Nike Structure 24 Review (2021 Release)

Nike Air Zoom Structure 24 Review: Naturally Supportive
By Chief Editor Matthew Klein

The Nike Structure series has struggled for several years. Increasing weight, a loss of responsiveness and a general unpleasant ride made even wanting to review them difficult. Fortunately, version 23 was a departure as it was runnable, but it changed so much it was no longer listed as a stability shoe (REVIEW). Additionally, what separated version 23 from the previous issue-laden versions was that it demonstrated some progressive concepts on stability. While no medial post was present, internal geometry made for a naturally supportive ride and the firmness contributed to the stability, rather than just making the shoe feel like a brick. It was an interesting return of a shoe that some suspected to be discontinued. Version 24 has now been released and attempts to follow what worked in the previous version. An upper change is the most obvious difference between the Nike Structure 23 and 24, but inside a few things are added to make the stability more prominent than last year. 

Best Shoes for Posterior Tibialis Pain | DOR Podcast #76

 

DOR Podcast #76: Best Shoes for Posterior Tibialis Pain

In this week's podcast, Nate, Matt, and David discuss the tibialis posterior, including its role in the gait cycle, how it can get irritated or injured, and what shoes may be best for dealing with tib post pain. They also take an in depth look at Saucony's latest refresh of the cult classic Kinvara, version 13. Finally we share our latest DOR Giving: City On a Hill in Milwaukee, WI.

Editor's Note: read our full guide to current shoes for Posterior Tibialis

Hoka Speedgoat 5 Review (2022 Release)

Hoka Speedgoat 5 Review: Actually the GOAT?
By Chief Editor Matthew Klein and Contributor David Salas

The Hoka Speedgoat series has been a go-to for many trail runners, including ultra marathoning legend Karl Metzler for whom the shoe is named. A split emerged with the EVO Speedgoat version, which was a lighter and ultra trail race-worthy shoe. Many were upset when the Evo Speedgoat was discontinued and have asked repeatedly if the Hoka Speedgoat 5 is a suitable replacement. While not a complete replacement, the Speedgoat 5 merges features from the Speedgoat 4 and EVO Speedgoat into a lighter but tough trail shoe that can handle training and ultra trail racing.

Craft CTM Carbon Race Rebel Review

Craft CTM Carbon Race Rebel Review: The Pro Model of the CTM Family
By Senior Contributor David Salas and Chief Editor Matt Klein

Craft has been a company that has shown tried and true success throughout the ultra community on both the trails and the roads. The shorter distances (marathon and down) have not been explored in great detail for the brand though. The CTM Carbon Race Rebel looks to change this by bringing a new midsole foam called UD Foam Pro and integrating carbon fiber technology with midsole. The shoe was helped design with several of their athletes, one of the main ones being Tommy Rivs.

Saucony Peregrine 12 Review

Saucony Peregrine 12: Lighter and More Protective Trail Running for the 12th Edition
By Contributors Megan Flynn and Andrea Myers

The Peregrine line has been one of Saucony’s staple trail shoes over the years, as it introduces its 12th model. The Peregrine 12’s had some major improvements from the previous model, with highlights being a significant drop in weight (more than an ounce lighter!) and a new rock plate for added protection while on the trails. In addition, there’s a new 5mm lug pattern on the outsole for improved traction, protection, and quicker removal of debris from the bottom of the shoe. Over the course of testing, the new and improved Peregrines proved to be a great option for various terrains (tow-paths, more technical trails, ice/snow) without sacrificing speed or comfort.

What are Rocker Soles and What Benefits do they Have? | DOR Podcast #75

 

DOR Podcast #75: What are Rocker Soles and What Benefits do they Have?, How to Deal with Conflicting Evidence, + XTEP RC 260

Today Nate and Matt take a deep dive into rocker soles in running shoes. What exactly is a rocker sole? What's the role of toe spring in a shoe? Who may benefit from a rockered sole and who may not? Afterwards we discuss what to do when presented with conflicting evidence and how to sift through the vast amount of information and research available. Finally, Matt gives his review of the XTEP RC260.

Puma Velocity Nitro 2 Review (Updated)

Puma Velocity Nitro 2: A Controlled Upgrade
By Chief Editor/Founder Matt Klein and Senior Contributor David Salas

PUMA made a strong push back into the running market in 2021. The debut of a new Nitro foam compound combined with several well-thought-out and executed shoes took them to new heights at incredible speed. Molly Seidel, one of our favorite running pros, won an Olympic medal as a Puma sponsored athlete wearing their racing flat, the PUMA Deviate Nitro Elite (a favorite among the team). An incredible first year for PUMA, which has us anxiously waiting to see what they do in 2022. That time has come and the first of new line, the Puma Velocity Nitro 2, showed up on our doorsteps recently. Changes are already apparent as the whole shoe has been redesigned. The removal of the heel clip, a redesign of the nitro and EVA foam interaction, the addition of a heel bevel, a redesigned outsole and a new upper are some of the many things that take a great shoe and move it forward in version 2.

Craft CTM Ultra Carbon 2 Review

Craft CTM Ultra Carbon 2 Review: Ready for Anything
By Chief Contributor Matthew Klein and Senior Contributor David Salas

In recent years Craft has been bringing some pretty fun upper designs to the ultra racing footwear scene. They continue this tradition with the Ultra Carbon 2. The wild design is just as wild as the rest of the shoe. The Ultra Carbon has proven to be a successful ultra racing shoe on the circuit in the last year and the shoe delivers as a rhythmic high stack ultra racer. The carbon plate and grippy outsole both seem to provide some good stabilization and versatility to the shoe as well.

