#277 Mailbag! Best Non-Plated Speed Shoes? Does Toe Spring Effect Hyper Extension? Running Advice for Joint Disease and Arthritis?

When we talk shoes it's almost always midsoles: foams, plates, geometries, hype. We often forget the uppers of our shoes, and problems with them can make or break the running experience. Matt, David, and Nathan get together to talk about their three biggest pet-peeves when it comes to shoe fit. Heel rubbing, too much padding, narrow forefoots, and more. What are your fit pet-peeves? Email us at [email protected] your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/We're thrilled to introduce Rabbit as a presenting partner! You can use code DORJAN10 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/.Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING! https://www.skratchlabs.comChapters0:00 - Intro1:16 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs26:31 - What can make or break a shoe's upper31:03 - Low forefoot volume and width32:39 - Not enough room where the midfoot & forefoot transition35:13 - Overly tapered toe boxes41:25 - Too early of a taper43:05 - Overly plush & padded uppers46:37 - Tongues that are either too thick or too thin51:37 - Not enough security in the midfoot54:11 - Heel seams that cause rubbing57:51 - Heel counters that angle into the Achilles1:02:31 - Wrap-up

Our teams loves answering your questions, so here we are to dig into the mailbag! Nathan, Andrea, and David team up and talk to talk shoes, training, and injuries. They discuss advice for running with arthritis and neuromas, the best wet-weather shoes, non-plated speed-training shoes, and much more. Want your question on the next mailbag? Email us at [email protected] your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/We're thrilled to introduce Rabbit as a presenting partner! You can use code DORJAN10 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/.Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING! https://www.skratchlabs.comChapters0:00 - Intro1:48 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs16:26 - Advice for running degenerative joint disease and arthritis25:00 - Good shoes for wet/muddy parkruns30:34 - Does toe spring effect hyper extension?40:06 - Brannock size vs. running shoe size44:46 - Non-plated speed shoes49:14 - Advice for children dealing with Sever's Disease54:26 - Shoe options for training with a neuroma1:00:46 - Wrap-up

We're heading into the new year with a new round of Buy or Sell, one of our favorite podcast games. If you don't know the drill, we force ourselves to decide whether we buy or sell an idea, shoe, treatment, etc. Today, Nathan, David, and Matt debate the Saucony Endorphin Azura (Shift 3 replacement??), the venerable ASICS Nimbus, whether runner's high really exists, and much more. Want your idea on the next edition of Buy or Sell? Email us at [email protected]!We're thrilled to introduce Rabbit as a presenting partner! You can use code DORJAN10 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/.Get your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING! https://www.skratchlabs.comChapters0:00 - Intro4:26 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs14:20 - Buy/sell: Saucony Endorphin Azura24:34 - The Azura as a Shift 3 replacement29:18 - ASICS Nimbus 28 is better than the 2735:54 - The Saucony Endorphin Pro 5 is a super shoe44:48 - Running a marathon or ultra in 202653:12 - Running doubles1:01:50 - Runner's high is real1:11:25 - Wrap-up

Nathan and Matt are joined by a very special guest, Dr. Karin Sibernagel, Professor at University of Delaware, to discuss the latest research about tendon anatomy, injury, and rehabilitation. Karin shares her extensive experience, both scientific and practical as a clinician, about everything tendon, especially the Achilles. They dive into the specific anatomy of tendons, why they so often get injured, and what you can do to rehabilitate on your own.Get your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING! https://www.skratchlabs.comChapters0:00 - Intro2:32 - Karin's background & research6:30 - An overview of the anatomy of tendons10:40 - How the muscle, bone, & tendon work together when in movement14:18 - How to analyze how ready the calf complex is for running21:18 - They physiology of tendon pain24:46 - Risk factors for tendon injuries27:24 - Rehabbing tendon pain31:08 - Why heavy loading rebuilds tendons36:38 - Timelines for tendon healing38:32 - The results of Karin's latest research48:52 - How useful is shockwave therapy?54:24 - The role of shoes in achilles tendon pain59:28 - The effect of consistent super shoe use on tendon health1:08:54 - Wrap-up

In this final part of our series meeting with brands to highlight their updates in the next year, Andrea is joined by Russ Stevens & Carolyn Todd from Topo Athletic. They highlight the big redesign to the Specter 3 featuring an all new A-TPU midsole. They'r also bringing updates to the Atmos, Ultrafly, trail favorites like the Terraventure, and many more. Get your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING! https://www.skratchlabs.comChapters0:00 - Intro2:28 - What makes Topo tick6:08 - Specter 310:47 - Atmos 215:34 - Ultrafly 619:12 - Aura 222:48 - Connect28:28 - Ultraventure 531:18 - Terraventure 533:56 - Future Cyclone updates38:45 - What the next couple years have in store for Topo43:54 - Wrap-up

