We are Doctors of Running, a group of doctors of physical therapy all working to provide you all with information about the art and science of running and what we are putting on our feet. In this podcast we will be giving evidence-based deep dives into running related topics as well as detailed running shoe reviews. You can also check us out at our website -- doctorsofrunning.com, and on social media @doctorsofrunning To help us continue to produce content for you all, consider joining our support team: https://anchor.fm/doctors-of-running/support
Nathan and Matt dig into the mailbag after sharing early thoughts on the New Balance SC Rebel and SC Elite v6 in this week's In For Testing. They cover a wide range of your questions, including whether unworn shoes age in storage, what makes a good all-terrain "safe" shoe, the biomechanical differences between forefoot rockers and toe-spring, and whether it's worth rotating flexible shoes with stiffer, rockered ones, and much more. Want your mailbag question on the next episode? Email us at doctorsofrunning@gmail.com ! Rabbit is the presenting partner of our podcast. You can use code SUMMERDOCS (for July) and AUGDOR10 (for August) to get 10% off your entire order of $50.00 or more. Note that the code is limited to one use per customer and can't be combined with other discounts. The code is active from 1st of every month to last day at 11:59PM PST, but don't worry because we'll be bringing you a new code every month. Shop now at https://www.runinrabbit.com . Our In For Testing segment is fueled by Skratch Labs! Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING ! https://www.skratchlabs.com Chapters 0:00 - Intro 2:46 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs 9:54 - Thoughts on the New Balance SC Rebel 15:32 - New Balance SC Elite v6 21:32 - Do shoes age when stored without being worn? 24:00 - Good all-around, all-terrain "safe" shoes 26:34 - The difference between forefoot rockers and toe-spring, and their biomechanical effects 34:50 - Is it helpful to rotate flexible shoes with stiff, rockered shoes? 40:34 - Does everyone with low arches need stability shoes? 44:46 - Can big toe stiffness cause arch pain? 48:24 - Is there a shoe similar to the New Balance 860? 50:20 - Super shoes with some stability 53:04 - Best shoes with arch support 56:14 - Wrap-up
Matt, David, and Nathan bring bracket-style competition to the podcast, seeding a 16-team field of flagship daily trainers — one from each brand — in an homage to the World Cup that just wrapped up. Tune in to listen to them pit these shoes head-to-head and see who's crowned the champion! We want to know who'd be in your bracket or who your champion would be. Email us at doctorsofrunning@gmail.com. Rabbit is the presenting partner of our podcast. You can use code SUMMERDOCS to get 10% off your entire order of $50.00 or more. Note that the code is limited to one use per customer and can't be combined with other discounts. The code is active from 1st of every month to last day at 11:59PM PST, but don't worry because we'll be bringing you a new code every month. Shop now at https://www.runinrabbit.com . Our In For Testing segment is fueled by Skratch Labs! Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING ! https://www.skratchlabs.com Chapters 0:00 - Intro 2:42 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs 22:14 - Daily trainers: a bracket face-off 24:40 - #1 Asics Novablast vs. #16 Diadora Cellula 28:30 - #2 Hoka Clifton vs. #15 Mount to Coast R1 33:00 - #3 Saucony Ride vs. #14 Altra Experience Flow 37:16 - #4 New Balance 1080 vs. #13 Topo Phantom 4 41:56 - #5 Nike Pegasus vs. #12 Adidas Supernova Rise 47:50 - #6 Brooks Ghost vs. #11 Skechers AeroBurst 53:12 - #7 Mizuno Waverider vs. #10 Puma Velocity Nitro 56:30 - #8 On Cloudsurfer vs. #9 Salomon Aeroglide 1:01:11 - Quarterfinals 1:07:54 - Semifinals 1:12:44 - The Final 1:18:52 - Wrap-up
