#226 Behind the Sole: Matt Shares What He's Learned about the Running Shoe Industry

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 [email protected]!Get your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/Check out our friends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Skratch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and save 25% on your first order with code DOR24!Chapters0:00 - Intro4:03 - New stability shoes: Brooks Glycerin 22 GTS & Puma Foreverrun 29:30 - Is there any validity to how a shoe bends in our hands?16:44 - Do different shoes help with specific kinds of fatigue when running longer distances?24:08 - Are there any firm(ish) super-trainers?32:10 - Do you need to size up your shoes for marathon running?38:40 - Shoe recommendations for Morton's neuroma42:20 - Shoe recommendations for treadmill running45:20 - Advice for dealing with shin pain49:26 - Does running workouts in super shoes reduce the gain from the workout?58:34 - Santa Barbara vs. Houston tacos59:46 - Wrap-up

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 [email protected] your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/Check out our friends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Skratch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and save 25% on your first order with code DOR24!Chapters0:00 - Intro4:50 - #511:48 - #417:42 - #326:24 - #231:38 - #1: Top daily trainer of the past two years41:38 - Wrap-up

We've got another episode of "This or That" for you! Matt, David, and Nathan get together for a ton of shoe hot takes. They pick their favorites of some of the latest max cushion offerings like the Hoka Mach X 2, Nike Pegasus Premium, and more. While we usually say "it depends", tune in to get our black-and-white shoe takes!Get your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/Check out our friends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Skratch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and save 25% on your first order with code DOR24!Chapters 0:00 - Intro 5:08 - Saucony Ride 18 vs. New Balance 880v15 13:00 - Brooks Hyperion Max 2 vs. Hoka Mach X 2 16:56 - Nike Pegasus vs. Pegasus Premium 23:40 - Pegasus Premium vs. ASICS Nimbus 27 26:56 - Pegasus Premium vs. ASICS Superblast 2 28:22 - Mizuno Neo Vista vs. New Balance SC Trainer 3 33:44 - Nike Alphafly 3 vs Adidas Adios Pro 4 41:41 - ASICS Superblast 2 vs. Novablast 5 46:35 - Mizuno Neo Zen vs. 361 Eleos 53:20 - Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 vs. Nike Zoom Fly 6 57:50 - Wrap-up

Supplements areeverywhere these days, from ads to influencers, to athletes. Andrea is joined by returning guestJenn Giles (MS, RDN, CSSD) to sort through the myriad of supplements available to runners. Jenn gives us valuable insight on how to find safe and true-to-the-label supplements, which is harder than it may seem. They take a look at the performance benefits (and risks) of things like caffeine, protein powder, and vitamin D, and explore newly popular possible performance enhancers like ketones and sodium bicarbonate.Jenn has 24 years of experience working with athletes in all sports and of all ages. She thrives on helping athletes achieve their goals! She sits on the USOC (United States Olympic Committee) dietitian registry and works with Olympic hopefuls, NCAA Student-Athletes, Prep School Athletes, Adult Athletes and Youth Athletes. She also writes for publications, speaks to teams, and consults with schools and recreation facilities. She is an author, and a freelance writer and also a faculty member of MySportsRD.com. She is also an adjunct Professor of Sports Nutrition at Columbia University -her Alma Mater.Get your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/Check out our friends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Skratch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and save 25% on your first order with code DOR24!Chapters0:00 - Intro2:08 - How to pick better & safer supplements6:44 - Caffeine15:06 - Creatine20:04 - Probiotics28:20 - Protein powder33:00 - Vitamin D36:56 - Vitamin K38:50 - Magnesium43:04 - Electrolytes46:36 - NAC49:36 - Beta-alanine51:24 - Sodium Bicarbonate56:14 - Ketones1:00:50 - Wrap-up

