Adidas Adizero SL Review: The Adidas Daily Trainer You Were Looking For
By David Salas, Matthew Klein, and Nathan Brown
Brooks Levitate 6 Review: Not Quite Floating, but Springy
By Contributors David Salas and Andrea Myers
Brooks continues upon the Levitate lineage with a progression of their DNA Amp midsole to version 2. They also update the fit to help with improving lockdown and overall running experience. The Levitate 6 is designed to compliment daily training for those that want a little more spring in their step for daily training or potential workouts. The Levitate will be coming in 3 different offerings. These will be the classic fit model, a stealthfit knit upper, and a GTS (Go To Stability) version. Read on to check out our review of the classic and stealthfit, and turn to page two to find our review of the GTS.
361 Hurricane: This limited release super shoe offers a glimpse into the future of 361 Degrees.
Written by David Salas
The 361 Hurricane is a progression of the performance footwear line from the Chinese-based company. The Hurricane is the most recent iteration of the "super shoe" and features a high-stack shoe with a sharp rocker throughout. The foam is softer than prior 361 models and provides some bounce at toe-off. This will be their top-shelf offering for the upcoming season.
Saucony Xodus Ultra RUNSHIELD Review: Ready for Any Trail
By Chief Editor Matt Klein
The Xodus Ultra was one of my top trail shoes of 2022. The dramatic drop in weight from the Xodus series, the use of PWRRUN PB in a trail shoe with the wonderfully aggressive grip made this my go to shoe for longer and technical terrain. The only challenge came with colder and difficult weather, a common issue during winter months in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest. The Xodus Ultra RUNSHIELD solves this with a warmer water-resistant upper. Now with the ability to tackle colder winter months, this improves the versatility to handle almost anything that comes your way.
Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro Review: Uniquely Aggressive Fun
By David Salas & Matthew Klein
Every company you can name at this point has a super shoe. The racing market has now become a big showcase for footwear companies to debut midsoles, plates, and fun progressions of their shoes. Mizuno has now entered this world with their own named the Wave Rebellion Pro. The Rebellion Pro features a unique geometry that is eye-catching and provides its own unique running experience.
Brooks Ghost 15 Review: The People's Shoe
By Senior Contributor Nathan Brown
If there were a picture associated with "running shoe" in the dictionary, there are a few shoes that I think could vie for the selected photo. The Brooks Ghost is one of them. In the last 15-20 years of footwear design, the Ghost seems to epitomize the standard specs for a running shoe. Moderate cushioning, traditional last shaping, flexible forefoot, and a mostly flat geometry. The Ghost 15 maintains its character without any revolutionary changes and it continues to be a reliable, consistent shoe. There are updates to the midsole and upper, but we will talk about how noticeable these changes were and what category this shoe shines in the most.
Saucony Cohesion 15 Review: Can a Budget Shoe Deliver?
By Content Manager Bach Pham
Has everyone had a pair of Cohesions at one point? It's the model you find at your average shoe store in the US day-in and day-out next to Downshifters, Gel Contends and more. I ran in a pair of Cohesion 10s a few years ago. They were my first running shoes, and the first that I did everything from 5k to 10k and more in. For a lot of runners, it was their best, most affordable choice in the market. Five versions later, it made me wonder just how good the Cohesion is after trying over seven dozen higher end running shoes later at Doctors of Running. Shoes today are not cheap and though many say running is one of the most low barrier sports, it really isn't when it comes to high mileage running as you need more and more footwear to keep up. In this review, we check out the Cohesion 15 and determine if a budget trainer can be an invaluable trainer in your lineup.
Saucony Endorphin Shift 3 RUNSHIELD Review: Stable Winter Running
By Chief Editor Matthew Klein
As the days get shorter and colder, having the right gear to keep you warm is important. Although many runners will quickly consider warmer clothes, the number of training shoes with warmer uppers is low, particularly among road shoes. The Saucony Endorphin Shift 3 RUNSHIELD amends this with a warm water-resistant (not proof) upper and the usual RUNSHIELD changes. A warmer, slightly wider fit marks the differences with the regular Shift 3, making the Shift 3 RUNSHIELD an excellent option when the temperatures start to drop.
It's that time of year! We've tested over 140 shoes in 2022 (!!!) and we're excited to share our favorites of 2022. For today's feature, we are starting with daily trainers. These are the shoes we gravitate to on a daily basis for the majority of our runs. Some are light, some are durable, and others are versatile for a variety of tasks.
