Doctors of Running Podcast

Matt and David are back with a new installment of Buy or Sell. They debate the merits of data versus hands-on testing in shoe reviews and make the case that the era of 35-39mm being considered max cushion is officially over. They also look ahead at where the industry is heading — from the coming wave of 50mm+ shoes to a future with three tiers of racing footwear and much more. Want your debate featured on the next Buy or Sell? Email us at [email protected]
Get your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/
Rabbit is the presenting partner of our podcast. You can use code SPRINGDOCS to get 10% off your entire order of $50.00 or more. Note that the code is limited to one use per customer and can't be combined with other discounts. The code is active from 1st of every month to last day at 11:59PM PST, but don't worry because we'll be bringing you a new code every month. Shop now at https://www.runinrabbit.com.
Our In For Testing segment is fueled by Skratch Labs! Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING! https://www.skratchlabs.com
Chapters
0:00 - Intro
2:40 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs
10:04 - Buy or sell: getting rid of water cups at races
14:28 - Using data over testing for reviews
21:18 - Squeezing midsoles & bending shoes to determine how they feel
25:04 - Using durometer to determine midsole performance
29:16 - 35-39mm is no longer max cushion
32:54 - We will have many 50mm+ shoes in the next two years
37:12 - Brands will start to have 3 tiers of racing shoes
44:22 - Super trainers are better than training companion shoes
50:54 - Super shoes decrease injury risk
53:19 - Super shoes are bad for the Achilles tendon
1:01:38 - Wrap-up

Matt, Nathan, and David lace up for a deep dive into the biomechanics of walking and what they mean for footwear. They break down how the foot moves through the gait cycle, what characteristics make a shoe well-suited for walking, and how details like heel bevel factor into the equation. The crew also rounds up their top brand picks for walking shoes and works through how to match common injuries with the right walking footwear.
Get your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/
Rabbit is the presenting partner of our podcast. You can use code SPRINGDOCS to get 10% off your entire order of $50.00 or more. Note that the code is limited to one use per customer and can't be combined with other discounts. The code is active from 1st of every month to last day at 11:59PM PST, but don't worry because we'll be bringing you a new code every month. Shop now at https://www.runinrabbit.com.
Our In For Testing segment is fueled by Skratch Labs! Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING! https://www.skratchlabs.com
Chapters
0:00 - Intro
1:14 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs
20:28 - An intro to the mechanics of walking
27:18 - How the foot moves while you walk
34:18 - Characteristics of shoes that are good for walking
47:48 - How does the heel bevel effect walking shoes
49:16 - Top 3 brands for good walking shoes
54:32 - Pairing common injuries with walking footwear
1:06:32 - Wrap-up

Nathan, David, and Matt dig into the mailbag to tackle your questions. They compare the On Cloudmonster Hyper 3 and Saucony Endorphin Azura and help a listener find a road shoe similar to the Puma Deviate Nitro Trail. They also get into the clinical side of things, offering shoe recommendations for ITB-related knee pain, upper-body strength training for runners, and how to navigate marathon training when illness gets in the way.
Get your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/
We're thrilled to have Rabbit as a presenting partner! You can use code SPRINGDOCS to get 10% off your entire order of $50.00 or more. Note that the code is limited to one use per customer and can’t combined with other discounts. The code is active from 1st of every month to last day at 11:59PM PST, but don't worry because we'll be bringing you a new code every month. Shop now at https://www.runinrabbit.com.
Our In For Testing segment is fueled by Skratch Labs! Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING! https://www.skratchlabs.com
Chapters
0:00 - Intro
3:24 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs
24:16 - On Cloudmonster Hyper 3 vs. Saucony Endorphin Azura
30:08 - Shoe suggestion for ITB-related knee pain
38:10 - Upper-body strength training suggestions
43:08 - Brooks Adrenaline vs. ASICS Kayano vs. Mizuno Wave Inspire
50:12 - Similar road shoes to the Puma Deviate Nitro Trail
54:52 - Marathon training while fighting illnesses
1:02:10 - Wrap-up

Matt is joined by Dr. Iain Hunter of Brigham Young University's Exercise Science department for an evidence-based deep dive into the science of super shoes. Drawing on his own research, Dr. Hunter explores the wide variability in how runners respond to plated footwear and tackles the practical questions runners are asking — whether super shoes are right for everyone, how to find the right fit, and how to integrate them wisely into training. They also dig into what the research says about tendon health, trail super shoes, and maintaining foot and calf strength.
Dr. Hunter completed a mathematics education degree with a coaching minor at BYU followed by a Master's of Education in coaching. His interests in biomechanics grew during his master's degree which led him to continue education with a PhD in Health and Human Performance at Oregon State University. He teaches biomechanics while working with USA Track and Field applying his research to elite distance runners.
Get your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/
We're thrilled to have Rabbit as a presenting partner! You can use code SPRINGDOCS to get 10% off your entire order of $50.00 or more. Note that the code is limited to one use per customer and can’t combined with other discounts. The code is active from 1st of every month to last day at 11:59PM PST, but don't worry because we'll be bringing you a new code every month. Shop now at https://www.runinrabbit.com.
Our In For Testing segment is fueled by Skratch Labs! Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING! https://www.skratchlabs.com
Chapters
0:00 - Intro
2:20 - Dr. Iain Hunter's background
6:48 - How the results of Iain's studies have impacted his training
11:20 - How do people's responses to super shoes vary?
21:54 - Does everyone need a super shoe? How should they find the right one for them?
25:48 - Advice on training in super shoes
30:42 - How super shoe effect tendon health
41:34 - What's the research on trail super shoes?
45:10 - How to maintain foot & calf strength
50:28 - What's coming next for Dr. Hunter's research?
53:02 - Adapting to super shoes
57:44 - Finding Dr. Hunter's work online
59:16 - Wrap-up

The beginning of 2026 has been absolutely loaded with new shoe releases, and David and Andrea are here to pick their Top 3 (plus a few honorable mentions) for the year so far, including picks from On, Saucony, Mizuno and more. Also, David's running Boston with Adidas in just a few short weeks! Tune in to hear about his training and mindset leading up to the big day.
Get your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/
We're thrilled to have Rabbit as a presenting partner! You can use code DORMARCH10 to get 10% off your entire order of $50.00 or more. Note that the code is limited to one use per customer and can’t combined with other discounts. The code is active from 1st of every month to last day at 11:59PM PST, but don't worry because we'll be bringing you a new code every month. Shop now at https://www.runinrabbit.com.
Our In For Testing segment is fueled by Skratch Labs! Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING! https://www.skratchlabs.com
Chapters
0:00 - Intro
2:26 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs
13:56 - Our favorite shoes of 2026 so far: honorable mentions
22:34 - #3
31:52 - #2
36:30 - #1
41:14 - David's leadup to the Boston Marathon with Adidas
53:46 - David's current training routine
1:01:16 - Lessons learned with training changes
1:10:26 - The differences for Andrea between professional cycling and masters track
1:13:08 - Wrap-up