Matt and David take on another round of Buy or Sell! They debate whether brands should be creating multiple variants of the same shoe, adding specialty uppers to existing models, spinning off new lines from popular shoes, and making dramatic changes to long-standing favorites. They also weigh in on whether uppers matter more than midsoles before closing out with a couple bonus mailbag questions. Want your buy/sell proposition or mailbag question on the next episode? Email us at doctorsofrunning@gmail.com ! Rabbit is the presenting partner of our podcast. You can use code SUMMERDOCS to get 10% off your entire order of $50.00 or more. Note that the code is limited to one use per customer and can't be combined with other discounts. The code is active from 1st of every month to last day at 11:59PM PST, but don't worry because we'll be bringing you a new code every month. Shop now at https://www.runinrabbit.com . Our In For Testing segment is fueled by Skratch Labs! Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING ! https://www.skratchlabs.com Chapters 0:00 - Intro 3:50 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs 21:50 - Buy or Sell: Making multiple variants of the same shoe 28:18 - Specialty uppers on existing shoes 33:15 - Uppers are more important than midsoles 36:16 - Creating new shoe models out of popular shoe lines 44:47 - Dramatically changing a long-standing shoe 51:08 - Mailbag: what causes black toenails? 56:14 - Racing shoes to help with SI joint pain 1:06:22 - Wrap-up
Nathan and David team up for a new round of Fact or Fiction, playing myth busters with your latest questions. They weigh in on questions about drop adjustment, cooldowns, gait analysis, training frequency and mileage, whether running builds muscle, and how walk/run intervals stack up against continuous shorter efforts. Rabbit is the presenting partner of our podcast. You can use code SUMMERDOCS to get 10% off your entire order of $50.00 or more. Note that the code is limited to one use per customer and can't be combined with other discounts. The code is active from 1st of every month to last day at 11:59PM PST, but don't worry because we'll be bringing you a new code every month. Shop now at https://www.runinrabbit.com . Our In For Testing segment is fueled by Skratch Labs! Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING ! https://www.skratchlabs.com Chapters 0:00 - Intro 1:56 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs 19:52 - Fact or Fiction: You can adjust to running in a shoe with an uncomfortable drop 25:34 - Having a cooldown is important 30:28 - Gait analysis is key to becoming a better athlete 34:28 - You need to run at least twice a week to see a benefit 37:44 - You should re-tie your shoes after every run 40:52 - Running builds muscle 42:32 - You need to run at least 40mi per week to finish a marathon 49:06 - Shorter runs where you don't stop are better than walk/run intervals 52:18 - Wrap-up
Episode 300 is here! And Matt, David, and Andrea mark the milestone by taking stock of the best running shoes of 2026 so far. They work through their top picks across every major category — daily trainers, stability and stable neutral shoes, performance trainers, racing shoes, and strength training and trail shoes. We want to hear from you! What are your favorite shoes of the year so far? Email us at doctorsofrunning@gmail.com. Rabbit is the presenting partner of our podcast. You can use code SUMMERDOCS to get 10% off your entire order of $50.00 or more. Note that the code is limited to one use per customer and can't be combined with other discounts. The code is active from 1st of every month to last day at 11:59PM PST, but don't worry because we'll be bringing you a new code every month. Shop now at https://www.runinrabbit.com . Our In For Testing segment is fueled by Skratch Labs! Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING ! https://www.skratchlabs.com Chapters 0:00 - Intro 1:19 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs 15:52 - Categorizing our top shoes of 2026 so far 19:36 - Top Daily Trainer 29:02 - Top stability/stable neutral 40:52 - Top performance trainers 53:20 - Top racing shoes 1:06:56 - Top strength training & trail shoes 1:14:32 - Wrap-up
David, Matt, and Nathan dig into the mailbag, fielding questions on stable neutral shoe picks, footwear options for runners dealing with bunions, trail stability shoes, and what the evidence says about compression for tendinopathies. Rabbit is the presenting partner of our podcast. You can use code DORJUNE10 to get 10% off your entire order of $50 or more. Note that the code is limited to one use per customer and can't be combined with other discounts. The code is active from 1st of every month to last day at 11:59PM PST, but don't worry because we'll be bringing you a new code every month. Shop now at https://www.runinrabbit.com . Our In For Testing segment is fueled by Skratch Labs! Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING ! https://www.skratchlabs.com Chapters 0:00 - Intro 1:30 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs 22:18 - Current favorite stable neutral shoes 30:22 - Running & walking shoes for dealing with bunions 41:12 - Trail stability shoes 49:52 - Does compression help tendinopathies? 1:00:32 - Wrap-up
