#302 Buy or Sell: Changing Legacy Shoes? Brands Making Variants of a Favorite Shoe? Specialty Racing Shoe Uppers?

Matt, David, and Nathan bring bracket-style competition to the podcast, seeding a 16-team field of flagship daily trainers — one from each brand — in an homage to the World Cup that just wrapped up. Tune in to listen to them pit these shoes head-to-head and see who's crowned the champion! We want to know who'd be in your bracket or who your champion would be. Email us at [email protected] is the presenting partner of our podcast. You can use code SUMMERDOCS 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.comChapters0:00 - Intro2:42 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs22:14 - Daily trainers: a bracket face-off24:40 - #1 Asics Novablast vs. #16 Diadora Cellula28:30 - #2 Hoka Clifton vs. #15 Mount to Coast R133:00 - #3 Saucony Ride vs. #14 Altra Experience Flow37:16 - #4 New Balance 1080 vs. #13 Topo Phantom 441:56 - #5 Nike Pegasus vs. #12 Adidas Supernova Rise47:50 - #6 Brooks Ghost vs. #11 Skechers AeroBurst53:12 - #7 Mizuno Waverider vs. #10 Puma Velocity Nitro56:30 - #8 On Cloudsurfer vs. #9 Salomon Aeroglide1:01:11 - Quarterfinals1:07:54 - Semifinals1:12:44 - The Final1:18:52 - Wrap-up

Matt and David take on another round of Buy or Sell! They debate whether brands should be creating multiple variants of the same shoe, adding specialty uppers to existing models, spinning off new lines from popular shoes, and making dramatic changes to long-standing favorites. They also weigh in on whether uppers matter more than midsoles before closing out with a couple bonus mailbag questions. Want your buy/sell proposition or mailbag question on the next episode? Email us at [email protected]!Rabbit is the presenting partner of our podcast. You can use code SUMMERDOCS 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.comChapters0:00 - Intro3:50 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs21:50 - Buy or Sell: Making multiple variants of the same shoe28:18 - Specialty uppers on existing shoes33:15 - Uppers are more important than midsoles36:16 - Creating new shoe models out of popular shoe lines44:47 - Dramatically changing a long-standing shoe51:08 - Mailbag: what causes black toenails?56:14 - Racing shoes to help with SI joint pain1:06:22 - Wrap-up

Nathan and David team up for a new round of Fact or Fiction, playing myth busters with your latest questions. They weigh in on questions about drop adjustment, cooldowns, gait analysis, training frequency and mileage, whether running builds muscle, and how walk/run intervals stack up against continuous shorter efforts.Rabbit is the presenting partner of our podcast. You can use code SUMMERDOCS 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.comChapters0:00 - Intro1:56 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs19:52 - Fact or Fiction: You can adjust to running in a shoe with an uncomfortable drop25:34 - Having a cooldown is important30:28 - Gait analysis is key to becoming a better athlete34:28 - You need to run at least twice a week to see a benefit37:44 - You should re-tie your shoes after every run40:52 - Running builds muscle42:32 - You need to run at least 40mi per week to finish a marathon49:06 - Shorter runs where you don't stop are better than walk/run intervals52:18 - Wrap-up

Episode 300 is here! And Matt, David, and Andrea mark the milestone by taking stock of the best running shoes of 2026 so far. They work through their top picks across every major category — daily trainers, stability and stable neutral shoes, performance trainers, racing shoes, and strength training and trail shoes. We want to hear from you! What are your favorite shoes of the year so far? Email us at [email protected] is the presenting partner of our podcast. You can use code SUMMERDOCS 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.comChapters0:00 - Intro1:19 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs15:52 - Categorizing our top shoes of 2026 so far19:36 - Top Daily Trainer29:02 - Top stability/stable neutral40:52 - Top performance trainers53:20 - Top racing shoes1:06:56 - Top strength training & trail shoes1:14:32 - Wrap-up

David, Matt, and Nathan dig into the mailbag, fielding questions on stable neutral shoe picks, footwear options for runners dealing with bunions, trail stability shoes, and what the evidence says about compression for tendinopathies.Rabbit is the presenting partner of our podcast. You can use code DORJUNE10 to get 10% off your entire order of $50 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.comChapters0:00 - Intro1:30 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs22:18 - Current favorite stable neutral shoes30:22 - Running & walking shoes for dealing with bunions41:12 - Trail stability shoes49:52 - Does compression help tendinopathies?1:00:32 - Wrap-up

David and BJ count down their top five max cushion shoes of all time, breaking down what earns a shoe a spot on the list and what sets the top pick apart from the rest of the field, including some deep cuts and new favorites. What are your favorite max cushion shoes? Email us at [email protected]!We're thrilled to announce our apparel collaboration with Rabbit! The collection includes the EZ Tee SS, EZ Tee LS, and a unisex Go-to Hoodie. Pre-sale is open June 3–June 17th, with gear shipping the week of July 6th. Check it out at https://www.runinrabbit.com/collections/doctors-of-running. Note that the monthly discount code cannot be applied to collab items.Rabbit is the presenting partner of our podcast. You can use code DORJUNE10 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.comChapters0:00 - Intro2:42 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs17:39 - #5 Max Cushion Shoe24:02 - #429:43 - #336:10 - #242:48 - #1 Max Cushion Shoe of all time49:10 - Wrap-up

