On Cloudswift 3 Review (2023)

On CloudSwift 3 Review: Quite Rounded
By David Salas and Bach Pham

The Cloudswift 3 is a road running shoe specifically marketed at urban running. The shoe comes with a firmer ride with moderate cushioning throughout. The shoe also brings an element of aesthetics that can double as a runner/lifestyle combo. 

Monday Shakeout: Shoes for Flat Feet Runners, by a Flat Feet Runner

 

The Monday Shakeout: Shoes for Flat Feet Runners, by a Flat Feet Runner
By Bach Pham, Content Manager

Welcome to our second edition of the Monday Shakeout! This is a new segment where our team can drop a few thoughts we've been having recently about a running-related topic. This week Bach talks about his experience testing shoes at Doctors of Running as a flat-feet runner.

From Sketch to Final Product: How Running Shoes are Made | DOR Podcast #144

 

DOR Podcast #144: From Sketch to Final Product: How Running Shoes are Made (ft. Richard Kuchinsky of Directive Collective)

This episode is a behind-the-scenes look at running shoe design and production. Matt & Nathan are joined by special guest Richard Kuchinsky, founder of Directive Collective and an expert in footwear design and development. They explore an array of topics–from defining industrial design and the significance of consultants in the footwear industry to Richard's proudest project with The Directive Collective, this is an inside look at the shoe design process from initial sketches to the finished product. Delving deeper, they discuss the factors influencing shoe pricing and the emerging trends Richard foresees in the ever-evolving footwear landscape. Additionally, they examine the categorization of running shoes, the pivotal role of comfort and "feel" in selecting the right shoe.

Brooks Aurora BL Review (2022 Release)

Brooks Aurora BL: Is This the Future?
By Matthew Klein

Despite their current tendencies, Brooks was once a wild company. They had aggressive, fast racing shoes like the Brooks T Racer series. The Pure series was unique at the time as cushioned but flexible minimally inspired shoes that were drastically different from anything on the market. All that recently had seemed to tone down. For many that is not a bad thing, as finding a consistent shoe series is difficult in today's world. It just isn't exciting. Although we are late to this party, a peak at the wild side of Brooks, clearly still simmering under the surface, came to market in the form of the Brooks Aurora BL. Straight from the Brooks BlueLine lab, an innovation department for the company, it showcased many things that we were curious to try.

Gadget Review: Inov-8 Ultrapac Pro 2in1, the Pack for Any Distance

Gadget Review: Inov-8 Ultrapac Pro 2in1
Can this hydration vest take you the distance?

By Bach Pham

When you are out on the road or trails during marathon or ultramarathon training season, hydration is everything. There are times where you may be able to set up smart ways to stop and get hydrated on your running route, but sometimes - especially trail runners deep in the woods - need to have their own preparation ready to stay well fueled. Today we're looking at a new option from Inov-8 that gives runners a vest that can handle a large variety of situations depending on your needs.

Skechers GO RUN Ride 11 Review (2023)

Skechers GO RUN Ride 11 Review: Plush
By David Salas

The Skechers GO RUN Ride series has been the primary daily trainer line for the company. The Ride series has also been the official training shoe for their athlete Edward Cheserek. The shoe is a highly cushioned neutral running shoe that gives a touch of responsiveness at toe off. This model introduces HYPERBURST ICE midsole and a carbon infused plate in the forefoot. 

Monday Shakeout: How Long Do Running Shoes Last?

The Monday Shakeout: Shoe Durability
By Matthew Klein

Welcome to our first edition of the Monday Shakeout! This is a new segment where our team can drop a few thoughts we've been having recently about a running-related topic. This week Chief Editor Matt Klein dives into the topic of outsoles and durability.

Buy or Sell: Plated Training Shoes, 3D Foot Scans, 40+mm Stack Height Shoes and More | DOR Podcast #143

 

DOR Podcast #143: Buy or Sell: Plated Training Shoes, 3D Foot Scans, 40+mm Stack Height Shoes and More

Think of this episode like a game show/quiz: buy or sell? Nate, David, and Matt take a look at a bunch of different trends in the running shoe world and ask whether they would buy or sell each of them. Are mega-stack trainers worth it? Should EVA be kicked to the curb? Should we train in plated trainers and/or super shoes? What's the point of the new crop of short-distance racing shoes? Tune in for our takes on all of these and more!

Saucony Endorphin Rift Review (2023)

 

Saucony Endorphin Rift: The Endorphin Speed of the Trails?
By Matthew Klein

The Saucony Endorphin Edge was one of the first super trails shoes. It featured a large midsole of PWRRUN PB combined with a full-length Carbitex plate. It seemed to mimic the Endorphin Pro series but for the trail, which immediately made us ask "where is an Endorphin Speed Trail?" The Endorphin Rift fills this spot as a more flexible version of the Edge while maintaining the same large amount of PWRRRUN PB. The Edge/Rift relationship is a bit different than Pro/Speed relationship but they still complement each other well as both alternatives and companions. 

Topo Athletic Cyclone 2 Review (2023) - 200 Mile Update

Topo Cyclone 2 Review: A Lightweight, Super Exciting Trainer for 2023
By Senior Contributors David Salas and Andrea Myers

Speed and performance are not normally the words one associates with the footwear company Topo, but the Cyclone has come to change this. The Cyclone 2 is a lower profile training shoe that uses a PEBAX-based midsole for solid responsiveness. This shoe does not have a plate like many other PEBA/PEBAX based shoes. This shoe is aimed at being a lightweight trainer that can perform at faster paces as well. 

