nudging right up against the World Athletics imposed limits, they ride differently. We’ve found the Specter Elite feels softer and bouncier, making it better equipped to handle long road distances really well. You really can feel the foam squish under your weight and bounce back. The Vanish Carbon 3, by comparison, is a bit stiffer and snappier. Make no mistake, there’s good cushioning there, but it feels just a little more sturdier and zippier, likely leading to better results at shorter efforts.They’re Still Far Roomier Than Every Other RacerThese two shoes are truly the only great options you have if you really want breathing room up front. But, if you have in mind an exaggeratedly wide toebox from having seen some earlier Altra models, you’re in for a shock when you give these kicks a look.The Vanish Carbon 3 has a roomy but not overly wide toebox.The Altra is really quite reined in. The shoe isn’t what you would call snug, but it’s definitely a lower-volume option and looks fairly sleek when viewed from above.The Specter Elite forefoot is quite a bit boxier and has much more room—both in width and in height. But, again, it doesn’t feel baggy or sloppy. There’s just loads of room for your piggies to wiggle.Both shoes get a more race-inspired fit through the midfoot and lock down the back of your foot—although each took a different approach to heel hold. Altra’s shoe is almost track spike–like with a very minimal heel counter and highly flexible heel cup free of padding. You’re fastened in place mostly because the material wraps so closely to your foot. The Specter Elite has a more traditional build, with a stiffer insert and thicker padding around the collar of the opening.Which Wide-Foot Racer Is Right for You?If you’re seeking the lightest shoe for race day, grab the Topo. It weighs an ounce less than the Altra and you can sense that underfoot when you’re going fast. (The Altra has far more rubber, which I’m willing to bet gets pared way back for v4.)The Specter Elite has plenty of grip but not so much rubber that would make the shoe feel heavy.The Topo rules in the comfort department, too. I’ve hit an age where I like a fair bit of squish and I’m even willing to sacrifice a few seconds on race day if it means I’m not wincing by the time I waddle across the finish line. The Specter Elite delivers that mix. It’s not a luxury cruiser, but it’s by no means jarring or harsh on blacktop.You want snappy speed? The Vanish Carbon 3 delivers in this department. The extreme rocker really tips you onto your toes in a hurry. I laced the shoe up for a track workout, alternating 4-minute intervals at 10K effort and 2-minute reps at 5K speeds. The Vanish Carbon 3 was more than willing to comply and felt well planted as I came around the curve at low-5-minute pace.Stability your jam? You can’t go wrong with either. Both have a generous heel bevel to allow for smooth initial contact with the ground, followed by a wide base that helps keep you centered over the foam. And both shoes have a bit more forefoot flare so you stay upright as you get up onto your forefoot.If you’re seeking some natural foot movement, the Altra edges out Topo here. Altra forked the carbon plate so that there’s separation for the big toe. I’m not suggesting that there’s a lot of play there because you still have to push around a lot of foam and a plate. But you can feel more movement as your foot engages with the shoe.Buy the Altra Vanish Carbon 3 at AltraRunning.comBuy the Topo Athletic Specter Elite at Marathon SportsJeff is Runner-in-Chief for Runner’s World and the director of product testing. He has tested and reviewed running shoes, GPS watches, headphones, apparel, and more for nearly two decades. He regularly tests more than 100 pairs of shoes each year, and once had a 257-day streak running in different models. Jeff can usually be found on the roads, racing anything from the mile to a marathon, but he also enjoys racing up mountains and on snowshoes. When he’s not running, you’ll probably find him hanging from a ladder making repairs and renovations to his house (he’s also director of product testing for Popular Mechanics).