DOR Podcast #117: A Beginner's Guide to Cycling for Runners
Cycling is one of the best ways for runners to maintain fitness while unable to run or to cross-train while fit, but the barrier of entry can often seem high. What kind of bike do you need? What about pedals and shoes? How do you translate running training to the bike? Our resident cyclist Andrea Myers sits down with recent bike convert and DOR Contributor Megan Flynn to give you the basics to biking. They answer a multitude of questions spanning from equipment to workouts to fueling. If you've ever wanted to get into cycling, this is the place to start.
Anatomy of a Running Shoe
A Doctors of Running Mini Podcast Special
In a special mini-podcast out today, Matt Klein breaks down the different parts of the a running shoe from the upper to the midsole to the outsole and much more (sidewalls, heel counters, etc). This is a guide for beginners to help understand how different parts of the shoe works and to point out things to consider when trying on and purchasing a shoe. Have a listen!
361 Spire 5: A Refreshing Update
By Senior Contributor David Salas and Contributor Ryan Flugaur
The Spire has always been the premium daily training shoe from 361 for the neutral category. In the past, the Spire series has used a carbon fiber shank through the midfoot. The new Spire 5 receives some big updates. The midsole is now PEBA based for most of it and the carbon fiber shank was removed. The shoe creates a more daily pacing friendly feel and a relatively sturdy shoe to the premium training line.
361 Centauri Review: A Pleasant Surprise
By Chief Editor Matthew Klein
Learning takes time. It requires experimentation, mistakes, success and most importantly, continuing to try things. 361 has sent us several shoes over the years. Despite being early adopters and having carbon plates in their shoes long before it was cool, their shoes and general designs were.... old school. Most felt like trainers from 10-15 years prior, were incredibly stiff, often narrow, and not the most comfortable. Things went quiet from 361 for a while. Suddenly, completely new shoes began to appear. The 361 Hurricane, a new performance shoe from them, appeared in non-US markets. Then out of the blue came a completely redone Spire, featuring an all new PEBA midsole and a BEVELED HEEL (finally). Following on those footsteps now comes the 361 Centauri, a daily trainer featuring a new TPE midsole and a surprisingly comfortable fit. The Centauri is a positive example of the changes that have come to 361.
DOR Podcast #116: Are Super Trainers Worth It? And a Review of the Asics Superblast, with Comparisons
"Super trainers" are the latest trend in shoe design: a next-generation foam, a midsole height of over 40mm, and a stiff rocker (with or without a plate). These new shoes can be a ton of fun to run in with huge amounts of cushioning and energy return. However, they come with hefty price tags and unknown effects on running biomechanics. Matt & David explore this new category of shoes, specifically reviewing the new ASICS Superblast and comparing it to other offerings like the New Balance SC Trainer and Adidas Prime X. Wondering if these super trainers are for you? Have a listen!
Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 RUNSHIELD Review: Tackle the Rain Day
By David Salas and Andrea Myers
Winter is upon us and Saucony is bringing the warmth. The Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 takes all of the DNA from the normal Speed 3 and brings a warmer package. The Runshield upper is water-resistant (not waterproof) and meant to keep your feet warm when running through snow, rain, and cold mornings. This brought some minor changes to fit and lockdown but those that enjoyed the Speed 3 will also enjoy the Speed 3 Runshield edition.
New Balance Fresh Foam X 860v13: A Lot of Big Changes
By Chief Editor Matthew Klein
The
concept of how stability is executed in footwear has evolved greatly
over these past few years. Many major companies have taken to
dramatically updating their stability models, many of whom were lagging
behind in development. The 860v13 is one of the models that has seen a
drastic update. The sole, upper, and stability method are updated
completely. Like many of their other performance shoes, New Balance is
showcasing some forward-thinking on stability with the changes to the
860v13. They have successfully integrated both older and newer methods
into this shoe, creating a balanced ride that provides both guidance and
stability.
Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3: Old Reliable
By Chief Editor Matthew Klein
Many running shoes today are pushing extremes. Extremely tall stack heights, aggressive designs, stiff rides, excessively heavy or light weights, etc. Moderation is not as common and is certainly not done as well. The Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3 manages to break the mold and takes moderation to a high level. A taller stack height is now present, although not the tallest. A moderate weight is present at 10.2 oz, along with well-balanced cushioning and flexibility. All this with a wider/anatomic fit makes for a consistent trail shoe for moderate terrain. Moderation is something you can rely on, just like the Topo Ultraventure 3.