Adidas Adizero Adios 8 Review (2023)

 

Adidas Adizero Adios 8: Back to its Roots
By Matthew Klein

The Adidas Adizero Adios was once the premier marathon racing shoe. Since the debut of the Adios Pro series, it has taken a serious back seat with several people questioning its existence. Version 5 was the last time the series somewhat resembled what it once was while version 6 transitioned to a confusing lightweight trainer. Version 7 brought the weight back down and while it still retained its place as a non-plated faster shoe. It still lacked major updates and was overshadowed by both the Adios Pro and Takumi Sen series. Version 8 finally makes an aggressive move with a large weight drop, a slightly higher stack height, updated midsole foams, and a brand new torsion system that returns the triple forked rods to the forefoot. As a more budget-friendly model compared to the Takumi Sen and a lighter comparison to the Adios Pro, the Adios 8 finally returns to the conversation as a non-super shoe workout/racing model with super shoe inspiration.

High School/Collegiate Running: Common Injuries to Avoid, Best Nutrition Practices and Best Shoes | DOR Podcast #142

 

DOR Podcast #142: High School/Collegiate Running: Common Injuries to Avoid, Best Nutrition Practices and Best Shoes

On this episode of the Doctors of Running Podcast we delve into the world of high school and collegiate runners, covering a variety of topics to enhance performance and long-term health. Reflecting on their own experiences, Nathan, David, Andrea, and Matt share valuable running advice they would give their younger selves. Leaning on their clinical experiences and the scientific literature, they then shed light on the risks of early sports specialization and advocate for sports variability, offering best practices to promote athleticism and prevent injuries. With a focus on the well-being of young athletes, the episode explores into common running injuries and provides insights on injury prevention and recovery strategies. They also explore the vital aspects of nutrition, hydration, and sleep, highlighting their significance in optimizing performance & longevity. And of course they have to work in shoes! This episode is a must-listen for young athletes, coaches, and parents seeking evidence-based guidance to navigate the world of high school and collegiate running.

ASICS Gel-Kayano 30 Review (2023)

 

ASICS Gel-Kayano 30: Not Your Typical Kayano
By Matthew Klein and Bach Pham

The Kayano is a legacy shoe in the ASICS lineup. Introduced as a crosstrainer in 1993, it evolved into the stability trainer that has been a staple of runners everywhere. For years, the Kayano employed the classic medial post that has long been a signature of stability footwear. It has also been a playground for ASICS technology, from gel to dual midsoles to advances in fit design and more. The 30th anniversary of the Kayano is the biggest leap yet in the series with a new stability mindset, new foam, and overall general philosophy shift. In this review, we go over the big changes to the Kayano series and discuss its implications for the future of stability footwear.

Saucony Sinister Review (2023)

Saucony Sinister Review: Days of Future Past
By David Salas and Matthew Klein

The days of lightweight minimal racing flats seemed like they were gone. The Saucony Sinister revitalizes this category and offers a shoe at 25mm of stack height using PWRUN PB midsole cushioning. The shoe does not have plate or stiffening agent and runs on the flexible side. The Saucony Sinister is a natural riding racing flat with modern cushioning. 

From Zzzs to PBs: Enhancing Run Performance with Quality Sleep | DOR Podcast #141

 

DOR Podcast #141: From Zzzs to PBs: Enhancing Run Performance with Quality Sleep

This episode is all about sleep! Getting healthy sleep is the biggest performance enhancer out there (yes, even more than super shoes). Nate and Matt are joined Dr. Ryan Wooderson to talk all things sleep. They explore fundamental issues like the physiology of sleep, what "enough" sleep is, and how to adjust after a bad night of sleep. Ryan also gives tips on how to set yourself up for a good night's sleep, optimize your recovery, and more.

Saucony Triumph 21 Review (2023)

Saucony Triumph 21: Staying True
By David Salas & Matthew Klein

The Saucony Triumph is the premium daily trainer in the neutral category for the company. The shoe gives a much softer and bouncier midsole than the Ride and Guide footwear lineups with a more plush upper. The Triumph 21 makes some tweaks to the upper and lacing system to create a more sturdy-footed workhorse to pound miles into the earth. 

Mizuno Wave Rider 27 Review (2023)

 

Mizuno Wave Rider 27: Deceptively Better
By David Salas, Andrea Myers and Bach Pham

Despite Mizuno being a consistent company of tradition, the Mizuno Wave Rider has seen a large number of changes in the last few years. When we established a connection with Mizuno in 2019, our test of the Wave Rider 23 was consistent with prior versions. It was on the lighter side at the time for a daily trainer; it was firm and snappy enough for both easy runs and uptempo efforts. Version 24 was similar with solid refinements while version 25 was a complete departure for the series. Coming in with a new midsole material, it ran soft and had a highly flexible forefoot. While still light, it was different from the traditional Rider series. The Rider 26 overcorrected this coming in heavier, uncomfortably firm/stiff/awkward and still felt completely different from the Rider we all knew. Version 27, despite being supposedly an upper only update, seems to bring balance back to the series. A lighter, better-fitting upper sits up top while a far smoother ride sits underneath to bring the Rider back to its rightful place as a go-to daily training shoe.