Inov-8 Rocfly G 390 Hiking Boot Review

Inov-8 Rocfly G 390 Review: A Lightweight, Nimble Hiking Boot for Tackling Any Terrain
By Contributor Ryan Flugaur and Social Media Wizard Bach Pham

The Rocfly G 390 works to blend the comfortable and lightweight feel of a trail shoe with the protection and ruggedness of a trail boot. This was my first time in an Inov-8 shoe and I really enjoyed my time with it. Living in central Wisconsin the terrain is mostly flat, rocky, and wooded, however, about 30 minutes North of my hometown lies Rib mountain state park. This is Wisonsins biggest “hill” coming in at 1,942 feet but is dwarfed by many other true mountains throughout the rest of the United States. I was able to take the Rocfly G 390 out multiple times in a variety of conditions varying from flat muddy trails to steep rocky inclines. This shoe is designed to be a bouncy hiker that blends the worlds of trail running shoe and hiking boot and does a pretty good job doing so.

December 2021 Round Up: Best Trail and Brands of 2021, New Achilles Podcast

 

This year has been absolutely crazy for us at Doctors of Running. Over 110+ reviews, 16000+ miles run by our team. We grew our Instagram to new heights (14k followers!), we started earning revenue for the first time ever at Doctors of Running, and we added three amazing new team members. We couldn't have done it without your support and we're so excited for what's ahead in 2022.

Before we dive in, we're looking back at the busy month that was December. We dropped our annual Best of 2021 features, diving into everything from plated and non-plated performance footwear to stability and racing shoes. Today we're rounding things out with a few loose ends we wanted to tie up along with a busy month of reviews.

Adidas Adistar Review (2021 Release)

Adidas Adistar Review: For the Long, Slow Run?
By Chief Editor Matthew Klein

The Adidas Adistar series was a staple stability shoe within the Adidas line a few years ago. It has been 6-7 years since the Adistar Boost, which was classified as a stability shoe and was the introduction of boost into the line. The new Adistar, like many running shoes today, has transitioned away from being a stability shoe to a neutral shoe with geometric guidance and a maximal stack height. With no medial post, the geometry of the outsole and midsole are used to facilitate forward motion. With all these new features, the Adidas Adistar is a completely new shoe that carries some small hints of its past.

Mizuno Alpha Eco Apparel Review

 

Sustainability is the hallmark of the new Alpha Eco apparel line at Mizuno. In partnership with the National Forest Foundation, each piece of Alpha Eco sold a tree will be planted by Mizuno during the lifecycle of the product’s existence. As Mizuno continues work on the Alpha Eco line, they plan to make the products more and more sustainable year by year. Our team took a full dive into the apparel line to give you thoughts on each piece along with our favorite picks in the line that you should check out.

Best Racing Shoes of 2021, DPT Approved

 

We are continuing our run through our DPT Approved Awards! Our team has tested over 110 shoes and ran over 15,000 miles in 2021 (so far) and we are ready to dish out our picks for numerous categories of shoes.

Our final category is a fan-favorite: Best Road Racing Shoes. We talk through our individual contributor picks for both shorter and longer distance road racing with a focus on "super shoe" options. We are believers in more traditional road racing flats, but those will be reserved for another time. 2021 was a sneaky year that brought a lot of very solid road racing options, and we talk about many of them in this episode. Make sure you check out all of the super shoe options we've reviewed in our Carbon Plate Resource Guide.

Adidas Adizero Takumi Sen 8 Review

Adidas Adizero Takumi Sen 8 Review: Racing for the Fastest 5k/10k
By Chief Editor / Founder Matthew Klein & Senior Contributor David Salas

The Adidas Takumi Sen series has traditionally been a high level, low profile, exquisite racing flat. For years it was one of the top choices among Japanese marathoners. Despite being so firm and low profile. Versions 1 and 2 were clearly the best, with the classic extended forefoot torsion system, a firm Adiprene sole and an aggressive outsole. The remaining versions got muddied with Boost and did not have the same magic as the originals, so sadly I lost interest. The Adidas Adizero Takumi Sen 8 returns as a completely revamped shoe. No longer the low riding firm racing flat, the Takumi Sen 8 returns with a significant amount of cushioning, yet retains its function for most as a shorter distance racing flat, while those who can handle more will easily see this return as a marathon racer. 