We're back with a new mailbag episode! The team answers your running and running shoe questions. In this edition, the team discusses shin splints and the best shoes that we'd look for in dealing with them. They also break down their favorite walking shoes and discuss some of our favorite options for ultramarathons. Got a question for our next mailbag? Send it over to [email protected]! Get your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/ Check out our friends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Skratch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and save 25% on your first order with code DOR24! Chapters 0:00 - Intro 7:32 - What shoes are best for recovering from shin splints? 14:10 - How heel bevel can impact shin pain 21:30 - Ideal walking shoes 27:06 - What shoe characteristics can contribute to arch pain? 34:38 - Best road ultramarathon shoes 41:00 - What role does flexibility play in stability shoes? 46:52 - Best shoes for hallux limitus 53:28 - Wrap-up

In this edition of the pod, Matt and David dive deep into the world of Saucony running shoes. They discuss the brand's popular daily trainers, like the Ride and Triumph, known for their comfort and versatility. Next, they explore stability models, such as the Guide and Hurricane. Then the reach for speed with the Endorphin line, featuring the Trainer, Speed, Pro, and Elite (and Sinister, though not technically an "Endorphin" shoe). Finally, Matt and David discuss a few of their trail offerings for when you're ready for some off-road action. What's your favorite Saucony shoe? Let us know at [email protected]! Get your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/ Check out our friends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Skratch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and save 25% on your first order with code DOR24! Chapters 0:00 - Intro 5:04 - Saucony's daily trainers (Ride, Triumph) 15:08 - Saucony's stability models (Guide, Hurricane, Omni, Echelon) 30:56 - Saucony's Endorphin line (Trainer, Speed, Pro, Elite, Sinister) 57:12 - Saucony's trail shoes

As running shoe brand continue to innovate and grow, we're inundated by countless shoes, always promising better and faster. But what does it take to actually arrive at a final product? Matt takes us behind the scenes into the running shoe industry, from concept to shelves. How long does it take to get a shoe in hand? How many people work on a shoe? How are the materials made and sourced? Matt lends his unique expertise as a researcher and longtime running shoe insider to answer these questions and more. Get your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/ Check out our friends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Skratch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and save 25% on your first order with code DOR24!

It's time for another "This or That" episode where we willingly back ourselves into a corner and force ourselves to take sides (when we'd much rather say, "It depends.") Here, Matt, David, and Nathan make their picks for some new and upcoming shoes like the Hoka Clifton & Bondi, Mizuno Neo Zen & Neo Vista, and Endorphin Trainer & Speed, and more. Have you tried any of these shoes? Do you have any this-or-that questions for our team? DM us on Instagram or email us at [email protected]. Get your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/ Check out our friends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Skratch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and save 20% on your first order with code DOR24! Chapters 0:00 - Intro 1:23 - Hoka Clifton 10 or Hoka Bondi 9 12:32 - Wide toebox or high volume toebox 15:36 - Mizuno Neo Vista or Neo Zen 23:52 - Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 2 or Rebellion Pro 3 29:36 - No-show socks or crew socks 34:00 - Saucony Endorphin Speed or Endorphin Trainer 37:58 - Plyometrics or heavy lifting 47:56 - Diadora Cellula or Asics Nimbus 27 53:04 - Endorphin Elite 1 or 2 58:20 - Wrap-up

We love a mailbag episode, where we get to answer your questions! Nathan, Matt, and David field listener questions about everything from walking in carbon-plated shoes, the impact of different styles of shoes on knee pain, to cutting holes in the uppers of shoes (you'll never guess what Matt used to do to shoes). We want to hear from you! DM us on Instagram or email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠. Check out our friends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Skratch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and save 25% on your first order with code DOCTORSOFRUNNING! Get your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/ Chapters 0:00 - Intro 3:00 - The use of carbon plated shoes for walking 9:16 - The impact of rockers, cushioning, and heel drop on the knee 18:00 - Should we ever modify the uppers of our shoes? 29:20 - Cushioned, orthotic-friendly trail shoes for long races 40:36 - How do stability shoes impact gait mechanics? 49:22 - Wrap-up

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 [email protected] to let us know what your favorite shoes of the year have been. Get your DOR Merch here! Check out our friends at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Skratch⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and save 25% on your first order with code DOCTORSOFRUNNING! Chapters 0:00 - Intro 1:29 - Favorite workout shoes 12:28 - Favorite plated trainers 22:50 - Favorite racing shoes 35:40 - Company that impressed us the most