Kicksology with Brian Metzler

In episode 15 of Kicksology, host Brian Metzler welcomes professional running shoe geeks Dave Dombrow and Kevin Fallon. They're known for their experience in the running shoe industry and for the running shoe mashup show "SpeedHack" on YouTube. But now the curtain gets pulled back on their innovative new trail running brand called SpeedLand. You'll definitely be fascinated about their $375 shoes! In each episode of Kicksology, host Brian Metzler engages shoe designers, entrepreneurs, shoe company executives, retailers, athletes and physical therapists to talk about the evolution of running shoes, new shoe launches, breakthrough technologies, the biomechanics of running and everything else running-shoe related. Metzler is the author of the book, Kicksology: The Hype, Science, Culture and Cool of Running Shoes, a frequent contributor to PodiumRunner, and a long-time runner who has competed in races on the track, roads and trails from 50 meters to 100 miles.

In this episode of Kicksology, host Brian Metzler welcomes Michael Krajicek, the founder and idea guy behind Atreyu Running, a small start-up shoe brand out of Austin, Texas, with a unique subscription-based business model. They discuss how the brand got started, its new carbon-plated racing shoe called The Artist, why it's sponsoring Olympic runner and author/filmmaker Alexi Pappas — and let the cat out of the bag and discuss the forthcoming Atreyu trail running shoe. In each episode of Kicksology, host Brian Metzler engages shoe designers, entrepreneurs, shoe company executives, retailers, athletes and physical therapists to talk about the evolution of running shoes, new shoe launches, breakthrough technologies, the biomechanics of running and everything else running-shoe related. Metzler is the author of the book, Kicksology: The Hype, Science, Culture and Cool of Running Shoes, a frequent contributor to PodiumRunner, and a long-time runner who has competed in races on the track, roads and trails from 50 meters to 100 miles.

In this episode of Kicksology, host Brian Metzler welcomes Dan Feeney, Ph.D., Biomechanics Research Engineer with BOA Technology, and Jonathan Wyatt, a six-time World Mountain Running champion and Running Product Specialist with La Sportiva. They discuss shoe development, fit and performance advancements, a recent University of Denver study about running shoe closure performance, and the future of trail running shoes.  In each episode of Kicksology, host Brian Metzler engages shoe designers, entrepreneurs, shoe company executives, retailers, athletes and physical therapists to talk about the evolution of running shoes, new shoe launches, breakthrough technologies, the biomechanics of running and everything else running-shoe related. Metzler is the author of the book, Kicksology: The Hype, Science, Culture and Cool of Running Shoes, a frequent contributor to PodiumRunner, and a long-time runner who has competed in races on the track, roads and trails from 50 meters to 100 miles.

In this episode of Kicksology, host Brian Metzler welcomes Michael Thompson, the Senior Global Product Director of Footwear at The North Face, to talk about how trail running has evolved, the early days of trail running shoes, the continued growth of ultra-distance races, the new Flight VECTIV trail running shoe with a 3D carbon-fiber plate embedded in its midsole and what we might expect next in running shoes. In each episode of Kicksology, host Brian Metzler engages shoe designers, entrepreneurs, shoe company executives, retailers, athletes and physical therapists to talk about the evolution of running shoes, new shoe launches, breakthrough technologies, the biomechanics of running and everything else running-shoe related. Metzler is the author of the book, Kicksology: The Hype, Science, Culture and Cool of Running Shoes, a frequent contributor to PodiumRunner, and a long-time runner who has competed in races on the track, roads and trails from 50 meters to 100 miles.

In this episode of Kicksology, host Brian Metzler talks about the early evolution of running shoes and running retail stores. He is joined by guests Carl Brandt, who owned and operated the Movin' Shoes retail stores in San Diego for more than 35 years, and Mike Fanelli, a running historian who worked in running stores, played a key marketing role for Reebok and The Sports Authority from the mid-1970s to the late 1990s. Metzler is the author of the book, "Kicksology: The Hype, Science, Culture and Cool of Running Shoes" and a long-time runner who has competed in races on the track, roads and trails from 50 meters to 100 miles. In each episode of Kicksology, Metzler engages shoe designers, entrepreneurs, shoe company executives, retailers, athletes and physical therapists to talk about the evolution of running shoes, new shoe launches, breakthrough technologies, the biomechanics of running and everything else running-shoe related.

In this episode of Kicksology, host Brian Metzler is joined by Olympic marathoner and Saucony pro Jared Ward, and Dr. Iain Hunter, a biomechanics and exercise science professor at Brigham Young University. They talk all about the rise of super shoes — marathon racers with curvy carbon fiber plates embedded in the midsole that have been proven to reduce metabolic cost by 4 to 6 percent — and the implications to the sport and the runner. Questions they discuss include: Do we run differently in those shoes? How have those shoes changed competitive running? How have those shoes changed how runners race and train? What other benefits do those shoes offer? Metzler is the author of the book, "Kicksology: The Hype, Science, Culture and Cool of Running Shoes" and a long-time runner who has competed in races on the track, roads and trails from 50 meters to 100 miles. In each episode of Kicksology, Metzler engages shoe designers, entrepreneurs, shoe company executives, retailers, athletes and physical therapists to talk about the evolution of running shoes, new shoe launches, breakthrough technologies, the biomechanics of running and everything else running-shoe related.

In episode 7 of the Kicksology podcast, host Brian Metzler is joined by Chris McDougall, the New York Times best-selling author of "Born to Run." They delve deep into the evolution of running shoes in the 21st century, focusing on the drastically different designs, how and why trends have shifted since the minimalist boom of a decade ago and also the best — and worst — sociological aspects of running and running shoes. They also talk about how we, as humans, consume running shoes and what might be next in running. Metzler is the author of the book, "Kicksology: The Hype, Science, Culture and Cool of Running Shoes" and a long-time runner who has competed in races on the track, roads and trails from 50 meters to 100 miles. In each episode of Kicksology, host Brian Metzler engages shoe designers, entrepreneurs, shoe company executives, retailers, athletes and physical therapists to talk about the evolution of running shoes, new shoe launches, breakthrough technologies, the biomechanics of running and everything else running-shoe related.

In Episode 6 of the Kicksology podcast, host Brian Metzler talks with Philip Snyder of Denver's Berkeley Park Running Company and Lisa Jhung, a noted trail running author and shoe reviewer, about all things trail running shoes. They discuss how to find your next pair of shoes, the evolution of trail running and why trail running shoes and experiences are so different than their road running contemporaries. Metzler is the author of the book, "Kicksology: The Hype, Science, Culture and Cool of Running Shoes" and a long-time runner who has competed in races on the track, roads and trails from 50 meters to 100 miles. In each episode of Kicksology, host Brian Metzler engages shoe designers, entrepreneurs, shoe company executives, retailers, athletes and physical therapists to talk about the evolution of running shoes, new shoe launches, breakthrough technologies, the biomechanics of running and everything else running-shoe related.