Blue Takumi Sen 8 with pink stripes

New Balance Beacon v3 Review

New Balance Beacon v3
By Contributor Andrea Myers

The New Balance Beacon v3 is a neutral shoe that can do it all - easy runs, intervals, and long runs. If I were stranded on an island with one pair of running shoes, these would be my pick.

Deckers X Lab Review: XSCAPE Knit Low, Wool Low, Evrst and Ba Da Da

Deckers X Lab Recovery Footwear, Late 2021
XSCAPE Knit Low Full Review, Wool Low, Evrst and Ba Da Da
By DOR Contributing Team

Deckers X Lab came into the recovery game with a bang over the past two years with the KO-Z and XSCAPE footwear lines. Both of these lines continue to develop with more advancements and materials to create a more expansive usage for these recovery lines. The XCSAPE Knit Low is an advancement of the original XCSAPE utilizing a knit upper that is reinforced well and softer than the original and provides a more sleek look aesthetically.

Featured in this review:
- XSCAPE Knit Low Review
- Thoughts as a DPT: Comfort and Recovery
- Contributor brief reviews of the XSCAPE Wool Low, Evrst, and Ba Da Da

Find the rest of our Deckers X Lab thoughts in our original review here.

Best Stability and Stable Neutral Shoes of 2021

 

We are continuing our run through our DPT Approved Awards! Our team has tested over 110 shoes and ran over 15,000 miles in 2021 (so far) and we are ready to dish out our picks for numerous categories of shoes.

Today's roundtable focuses on one of our favorite topics, which is stability within running shoe construction. We are dishing out two awards today. First is the "Best Stability Shoe", which is defined as "a shoe that has intentional design to help guide the foot as it moves across the platform by utilizing some formal stability construction". The second award is "Best Stable Neutral Shoe", which we define as "a shoe that was not built with formal stability measures, but its construction lends it to being more stable compared to other shoes within the neutral category." If you're looking for our nitty gritty through on the nuance found in stability footwear design, you won't find it here, but you can get started by checking out our Stability Guide.

Adidas Terrex Apparel Review

Adidas Terrex Apparel Review
By Chief Editor/Founder Matt Klein

I have a particular thing for elite/pro Adidas gear. The shirts and shorts have always fit me well, but I never tried anything from the Adidas Terrex line. Terrex is Adidas's outdoor/adventure line that includes apparel, gear and footwear for trail running, mountaineering and more. The last year has seen the debut of some eye catching apparel designs that once I saw, I had to test. These apparel pieces have been a staple of my running the last month as the days have gotten darker and I have spent more time on the trails. For visibility, style, comfort (mostly) and performance this gear has been interesting to test.

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22 Review

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22 Review: An Update That Refines the Ride
By Chief Editor Matt Klein

The Adrenaline GTS series has been a long running, top selling shoe in the Brooks line. GTS stands for "Go-To-Support", which for Brooks Running means the use of medial and lateral GuideRails across their stability line. The Adrenaline series was one of the first high level stability shoes to move away from traditional posting a few versions ago, which was a shocking change at the time. Now with a greater diversity of stability methods even among maximum stability trainers, it is not as unique, but still has a few characteristics that make it different. Now, the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22 returns this Winter of 2021/2022 as a further refinement of this evolving yet classic stability shoe. 

Brooks Ghost 14 Review

Brooks Ghost 14 Review
By Senior Contributor Nathan Brown PT, DPT, OCS

It has been a long while since we have taken a look at the Brooks Ghost. In fact, the last reviewed Ghost was the Ghost 6, all the way back when our founder was a student physical therapist. The Ghost has been, and continues to be, a very popular shoe among the running and non-running community. This review will look at Brook's design decisions and how they had more than just the beginner runner in mind when creating this shoe. 

Pair of Run Visible Brooks Ghost 14 in black with yellow graphics.

