Foot-shaped running shoes have had a rise in popularity in the last ten years. From being boxy, generally not good-looking shoes, to now having both a style and comfort to compete with the best manufacturers out there, I can easily say that the rise in popularity is certainly well deserved.
Emil and I went to the track to test out two of the best-performing foot-shaped shoes on the market right now. The Altra Vanish Carbon & the Topo Specter.
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Looking at the stats above there are similarities, but also some differences. The fact is that we are comparing a carbon-plated Altra Vanish Carbon (carbon plate in the forefoot), with the Topo Specter without a plate. But on the other hand, the Topo has Pebax foam, which is known for being the fastest super foam on the market right now.
There are three major differences between these two shoes: The midsole construction, the weight, and the heel drop. There are several ways to make a fast and fun running shoe, and my hope with this article is to make it easier for you to decide which shoe you should buy.
Altra Vanish Carbon
The Altra Vanish Carbon midsole is drastically different compared to what you'll find in the Topo Specter. Two slabs of the nitro-infused Ego Pro foam and right in the middle, a half-carbon plate from Carbitex. The stack of the shoe is about 33mm, and together with the foam and the plate, this results in a bouncy - but firmer - experience than you might think when you hear the words "super shoes".
The lighter weight of the Altra Vanish Carbon makes it more of a specialized racing shoe, perfect for everything from 5k and 10k to a full marathon distance. It is a fair amount lighter than the Topo and you will notice that, and this makes it more race and tempo specific compared to the versatile Topo Specter.
Both the Altra Vanish Carbon and the Topo Specter are foot-shaped shoes, but Altra differentiates between their shoes with three different fits. The Altra Vanish Carbon has a Slim Footshaped fit, which is their "racing fit." A bit more narrow, but still with room for your toes. That said, if you like the fit of the fabulous Altra Lone Peak, then you might find the fit of the Altra Vanish Carbon to be a bit tighter. Emil really likes how comfortable the fit is in the Vanish Carbon.
Topo Specter
The Topo Specter came out of nowhere, with Topo trying several different types of fast-paced running shoe designs, not really finding the holy grail. Topo Specter is the best they have done so far, but it isn't a super shoe, and this is mainly because it is constructed more as a very light daily trainer/performance trainer than a speed shoe.
It does have Pebax foam, but it is encapsulated inside an EVA shell, making that wild and bouncy super foam, a bit more controlled. The Specter feels less bouncy than the Altra Vanish Carbon, but it certainly holds it own when it comes to versatillity. It is perfect as a lighter shoe for those who want that for everyday use, but also great as a race shoe if you don't want or need a carbon shoe.
The hold around the midfoot is still great, but compared to the Altra Vanish Carbon, the Topo Specter has a tiny bit more room in the toe box. What you also get in the Topo Specter is a lower heel drop of 5mm, but not zero-drop like the Altra Vanish Carbon, which can feel a bit daunting for some runners.
Which one should you choose?
There are two really big things with these running shoes. They are both foot-shaped, but maybe more important is the fact that they are amazingly versatile running shoes that you will love using for a huge amount of your training runs.
If you want the fastest and lightest carbon beast for races and intervals, then the Altra Vanish Carbon is a no-brainer. But if you want a bit more stability, a bit more versatility in the midsole, and a bit more room for your toes then the Topo Specter should be your choice.
Didn't you find your favorite?
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