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Tested using Methodology v0.16
Updated Sep 17, 2026 04:19 PM
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Tested using Methodology v0.16
Updated Sep 21, 2026 02:41 PM
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Altra
Heel Stack Height
38.8 mm
Weight
218.0 g (7.69 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.4 mm
Plate
None
Heel Stack Height
40.2 mm
Weight
235.1 g (8.29 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
6.0 mm
Plate
Carbon Fiber
Our Verdict
Topo Specter 3
Altra Vanish Carbon 3
The Altra Vanish Carbon 3 and Topo Specter 3 both offer roomy anatomical toe boxes that let your toes spread. The Altra is a super shoe, while the Topo is an unplated super trainer. The lighter Topo offers more cushioning and energy return for less money, making it the better all-around training value. Choose the Altra if you prefer a stiffer, snappier ride with stronger forward roll for workouts and racing.
Variants
- Specter 3 (White/Sky - (Men - US 9))
- Specter 3 (White/Teal - (Women - US 7))
- Vanish Carbon 3 (White/Black/Fiery Coral - (Women - US 7))
- Vanish Carbon 3 (White/Black/Sonic Blue - (Men - US 9))
Main Differences for
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Half/Full Marathon Racing
Threshold
Half/Full Marathon Racing
8.0
8.0
Weight
7.6
7.0
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
6.3
8.9
Full Comparison
Design
Weight
7.6
7.0
Right Shoe Weight Photo
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Left Shoe Weight Photo
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Weight
218.0 g (7.69 oz)
235.1 g (8.29 oz)
Stack Heights
Stack Height Photo
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Heel Stack Height
38.8 mm
40.2 mm
Forefoot Stack Height
30.4 mm
34.2 mm
Heel-To-Toe Drop
8.4 mm
6.0 mm
Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop
5.0 mm
4.0 mm
External Shape
3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Outsole Heel Width
90 mm (3.5")
86 mm (3.4")
Outsole Arch Width
71 mm (2.8")
79 mm (3.1")
Outsole Forefoot Width
116 mm (4.6")
117 mm (4.6")
Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio
2.32
2.14
Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio
3.82
3.42
Internal Shape
3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
Preview 3D
Internal Length
278 mm (10.9")
276 mm (10.9")
Internal Heel Width
70 mm (2.8")
68 mm (2.7")
Internal Forefoot Width
98 mm (3.9")
95 mm (3.7")
Wide Sizing Available
No
No
Forefoot Fit: Width
7.7
8.1
Forefoot Width Photo
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Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation
5.5 mm (0.216")
5.1 mm (0.201")
Toe TTS Deviation
9.9 mm (0.391")
7.9 mm (0.309")
Forefoot Fit: Height
10
6.4
Forefoot Height Photo
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Toe TTS Deviation
1.6 mm (0.064")
-4.3 mm (-0.169")
Arch Fit: Width
9.9
9.9
Arch Fit Photo
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Arch Width TTS Deviation
1.6 mm (0.065")
1.7 mm (0.065")
Length Fit
10
10
Toe Clearance Photo
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Heel Rocker Geometry
8.3
8.4
Heel Rocker Photo
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Heel Spring
29 mm (1.1")
31 mm (1.2")
Heel Apex Position
22.8%
21.0%
Heel Rocker Angle
23.7°
26.9°
Forefoot Rocker Geometry
8.2
8.6
Forefoot Rocker Photo
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Toe Spring
60 mm (2.4")
67 mm (2.6")
Toe Apex Position
58.6%
56.9%
Forefoot Rocker Angle
26.6°
28.2°
Foam
Primary Foam Picture
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Secondary Foam Picture
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Primary Foam Name
RevFoam
FAST RCE
Primary Foam Type
A-TPU
PEBA
Secondary Foam Name
No Secondary Foam
No Secondary Foam
Secondary Foam Type
No Secondary Foam
No Secondary Foam
Laces
Laces Picture
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Lace Type
Flat
Sawtooth
Width
6.0 mm (0.2")
5.0 mm (0.2")
Thickness
2.2 mm (0.1")
1.7 mm (0.1")
Stretch
6.5%
1.7%
Breathability
7.5
7.5
Breathability Video
Upper Breathability
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Upper Microscope Photo
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Time-To-Dry
6.1
9.0
Time-To-Dry Timelapse
Time-To-Dry Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Time To 30% Dry
8.9 hrs
4.0 hrs
Time To 70% Dry
21.7 hrs
10.8 hrs
Time To Dry
29.6 hrs
17.1 hrs
Water Absorption
7.3
9.7
Dry Weight Photo
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Wet Weight Photo
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Water Absorbed
43.3%
21.2%
Other Features
Other Features Photo
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Tongue Gusset Type
Non-gusseted
Non-gusseted
Plate
None
Carbon Fiber
Performance
Heel Compression Energy Return
8.7
8.3
Heel Compression Video
Heel Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Energy Return
85.6%
82.6%
Forefoot Compression Energy Return
9.0
8.5
Forefoot Compression Video
Forefoot Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Energy Return
88.3%
83.9%
Heel Cushioning
8.7
8.2
Heel Cushioning Picture
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Heel Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 550N
4.47 J
4.01 J
Energy Absorbed At 1100N
10.63 J
9.87 J
Energy Absorbed At 1900N
16.85 J
16.20 J
Forefoot Cushioning
8.5
8.4
Forefoot Cushioning Picture
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Forefoot Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 800N
5.82 J
5.35 J
Energy Absorbed At 1300N
9.46 J
9.15 J
Energy Absorbed At 2050N
13.19 J
13.54 J
Heel Firmness
5.7
6.6
Heel Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 550N
33.3 N/mm
36.3 N/mm
Firmness At 1100N
45.1 N/mm
48.7 N/mm
Firmness At 1900N
66.2 N/mm
70.4 N/mm
Forefoot Firmness
4.7
6.0
Forefoot Firmness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Firmness At 800N
43.0 N/mm
49.0 N/mm
Firmness At 1300N
58.5 N/mm
64.9 N/mm
Firmness At 2050N
84 N/mm
90 N/mm
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
8.2
8.0
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Energy Absorbed At 10km
9.14 J
8.70 J
Energy Absorbed At 20km
8.94 J
8.56 J
Energy Absorbed At 30km
8.82 J
8.47 J
Energy Absorbed At 40km
8.73 J
8.39 J
Rocker Stiffness
4.7
7.7
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video
Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Force To Flatten The Rocker
39 N
108 N
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
8.5
8.8
Forefoot Bending Video
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Energy Return
75.9%
79.3%
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
6.3
8.9
Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture
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Forefoot Bending Resistance
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Bending Stiffness
12.3 N/mm
33.1 N/mm
Forefoot Bending Force
215 N
368 N
Heel Compression Depth
7.3
6.7
Heel Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Heel Compression At 550N
16.5 mm
15.1 mm
Heel Compression At 1100N
24.4 mm
22.6 mm
Heel Compression At 1900N
28.7 mm
27.0 mm
Forefoot Compression Depth
7.6
6.9
Forefoot Compression Graph
Preview Graph
Preview Graph
Forefoot Compression At 800N
18.6 mm
16.3 mm
Forefoot Compression At 1300N
22.2 mm
20.0 mm
Forefoot Compression At 2050N
24.5 mm
22.7 mm
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Topo Specter 3
Altra Vanish Carbon 3
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Topo Specter 3 vs Altra Vanish Carbon 3: Main Discussion
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