COROS APEX Pro Review | Endless Battery!

COROS APEX Pro Review
By Contributor Nathan Brown PT, DPT, OCS

COROS continues to grow it's user base by offering a myriad of watches that boast a very long battery life, a continually improving interface, and by aligning with some of the world's (and USA's) most beloved runners -- I'm looking at you, Kipchoge and Molly Seidel. The APEX Pro is a premium multi-sport watch built for the most diverse adventures and for data geeks who want as much info about performance as possible. 

Best Plated Performance Trainers of 2021

 

Ready for about 100 tangents? Well here they come. Today we are continuing our run through our DPT Approved Awards. Our team has tested over 110 shoes and ran over 14,500 miles in 2021 (so far) and we are ready to dish out our picks for numerous categories of shoes. We break down the best plated performance trainers in 2021 while presenting our individual picks and our team's consensus pick. We define performance trainer as "a shoe that specializes for uptempo running, workouts, and can even double as a racer for some. It's even better if the shoe can handle warm-ups well and do a few easy miles on the ends of workouts, but typically isn't as comfortable for daily mileage."

We discuss that some plated shoes designed for racing may function well (or even better) for some in a performance trainer capacity, but that does come with a higher price tag. This was the first time where all three members had the same three shoes in their top 3 (albeit in different orders).

Brooks Cascadia 16 Multiple Tester Review

Brooks Cascadia 16 Multiple Tester Review
By David Salas, PT, DPT, CSCS & Matthew Klein, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT

The Brooks Cascadia has been a top trail running option for many runners for quite some time now. The Cascadia 16 continues upon this lineage and provides an all around balanced feel that does well in a large variety of trails. Some things that contribute to that balanced feel is a comfortable fit and upper, a well integrated rock plate, and a geometry that works well for smooth transitions in a variety of terrains. 

November Round-Up: Science Friday Blowout

 

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.

Best Non-Plated Performance Trainers of 2021

 

We are continuing our run through our DPT Approved Awards! Our team has tested over 110 shoes and ran over 14,500 miles in 2021 (so far) and we are ready to dish out our picks for numerous categories of shoes. Today we break down the best non-plated performance trainers in 2021 while presenting our individual picks and our team's consensus pick. We define performance trainer as "a shoe that specializes for uptempo running, workouts, and can even double as a racer for some. It's even better if the shoe can handle warm-ups well and do a few easy miles on the ends of workouts, but typically isn't as comfortable for daily mileage.

Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 2 Review (2021 Release)

Lateral view of the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 2 in white/blk/silver.

Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 2 Review: Slight Refinements, Same Speed
By Senior Contributor David Salas

The shoe that changed the game is back. The Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 2 is a top shelf racing shoe that utilizes Zoom X midsole (PEBAX based) with a carbon plate to help with responsiveness and fatigue resistance. The Next% 2 updates the upper from the Vapor Weave upper to a more synthetic mesh like upper that is more breathable and has a tad more flex to it. The geometry and midsole composition is all the same compared to the previous version. In a world of "super shoes" the Nike Next% 2 is still the shoe seen on the feet of most, even compared to the AlphaFly. Lets dig in.

Adidas Adizero Prime X Review

Adidas Adizero Prime X Review
By Chief Editor / Founder Matt Klein and Senior Contributor David Salas

With the introduction of so many maximal stack height racing shoes, World Athletics issued a height limit to racing shoes for the road at 40 mm. Despite the limit for road racing, Adidas released the Adidas Adizero Prime X, coming in with a 50mm heel stack height as a concept shoe. One athlete has already been disqualified for using it after winning the Vienna marathon (Derara Hurisa in 2:09:22). With such an insane stack height, carbon infused rods, carbon blades, one would think this would be the ultimate performance enhancing shoe. However, it ends up being a unique training/long run shoe, although perhaps "experience" is a better description than "shoe."

