Saucony Ride 18 Review (2025)

Saucony Ride 18 Review
By Matthew Klein and David Salas

The Saucony Ride series is the flagship neutral training shoe for the company. The Ride has always been their moderate stack height workhorse trainer that boasts good durability. While in between year models are typically upper only updates, the Ride 18 returns with a surprising number of updates. From a reworked PWRRUN+ midsole, to additional outsole coverage, increased flex grooves and additional heel collar padding, the Ride 18 has received subtle updates all around. The shoe also features a mild drop in weight. 

The Monday Shakeout: Andrea's Favorite Training and Racing Shoes of 2024

 

The Monday Shakeout: My Favorite Training and Racing Shoes of 2024
By Andrea Myers

2024 started with training for the Osaka Marathon through the cold New England winter, getting Covid 2 weeks before the race, and then cancelling my trip due to health concerns. After taking some down time to recover, I decided to focus on getting my speed back and do some shorter races. I raced many 5ks, a couple of road miles, and a couple of 7 mile races and was pleased with my progress over the course of the year. The highlight of 2024 for me was going home to the Quad Cities and running the Bix 7 for the first time, which my family does every year. I was thrilled to be 5th in the female masters category out of 2000 racers and 52nd female overall out of nearly 5000. Of course, 2024 also brought some exciting new shoes, including some surprise favorites.

Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Review (2025)

Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 Review
By David Salas and Matthew Klein

When the original Endorphin Elite hit the market, it provided a unique ride and was one of the few options that directly competed with the Nike Alphafly. Unlike many super shoes, its PWRRUN HG midsole provided a firmer but highly responsive and rockered ride that also was surprisingly stable neutral. Many of the team had successfully used that shoe from 5k distances for Matt to a fantastic marathon for David. When images and early information emerged about the Endorphin Elite 2, we were excited. A brand new superfoam, unique geometry and a progression from version one was somethin to look forward to. While the full length IncrediRun midsole is certainly a massive upgrade, whether this shoe is better than the original may depend on the person. It is certainly different and the opposite of the original in many ways. Now with the softest and bounciest midsole in the super racer category, a more snug upper and a far more neutral ride, it is an exciting time to see where the footwear industry is going. Whether it will work for you is worth exploring. 

Saucony Guide 18 Review (2025)

 

Saucony Guide 18 Review
By Bach Pham and Matthew Klein

The Saucony Guide has long been the stability alternative to the Saucony Ride, providing a moderate stack height ride that did everything the Ride could do, but with the addition of a wedge or post for medial stability. Last year's Guide 17 dramatically changed the formula to be a more centered ride that feels modern and refreshed. This year's model doesn't change the recipe one bit, just working to refine the upper fit a bit and preserving what runner's liked about last year's model.

Our Favorite Shoes of 2024, Part 2 | DOR Podcast #223

  

Our Favorite Shoes of 2024, Part 2
Doctors of Running Podcast, Episode 223

Here's part 2 of our favorite shoes of the year! If you missed the previous episode, we covered daily trainers, stability shoes, long run shoes, and trail shoes. Onto the fast stuff for part 2: workout shoes, plated trainers, and racing shoes! Plus we wrap it up with our votes for most impressive shoe brand from 2024. As always we'd loved to hear from you! DM us on Instagram or email us at doctorsofrunning@gmail.com to let us know what your favorite shoes of the year have been.

The Monday Shakeout: David's Favorite Training and Racing Shoes of 2024

 

The Monday Shakeout: David's Favorite Training and Racing Shoes of 2024
By David Salas

2024 brought the heat this year! With some foot ailments and adjustments I did find that certain shoes were working for my biomechanics and stability needs. Normally I do lean more neutral, but this year I didn't mind a touch of stability and guidance. Below are my favorites for 2024. 

Our Favorite Shoes of 2024, Part 1 | DOR Podcast #222

 

Our Favorite Shoes of 2024, Part 1
Doctors of Running Podcast, Episode 222

It's that time of year again, now that 2024 is coming to a close we'll wrap up the year with our favorite shoes. On this special two part episode, the entire four-person team (Nathan, Matt, David, Andrea) get together to talk about their favorites from a year full of phenomenal shoes. On part 1 they discuss daily trainers, stability, long run shoes, and trail. Be sure to tune in next week for part 2! We'd love hear your favorites too! DM us on Instagram or email us at doctorsofrunning@gmail.com

The Monday Shakeout: Nathan's Favorite Training and Racing Shoes of 2024

  