Nathan, Matt, and David play a round of This or That, pitting mainline trainers against their premium counterparts to decide which they'd actually pick. They work through head-to-head matchups across several major brands — Asics, Brooks, Saucony, Hoka, Puma, and On — weighing the real-world differences in ride, value, and who each shoe is really for.We're thrilled to announce our apparel collaboration with Rabbit! The collection includes the EZ Tee SS, EZ Tee LS, and a unisex Go-to Hoodie. Pre-sale is open thru June 17th, with gear shipping the week of July 6th. Check it out at https://www.runinrabbit.com/collections/doctors-of-running. Note that the monthly discount code cannot be applied to collab items.Rabbit is the presenting partner of our podcast. You can use code DORJUNE10 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.comChapters0:00 - Intro0:31 - Rabbit X DOR gear!3:29 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs23:24 - This or That: Asics Novablast 6 or Superblast 3?34:12 - Brooks Glycerin 23 or Glycerin Max 239:06 - Saucony Ride 19 or Paramount Max44:36 - Triumph 24 or Paramount Max48:40 - Hoka Clifton 10 or Hoka Skyward X 251:24 - Puma Velocity Nitro 4 or Magmax 254:30 - On Cloudmonster 3 or Cloudmonster 3 Hyper1:00:08 - Wrap-up

Nathan, Matt, and David open with an update on David's post-Boston rehab before diving into the mailbag. They field a range of footwear and injury questions, covering shoe options for Achilles tendinopathy and medial knee OA, alternatives to high-drop shoes, road-to-trail crossover picks, and lightweight daily trainer recommendations. They also help a listener find a replacement for the Brooks Hyperion 2.We're thrilled to announce our apparel collaboration with Rabbit! The collection includes the EZ Tee SS, EZ Tee LS, and a unisex Go-to Hoodie. Pre-sale is open June 3–June 17th, with gear shipping the week of July 6th. Check it out at https://www.runinrabbit.com/collections/doctors-of-running. Note that the monthly discount code cannot be applied to collab items.Rabbit is the presenting partner of our podcast. You can use code DORJUNE10 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.comChapters0:00 - Intro2:16 - David's rehab after Boston12:04 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs27:46 - Replacements for the Brooks Hyperion 233:50 - Shoe suggestions for dealing with Achilles Tendinopathy38:34 - Alternatives to high-drop shoes45:42 - Favorite road-to-trail shoes49:26 - Dealing with medial knee OA54:48 - Lightweight daily trainer/non-plated super shoes suggestions1:02:06 - Wrap-up

Matt and Andrea work through a range of shoes they've been testing, sharing thoughts on the direction Saucony and Brooks are heading, Andrea's track spike adventures, and a mix of recent pickups including the Asics Kayano 33 and On Cloudmonster Hyper LS. The conversation then shifts to a broader question: whether the way we currently categorize running shoes has gotten overcomplicated, using the Brooks Hyperion Max 4, Mizuno Hyperwarp Pro, Saucony Endorphin Pro 5, Endorphin Azura, and more as jumping-off points for discussion. What do you think? How do you categorize shoes? We'd love feedback! Email us at [email protected] your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/Rabbit is the presenting partner of our podcast. You can use code MAYDOCS10 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.comChapters 0:00 - Intro 6:18 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs 10:34 - Thoughts on Saucony's new shoes 16:42 - Thoughts on the direction Brooks is going 23:36 - Andrea's track spike adventures 26:31 - Asics Kayano 33, On Cloudmonster Hyper LS, and others 36:00 - Rethinking how we categorize shoes 40:54 - Where does the Brooks Hyperion Max 4 fit? 47:16 - Mizuno Hyperwarp Pro 50:02 - Saucony Endorphin Pro 5 54:02 - Endorphin Azura 59:08 - Brooks Hyperion Max v1 1:01:04 - Wrap-up

Nathan, Matt, and David put a series of common running beliefs to the test in a round of Fact or Fiction. They dig into questions about training, biomechanics, and gear — weighing the evidence on everything from compression socks and treadmill incline settings to warmup routines, arch support, and what the research actually says about running efficiency and injury risk.Get your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/Rabbit is the presenting partner of our podcast. You can use code MAYDOCS10 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.comChapters0:00 - Intro2:14 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs13:00 - Thoughts on Brooks shoes & perceived midsole softness25:08 - Fact or Fiction? You should stretch before running31:00 - Compression socks are good for foot movement and muscles33:18 - Putting a treadmill at 1% incline will emulate road running39:16 - Most overtraining injuries come down to nutrition45:56 - Speedwork is still good to do for senior runners47:40 - Having high arches means you need arch support & people with flat feet need barefoot shoes53:44 - Skipping warmup & cooldown increases injury risk58:14 - Running with a soft landing makes you more efficient & reduces injury risk