Newton Catalyst Review (2021)

Newton Catalyst Review
By Guest Contributor/DOR Social Media Manager Bach Pham and Contributor Ryan Flugaur

2021 has been an important year for Newton. The Boulder, Colorado-based company came into the year swinging with a total refresh, shifting their focus towards a sustainable future for the brand. Their models are now made entirely of recycled or biodegradable material called "EcoPure" which promises to help their shoes decompose in landfills 75% faster than the average shoe. Along with their new sustainable materials focus, they also launched new models including the Gravity+, their new workout and current distance racing shoe for the brand, and the Catalyst, a new lightweight workout/gym shoe that comes with the most breathable upper you'll find anywhere and a "XPS+" plated forefoot combined with their Action/Reaction technology.

Topo Magnifly 4 Review: A Tremendous Zero Drop Trainer

Topo Magnifly 4 Review: A Tremendous Zero Drop Trainer
By Senior Contributors David Salas, Nathan Brown, and Contributor Andrea Myers

Usually when people look at the 0mm drop category most of the shoes tend to lean more on the minimalist end of the spectrum. For a while it seemed like the Altra Paradigm was the only option in the maximum cushion category for the 0mm drop lovers. The Magnifly from Topo however provides a pseudo maximalist-like ride with a little bit less stack and weight than other maximum cushioning competitors. The shoe runs a normal width last through the heel and midfoot with a wider toe box, a normal design for Topo. The Magnifly 4 is a very well balanced 0mm drop daily training option with ample cushioning and responsiveness through toe off. 

Men's pair of the Topo Magnify 4

Best Daily Trainers of 2021, DPT Approved

 

It's that time of year! Our team has tested over 110 shoes and ran over 14,500 miles in 2021 (so far) and we are ready to dish out our awards. Up first is the Best Daily Trainer Award. We define daily trainer as "a shoe that can eat up a lot of your training miles, is reliable and consistent, has mild versatility, and can function as a workhorse shoe." In other words, which shoe do you just keep reaching for day after day? Our team gives each of our individual picks, what we like about them, and then finish with our team's consensus pick for the year.

Topo Athletic Ultrafly 3 Review

Topo Athletic Ultrafly 3 Review
By Chief Editor/Founder Matthew Klein

People looking for shoes with wide, anatomic toe boxes are often limited to a few options. Most out there are zero drop, given that anatomic shoe design is often associated with more minimal or natural minded footwear companies. While that may work well for some people, others may need something a bit more traditional for a variety of reasons. Add looking for more traditional stability methods like posting and things get tougher. Enter the Top Athletic Ultrafly 3, a meeting point between natural and more traditional shoe design. A mild stability shoe with an anatomic toe box with a 5mm drop is a uniquely balanced shoe, particularly among today's extremes in footwear. 

adidas Terrex Agravic Ultra Review

 adidas Terrex Agravic Ultra Review
By Chief Editor / Founder Matthew Klein & David Salas

Trail shoes, particularly those for technical terrain, are usually different beasts than road shoes. While road shoes can be streamlined for speed by using lighter materials, trails shoes need to balance that with protection. When it comes to technical terrain, that protection needs to occur on another level to protect from aggressive rocks, roots, steep terrain and many other potential hazards. Adidas has attempted to combine some of the lessons learned from road racing shoes into the latest Terrex Agravic Ultra: A shoe meant for long technical mountain runs. While it may not be as light as a road racing shoe, there are several elements that are well executed, making this an excellent choice for those needing a protective  and supportive shoe over tough terrain. 

Discussing Running Supply Chain Issues, and Mizuno in 2021, 2022 | EP 64

 

In this week's podcast episode we had the privilege of sitting down with Tina Danforth, Product Manager of Running Footwear and Apparel for Mizuno USA, to talk in depth about the supply chain issues within the running industry. We talk about how the supply chain works, what areas have been affected, what consumers can expect (in terms of availability and price), and some tips for shopping in the future. Then Tina pulls back the curtain for the future of Mizuno and also we take a closer look at design elements of the Rebellion.

ASICS DS Trainer 26 Review

ASICS DS Trainer 26 Review
By Chief Editor/Founder Matt Klein

Certain shoes seem to fly under the radar despite being staple trainers for both recreational and elite athlete. The ASICS DS trainer series is one of them. A rare lightweight light stability shoe that has served as a racing/workout shoe for some and a daily trainer for others. The Asics DS Trainer returns for its 26th iteration, outlasting any other light stability lightweight trainer. At this point this shoe is carrying this category almost solo and deserves some attention doing this for so long.

