Hey runners! Before we get to our Round-Up we HAVE to talk about some racing action going on this weekend. At the time of release, our team's contributors David Salas and Megan Flynn are off and running at the California International marathon! They've spent the past few months building up for this day, and we're so excited for them as they race to their goals. Meanwhile, down in Southern California Chief Editor Matt Klein enjoyed some action at his local 5k, running a 17:24 time to win his Reindeer Romp! Contributor Nathan Brown also dug deep yesterday for a local five miler and managed to pull away with a win as well at the YMCA Frostbite! Let's go #DOR!!!
November was a busy month for us as we knocked out a bunch of reviews we've had on deck for awhile along with starting our end of year awards! We also cleared our 100th review this month, and are on the march towards 120 reviews this year, shattering last year's 75 reviews. Crazy. Read on to find our latest from this past month and a sneak peak at some Hoka's in for testing as we get into 2022.
Science Friday Blowout
This year we started our Science Friday features through our Instagram, exploring different parts of the shoe world from a research perspective. It's been one of our favorite things to do, opening up discussion on specific subjects we don't normally get a chance to feature in our reviews. Today we've gathered all of Science Friday's this year in one spot for viewing. Touching on nearly 40 topics, we're really excited to keep pushing forward this series into some new spaces for 2022. Have an idea for a Science Friday? Shoot us a message at doctorsofrunning@gmail.com or on our Instagram.
Does Traction = Performance?, By Contributor Andrea Myers
Knee Pain for Runners, By Contributor Ryan Fluguar
What is the Value of Percussion Therapy, by Contributor Ryan Flugaur
More on Calves, Calf Injuries, and Rehab, By Contributor Ryan Flugaur
On Proprioception's Importance, By Contributor Andrea Myers
Knee Pain for Runners, By Contributor Ryan Fluguar
What is the Value of Percussion Therapy, by Contributor Ryan Flugaur
More on Calves, Calf Injuries, and Rehab, By Contributor Ryan Flugaur
Does Foot Placement Matter? | Overstriding, By Senior Contributor Nathan Brown
How Much Should I Run in My Race Day Shoe Before a Marathon? , By Chief Editor Matt KleinOn Proprioception's Importance, By Contributor Andrea Myers
“Watch” Out: Technology and Running, By Contributor Ryan Flugaur
High vs. Low Drop Shoes, By DOR Editorial Team
Proprioception Basics, By Contributor Andrea Myers
High vs. Low Drop Shoes, By DOR Editorial Team
Proprioception Basics, By Contributor Andrea Myers
What Sole Stiffness/Rigidity Delivers, By Chief Editor Matt Klein
Pronation, and the Function of Posterior Tibialis, By Guest Reviewer Megan Flynn
The Function of Calf Muscles, and How to Test Them Regularly, By Chief Editor Matt Klein
Injury Prevention and the Role of a Running Shoe Rotation, By Contributor Nathan Brown
Pronation, and the Function of Posterior Tibialis, By Guest Reviewer Megan Flynn
The Function of Calf Muscles, and How to Test Them Regularly, By Chief Editor Matt Klein
Injury Prevention and the Role of a Running Shoe Rotation, By Contributor Nathan Brown
Comparing the Maximalist vs. Minimalist Movement, By Contributor Nathan Brown
80/20 Rule and Shoe Rotation, By Guest Reviewer Andrea Myers
Why Do Running Shoes Have So Many Drops?, By DOR Editorial Team
The Function of Plates | Shoes Are Tools, By Matt Klein
80/20 Rule and Shoe Rotation, By Guest Reviewer Andrea Myers
Why Do Running Shoes Have So Many Drops?, By DOR Editorial Team
The Function of Plates | Shoes Are Tools, By Matt Klein
Unloading the Achilles through Rockered Shoes, By Editor Matt Klein
The Comfort Filter, By DOR Editorial Team
The Unique Mechanics Forced by the Alphafly + Sagittal Plane 101, By Contributor David Salas
How Parts of the Body Must Work in Balance, By Editor Matt Klein
The Comfort Filter, By DOR Editorial Team
The Unique Mechanics Forced by the Alphafly + Sagittal Plane 101, By Contributor David Salas
How Parts of the Body Must Work in Balance, By Editor Matt Klein
Forefoot Pronation, Yes That's a Thing, By DOR Editorial Team
Pronation, and the Changing Stability Industry, By DOR Editorial Team
Getting the Right Fit, By DOR Editorial Team
Stride vs. Cadence, By Matt Klein
Pronation, and the Changing Stability Industry, By DOR Editorial Team
Getting the Right Fit, By DOR Editorial Team
Stride vs. Cadence, By Matt Klein
Overtraining and the Need to Rest, By Coach Dave Ames
A Word of Caution on Plated Shoes, By Coach Dave Ames
The Important Stories Our Outsoles are Tring to Tell, By Matt Klein
What the Heck is a Sole Flare, By Matt Klein
A Word of Caution on Plated Shoes, By Coach Dave Ames
The Important Stories Our Outsoles are Tring to Tell, By Matt Klein
What the Heck is a Sole Flare, By Matt Klein
LATEST REVIEWS AT DOCTORS OF RUNNING
Articles
Best Daily Trainer of 2021
Best Performance Trainer, Non-Plated
Daily Trainer
Topo Magnifly 4 - Wonderful zero drop daily trainer from Topo. Excellent fit and a nice ride
Brooks Ghost 14 - The workhorse from Brooks that's been a go-to for many beginner runners
Topo Ultrafly 3 - Surprisingly lightweight stability from Topo
Asics DS Trainer 26 - A legacy stability workout shoe from Asics
Adidas Solar Glide 4 and 4 ST - A classic Boost midsole trainer and its stable counterpart
On Cloudace 2 - On Running's premium stability trainer, using geometry to guide the runner
Saucony Endorphin 2 Runshield - The water resistant update to the Runshield offers both protection and a more stable upper
Altra Paradigm 6 - Altra's zero drop premium stability, using guiderails
Trail
Adidas Terrex Agravic Ultra - An absolutely indestructible trail runner from Adidas for distance running
Racing
Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 2 - We finally review the update to the Vaporfly Next%, exploring the shoe's upper changes.
