Mailbag! How Do Shoes Help Us Run Farther? Super Shoe Advice? + Breakdown of New Stability Footwear in 2025 | DOR Podcast #232

 

 

Mailbag! How Do Shoes Help Us Run Farther? Super Shoe Advice? + Breakdown of New Stability Footwear in 2025
Doctors of Running Podcast, Episode 232

Matt Klein and David Salas are here for another mailbag episode where we answer your questions. In this edition, they cover shoes, injury rehab, training advice and more. Are there any firmer super trainers? Do you need to size up your shoes for marathon racing? What are the best strategies for dealing with shin pain? Tune in for answers to these and much more. Want your question answered? Email us at doctorsofrunning@gmail.com!

Hoka Cielo X1 2.0 Review (2025)

Hoka Cielo X1 2.0 Review
By Andrea Myers and Matt Klein

The original Cielo X1 was a crazy shoe. An above legal stack height, an insanely bouncy ride that made the shoe run faster than its relatively higher weight, a rare laterally biased super shoe that worked well for those with medial stability needs and a design that made it work well for both elite and recreational runners. Its major limitations were the above legal stack height and the higher weight, but it made up for that by being more comfortable than many other super racing shoes. Some argued it was better classified as a super trainer but many people have used it for high-quality races. That feedback was clearly integrated in version two, which returns as a compete overhaul. The Cielo X1 2.0 is a much lighter shoe with a "technically" legal stack height, a narrower sole with a medial midfoot cut out and a far more snug upper that takes the series from crazy to aggressive. 

Xero HFS Original vs. HFS II | Comparison Review (2025)

Xero HFS Original vs. HFS II: A Comparison Review
By David Salas

Xero is a company that prides themselves on creating high quality minimalist shoes. Xero shoes come in a variety of uses for active lifestyles. Some models are performance based, while others lean more towards casual wear. The HFS line focuses on performance and gives you a balanced running and walking experience for daily efforts.  

Adidas Supernova Solution 2 (2025)

Adidas Supernova Solution 2 Review
By Matthew Klein 

It has been 4 years since we reviewed an Adidas shoe with a stability label. The company that once had the best lightweight stability shoe (the Tempo series) and several mild stability racing shoes (most available in Asia) had everything disappear except for heavy, clunky Adidas Solar ST. Recent years has brought a new organization of their shoes, with the debut of the Adistar series (which started off heavy and clunky but improved) and the Supernova Solution series. I did not try the original Solution, although I was curious, given the reported lighter weight and PEBA midsole. After curiosity got the better of me, I purchased my own pair of the Adidas Supernova Solution 2 and have been pleasantly surprised. The company that had seemed to forget its lineage of great lightweight stability shoes has brought something to the table that rivals the Saucony Tempus 2, the only other PEBA-based stability shoe on the market. While not perfect, it is now one of only two lighter options for those wanting a PEBA-based midsole in a stability shoe that can handle training and even workouts and races for some. 

Best Stable Racing Shoes for Those With Stability Needs (2025)

Best Stable Racing Shoes For Those With Stability Needs
By Matt Klein

In this feature, Matt Klein shares his experience trying to find stable racing shoes in a super stack, less stable footwear landscape. He outlines the current status of stability and super shoes, alternatives and a few hopes for the future. While there are no true super racing shoes on the market and technically only 1 mild stability shoe meant for faster efforts, there are a few stable neutral options that may work for those with mild to moderate stability/guidance needs. 

We Rank Our Top 5 Daily Trainers from ’23-’25 | DOR Podcast #231

 

We Rank Our Top 5 Daily Trainers from ’23-’25
Doctors of Running Podcast, Episode 231

On this episode of the pod, Matt & David get together to rank their five favorite daily trainers from the past two (ish) years. They discuss what made the shoes work for them, what could have ranked them higher, and what to look out for when picking daily trainers for yourself. Let us know what your favorite daily trainers are! Drop a comment or email us at doctorsofrunning@mail.com.