Best Cold Weather Running Gear, Saucony Runshield, and Adidas Solar Glide 4 Series | EP 63

 

Today Matt and Nathan sit down to break down the changes that happen to a crowd favorite (Endorphin Speed 2) when you slap a RunShield upper onto it. They then discuss two shoes within the Solar Glide series and certain design patterns that muddy clean transitions and mechanics. Finally they dive into staying safe in darker and colder weather, while pointing out some of their own favorite gear.

PS: It was Matt's birthday last week! Happy birthday Chief!

Adidas Solar Glide 4 and Solar Glide 4 ST Review

Adidas Solar Glide 4 and Solar Glide 4 ST Review
By Senior Contributor Nathan Brown and Founder/Chief Editor Matthew Klein

Adidas has been re-imagining much of their lines throughout 2020/2021, including the all new Adizero Line including the Boston 10, Adios 6, and Adios Pro 2. However, some of the other lines have retained some classic Adidas elements for those afraid to make the jump, incluidng the Solar Glide and Solar Glide ST. The Solar Glide 4 maintains a Boost midsole with a rim of firmer EVA, a Torsion system, and an overall traditional trainer construction. The Solar Glide 4 ST is similar with a stable frame in the midsole that provides full length stability.

On Cloudace 2.0 Shoe Review (2021 Release)

On Cloudace 2.0 Review: Maximum Modern Stability
By Chief Editor / Founder Matthew Klein and Social Media Wizard Bach Pham

Stability in footwear has evolved a great deal over the last several years. While using a medial post (ie firmer section of the midsole, usually dual density foam) was the standard for a long time, many companies have begun to experiment with other methods. Geometry, plates, guidance lines, sidewalls and more have become far more prevalent. This has provided a larger number of options for runners seeking stability shoes. This is an important evolution given that different people will need different stability designs depending on comfort, tolerance and their own unique mechanics. The On Cloudace 2.0 is the evolution of On's attempt to make the ultimate stability shoe featuring as many of these mechanisms as possible without sacrificing cushioning or speed. While it manages to create a unique ride that is smooth, albeit a bit heavy, whether it is the ultimate stability shoe will depend on whether it matches the mechanics of the runner using them.

Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 RUNSHIELD Review

Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 RUNSHIELD Review
By Chief Editor Matt Klein and Contributor Megan Flynn

Saucony has continued to see success with their Endorphin series which have proven to be versatile for a variety of needs. The exception being a variety of extreme weather conditions. That problem has now been addressed as the Saucony Endorphin Speed 2 is the first to get the Runshield treatment. While this was supposed to be mostly an upper update, the changes up top influence the rest of the shoe for a slightly different ride.

The Benefits of Zero Drop | EP 62

 

In today's episode we dive into the knowledge base surrounding 0 drop shoes and what demands they place on the body. We also discuss transitioning to a 0mm drop platform and considerations of how to do it safely. We then discuss in depth the Altra Paradigm 6, all while trying to bring David along, who was deep into character throughout the review (see YouTube to visualize costumes).

Altra Paradigm 6 Multiple Tester Review

Altra Paradigm 6 Multiple Tester Review
By Chief Editor Matt Klein and Senior Contributors David Salas and Nathan Brown

The Altra Paradigm 6 has become a shoe with serious consideration in the maximum cushioning category for a lot of people. The shoe does feature a zero drop and level platform throughout with a relatively high platform and wide toe box. The shoe has a wide platform underneath as well a nearly full contact outsole that also helps with stabilizing the shoe a little bit throughout. The Altra Paradigm 6 continues the Paradigm lineage with an updated upper and midsole named EGO MAX. 

October 2021 Round-Up | Fall and Winter Running Essentials

Boo! It's the end of October, which is scary in it's own right with how fast this year has flown by. We had all the things happening this month, from Nathan's marathon run to a host of surprise reviews coming in as we try and end 2021 with a neat bowtie. Today we not only go over what's been going on at Doctors of Running, but tackle some Fall and Winter essentials we really love for getting you going into the colder days ahead.