Reebok Floatride Energy Symmetros 2: The DOR Favorite Returns
By Andrea Myers, Bach Pham, and Matt Klein
2022 has been a quiet year for Reebok, but an important one in regards to their sustainability goals as they shift each model more and more towards sustainable materials. The much anticipated (at least by us) Symmetros 2 features a partially recycled upper that adds a good amount of comfort and security to the shoe. The Symmetros in general was a huge favorite of DOR in 2022, providing an excellent bevel we couldn't stop talking about and a comfortable sole. The shoe outside of the upper returns relatively untouched, which may be to the delight of the Symmetros super fans we've met over the past two years who have also gotten to enjoy the well-designed ride.
DOR Podcast #115: Recovery Strategies to Get You Back to Running After an Injury
Running, especially training and racing hard, introduces large amounts of load & stress on your muscles and bodily systems. There are times that altering or reducing your training load can be critical to preventing serious injury. This is especially the case when recovering after a goal race (specifically the marathon), fighting off the beginning pain or niggles, or when returning from an injury. Nathan and Matt explore different strategies to help you recover from big races and keep your training consistent even in the midst of occasional pain. They share tips for water running and take a look at the AlterG and Lever Pro treadmill systems which actually reduce the force of gravity on your body while running. For a deeper look at these three options, be sure to read the in-depth article on our website.
ONEMIX Light Armor Review: Value Plated Racer
By David Salas
Many companies are coming along with their carbon-plated racing shoes. Some are aiming to go as light and fast as possible while some others are looking at the shoe design from a more nuanced approach. Onemix is bringing the Light Armor to the table with the goal of having a marathon racing trainer. This is essentially a shoe you can use as a training shoe and also use for race day if you choose. It is a little bit heavier than some of the other racing shoes, but still light and fast enough to turn over.
Adidas SP0054 Sunglasses Review: Ready for Anything
By David Salas and Andrea Myers
Running accessories have always been a major player in race day choices from athletes. Some are more minimal where others like to have more accessories with them. Like shoes accessories, glasses have come a long way and have also undergone certain levels of innovation over time. Adidas and other companies have continued to try and push performance by focusing on little details and providing sleek and fast accessories. The SP0054 is one of the performance glasses on the Adidas lineup.
DOR Podcast #114: How to Pick the BEST Running Shoe for Your Race Day
You've got your race booked, so now comes the tough decision: what shoe do you wear on race day? With all the super shoes out there now, it can be a challenge to decide which one will be best for you when you toe the starting line. Two of the most important factors are race distance and course. What types of shoes are best for 5K/10K versus half marathon and marathon? What about hills, tight turns, and mixed terrain? Nathan, David, and BJ discuss their experiences with different shoes (both super and "normal") on race day over a variety of different distances, courses, and speeds. They also weigh the impact running economy benefits should have on our shoe decisions. Be sure to check out our friend Dustin Joubert's excellent work testing the running economy benefits of a variety of shoes on his website or on Instagram @labratrundown.
Adidas Adistar CS: Max Cushion, Max Stability
By Matthew Klein
As running shoes continue to increase in stack heights (sole height), some are getting lighter while others are staying surprisingly heavy. Most of these maximalist shoes are inherently stable thanks to the wider shapes, stiffer soles and rockered geometries. Despite the slow improvements in inherent stability across most footwear (but not all), there have been a decrease in the number of true stability shoes. This is particularly true from brands like Nike and Adidas, where true stability shoes have almost completely disappeared (the Nike Structure is a "Stable Neutral" shoe now technically). The Adidas Adistar CS was a surprise to see from Adidas, given the Adistar was already inherently stable. Those faithful to this brand now have something to rejoice as the CS is a true stability shoe combining new-age concepts of stability with a maximalist design.
Saucony Ride 15 TR: All Terrain Gem
By David Salas and Andrea Myers
Many people find themselves in interesting situations when it comes to grabbing a pair of shoes. A lot of people find that they like the ride of many traditional daily trainers, but find trail shoes to be a little too aggressive on design. When in need for a shoe to blaze trails it puts them in a weird spot. Saucony fills this void by providing the fan favorite Ride 15 with a few trail specific updates to provide a balanced ride on the trails.
ASICS Superblast Review: 45.5mm!
By Chief Editor Matthew Klein
While super racing shoes have been around for several years, the concept of a "super trainer" is still fairly new. These shoes are defined by new-age foams, stiffening agents, and their outlandish stack heights deemed illegal for racing. While New Balance (SC Trainer) and Adidas (Prime X) have had their super trainers out for some time, ASICS has entered the ring with the ASICS Superblast. This shoe runs firmer than the SC Trainer and Prime X, sits in between them in regards to price, shares the ability to pick up the pace like the Prime X and the solid training ability of the Supercomp. Coming in as the lightest of these super trainers at 239g, the Superblast manages to balance training, workouts, and is a blast to run in.