David and BJ count down their top five max cushion shoes of all time, breaking down what earns a shoe a spot on the list and what sets the top pick apart from the rest of the field, including some deep cuts and new favorites. What are your favorite max cushion shoes? Email us at doctorsofrunning@gmail.com! We're thrilled to announce our apparel collaboration with Rabbit! The collection includes the EZ Tee SS, EZ Tee LS, and a unisex Go-to Hoodie. Pre-sale is open June 3–June 17th, with gear shipping the week of July 6th. Check it out at https://www.runinrabbit.com/collections/doctors-of-running . Note that the monthly discount code cannot be applied to collab items. Rabbit is the presenting partner of our podcast. You can use code DORJUNE10 to get 10% off your entire order of $50.00 or more. Note that the code is limited to one use per customer and can't be combined with other discounts. The code is active from 1st of every month to last day at 11:59PM PST, but don't worry because we'll be bringing you a new code every month. Shop now at https://www.runinrabbit.com . Our In For Testing segment is fueled by Skratch Labs! Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING ! https://www.skratchlabs.com Chapters 0:00 - Intro 2:42 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs 17:39 - #5 Max Cushion Shoe 24:02 - #4 29:43 - #3 36:10 - #2 42:48 - #1 Max Cushion Shoe of all time 49:10 - Wrap-up
Nathan, Matt, and David play a round of This or That, pitting mainline trainers against their premium counterparts to decide which they'd actually pick. They work through head-to-head matchups across several major brands — Asics, Brooks, Saucony, Hoka, Puma, and On — weighing the real-world differences in ride, value, and who each shoe is really for. We're thrilled to announce our apparel collaboration with Rabbit! The collection includes the EZ Tee SS, EZ Tee LS, and a unisex Go-to Hoodie. Pre-sale is open thru June 17th, with gear shipping the week of July 6th. Check it out at https://www.runinrabbit.com/collections/doctors-of-running . Note that the monthly discount code cannot be applied to collab items. Rabbit is the presenting partner of our podcast. You can use code DORJUNE10 to get 10% off your entire order of $50.00 or more. Note that the code is limited to one use per customer and can't be combined with other discounts. The code is active from 1st of every month to last day at 11:59PM PST, but don't worry because we'll be bringing you a new code every month. Shop now at https://www.runinrabbit.com . Our In For Testing segment is fueled by Skratch Labs! Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING ! https://www.skratchlabs.com Chapters 0:00 - Intro 0:31 - Rabbit X DOR gear! 3:29 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs 23:24 - This or That: Asics Novablast 6 or Superblast 3? 34:12 - Brooks Glycerin 23 or Glycerin Max 2 39:06 - Saucony Ride 19 or Paramount Max 44:36 - Triumph 24 or Paramount Max 48:40 - Hoka Clifton 10 or Hoka Skyward X 2 51:24 - Puma Velocity Nitro 4 or Magmax 2 54:30 - On Cloudmonster 3 or Cloudmonster 3 Hyper 1:00:08 - Wrap-up
Nathan, Matt, and David open with an update on David's post-Boston rehab before diving into the mailbag. They field a range of footwear and injury questions, covering shoe options for Achilles tendinopathy and medial knee OA, alternatives to high-drop shoes, road-to-trail crossover picks, and lightweight daily trainer recommendations. They also help a listener find a replacement for the Brooks Hyperion 2. We're thrilled to announce our apparel collaboration with Rabbit! The collection includes the EZ Tee SS, EZ Tee LS, and a unisex Go-to Hoodie. Pre-sale is open June 3–June 17th, with gear shipping the week of July 6th. Check it out at https://www.runinrabbit.com/collections/doctors-of-running . Note that the monthly discount code cannot be applied to collab items. Rabbit is the presenting partner of our podcast. You can use code DORJUNE10 to get 10% off your entire order of $50.00 or more. Note that the code is limited to one use per customer and can't be combined with other discounts. The code is active from 1st of every month to last day at 11:59PM PST, but don't worry because we'll be bringing you a new code every month. Shop now at https://www.runinrabbit.com . Our In For Testing segment is fueled by Skratch Labs! Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING ! https://www.skratchlabs.com Chapters 0:00 - Intro 2:16 - David's rehab after Boston 12:04 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs 27:46 - Replacements for the Brooks Hyperion 2 33:50 - Shoe suggestions for dealing with Achilles Tendinopathy 38:34 - Alternatives to high-drop shoes 45:42 - Favorite road-to-trail shoes 49:26 - Dealing with medial knee OA 54:48 - Lightweight daily trainer/non-plated super shoes suggestions 1:02:06 - Wrap-up
Matt and Andrea work through a range of shoes they've been testing, sharing thoughts on the direction Saucony and Brooks are heading, Andrea's track spike adventures, and a mix of recent pickups including the Asics Kayano 33 and On Cloudmonster Hyper LS. The conversation then shifts to a broader question: whether the way we currently categorize running shoes has gotten overcomplicated, using the Brooks Hyperion Max 4, Mizuno Hyperwarp Pro, Saucony Endorphin Pro 5, Endorphin Azura, and more as jumping-off points for discussion. What do you think? How do you categorize shoes? We'd love feedback! Email us at doctorsofrunning@gmail.com. Get your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/ Rabbit is the presenting partner of our podcast. You can use code MAYDOCS10 to get 10% off your entire order of $50.00 or more. Note that the code is limited to one use per customer and can't be combined with other discounts. The code is active from 1st of every month to last day at 11:59PM PST, but don't worry because we'll be bringing you a new code every month. Shop now at https://www.runinrabbit.com . Our In For Testing segment is fueled by Skratch Labs! Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING ! https://www.skratchlabs.com Chapters 0:00 - Intro 6:18 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs 10:34 - Thoughts on Saucony's new shoes 16:42 - Thoughts on the direction Brooks is going 23:36 - Andrea's track spike adventures 26:31 - Asics Kayano 33, On Cloudmonster Hyper LS, and others 36:00 - Rethinking how we categorize shoes 40:54 - Where does the Brooks Hyperion Max 4 fit? 47:16 - Mizuno Hyperwarp Pro 50:02 - Saucony Endorphin Pro 5 54:02 - Endorphin Azura 59:08 - Brooks Hyperion Max v1 1:01:04 - Wrap-up
Nathan, Matt, and David put a series of common running beliefs to the test in a round of Fact or Fiction. They dig into questions about training, biomechanics, and gear — weighing the evidence on everything from compression socks and treadmill incline settings to warmup routines, arch support, and what the research actually says about running efficiency and injury risk. Get your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/ Rabbit is the presenting partner of our podcast. You can use code MAYDOCS10 to get 10% off your entire order of $50.00 or more. Note that the code is limited to one use per customer and can't be combined with other discounts. The code is active from 1st of every month to last day at 11:59PM PST, but don't worry because we'll be bringing you a new code every month. Shop now at https://www.runinrabbit.com . Our In For Testing segment is fueled by Skratch Labs! Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING ! https://www.skratchlabs.com Chapters 0:00 - Intro 2:14 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs 13:00 - Thoughts on Brooks shoes & perceived midsole softness 25:08 - Fact or Fiction? You should stretch before running 31:00 - Compression socks are good for foot movement and muscles 33:18 - Putting a treadmill at 1% incline will emulate road running 39:16 - Most overtraining injuries come down to nutrition 45:56 - Speedwork is still good to do for senior runners 47:40 - Having high arches means you need arch support & people with flat feet need barefoot shoes 53:44 - Skipping warmup & cooldown increases injury risk 58:14 - Running with a soft landing makes you more efficient & reduces injury risk
