Topo Athletic Terraventure 4 Review (2023)

 

Topo Athletic Terraventure 4: Running, Hiking, and Everything In-Between
By Nathan Brown

Topo Athletic has been making great strides across all lines of their shoes and dropping trainers for the road and trail that are keeping in step with the big companies on the market. They also do this while offering some things that are unique to them. They include a wider, anatomically shaped toe box paired with varying amounts of drop. Many times you only get anatomical toe boxes with zero drop or minimalist footwear. This is what makes Topo Athletic appealing to many. Let's check out one of their main-stay trail models in the Terraventure 4.

Mailbag! Does Footstrike Matter with Super Shoes? Best Stable Neutral Shoes, Pregnancy and Running, and if Super Shoes were a Food | DOR Podcast #140

 

DOR Podcast #140: Mailbag! Does Footstrike Matter with Super Shoes? Best Stable Neutral Shoes, Pregnancy and Running, and if Super Shoes were a Food

This episode is all about your questions! Matt & David host another Q&A show. Your questions take them all over the place, from stable neutral shoes, building a shoe rotation, running during pregnancy, recovering from an ankle sprain and more! Be sure to stick around for Matt's final, completely absurd question.

Fractel Performance Headwear Review

Fractel Performance Headwear Review
A Doctors of Running Team Editorial

Based out of Queensland, Australia, Fractel is a performance headwear company with a big emphasis on sustainability. In 2021, they made a big overhaul towards using nearly 100% recycled yarn in all of their hats. Additionally, 1% of their overall net profits goes towards nonprofits and businesses aimed at protecting the environment. In this review, our editorial team takes a look at a variety of hats from the collection to offer our thoughts on their performance headwear line.

ASICS Magic Speed 3 Review (2023)

 

ASICS Magic Speed 3: New Tricks
By Matthew Klein

The Magic Speed series has been a plated lightweight trainer/workout shoe introduced a few years ago as a non-super foam, budget-speed shoe to the Metaspeed series. Both prior versions were great as introductory plated shoes but never really stood out as significant shoes of interest. Version one was excessively rockered and narrow; version two was extremely stiff and firm. Both felt like they were second thoughts, which seems to have been the case for many of the non-super speed shoes on the market. The ASICS Magic Speed 3 completely changes this. Despite having similar components to the prior version, it comes in as a different feeling and riding shoe. A fast ride that works at uptempo, fast and even some easier efforts, the Magic Speed 3 finally brings out some magic. 

Topo Athletic Phantom 3 Review (2023)

 

Topo Phantom 3 Review: A Workhorse for Almost Anyone
By David Salas, Nathan Brown, and Andrea Myers

The Phantom line is Topo Athletic's moderate to highly cushioned daily trainer. The shoe features a 5mm drop and a balanced rocker profile throughout the geometry. The shoe is resides in the neutral category and is designed to be the workhorse in your lineup. The Topo Phantom 3 updates bring a lighter package and a more responsive midsole. 

New Balance Fresh Foam X More Trail v3 Review (2023)

New Balance Fresh Foam X More Trail v3: Defying Physics
By Matthew Klein

The trail market is well saturated with highly cushioned, maximal shoes. Although the majority are from Hoka, many other brands have introduced their own maximal trail shoes. The first few versions of the More Trail were mediocre, but like the saying, the third time is the charm. Building on the success of the New Balance More v4, the More Trail v3 brings the same ride to the trail with thick lugs and extensive outsole rubber. Now an absolute tank of a shoe, the More Trail v3 easily plows through the majority of terrain out there while providing a ride that feels way higher than its listed stack height. 

Nike Vaporfly 3 Review (2023)

Nike Vaporfly 3 Review: The Original King Returns
By David Salas, Andrea Myers and Matthew Klein

The Nike Vaporfly line has been the gold standard for many when it comes to race day. Nike updated their popular lineup with some small tweaks that make for a similar but augmented experience. The  Vaporfly 3 has similar specifications as Version 2, but has an updated upper and outsole design. There are also some small modifications in the platform to help with getting you through your big day. The latest Vaporfly continues to certainly be a top-shelf road racer. In this review, we'll take a look at the major changes to the latest version and see how it competes with the competition.

Is The Nike Vaporfly Right for You? | DOR Podcast #139

 

 

DOR Podcast #139: Nike Vaporfly 3 Deep Dive

Nike's back with the latest version of the "original" super shoe, the Vaporfly 3! It's quickly become a favorite of our team, and on this episode Matt & Andrea give it a deep dive. With almost every brand selling their own super shoes now, how does the Vaporfly 3 stack up against the competition? Tune in to hear our thoughts on how it compares to the Saucony Endorphin Elite, Endorphin Pro 3, Asics Metaspeed Sky+ and more!

Under Armour Flow Velociti Elite Review (2022 Release)

Under Armour Flow Velociti Elite: Verging Towards Super
By Matthew Klein & David Salas

Under Armour has been putting out running shoes seriously for a few years now but have consistently been missing a high-level racing shoe. As the super shoe wars continued, images began appearing with this shoe on the feet of UA elite athletes and the hype began. I've been excited to try it and finally went and bought a pair myself to see how it stacked up to its peers. After 36 miles at a variety of paces, the Under Armour has proved itself to be a neutral (not stable), comfortable, partial super shoe.

Puma Liberate Nitro 2 Review (2023)

 

Puma Liberate Nitro 2: teaser
By Matthew Klein

As the industry continues to move the majority of shoes toward taller stack heights, stiffer soles and more advanced foams, the lightweight, lower stack, flexible, simple shoes have almost disappeared. A few smaller companies exist to keep this category alive but tend to be more extreme. ASICS and PUMA are now the rare major companies with simple shoes still available, with the Puma Liberate 2 now their primary shoe for this. Coming in as light if not lighter than almost all the super shoes out there, it offers a different ride from what is traditionally on the market. Extremely light, flexible and simple. A rare shoe now, Version 2 comes with some mild sole updates that attempt to build on the original as an option for those who want a light flexible workout shoe or a minimally cushioned lightweight trainer. 

Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 2 Review (2023)

 

Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 2: Less Comfort, More Aggression
By Matthew Klein

The original Puma Deviate Nitro Elite was a surprise in many ways. Although it wasn't the fastest shoe on the market, it was certainly the most comfortable. We frequently suggested it as a great first super shoe option for those new to this category and most of us ran our pairs through their full life cycle. Puma has come a long way over the last two years since the release of their first legitimate racing shoe having now added two additional racing shoes (Fast-FWD and Fast-R). Following along a theme from their other racers, the Deviate Nitro Elite 2 is a different shoe from the original. A narrower shape, stiffer plate and different geometry move the Deviate Nitro Elite 2 away from being the comfortable relaxed fast shoe to an aggressive, faster racer. That does not necessarily make it a better shoe than the original but certainly makes it different.

Spring 2023 Trail Running and Hiking Shoes | Saucony Ultraridge, Mizuno Wave Mujin 9, Karhu Ikoni Trail and Inov Roclite G 315 GTX V2

 

Trail Season: New Releases This Spring
A Doctors of Running Team Editorial

Trails have a special place for our team. Whether we're on the run or hiking through state parks and the Appalachian mountains, we make a lot of room for taking time offroad. In this feature, our team will be covering a variety of trail running and hiking shoes that have hit the market this spring.

The Latest Findings on Super Shoes, with Geoff Burns and Dustin Joubert | DOR Podcast #138

 

 

DOR Podcast #138: The Latest Findings on Super Shoes, with Geoff Burns and Dustin Joubert

This episode is all about super shoes, particularly their benefits for the non-elite runner. At the beginning of the year, Geoff Burns and Dustin Joubert published a new study looking at the running economy benefits of super shoes for runners at slower paces (8:00-10:00 minutes per mile). They were gracious enough to lend us a ton of their time to discuss their latest findings. Get a behind the scenes look at how studies like these are put together and executed. Hear how Geoff performed test on himself during a treadmill marathon! Learn more about how much benefit the average runner can get from super shoes, how much they aid in reducing muscle breakdown, and how to pick the best super shoe for you.

Saucony Blaze TR Review (2023)

Saucony Blaze TR: $100 Trailblazer
By Matthew Klein

Like most products, running shoes have continued to increase in both their complexity as well as their price. The average cost of a running shoe has climbed to the $150-$160 range even with the trail running scene. For those new to running or those in tough financial situations, the cost of a running shoe can be an intimidating factor. This may mean the difference between actually being able to perform a preferred exercise activity or none at all. Luckily, Saucony has several budget-friendly models that perform at high levels. While the Axon series provides a higher stack affordable model for the road, the Blaze TR brings that same level of performance to the trail. Featuring a tall stack height compared with a surprisingly low weight that makes this shoe quite nimble, the Saucony Blaze TR is both a budget and performance option on softer surfaces.

Salomon Pulsar Trail Pro 2 Review (2023)

Salomon Pulsar Trail Pro 2 Review: Aggressive
By David Salas 

The Pulsar line is a performance and racing series within the extensive Salomon Trail group. They all feature rockered midsoles with a variety of stack heights, plates (some, not all), and purposes.  The Pulsar Trail Pro 2 continues upon this by having a responsive midsole, rockered ride, and TPU plate package combined with an interesting upper to keep debris out. It sits as a shoe best for aggressive terrain during faster or racing efforts. The shoe certainly delivers a responsive and versatile ride, although has a unique fit that may or may not work for some people. 

The Science of Running Footwear Biomechanics: Insights from Brooks' Biomechanists | DOR Podcast #137

 

 

DOR Podcast #137: The Science of Running Footwear Biomechanics: Insights from Brooks' Biomechanists

On this episode of the Doctors of Running Podcast, Matt is joined by two phenomenal guests from Brooks, Jennifer Sumner and Evan Day, biomechanists on the Brooks' Run Research Team. They give us an inside look at how Brooks' unique approach to biomechanical testing and research in shoe development. They help us tackle big questions like "what does it mean to be a runner?" and "how do we tell the difference between 'good' and 'bad' running mechanics?" They even dive into the link between mental health and wellness and how we run, and how that might influence our shoe choices.

Hoka Tecton X 2 Review (2023)

 

Hoka Tecton X 2 Review: Profly+
By David Salas and Matthew Klein

The HOKA Tecton X was the first carbon-plated trail racing shoe that HOKA brought to the market. While it was not the first carbon-plated trail shoe on the market, it was the first to use a dual-plate system that runs medially and laterally parallel to each other. It was a solid option last year (2022) as a trail racer for a variety of distances. The Tecton X 2 returns with a redone upper to clean up the fit while attempting to maintain the fit and ride of this dirt racer. 

ASICS Hyper Speed 2 Review (2023)

 

ASICS Hyper Speed 2: Fast on a Budget
By Matthew Klein

With the rise of super shoes, companies were quick to discontinue their traditional racing flats. People have been far more interested (for better or worse) in high stack, super foam, stiff shoes than lower stack, traditional foam, flexible ones. This has been a challenge for those who still respond better to the latter, be it for training or racing purposes. The ASICS Hyper Speed 2 is one of the few shoes that now holds up this category. Taking inspiration from the Metaspeed series yet moving away from the overly rockered design of the Hyper Speed 1, the Hyper Speed 2 returns as an option for those who want a minimal shoe or who want a traditional racing flat.