#240 We Rank Our Top 5 COMFORTABLE Running Shoes

Sometimes it feels like the running world is always in search of the BEST or the FASTEST shoe, but what about comfort? David, Matt, and Nathan rank their five most comfortable shoes and tell you why, and some of the picks are sure to surprise! They also talk about why shoe comfort is so important and how to judge if/why a shoe will be comfortable for you. Let us know what your most comfy shoes are by leaving a comment or emailing us at [email protected] your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/This episode is sponsored by our friends at Running Warehouse. You can find all of our comfort picks from today’s episode at runningwarehouse.com.Chapters0:00 - Intro1:24 - The Comfort Paradigm and the Run CAT10:06 - #5 shoe29:20 - #436:50 - #344:20 - #251:20 - #1 shoe1:01:30 - Wrap-up

These days the marathon seems to get all the hype, but let's not forget the shorter stuff! David and Andrea team up to talk all things shorter distance training & racing. Lately Andrea's been focusing on middle distance races & David's high school & collegiate career ranged from the 800 to the 5k. They dive into the physiology of speed and endurance, explore training methods, talk shoes, and much 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!Chapters0:00 - Intro7:16 - David's training & racing background20:20 - An overview of biological energy systems35:46 - Short-distance training principles48:22 - Shoes for mid-short distance racing59:14 - How to train for both short and long distances at the same time1:06:24 - Wrap-up

No runner's immune to injury, and that goes for our crew too. Matt, David, and Nathan get together to share their recent running and injury struggles. They discuss what led them to injury, how they've adjusted their running to cope, and strategies they've used to rehab and get back to it. We hope our stories can help you can glean some useful tips on dealing with your own ailments. We'd love to hear your stories too! Email us at [email protected] or DM us on Instagram.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 - Intro4:18 - Matt's recent injury struggles10:04 - How to adjust running based on symptoms18:24 - Nate's recent injury struggles31:20 - The difference between rocker and toe spring35:46 - David's recent injury struggles52:12 - The psychological side of pain1:02:18 - Wrap-up

Over the past couple of years, Diadora has been making strides in the American marketplace with a unique set of shoes. On this episode, Matt is joined by Bryan Poerner, CEO of Diadora USA to take a look at what makes Diadora special. Bryan discusses the hands-on, small-team approach they take in designing and developing shoes, quite literally hand made all in Italy from the upper to the outsole. They also share their common history of D3 running, a love of music, and more. Tune in for a look at a truly boutique approach to running shoes!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 - Intro & Bryan's background12:58 - What makes Diadora unique?22:11 - How Diadora designs & develops shoes30:23 - Bryan's favorite Diadora shoes39:04 - The unique aspects of run retail in the US40:56 - Final thoughts

Catch David and Matt on another edition of our favorite debate game: buy or sell! They cover super shoes over 40mm, brand fit issues, stability super shoes, flexible racers, yearly updates, laces, and more. Tune in for some hot, and slightly unhinged, 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 - Intro2:46 - Shoes over 40mm should be legal14:42 - There are certain brands that just won't work for certain runners19:25 - No one will ever make a stability super shoe25:06 - Highly flexible racing shoes30:10 - Shoes don't need an update every year34:44 - All laces should be flat laces37:34 - Not all super racing shoes need to be 40mm in the heel41:01 - Not all trainers need to be max stack44:22 - Santa Barbara has the best tacos47:54 - Wrap-up

Are you experiencing pain on the outside of your knee? Join Nate and Matt as they dive deep into the world of Iliotibial (IT) Band Syndrome. They'll break down the anatomy of the IT band, explore common risk factors, and discuss effective strategies for managing and recovering from this common runner's ailment. Plus, they'll give you their take on the two updates from ASICS & Diadora: the Cumulus 27 and the Gara Carbon 2.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 - Intro1:22 - Asics Cumulus 27 overview10:28 - Diadora Gara Carbon 2 overview14:38 - IT Band anatomy24:12 - ITBS risk factors31:56 - Is strength training helpful for ITBS?36:44 - Will soft tissue massage or icing help the IT band?43:04 - Pain management & recovery guidance49:30 - Are there shoes that are ideal for people dealing with ITBS?56:32 - Wrap-up

If you're a regular pod listener, you know we love a little friendly disagreement. Matt & Andrea pair up to share their differing opinions on the new Hoka Cielo X 1 2.0. As is often the case, they've had very different experiences, especially in such an aggressively designed racing shoe. They also ruminate on the future of super shoes and how to find racing shoes that line up best with your mechanics.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 - Intro6:30 - Hoka Cielo X1 2.0 Overview11:37 - Ride & performance23:02 - Fit differences28:26 - Stability35:14 - Thoughts on racing shorter distance in super shoes43:02 - The effect of heel drop and foot angle in super shoes46:47 - Who might the Cielo X1 2.0 work best for?49:10 - Wrap-up

Knee pain, or patellofemoral pain syndrome, can be a thorn in the side for so many runners. Much like shin splints, it can present many ways, all of them frustrating. Nathan and David get together to provide some clarity on this frustrating injury. They look at the anatomy of the knee, common PFPS symptoms, keys for rehab, and of course, shoes. 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 - Intro4:58 - An overview of knee anatomy8:46 - What all is encompassed in patello-femoral pain?18:52 - Understanding the balance between load & capacity30:24 - How do our mechanics influence PFPS?41:44 - How can shoes influence PFPS?46:17 - Wrap-up

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