Matt and David work through a packed shoe rotation before David shares a detailed account of his Boston Marathon experience. On the footwear side, they cover the Brooks Hyperion Max 4, Saucony Triumph 24, Saucony Hurricane 26, Under Armour Velocity Distance, Brooks Ghost 18, a race review of the Saucony Endorphin Elite 3, and more. Then David takes listeners through the full Boston weekend — from the days leading up to the race through race day and the aftermath. Get your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/ Rabbit is the presenting partner of our podcast. You can use code MAYDOCS10 to get 10% off your entire order of $50.00 or more. Note that the code is limited to one use per customer and can't be combined with other discounts. The code is active from 1st of every month to last day at 11:59PM PST, but don't worry because we'll be bringing you a new code every month. Shop now at https://www.runinrabbit.com . Our In For Testing segment is fueled by Skratch Labs! Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING ! https://www.skratchlabs.com Chapters 0:00 - Intro 4:18 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs 9:42 - Brooks Hyperion Max 4 13:28 - Saucony Triumph 24 21:16 - Saucony Hurricane 26 24:58 - Upcoming trail shoes 28:28 - Under Armour Velocity Distance 30:52 - Brooks Ghost 18 34:00 - Should new runners start with budget shoes? 39:40 - Saucony Endorphin Elite 3 race review 46:14 - Adidas Terrex Agravic 4 49:08 - David's Boston recap: weekend leading to the race 1:07:44 - Boston Marathon Monday 1:21:42 - Post-race 1:28:22 - Wrap-up
Matt and Andrea are back for another Between Two Feet episode, comparing notes on a trio of high-performance shoes. They work through the ASICS Superblast 3, the Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 4, and the On Cloudmonster 3 Hyper, sharing how each shoe performs across different foot types and running styles. Along the way they dig into the nuances of foam softness and sole flare, how mechanics & foot strike change how you might perceive a shoe, and make the case for why brands diversifying their racing shoe lineups is a win for runners. Get your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/ Rabbit is the presenting partner of our podcast. You can use code MAYDOCS10 to get 10% off your entire order of $50.00 or more. Note that the code is limited to one use per customer and can't be combined with other discounts. The code is active from 1st of every month to last day at 11:59PM PST, but don't worry because we'll be bringing you a new code every month. Shop now at https://www.runinrabbit.com . Our In For Testing segment is fueled by Skratch Labs! Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING ! https://www.skratchlabs.com Chapters: 0:00 - Intro 0:46 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs 18:14 - ASICS Superblast 3 26:44 - Foam softness & sole flare 37:42 - Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 4 45:58 - The benefit of brands diversifying their racing shoe lineups 55:41 - On Cloudmoster 3 Hyper 1:04:02 - Wrap-up
Nathan, Matt, and David open with their reactions to the London Marathon before diving into the mailbag. They field questions on finding the right walking shoes for knee pain, navigating how to get get into physical therapy specializing in runners, balancing strength training alongside a running schedule and more. Get your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/ Rabbit is the presenting partner of our podcast. You can use code MAYDOCS10 to get 10% off your entire order of $50.00 or more. Note that the code is limited to one use per customer and can't be combined with other discounts. The code is active from 1st of every month to last day at 11:59PM PST, but don't worry because we'll be bringing you a new code every month. Shop now at https://www.runinrabbit.com . Our In For Testing segment is fueled by Skratch Labs! Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING ! https://www.skratchlabs.com Chapters 0:00 - Intro 1:52 - London Marathon reaction 13:30 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs 28:12 - Ideal walking shoes for knee pain 36:28 - How to get into PT for runners 43:24 - Favorite fun easy day shoes 49:34 - Balancing strength training & running 58:18 - Wrap-up
