The Monday Shakeout: 3 Unexpectedly Good 2024 Shoes You Never Heard Of
By Bach Pham
This week we share three shoes that we had no idea would be as interesting as they would be when they arrived at our door. We literally review over a 100+ shoes a year at Doctors of Running, some of which don't even make it to the website. Most fall where you'd expect in the spectrum of shoes, but we are always delighted to receive a couple of pairs that shake up everything we expect from the brand or the shoe itself.
Hylo Impact | Full Review
What Is It?: A max cushion, sustainable trainer out of the very new brand Hylo
We've tested several iterations of Hylo in the past and gotten to know them during our brief sustainability series a couple of years ago. This, for me, has been an area I've been very passionate about while at Doctors of Running and was immediately onboard with Hylo's goal of not just making footwear, but making footwear through a sustainable system that could potentially be mirrored by their peers. The reality of their first few models though, was that sustainable materials just didn't have the "impact" needed to create great footwear.
Time heals all though. Hylo made a big shift towards making a model that both resonated with their company goals and was actually incredible fun to run in. The Hylo Impact is a max cushion trainer that has a surprisingly soft bio-based midsole. They threw everything into this model, including a good dose of nitrogen, to help make a trainer that's highly cushioned, slightly bouncy, and also highly durable with its natural rubber outsole. It's a model that remains one of my favorites for 2024.
Merrell Morphlite
What Is It?: A super affordable road to trail shoe that your best non-running friend is going to love
No runner will ever just come out and say "oh yeah, I love Merrell for running," because it's really not a thing in the market right now. We haven't even released the review of this because we keep getting pushed back on shoes, but I am here to tell you that the Merrell Morphlite is lowkey one the biggest steals in the market for average runners who want a shoe that runs anywhere you want it to. It's the shoe that your mostly non-running friend is going to come up to you with one day and say they got this amazing shoe for $60ish on sale and it feels awesome. The Morphlite quietly has a great combination of lightness (8.5 oz! 240g!), a just-basic-but-functional midsole they call FloatPro, a fairly friendly drop at 6.5mm, 3mm of lugs that you can take off most casual terrain and grass no problem and a lower stack, but comfortable 26.5-20 mm midsole. It's great for hiking, fine for most easy runs on and off road, and has a decently relaxed fit. There's also great forefoot stability with generous sole flaring. For $100, this shoe is huge value for a lot of people out there, not just runners.
Mount to Coast P1 | Full Review
What Is It?: A forefoot focused shoe that comes with a fairly responsive midsole
Mount to Coast is a very new brand focused on footwear for ultramarathon distances and long distance training in general. After releasing their racing shoe, they followed the release with a very unexpected secondary shoe with the P1, a forefoot stability focused model. The shoe out of the box has a shockingly bouncy feel for a stability shoe and comes in at a fairly light weight. The forefoot design helps provide a lot of confidence in your approach. The shoe not only has been a solid trainer, but also has been a terrific walking shoe (it does not hurt that it looks quite nice on foot). This is not a shoe recommendation for those who land heavily on their heels as the rearfoot is a bit clunky, but runners who do tend to be forward will get the most enjoyment out of this quietly great entry into the market.
Bonus: 361 Miro | Video
What Is It?: The lightest super shoe available in the market right now (that no one seems to know about)
Matt
had been on the prowl for the Miro for a long time after he saw its
announcement. Listed at an astounding under 4 oz in Men Size 9, the shoe
promised the combination of ultralight performance with super shoe foam
and plate. We're thrilled to say that it delivers all-around, offering a
super fast racer that's easily in the running for short distance races
and for those who loved those ultra-flat racing shoes of yesteryear but
also enjoy today's super foam technology, a very captivating option. 361
doesn't have the largest market in the world, but is decently available
in most places at least online and is most certainly worth a look both
for their quickly improving technology but also their fairly good price
point for what they are offering on the table.
PAST MONDAY SHAKEOUTS
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Can I Race While Injured?
The Challenge of Zero Drop Shoes on the Trail
How Much Does Doctors of Running Make? #7 Report
Do Shoes Impact the Spine?
Do I Need Insoles?
Why Two Shoes are Better Than One
How Running Shoes Should Fit and Toe Path
The Top (Dorsum) of Your Foot
How Much Taller Can Shoes Get?
The Impact of Footwear on Masters Runners
David's Top Shoes of 2024 So Far
Summer Trail Round Up
Andrea's Top Shoes of 2024 So Far
Matt's Top Shoes of 2024 So Far
How Much Does Doctors of Running Make? Sixth Report
What Happens to Midsoles as They Wear Out?
Do Super Shoes Reduce Muscle Soreness?
Chest Straps vs. Wrist Monitors for Heart Rate
Everything is Becoming Maximalist and Super
Do We Adapt to Shoes, or Do They Adapt to Us
Research on Finding Optimal Shoes and the RUN-CAT
About the 1st MTP and its Role in Running
What is Drop and Why It Doesn't Always Matter
The Science of Sole Width
Challenges with Large Toe Spring
Phases of the Swing Gait
Can Running Shoes Reduce Injuries?
The Best Shoes of 2023 for Highly Specific Reasons
Andrea's Favorite Shoes of 2023
David's Favorite Shoes of 2023
Matt's Favorite Shoes of 2023
My Favorite Flat Feet Shoes of 2023
ChatGPT Reviews a Shoe, Volume 2
How Forefoot Rockers Help Toe Mobility
Running with Backpacks
How Much Does Doctors of Running Make?
Changes We're Excited to See
Why Heel Bevels are Natural
Do Heavier Runners Need Different Shoes?
Shoe Rotations for Different Runners
Strength Training to Prevent Injury - A Case Study
On the Impacts of Different Stacked Shoes
The Importance of Heel Bevels in Shoe Design
Low vs. High Drop Shoes
Why is Proprioception Important to Runners?
Best Running Movie Scenes of All-Time, Part 2
Best Running Movie Scenes of All-Time, Part 1
What a Week at DOR is Like
Reflections on Saucony's Running Economy Study
Sustainable is Only Going to Work if It's Good
A Simple Guide to Footwear and Foot Health
Best Flat Feet Shoes by a Flat Feet Runner
How Long Do Shoes Last?
SHOP | SUPPORT DOR
*Using the link to purchase helps support Doctors of Running. Thanks so much!
Ultraspire Fitted Race Belt: The best way to carry your phone and goods on the run. No bounce and various sizes for waist. (Also recommend the Naked belt)
Saysky Running Gear: We were really taken aback by this Scandinavian company's ultra-thin, durable performance clothing
Skratch Recovery, Coffee Flavor: Mental and physical boost post run. Coffee flavor is excellent and goes great straight into a fresh brewed cup
goodr Sunglases: Run in style with goodr's super fun sunglasses.
Feetures Socks: Massively grippy socks that will make you feel more one with the shoe
Amphipod Hydraform Handheld Water Bottle: Perfect for long runs when you need hydration in the summer
Trigger Point Foam Roller: Help get those knots out post-run and feel better for tomorrow
Theragun Massager: This small version is great on the go for working tired legs
Ciele Hat: Our team's favorite running hat of choice!
Fractel Hats: Our team's wider fitting running hat of choice!
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NEXT: Treadmill Running!?