Craft CTM Ultra 2 Review

Craft CTM Ultra 2 Review: 40 mm for Road and Trail
By Senior Contributor David Salas & Chief Editor/Founder Matthew Klein

The Craft CTM line is what they consider their top shelf options. With three offerings for 2022 we are looking at the CTM Ultra 2, CTM Ultra Carbon 2, and the CTM Carbon Race Rebel. The CTM Ultra is the max stack daily training option of the lineup. The 40mm stack height provides plenty of cushioning underfoot and the shoe also utilizes the same all terrain outsole seen in the CTM Ultra Carbon 2. The CTM Ultra does not have a carbon plate in the midsole, but feels really nice at daily paces because of it. The shoe is a workhorse trainer that relies on geometry and protection while still allowing for some forefoot flexibility.

Topo Athletic MTN Racer 2 Review (2021 Release)

Topo Athletic MTN Racer 2: A Light Stability Performance Trainer for the Trails!
By: Chief Editor Matthew Klein

Although trail shoes typically have inherent stability, finding a pair of true light or moderate stability trail shoes is difficult. A few road stability shoes have been converted into trail shoes in the past, with the Asics GT 2000 series the only model left (Asics GT 2000 9 Trail). True trail stability shoes previously were limited to only a few models, including the Asics Trabuco 9 and the La Sportiva Bushido II. Both these models are more on the training side, so those looking for a stability performance or racing shoe on the trail are limited with one exception. The Topo Athletic MTN Racer 2 is the only mild stability trail shoe that is nimble enough to be used as a performance trail trainer/racer. It is the lightest of this small group of mild stability trail shoes (10.1oz) and combines solid protection with the nimblness necessary to pick up the pace on different kinds of terrain.

Defining Shoe Categories, Favorite Long-Distance Racing Shoes | DOR Podcast #74

DOR Podcast #74: Defining Shoe Categories, Favorite Long-Distance Racing Shoes, and Craft Line-Up Review

Today at the roundtable we discuss the continually blurring lines between different categories of running shoes: namely trainers, performance trainers, and racing shoes. We talk about whether performance trainers are even useful and if so, why? We then dive into Craft's new offerings: Ultra 2, Ultra Carbon 2, and Race Rebel.

Hoka Cielo X LD Track Spike Review

Hoka Cielo X LD Track Spike Review: Carbon Plate Loaded for Your Fastest Run Yet
By Chief Editor/Founder Matthew Klein

While a great deal of focus has been on road racing shoe development, many of the same technologies are beginning to be seen in track spikes. The rules on stack height and shoe design are becoming more strict, limiting the number of road super shoes that can be used on the rubber oval. This has pushed companies to integrate many of the new foams and plates into the next generation of track spikes. Hoka, with its focus on plates, has added a carbon plate to their new distance and middle distance spikes along with complete redesigns. The Hoka Cielo X LD comes in as the distance version of these spikes with a few new advancements worth discussing.

The Best Run Commute Apparel (PT Tested and Approved)

Run Commute Apparel Round-Up
By Chief Editor/Founder Matthew Klein

As a busy healthcare professional who works in clinical and academic settings and runs a great deal, I end up doing a ton of laundry. I have never had tons of clothes, instead using specifically picked performance running clothes or specific formal attire. With the number of miles I run and the amount I work, my washer and dryer get used extensively. The additional time it takes to change from work clothes to running clothes made me wonder if any company had a combination dress and running performance shirt. My initial search left me with nothing until I came upon Arc'Teryx, a high-quality outdoor performance company. A few apparel items there, particularly the Skyline series became a staple in my work/run apparel that I continue to use to this day. This area of running clothing has been fairly empty until Run Rabbit, a great local running apparel company, quietly released two solid plaid shirts that also became favorites. This has made transitioning into a post-work running incredibly easy and has made my physical job as a Doctor of Physical Therapy more comfortable. Additionally, my wife is happy because I look so much more stylish on runs. I am not sure that runners are aware that these apparel pieces even exist, so I thought I would do a review to get the word out. Formal running shirts do in fact exist and they are awesome.

Note: The following purchase links for the run commute apparel are non-affiliate links.

Selecting Shoes for Newer Runners, How Long Should They Last? | DOR Podcast #73

 

DOR Podcast #73: Selecting Shoes for Newer Runners, How Long Running Shoes Last, and On Cloudboom Echo Thoughts

In today's episode we revisit conversations that have been had regarding foam, namely discussing what changes foam leads to on the body and how long foam may last in a shoe. We then highlight our new guide that helps people consider what to think about when purchasing their first pair of running shoes (or close to it). Embedded in those discussions are pearls of advice for preparing our bodies to run, what this sport demands of our bodies, and how we can be the smartest runners possible.

January 2022 Round-Up at Doctors of Running

 

Welcome to our first round-up of 2022! We are excited to debut a brand new round-up feature for the year, focusing on the biggest things to happen at Doctors of Running this month along with a few bonuses that we are excited to share. This month has been tremendous for us, with a new face, a new feature, and a whopping 17 reviews and features to kick off the year! Let's dive in.