Matt and David are back with a new installment of Buy or Sell. They debate the merits of data versus hands-on testing in shoe reviews and make the case that the era of 35-39mm being considered max cushion is officially over. They also look ahead at where the industry is heading — from the coming wave of 50mm+ shoes to a future with three tiers of racing footwear and much more. Want your debate featured on the next Buy or Sell? Email us at doctorsofrunning@gmail.com Get your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/ Rabbit is the presenting partner of our podcast. You can use code SPRINGDOCS to get 10% off your entire order of $50.00 or more. Note that the code is limited to one use per customer and can't be combined with other discounts. The code is active from 1st of every month to last day at 11:59PM PST, but don't worry because we'll be bringing you a new code every month. Shop now at https://www.runinrabbit.com . Our In For Testing segment is fueled by Skratch Labs! Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING ! https://www.skratchlabs.com Chapters 0:00 - Intro 2:40 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs 10:04 - Buy or sell: getting rid of water cups at races 14:28 - Using data over testing for reviews 21:18 - Squeezing midsoles & bending shoes to determine how they feel 25:04 - Using durometer to determine midsole performance 29:16 - 35-39mm is no longer max cushion 32:54 - We will have many 50mm+ shoes in the next two years 37:12 - Brands will start to have 3 tiers of racing shoes 44:22 - Super trainers are better than training companion shoes 50:54 - Super shoes decrease injury risk 53:19 - Super shoes are bad for the Achilles tendon 1:01:38 - Wrap-up
Matt, Nathan, and David lace up for a deep dive into the biomechanics of walking and what they mean for footwear. They break down how the foot moves through the gait cycle, what characteristics make a shoe well-suited for walking, and how details like heel bevel factor into the equation. The crew also rounds up their top brand picks for walking shoes and works through how to match common injuries with the right walking footwear. Get your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/ Rabbit is the presenting partner of our podcast. You can use code SPRINGDOCS to get 10% off your entire order of $50.00 or more. Note that the code is limited to one use per customer and can't be combined with other discounts. The code is active from 1st of every month to last day at 11:59PM PST, but don't worry because we'll be bringing you a new code every month. Shop now at https://www.runinrabbit.com . Our In For Testing segment is fueled by Skratch Labs! Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING ! https://www.skratchlabs.com Chapters 0:00 - Intro 1:14 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs 20:28 - An intro to the mechanics of walking 27:18 - How the foot moves while you walk 34:18 - Characteristics of shoes that are good for walking 47:48 - How does the heel bevel effect walking shoes 49:16 - Top 3 brands for good walking shoes 54:32 - Pairing common injuries with walking footwear 1:06:32 - Wrap-up
Nathan, David, and Matt dig into the mailbag to tackle your questions. They compare the On Cloudmonster Hyper 3 and Saucony Endorphin Azura and help a listener find a road shoe similar to the Puma Deviate Nitro Trail. They also get into the clinical side of things, offering shoe recommendations for ITB-related knee pain, upper-body strength training for runners, and how to navigate marathon training when illness gets in the way. Get your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/ We're thrilled to have Rabbit as a presenting partner! You can use code SPRINGDOCS to get 10% off your entire order of $50.00 or more. Note that the code is limited to one use per customer and can’t combined with other discounts. The code is active from 1st of every month to last day at 11:59PM PST, but don't worry because we'll be bringing you a new code every month. Shop now at https://www.runinrabbit.com . Our In For Testing segment is fueled by Skratch Labs! Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING ! https://www.skratchlabs.com Chapters 0:00 - Intro 3:24 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs 24:16 - On Cloudmonster Hyper 3 vs. Saucony Endorphin Azura 30:08 - Shoe suggestion for ITB-related knee pain 38:10 - Upper-body strength training suggestions 43:08 - Brooks Adrenaline vs. ASICS Kayano vs. Mizuno Wave Inspire 50:12 - Similar road shoes to the Puma Deviate Nitro Trail 54:52 - Marathon training while fighting illnesses 1:02:10 - Wrap-up