Saucony Endorphin Pro 2 Review | New Contributors (October 2021)

 

Saucony Endorphin Pro 2 Review (Part 2)
By Contributors Megan Flynn and Andrea Myers

The Saucony Endorphin Pro 2 is a lightweight, carbon-fiber plated shoe designed for speed. An update from the original Endorphin Pros, there are some subtle changes to improve efficiency and comfort. Weighing 6.3oz (women’s), they are slightly lighter than the originals. An additional lace loop was added for comfort and improved lock of the midfoot.

This is Part 2 of our Endorphin Pro 2 reviews. See our OG contributors Pro 2 review here.

adidas Supernova+ Review (2021)

Adidas Supernova+ Review
By Senior Contributor David Salas

A few years ago the adidas Supernova was one of the primary high mileage trainers offered from the company. After some innovations and movement in production lines the Supernova shifted to the shadows for a little bit. Alas, the Supernova + is back and does have a place in the Adidas training lineup. Utilizing recycled materials, this daily training shoe is a neutral daily training shoe with a lot of stability throughout and a firmer feel to it. The midsoles utilized is the famous Boost midsole coupled with their firm EVA Bounce. Boost is in the heel primarily with a small amount sprinkled in the forefoot as a topsole. The + in the name refers to the little bit of boost that is sprinkled into the forefoot, compared to the normal Supernova utilizing only Boost in that region. The result is a protective shoe with plenty of durability, but a firmer ride underfoot because of the larger amount of Bounce. The Supernova + is marketed towards beginning runners but could definitely be an option for those sensitive to rocker designs and like firmer rides. 

ASICS Metaspeed Edge Review (2021)

ASICS Metaspeed Edge Review: A Racer for the Middle Distance
By Chief Editor/Founder Matt Klein & Senior Contributor David Salas

Editors Note: Our review of the new update, the Metaspeed Edge+ is out now. Read here.

ASICS has been aggressively innovating  pushing their product forward the last few years. Our team found the ASICS Metaspeed Sky (Review) to be a top contender among carbon plated racing shoes in 2021. I (Matt) have used them for almost all races this year, including several off road events (which I would not normally suggest). The ride took some getting used to, but is extremely fast over a variety of distances once the shoe breaks in. Combined with incredible durability (mine are still going strong at 130 miles), I was excited to get my hands on the Metaspeed Edge. However, while the ride is interesting and fills the spaces not touched by the Metaspeed Sky, some sizing issues keep the Edge from being as good as it could be. 

Which Carbon Plated Shoes Provide the Best Running Economy? | Podcast EP 60

In today's episode, Matt sits down with Dustin Joubert to talk about the physiology behind Super Shoes. Dustin has a PhD in Exercise Physiology and is a professor at Stephen F Austin State University. He has been conducting running economy research regarding how people respond to a various number of the current super shoes, including the Alphafly, Vaporfly, Metspeed Sky, Rocket X, and Endorphin Pro (among others). They talk about the results of his current research (linked below), plans for future study, and recommendations for how different runners should (or shouldn't) use this date to inform their purchases for running shoes. They also go into his own personal experience in the shoes and how he has processed which shoes he likes most, which he calls his "LabRat" testing.

New Balance FuelCell Prism v2 Review (2021 Release)

New Balance FuelCell Prism v2 Review
By Chief Editor/Founder Matt Klein

The original New Balance version of the Prism - the Vazee - was a lightweight, light stability shoe that was incredibly firm, if not harsh. A mild medial post provided guidance, although the incredibly firm sole and aggressive toe spring provided more. The Prism was a drastic change with the introduction of FuelCell foam. The ride softened an incredible amount to the point that it was a very neutral shoe until the pace picked up. The New Balance FuelCell Prism v2 returns with a subtle balance between the two. A more clear entry into the mild stability category, the FuelCell Prism v2 may be finally hitting its stride. 