As we continue our in-depth looks at upcoming 2026 shoes with different brands, David is joined by Luca Ciccone, Cory Hoffman, and Katie Pyle of Saucony, who's coming up big in 2026 with updates and new releases. The Endorphin line gets a new member with the Azura, a plateless PWRRUN PB trainer, and updates to the Endorphin Pro and Elite. Looking for max cushion? The Triumph and Hurricane are getting big updates, and they'll be joined by the new Paramount Max. Listen in to hear about even more of what they have coming next year.Get your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING! https://www.skratchlabs.comChapters0:00 - Intro2:50 - Endorphin Azura8:20 - Endorphin Pro 514:42 - Endorphin Elite 320:56 - Paramount Max29:32 - Triumph 2435:02 - Hurricane 2641:40 - Updates to the Ride & Guide44:54 - A breakdown of all of Saucony’s foams50:38 - Wrap-up

We're here with the second episode in a series of interviews with running shoe companies as they show off what they've got in store for 2026! Matt is joined by long time friends of the pod, Tina Danforth and Evan Day from Brooks. They give us a look into Brooks's unique approach to developing shoes for walkers, casual runners, elites, and everyone in between. They walk us through the new Glycerin FLex, Glycerin Max 2, Ghost Trail, Hyperion Elite 6, and many more.Get your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING! https://www.skratchlabs.comThis episode is sponsored by RunDNA. We love the Certified Endurance Running Course, designed for anyone that wants to deepen their understanding of running and training. It’s not only deeply scientific, but also practical and applicable. Over 10,000 people around the world have enjoyed this course. If you want to check it out, go to ⁠RunDNA.com⁠ and use code DOR20 to get 20% off.Chapters0:00 - Intro4:38 - How Brooks approaches shoe "experiences"12:24 - Glycerin Flex18:52 - Updates the the rest of the Glycerin line21:34 - The Ghost line updates28:02 - Updates to the Beast31:20 - Updates to the Hyperion Elite36:50 - Hyperion Max41:22 - Trail shoe updates45:40 - The new Revel Max58:16 - Wrap-up

With 2026 right around the corner, we've got a series of conversations with running brand to take a deep dive on the shoes they've got coming up next year. Andrea is joined by Mizuno's Shunsuke Aoi, Global Product Line Manager to take a look at their brand new Hyperwarp line of racing shoes (Pure, Pro, and Elite). They also discuss what we can expect to see in the updates to the fan-favorite Neo Zen and Neo Vista models. Read our Hyperwarp Pure review here, and keep an eye out for reviews of the Elite & Pro models: https://www.doctorsofrunning.com/2025/12/mizuno-hyperwarp-pure-review-2026.htmlGet your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING! https://www.skratchlabs.comChapters0:00 - Intro1:06 - An overview of Mizuno's new racing line6:42 - The development of the Hyperwarp line8:32 - Hyperwarp Pure11:26 - Hyperwarp Elite16:20 - Plate design23:20 - Hyperwarp Pro29:06 - The future of the Rebellion line30:42 - What's next for the Neo line38:28 - The future of the Wave Rider41:16 - What 2026 holds for Mizuno45:36 - Wrap-up

As we approach the end of 2025, we take some time to recap the year in running. David, Matt, and Nathan team up to talk about their favorite shoe brands, most innovative shoes, most disappointing shoes, what's on the horizon for 2026, and more. What do you think? What were your highlights and lowlights for 2025? Email us at [email protected] your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING! https://www.skratchlabs.comChapters0:00 - Intro2:51 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs21:48 - Top shoe brand of 202528:30 - Brand to look out for in 202632:34 - Best shoe updates of the year37:38 - Most innovative shoe44:52 - Biggest disappointment of the year54:34 - Favorite racing moment of the year1:01:47 - Wrap-up

It's time for a mailbag round where we dig through our emails and DMs to answer your questions! Matt & David team up to tackle questions about heel drop, stable-neutral speed shoes, treadmill shoes, how they'd build a rotation, and more. Want your question answered on the next mailbag? Email us at [email protected] your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING! https://www.skratchlabs.comLEVER Movement⁠ is portable and effective body weight support systems. Our products, including the LEVER System that allow users to reduce their effective body weight during exercise ( from 0 to 45 pounds off). This reduction is achieved through our bungee system that redistribute a portion of the user’s body weight, making exercises less strenuous and more manageable. LEVER Movement is committed to revolutionizing the way you train and recover, providing you with the tools to achieve your fitness goals with greater confidence and reduced risk. Chapters0:00 - Intro1:32 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs8:40 - Is the stated heel drop the same no matter the size of the shoe?12:00 - Shoe suggestions with a heel rocker, but mild forefoot rocker17:30 - Shoe & exercise options for toe flexor pain22:48 - Toe numbness in Vomero Plus26:30 - Book recommendations30:08 - Wide options similar to the original Saucony Tempus36:16 - Choosing shoes for treadmill running39:46 - How would you build a 3, 2 or 1 shoe rotation?48:26 - Wrap-up