DOR Podcast #113: The Truth about Shin Splints
Shin splints is one of the most common running injuries, but also one of the most commonly misunderstood. When people report having shin splints, the cause of the pain could be any number of things. Today on the podcast, Nate, Matt, and David discuss the truth behind shin splints. That lower leg pain could possibly be a stress fracture, medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS), or something else entirely. They discuss ways to understand symptoms & causes of shin pain, as well as tips for rehab and strengthening.
Nike Pegasus Turbo Next Nature Review: Can Sustainable Materials Re-Imagine a Fan Favorite?
By Chief Editor Matthew Klein
Peg Turbo fans: this is a totally different shoe. The original Nike Pegasus Turbo series was the first moderate stack, super foamed trainer. Featuring a full-length slab of ZoomX, it was the first shoe outside of the Vaporfly to feature this foam (before the Alphafly). It was fantastic in that it was light enough for workouts and even racing for some (that did not want a plate) yet had the durability and cushioning to handle daily training. It was quietly discontinued several years ago and many wondered if there would ever be a Pegasus Turbo 3. The Pegasus Turbo Next Nature was then released to the excitement of many. The question you may be asking is: "Does the Nike Pegasus Turbo Next Nature appropriately step up as the third version of this series?" The answer is astoundingly "No." This is a completely different shoe. While the geometries may be somewhat similar, the upper, midsole, transition, and everything else about the Pegasus Turbo Next Nature is different. The new Natured version of the Turbo is a sustainable daily trainer for those who want to look good while getting miles in.
adidas Adizero Adios 7 Review: Speedy
By Senior Contributor David Salas and Contributor Megan Flynn
The Adidas Adios line traditionally has been the racing shoe in the 3 stripe lineup up until recently. Now with the addition of the Adizero Adios Pro series the Adios series has become more of a performance trainer or training companion. The Adios 7 continues the speedy trainer (and potential racer) line with a light weight responsive package. The firmer and snappier platform is combined with a nice bouncy Lightstrike Pro midsole in the midfoot and forefoot.
Updated with Megan Flynn's review on November 4, 2022.
Ciele Athletics Performance Headwear Review
A Doctors of Running Team Editorial
Ciele, like Goodr with sunglasses or Tracksmith, Rabbit, and others in the apparel world, has become one of the first things runners think of when they think running performance hats. Over the years Ciele has grown into one of the industry's go-tos for quality headgear on the run. Their bright, varied designs help provide some seriously good styling, while soft materials and a large range of designs offer runners a wealth of choices. In this review, we check out some of the Ciele line to explore a few of the stylings offered by the brand to help make your buying decisions a little easier.
DOR Podcast #112: The Best New Balance Shoes of 2022
New Balance has put out a ton of great shoes in 2022 so let Matt & Andrea take you through a round-up! They picked four of their favorites: the super-stack SC Trainer, More v4, Rebel v3, and the brand new SC Pacer. They break down what makes each shoe unique and how they've fit into their personal rotations. They also take a look at what New Balance has coming down the line later this year and into the next with SC Elite v3 and a redesigned 860v13.
Adidas Adizero Boston 11: A Step Back or Forward?
By Founder/Chief Editor Matthew Klein and Ryan Flugaur
The Boston series has always been a favorite of those that wanted a shoe they could train in that was also fast enough to race in. The originals were almost as light as the Adios series but featured more forgiving cushioning. This made them a frequent choice among elite and sub-elite marathoners given their uniquely combined comfort and speed. All of that changed with version 10, which saw a complete overhaul of the series. Boost was replaced with Lightstrike and Lightstrike Pro. Energy rods were placed along the length of the shoe for stiffness. The stack height maxed out, making for what many saw as a completely different shoe. The Boston 11 continues this with a redesigned upper but maintains the changes in the sole that divided many Adizero Boston fans.
Editor's Note: Updated with Contributor Ryan Flugaur's thoughts on 11/1/22.
Mizuno Wave Sky 6 Review: Keeping Steady
By Matthew Klein, Bach Pham, David Salas
Premium daily training shoes are an incredibly variable bunch. While all bring high-quality uppers, midsoles and durability, how those are executed specifically vary a great deal. While many are becoming borderline lightweight trainers, others are staying true as high-mileage, high-performing workhorses. The Mizuno Wave Sky 6 fits into the second category, balancing out the integration of some newer foams while still being a solid shoe for easy and recovery miles. While updates have been made, this shoe continues on at a consistent pace similar to the one that feels best while running in it.
Inov-8 Trailfly Ultra G280: New Midsole!