Nathan's Lakefront Marathon Race Recap: Overcoming Mental Challenges, Why Endorphin Pro 2 | EP 59

 

We are back in the recording studio and are thankful to be back together. First, we quickly touch on the differences between the Mizuno Wave Rebellion pre-production model and the final production models that we just received in the mail a few weeks ago. There are some important differences! We then recap Nathan's MKE Lakefront Marathon experience and dive into the experience of pain throughout training as well as why he chose the Endorphin Pro 2 over the Pro + for this race. Finally we dip into the mailbag and discuss a question surrounding "stable neutral shoes" and how well we are able (or not able) to effectively pair foot type with shoes.

Topo Athletic ST-4 Review: Best 0-Drop, Minimilist Shoe in 2021?

Topo ST4 Review
By Senior Contributor David Salas and Contributor Megan Flynn

Topo is normally thought of as a low drop shoe with a wide toe box designed for the trails. The ST-4 delivers a shoe that fits most of those boxes but instead of trails focuses on being a crossover shoe. The shoe delivers an incredibly lightweight and minimalistic package that can be used for a large multitude of things. The shoe can be used as a traditional road racing flat, a daily trainer for those who like minimalist shoes, or a weight training cross over shoe thanks to the level and grounded platform. 

XTEP Ultra Fast 2.0 Review | Quality $75 Trainer Option

XTEP Ultra Fast 2.0 Review
By Senior Contributor David Salas

Here in the United States there seem to be some dominant "running" companies that have their share of the market. In fact there are many companies that people who run daily have still never heard of. XTEP may be one of those companies. Overseas XTEP has had some good success in the running market and have their fair share of running shoes ranging from daily trainers to racing models. The XTEP Ultra Fast 2.0 is a neutral daily training option that would fall into the budget category in the states. Bang for buck I think the shoe is actually really worth looking at. 

September 2021 Round-Up | The Costs of Shoes Today

 

Hey runners! Welcome back to another monthly round-up at Doctors of Running. It was another busy month for us with ten new shoe reviews, three new podcasts, and a ton of new videos. While all that is going on, much of our team is ramping up for their Fall racing efforts! Nathan Brown is tackling the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon this Sunday while David Salas and Megan Flynn are ramping up their California International Marathon training for December. All this means we have a lot of marathon thoughts in our head which we'll surely dive into this Fall.

In this month's round-up, we talk a bit about the price of shoes before diving into the busy month that was September.

PUMA Deviate Nitro Shoe Review

PUMA Deviate Nitro Review
By Chief Editor Matt Klein and Social Media Manager Bach Pham

While carbon plated and new age foamed racing shoes have been developing for several years, plated training shoes are a relatively new concept. With designs similar to their racing counterparts but features, particularly weight, more in line with a training shoe, these shoes tend to blur several lines. The Puma Deviate Nitro was designed as a companion training shoe to the Deviate Nitro Elite (REVIEW), continuing to feature a Nitro midsole and a carbon plate but with a stiffer and less aggressive ride. 

Puma Deviate Nitro in hand, light grey colorway with Puma logo stretching over midfoot in black

Saucony Endorphin Pro+ Review

Saucony Endorphin Pro+ Multiple Tester Review
By Chief Editor Matt Klein, Senior Contributors Nathan Brown and David Salas

There are many great options in regards to carbon fiber plated, PEBA based shoes. The majority of the time however, most attention is paid to the soles of the shoes and not the uppers (as evident by how I introduced/referenced this footwear category). The Saucony Endorphin Pro+ takes the Endorphin Pro series, already a favorite among our testers, and overhauls the upper. Coming in with material inspired by their track spikes, Saucony improves the versatility of the Endorphin Pro+, already a serious contender at longer distances down to shorter distances as well. 

Saucony Endorphin Pro+ in hand. All white upper with a silver midsole and black Saucony logo streaking across midfoot.