The Monday Shakeout: My Favorite Training and Racing Shoes of 2024
By Nathan Brown

This year of running was different than other years, but it was a lot of fun. Usually, I'm attempting to train for a distance race, whether a half marathon or a marathon. This year was different. I was coming off a rather impactful injury to my left foot, and it was all about getting back in the swing of things. Therefore most of my running was easy, building base mileage and enjoying time with friends. In fact, my favorite running memory had nothing to do with me, but was watching a friend train for and run their first marathon (after not running at all before this year). They did fantastic, and it was fun to envelop them in our running community. That said, I was still able to get out for a few races this year including our incredible fun local event, the Point Bock Run (5 miles) and a local Labor Day 10K race. Thankful for what this year was and I look forward to next year!

Buy or Sell: Are Vaporflys Not the Best Super Shoe Anymore? Are Stability Shoes the Best They’ve Ever Been? | DOR Podcast #221

 

Buy or Sell: Are Vaporflys Not the Best Super Shoe Anymore? Are Stability Shoes the Best They’ve Ever Been?
Doctors of Running Podcast, Episode 221

Your favorite game show is back! Matt and David play Buy or Sell with a number of end-of-year topics. They talk about the hot new trend of trainers skyrocketing pass 40mm, discuss whether stability shoes are better now than they’ve ever been before, and question if the Vaporfly is no longer the king of the marathon.

Our Best Gifts for Runners (2024)

BEST GIFTS FOR RUNNERS
DOCTORS OF RUNNING STAFF ROUNDUP

Welcome to our Gift Guide for Runners! We think about running 24/7 and tried our best to give a good range of non-shoe related gifts for both the holiday season and year-round, because while shoes are fun, it's also the stuff that we go to time and time again before, during, and after the run that can make a run as well.

Brooks Glycerin Max Review (2024): 100 Mile Review Update!

Brooks Glycerin Max Review
By Andrea Myers and Matthew Klein

While the rest of the running industry has jumped head-on into maximalism, Brooks has carefully taken its time with developing footwear to fit this category. Like the original Pure line with minimalism, the slow debut of a Max line has produce the Ghost Max, Hyperion Max and now the Glycerin Max. As the tallest stack height shoe in the Brooks line up and on the taller side of the entire industry, the Glycerin Max is unique for Brooks not only due to its stack height, but that it is one of the first widely available training shoes with over 45 mm of stack height in the heel alongside the Puma MagMax Nitro. With the increase in stack height, Brooks has doubled down on the nitrogen infused foam technology, featuring two densities of foam in a combination called DNA Tuned that is meant to provide soft heel landings and energetic toe-offs. Whether that actually occurs.... is worth talking about.

Adidas Supernova Rise 2 Review (2024)

Adidas Supernova Rise 2 Review
By Matthew Klein and Andrea Myers

The Adidas Supernova Rise was a refreshing restart for the Adidas non-Adizero running line. After years of incredibly heavy and clunky shoes, the Rise showed that a Supernova could still be light and comfortable. However, despite the Dreamstrike, PEBA-based midsole, it was still a more compliant than responsive midsole that didn't quite live up to the bouncy marketing. Version two returns to change that. A slight reduction in weight, a refined upper and a reworked Dreamstrike+ midsole make for a shoe that runs differently from its predecessor. But is it enough to Rise above?

Nike Rival Fly 4 Review (2024): $100 Racing Shoe!

Nike Rival Fly 4 Review
By David Salas

Many runners associate performance running footwear with Nike. Over the years Nike has done a good job of separating themselves from the competition by having racing footwear at a variety of price points. Prior to super shoes, you would see many racing flats such as the Nike Rival Waffle, Streak, Streak LT, and others on the feet of many high schoolers and racers of 5k-10k distances. For those that could handle it, you would even see the Nike Streak on many people's feet in the marathon. The Rival line looks a little bit different these days, but it is still a lower stack (by today's standards) racing shoe.   

The Monday Shakeout: My Favorite Stability Shoes of 2024 for Flat Feet

 

The Monday Shakeout: My Favorite Shoes of 2024 for Flat Feet
By Bach Pham

It's getting towards end of 2024, which means it is time to update my list of favorite shoes for flat feet runners. If you have not checked out my Shakeout about the do's and don'ts to flat feet shoes, check that out first before reading on!