Matt is joined by Dr. Iain Hunter of Brigham Young University's Exercise Science department for an evidence-based deep dive into the science of super shoes. Drawing on his own research, Dr. Hunter explores the wide variability in how runners respond to plated footwear and tackles the practical questions runners are asking — whether super shoes are right for everyone, how to find the right fit, and how to integrate them wisely into training. They also dig into what the research says about tendon health, trail super shoes, and maintaining foot and calf strength. Dr. Hunter completed a mathematics education degree with a coaching minor at BYU followed by a Master's of Education in coaching. His interests in biomechanics grew during his master's degree which led him to continue education with a PhD in Health and Human Performance at Oregon State University. He teaches biomechanics while working with USA Track and Field applying his research to elite distance runners. Get your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/ We're thrilled to have Rabbit as a presenting partner! You can use code SPRINGDOCS to get 10% off your entire order of $50.00 or more. Note that the code is limited to one use per customer and can’t combined with other discounts. The code is active from 1st of every month to last day at 11:59PM PST, but don't worry because we'll be bringing you a new code every month. Shop now at https://www.runinrabbit.com . Our In For Testing segment is fueled by Skratch Labs! Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING ! https://www.skratchlabs.com Chapters 0:00 - Intro 2:20 - Dr. Iain Hunter's background 6:48 - How the results of Iain's studies have impacted his training 11:20 - How do people's responses to super shoes vary? 21:54 - Does everyone need a super shoe? How should they find the right one for them? 25:48 - Advice on training in super shoes 30:42 - How super shoe effect tendon health 41:34 - What's the research on trail super shoes? 45:10 - How to maintain foot & calf strength 50:28 - What's coming next for Dr. Hunter's research? 53:02 - Adapting to super shoes 57:44 - Finding Dr. Hunter's work online 59:16 - Wrap-up
The beginning of 2026 has been absolutely loaded with new shoe releases, and David and Andrea are here to pick their Top 3 (plus a few honorable mentions) for the year so far, including picks from On, Saucony, Mizuno and more. Also, David's running Boston with Adidas in just a few short weeks! Tune in to hear about his training and mindset leading up to the big day. Get your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/ We're thrilled to have Rabbit as a presenting partner! You can use code DORMARCH10 to get 10% off your entire order of $50.00 or more. Note that the code is limited to one use per customer and can’t combined with other discounts. The code is active from 1st of every month to last day at 11:59PM PST, but don't worry because we'll be bringing you a new code every month. Shop now at https://www.runinrabbit.com . Our In For Testing segment is fueled by Skratch Labs! Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING ! https://www.skratchlabs.com Chapters 0:00 - Intro 2:26 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs 13:56 - Our favorite shoes of 2026 so far: honorable mentions 22:34 - #3 31:52 - #2 36:30 - #1 41:14 - David's leadup to the Boston Marathon with Adidas 53:46 - David's current training routine 1:01:16 - Lessons learned with training changes 1:10:26 - The differences for Andrea between professional cycling and masters track 1:13:08 - Wrap-up
Weightlifting: runners know it has a myriad of benefits but it can be a struggle to fit it into already full training and life schedules. Matt & Nathan are here to help. They dive into the physiology of how weightlifting actually benefits runners, and how to maximize that benefit, with tips on how to fit it into your running schedule They also discuss their current weight routines and the why behind them. Get your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/ We're thrilled to have Rabbit as a presenting partner! You can use code DORMARCH10 to get 10% off your entire order of $50.00 or more. Note that the code is limited to one use per customer and can’t combined with other discounts. The code is active from 1st of every month to last day at 11:59PM PST, but don't worry because we'll be bringing you a new code every month. Shop now at https://www.runinrabbit.com . Our In For Testing segment is fueled by Skratch Labs! Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING ! https://www.skratchlabs.com Chapters 0:00 - Intro 1:06 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs 27:06 - The role of weight lifting for runners 31:22 - Weightlifting myths 41:48 - Matt's routine 48:46 - Nathan's routine 55:34 - Wrap-up