Saucony Endorphin Shift 2 Review - Guest Contributors

Saucony Endorphin Shift 2 Review - Guest Team
By Contributors Andrea Myers and Ryan Flugaur

Andrea: Saucony has made some subtle, but important updates in the Endorphin Shift 2. Saucony categorizes this shoe as “structured cushioning,” which makes for an interesting and unique ride. I originally bought the Shift v1 back in 2020, but found them so uncomfortable after a short run (too firm and caused severe pain at the 5th MTP/outside ball of foot) that I returned them. I was a little unsure about testing the 2, but have found it to be a very nice addition to my rotation of neutral footwear.|

Editor's Note: The following review is a follow-up to our original Shift 2 review featuring thoughts from our new reviewers! Click here to see the original Shift 2 review.

Saucony Endorphin Shift 2 lateral side view. Mild checker pattern through heel and thinly through midfoot.

Saucony Endorphin Pro+ Discussion, Orthotics, and Role of Higher Drop Shoes | EP 58

Saucony Endorphin Pro +, Orthotics, and Do Higher Drops Offload the Calf?
Virtual Roundtable, Episode 58

Today's episode was a fun one to record as we jumped back into a deep dive of a shoe. The Saucony Endorphin Pro + is about to hit the market and is an even more race ready option from Saucony. We talk about our current testing experience and the influence of uppers on a shoe. We then hit the fan mailbag and answer questions regarding the interaction between orthotics and stability shoes as well as how higher drop shoes may effect calf loading.

ASICS Fuji Lite 2 Review (2021)

ASICS Fuji Lite 2 Review
By Chief Editor Matthew Klein and Content Manager Bach Pham

Current market trends in footwear have continued to moved toward higher stack height shoes. Finding anything with lower stack has been difficult due to this, although a few models continue to come out from mainstream brands. One of the few from major brands was the Asics FujiTrabuco Lite. A minimal, middle to short distance race-ready trail shoe was a rare sight to see from a company known for large traditional stack high shoes. A snug fit, aggressive toe spring, solid ground feel and great traction made it a rare minimal shoe in the trail world. Fast forward to today, the Fuji Lite 2 - whose name is inspired by the Hinoki Cypress tree native to Mount Fuji - features a refined, more middle ground ride. A little more stack height provides more protection, allowing a larger number of runners to access the shoe. Yet the same solid ground feel, lightweight (for a trail shoe) and aggressive ride are still present. How does the new version compare and perform overall? That's what we are hear to talk about.

Reebok Floatride Energy 3.0 Adventure Multiple Tester Review

Reebok Floatride Energy 3.0 Adventure Review
By Chief Founder Matt Klein, Senior Contributor David Salas, and Contributor Andrea Myers

The Reebok Floatride Energy series has taken the running scene by storm in recent years for its versatility, durability, and wallet friendly pricing point. Reebok comes now with a variation to the Floatride Energy line by introducing the Floatride Energy 3.0 Adventure featuring a more robust and secure upper, elastic lacing system, and a proposed improved ability to take the shoe off-roading. Is it worth the bump in price? Let's see. 

Frontal view of the Reebok Floatride Energy 3 Adventure

HOKA Rincon 3 Review

Hoka Rincon 3 Review: Now With More Outsole!
By Senior Contributor Nathan Brown

The third iteration of the HOKA Rincon is upon us. In a world where many high quality running shoes are continually priced higher and higher, the Rincon 3 maintains a price point of $115. Where the Rincon has suffered in the past is in durability, and the third version takes aim at correcting some of those issues. Although the changes may seems subtle from the previous version, there are some important changes on the bottom of the shoe which may impact which runners will fair best with the Rincon 3. 

Hoka Rincon 3 in hand. Orange upper and aqua, larged stack midsole seen. HOKA written over rear midfoot

Maximal vs. Minimalist Discussion | Guest Reviewer Andrea Myers! | EP 57

 

 

 

In this week's podcast, we were extremely excited to have on guest reviewer Andrea Myers! Andrea brings a wealth of experience to the team, treating both runners and cyclists in her 15 years of work as a Doctor of Physical Therapy along with her own experiences professionally cycling for many years before transitioning to running!

For the topic of the episode, we discussed the differences between maximalist and minimalist shoes along with recommendations for a wide variety of age ranges from minors to elderly.