ASICS Novablast 5 Review (2024): Better and Better

ASICS Novablast 5 Review
By Andrea Myers and Matthew Klein

The most common themes we have been seeing on the running shoe scene is higher stack height, more cushioning, sometimes lower weights, but often higher prices. That has all changed with the Novablast 5. A new update featuring a new upper and completely new FF Blast Max midsole makes for a high stack height, performance trainer that drop a little weight but still maintains a solid $140 price tag. A shoe our entire team has pleasantly surprised by, the ASICS Novablast 5 returns smoother and more comfortable than ever before. 

2025 Shoe Preview with Saucony, Brooks, and Puma! | DOR Podcast #220

 

2025 Shoe Preview with Saucony, Brooks, and Puma!
Doctors of Running Podcast, Episode 220

On this very special episode, we're joined by some of our friends at Saucony, Brooks, and Puma to get a sneak peak at what's coming for them in 2025. We get to hear about the Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 & Elite 2, the Brooks Hyperion Elite 5 & Glycerin 22, the Puma FAST-RB & Deviate Nitro Elite Trail, and many more exciting updates! Tune in and get hyped for the latest and greatest shoes coming in the next year.

Footwear Science: Rocker Soles

Footwear Science: Rocker Soles
By Matt Klein

Rocker or rockered soles have come up multiple times on this blog and I thought it was time to write a set post on this topic.  I have noticed that frequently, extremely rockered soles do not work for me. My theory was that the rockered soles tend to reduce the amount of power/torque the calves can put through the natural forefoot rocker, aka the metatarsophalangeal joint by artificially rolling the foot forward.  I decided to dive into the research to see what the conclusion was.  The answer appears to be that having a rockered sole does reduce the load on the achilles but there is mixed evidence as to whether this may affect other joints.  Sound confusing?  Let's talk.

Guide to Super Trainers (2024)

 
Super Trainers!
By DOR Editorial Team

While carbon plated running shoes become an essential fixture of every brand, super trainers have suddenly become the next wave of footwear that each brand feels the need to deliver on. Super trainers are shoes that take the key elements of a super shoe - stiffener (carbon plate or similar feel), Peba foam, and aggressive rocker. The major difference is that they are a bit more relaxed often (heavier, more stable for daily use) and can break convention by adding a stack height over 40mm - the maximum legal stack height for professional marathon road racing shoes. The trend as we know it broke open with the Adidas Prime X which completely shattered convention in 2021 with a massive 50mm stack height and somewhat scary platform that many adored. Today, super trainers have become a bit more refined for stability while providing the intended comfort for long run training, and for some, a wildly cushioned race day shoe.

Saucony Xodus Ultra 3 Review (2024): A Seriously Heavy Duty Trail Runner

Saucony Xodus Ultra 3 Review
By Matthew Klein

The Saucony Xodus series was a heavy-duty hiking/mountain running shoe that was renowned for its durability and ruggedness. With so much going on, it was an extremely heavy shoe that made traversing anything less than super-aggressive terrain feel like a bit much. The Xodus Ultra was the answer for those looking for a more runnable version of that shoe. The first Xodus Ultra was much lighter and was one of the first trail shoes to feature a super foam (PWRRUN PB). In fact, it utilized it with surrounding EVA that made it feel stable yet still nimble. With this massive change from the Xodus to the Xodus Ultra came some trade offs. The lighter weight made the shoe more runnable but less versatile on challenging terrain. It was still a trail favorite of our team and the second version doubled down on that with a larger weight drop and a better upper. Version 3 of this shoe returns to its more durable and aggressive roots, feeling like a combination of the Xodus and Xodus Ultra series. With this comes a more stable, more protective and more technically-oriented shoe with a heavier ride.

Monday Shakeout: What is Drop in Shoes and Why it is a Deceptive Number

The Monday Shakeout: The Variability of Shoe Drop
By Matthew Klein

This week we talk about the static measurement of heel drop doesn't tell the true story and why a dynamic understanding will help runners (and walkers) best understand this commonly reported specification.

Biomechanists Explain the Data Behind Shoe Innovation at Brooks Running | DOR Podcast #219

 

Biomechanists Explain the Data Behind Shoe Innovation at Brooks Running
Doctors of Running Podcast, Episode 219

On this episode, Matt is joined by two special guests from Brooks, Jennifer Sumner and Evan Day, biomechanists and researchers on the Brooks' Run Research Team. They give a behind-the-scenes look at how Brooks develops shoes not only for the elites, but for the every day, average runner. They discuss how biomechanics differ and what that means for designing and choosing shoes. They explain the differences between "stability" and "support" and look down the road at what's next for real-world runner testing.