Feature
Best Holiday Gifts for Runners
PODCAST
The Benefits of Zero Drop
The Benefits of Zero Drop
Running Supply Chain Issues, Explained
Best Daily Trainers of 2021
VIDEOS REVIEWS AND MORE
Coros Apex Pro Review
Best Daily Trainers of 2021
VIDEOS REVIEWS AND MORE
Coros Apex Pro Review
IN FOR TESTING
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These links help support Doctors of Running if you are interested in making a purchase! Thanks so much.
Note: Links provided are Affiliate links to Running Warehouse.
These links help support Doctors of Running if you are interested in making a purchase! Thanks so much.
Lightstrike Pro has come out in high stack iterations when it comes to race day in the Adios Pro or in the wildly high stacked Prime X. The Takumi Sen is the first to put it in a minimal midsole configured for 5-10k racing distances. We're interested in seeing how the energy rods feel in this version when picking up the pace.
Hoka Mach Supersonic
Release: 2022, $150
The Mach 4 was one of the most popular shoes in 2021, period. It offered a balance of lightness, responsiveness, and versatility in a great, affordable package. The Supersonic retools the shoe yet again, offering the brand's new Profly+ midsole. This will be a limited release shoe, so make sure you keep your eyes peeled for its release!
Release: 2022, $150
The Mach 4 was one of the most popular shoes in 2021, period. It offered a balance of lightness, responsiveness, and versatility in a great, affordable package. The Supersonic retools the shoe yet again, offering the brand's new Profly+ midsole. This will be a limited release shoe, so make sure you keep your eyes peeled for its release!
Hoka Kawana (Review out now at DOR, find it here)
Release: 2022, for $140
Named after the famous beach break off the Gold Coast, this brand new offering from Hoka provides yet another new midsole tentatively titled CMEVA. Hoka calls this their smoothest ride yet thanks to the early state metarocker in the shoe. The shoe has the most geometry underfoot that we've seen in a Hoka shoe, which should make it a very stable neutral trainer. It features 30 mm of the new foam in the heel and 25 mm in the forefoot.
Hoka Tecton X
Release: 2022, $200
For trail runners, this may be one of the biggest releases of 2022. The Tecton is Hoka's first foray into carbon plated trail shoes. It combines their new Profly+ midsole with the plate that's helped propel the Carbon X and Rocket X series. The shoe comes with a tough, durable vibram outsole and weighs an impressive 8.5, 240 g for men, 6.9 oz, 196 g for women which makes it more than nimble enough to carry runner's far comfortably.
Release: 2022, for $140
Named after the famous beach break off the Gold Coast, this brand new offering from Hoka provides yet another new midsole tentatively titled CMEVA. Hoka calls this their smoothest ride yet thanks to the early state metarocker in the shoe. The shoe has the most geometry underfoot that we've seen in a Hoka shoe, which should make it a very stable neutral trainer. It features 30 mm of the new foam in the heel and 25 mm in the forefoot.
Hoka Tecton X
Release: 2022, $200
For trail runners, this may be one of the biggest releases of 2022. The Tecton is Hoka's first foray into carbon plated trail shoes. It combines their new Profly+ midsole with the plate that's helped propel the Carbon X and Rocket X series. The shoe comes with a tough, durable vibram outsole and weighs an impressive 8.5, 240 g for men, 6.9 oz, 196 g for women which makes it more than nimble enough to carry runner's far comfortably.
Hoka Carbon X3
Release: 2022, $180
The Hoka Carbon X series is the brand's marathon to ultra marathon distance racer for folks wanting a well-rolling shoe that can carry you for miles on end. Version 3 sees a big foam update with their new Profly+ midsole introduced to the shoe along with a comfortable new knit upper for lockdown. 7.8 oz. 222g for men, 6.6 oz. 188g with gender specific stack for men and women - 30mm heel/25mm forefoot for men, and 32/27 for women.
Release: 2022, $180
The Hoka Carbon X series is the brand's marathon to ultra marathon distance racer for folks wanting a well-rolling shoe that can carry you for miles on end. Version 3 sees a big foam update with their new Profly+ midsole introduced to the shoe along with a comfortable new knit upper for lockdown. 7.8 oz. 222g for men, 6.6 oz. 188g with gender specific stack for men and women - 30mm heel/25mm forefoot for men, and 32/27 for women.
COMING SOON
We are wrapping up our end of year articles with some heavy hitters in the coming week including a look at our favorite plated workout and racing shoes, along with our stability favorites of 2021. We also have a huge amount of end of year reviews incoming, including everything from gear to recovery items along with a few trail shoes. We also have some guides we've been excited to finally launch coming at you towards the end of this month to help kick of the new year. As always, thank you so much for following us at Doctors of Running!
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Podcast: Virtual Roundtable
Next: Best Non-Plated Performance Trainers of 2021
Facebook: Doctors of Running
Youtube Channel: Doctors of Running
Instagram: @doctorsofrunning
Twitter: @doctorsrunning
Podcast: Virtual Roundtable
Next: Best Non-Plated Performance Trainers of 2021