By Chief Editor Matthew Klein
Newer technologies in road shoes often take some time to reach the trail scene. It is not until recently that we have begun to see newer foams begin to make an appearance on the dirt. Inov-8 is known for having unique footwear, particularly in the areas of fit and function. Many of their shoes are light, anatomically inspired and have interesting special purposes. The Trailfly Ultra G 280 is another one of those series. Featuring a wider anatomic toe box (rare for a shoe with an 8mm drop or greater) and a new midsole foam (FLYSPEED), Inov-8 is hoping to break into the market with the lure of an incredible new material to rival the super foams seen in road racing shoes. How the FLYSPEED foam actually performs is a slightly different story.
Mizuno Infinity Apparel Review: Softer, Fast, Stronger, and More Sustainable
A Doctors of Running Team Editorial
Last year, Mizuno launched Alpha Eco, their first major leap into sustainable running clothes. This year they've returned with an even more eco-friendly design with the Infinity series. The apparel seen in this collection features even more recycled materials than before. Our team takes an in-depth look at each piece to give our thoughts on what worked for us and what missed.
DOR Podcast #111: "Mastering" the Art of Running Over 40
In this episode, Matt and Andrea talk all about the art and science of running after 40. They dig into research and their experience working with Masters runners, and provide insight on how to what older runners can do to maintain their running prowess. They cover strategies and tips for strength training, nutrition, workouts, recovery, and more.
Mizuno Wave Rider 26: Tradition!
By Matthew Klein, David Salas, and Andrea Myers
The Mizuno Wave Rider has provided a long lineage in the daily training market. The Wave Rider 26 continues upon this lineage with some updates in the outsole and midsole design. The ride is a little less flexible and a little more snappy in the forefoot while still providing the Mizuno Enerzy cushioning. The high-drop daily trainer is still going and gives some positive resemblance of some models of old.
Altra Vanish Tempo: Zero Drop, Non-Plated Performance
By Chief Editor Matthew Klein
Despite its huge following, Altra has taken its time with faster/racing shoes. We reviewed the Escalante Racer many years ago, which despite being a great shoe received little attention. As one of the only zero drop, wide toe box racing shoes, the EGO foam was bouncy and balanced out the lower sole. However, the trends in footwear design left that shoe far behind. Early in 2022, Altra released two racing shoes. The Vanish Tempo and the Vanish Carbon. Providing both a plated and non-plated option, Altra has started doing their homework. Although there is room to grow, those dedicated to zero drop finally have an option if they are looking for a higher stack height, anatomic uptempo shoe.
Body Weight Support Running: Benefits and Uses
By Global Brand Manager, Nathan Brown PT, DPT, OCS
Running has become one of the more popular forms of exercise over the
last 30 years. Given this increase, we are also seeing a rise in the
number of people injured while running. While there is a lot of debate
around the leading causes of injury, there is some consensus. The first
is that the highest risk for a future injury is a previous injury in the
last 12 months. Other potential causes include training errors, such as
changing your training volume too quickly, high running mileage (>40
miles/week), and cumulative stress placed on the body in areas of
weakness or limited mobility. Given the main finding that the most
predictable risk of future injury is an injury in the past 12 months,
the utmost care and attention should be given to the recovery process
from an injury and how you go about returning to running. There are many
factors that go into being a healthy runner regardless of if you are
just starting out, have never had an injury, or are returning from
injury. Today we want to discuss just one tool to support runners in
their pursuit of being healthy: body weight support.
Puma Deviate Nitro 2 Review: Steady as She Goes
By Chief Editor Matthew Klein, Contributor Andrea Myers
While plated racing shoes have been increasing at a steady rate, plated training shoes have begun to follow. Advertised as a combination of racing and training shoe, many of these plated performance trainers can perform both. How well they can do each one varies. While the first version of the Puma Deviate Nitro was a mixed bag for us, the second version returns completely redone. Featuring several upgrades, including the addition of Nitro Elite foam.
DOR Podcast #110: Tips, Tricks, and Treats to Shopping in Run Retail | Solo Adventures with Matt Klein
ASICS Magic Speed 2: Affordable Magic?
By Chief Editor/Founder Matthew Klein and Andrea Myers
The current trend in racing shoes has been toward higher stack heights and softer foams. This has left the majority of these shoes being fairly large in volume. While some are able to maintain their light weight, others can often feel a bit bulky. There are few nimble and simple racing shoes. The ASICS Magic Speed 2 brings the tradition of simplicity from Japan and combines it with a carbon fiber plate This creates a mix of some of the newer technologies from today with the older style of lighter and nimble racing shoes.
DOR Podcast #109: What Heel Counters Actually Do for Runners