Spring Sustainable Running Apparel Review (2023)

 

Sustainable Running Apparel Review: Adidas and Saucony Spring Collections
A Doctors of Running Team Editorial

When it comes to sustainability, clothing was one of the first industries that really took a hold of the concerns regarding waste and sought out ways to start including sustainable elements in designs. This movement has steadily moved into the running and athletic apparel industry as brands seek ways to incorporate renewable materials that bring both comfort and performance into their lineup. In this feature, we review a few new pieces from some of your favorite shoe brands.

Brooks Catamount 2 Review (2023)

Brooks Catamount 2: A Different Cat
By Andrea Myers and Matthew Klein

At the time of its release, the original Brooks Catamount was one of the lighter trail racing shoes on the market. It was nimble for the time and the moderate stack height made it still feel quick. Fast forward to the current situation where an explosion of lighter trail shoes on the market featuring newer foams, lighter weights and higher stack heights into the low 9 and height 8 oz ranges (men's size 9) has occurred. The Catamount 2 returns in a different market, still as a trail racer for Brooks but more of an uptempo trail shoe in current times. It can still move thanks to its design but solidifies its place as a lighter trail shoe for those who want a narrow/performance fit. 

Nathan Sports Running Apparel Review (2023)

Nathan wearing Nathan

Nathan Sports has been in the market for over 40 years. They are most well-known for their hydration tools and safety gear, ranging from vests to handhelds to headlamps and other wearable lights and reflective elements. They've also steadily become known for apparel, producing thoughtful clothing designs that aim to not only provide comfort, but often also utility. In this review, the team tackles a few new items in the Nathan Sports lineup in the dead of winter.

Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit 3 Review (2023)

Nike ZoomX Invincible Run Flyknit 3: Very Different
By Andrea Myers and Nathan Brown

The Nike Invincible Run series is one of a few shoes that uses a brand's top-shelf foam utilized for racing in a training shoe. ZoomX became well-known in the original Vaporfly and has been incorporated into every new racing model since. The Invincible Run is a different take on ZoomX, making it a suitable platform for easy runs and high-mileage training. We will dive into what it takes to stabilize a foam like ZoomX to make it runnable as well as the changes in this newest version.

The Science of Running Injuries: Understanding the Training Variables that Impact Your Risk | DOR Podcast #136

 

DOR Podcast #136: The Science of Running Injuries: Understanding the Training Variables that Impact Your Risk

If you're a runner, chances are you've been injured in the past year. Even with medical advice, it can be hard to know what causes our injuries, but training mistakes can often be a piece of the puzzle. Andrea uses her years of experience as both a PT and a coach to give you some insight into how variables in your training (mileage, pace, etc.) may be affecting your injury risk. She also takes a look at what the scientific evidence says about how training load impacts injury risk. Be sure to listen to learn how to better structure your training so you can keep running consistently!

Salomon Ultra Glide 2 Review (2023)

Salomon Ultra Glide 2 Review: Middle of the Road (Trail)
By Nathan Brown

When I think of Salomon, my head goes to the outdoors: my first pair of hiking shoes were Salomon, my first camping apparel was Salomon, and my first hiking boots were Salomon. Therefore, I was excited to try out the update to the Ultra Glide series. My experience in Salomon road shoes has been sub-par, with the cushioning being too firm and the geometry lacking smooth transitions (with my most recent test being of the Aero Blaze). However, how would their technology and shaping translate to the trails? A great look is through the Ultra Glide 2, their middle-of-the-road model in the trail line in regards to cushioning. 

Nike Pegasus 40 Review (2023)

 

Nike Pegasus 40: Forever Versatile
By Matt Klein and Bach Pham

There is something to be said for consistency for all the new shoes coming out with more bells and whistles. Especially when it comes to daily miles, having a training shoe you can just put on and forget about can be helpful for focusing and tuning out over longer efforts. The Nike Pegasus 40 is a great example of this. While the longest-running shoe series has had its fair share of changes of the year, its function has remained the same. A staple workhorse that can handle some workouts and long runs, the most recent version sees some slight tweaks to the upper, but like its legacy, remains fairly consistent from the previous version. 

Salomon Sense Ride 5 Review (2023)

Salomon Sense Ride 5 Review: Classic Feel
By David Salas

Salomon has been one of the top companies in the trail world for years now. The European-based company has made a lot of different kind of offerings to the trail category ranging in cushion, traction, and performance design. The Sense Ride is designed to be that trail shoe that can do a little bit of everything ranging from easy runs to potential racing efforts, short to long runs, and variable terrains. The shoe does come off this way and is nice jack-of-all-trades trail shoe. 

ASICS Gel-Cumulus 25 Review (2023)

 

ASICS Gel-Cumulus 25 Review: Even More of a Blast(+)
By Bach Pham and Matthew Klein

The Cumulus is ASICS long-running daily trainer series, sitting in the same category as shoes like the Saucony Ride and Nike Pegasus. It's the lower-stacked sibling to the now supermax cushioned Nimbus line. Lower stack is a bit of a misnomer though when it comes to Version 25 which now features a healthy stack of Flytefoam Blast+, a premium ASICS midsole that offers a very soft underfoot feeling. It also features their new Pure Gel technology in the heel for rearfoot cushioning. In this review, we explore how that big update changes the new Cumulus as both a running and walking shoe.

Mailbag! Do Some People NOT Respond to Super Shoes, Our Shoe Rotations, Shoe Comparisons, and More | DOR Podcast #135

 

 

DOR Podcast #135: Mailbag! Do Some People NOT Respond to Super Shoes, Our Shoe Rotations, Shoe Comparisons, and If Each DOR Member was a Shoe

Time for a Q&A show! This episode is all about your questions. Matt & David tackle questions about everything: toe spring vs. rocker, plated shoes, shoe rotations, injury risks of super shoes, race shoe comparisons, and more. Be sure to stay tuned for the last segment to find out what David thinks each DOR member would be if they were a shoe!

Salomon Glide Max TR Review (2023)

 

Salomon Glide Max TR: Endless Trail Running
By Matthew Klein

A large amount of cushion can be nice underfoot over long miles on the trail. However, one of the major challenges with this is that often one must also carry around a ton of weight over those long miles. This can be challenging for those entering longer races where both speed and protection are needed. For those not interested in aggressive trail racing shoes, more mid-weight maximal trail shoes are coming to market. These shoes maintain high levels of cushioning while staying at or under 10 oz. The Salomon Glide Max TR is one of those options. Featuring a taller stack height compared to its sibling the Ultra Glide, the Glide Max TR maintains a high level of cushioning while keeping weight low so you can forget about it over long miles. 

The Healthy Runner Inventory

The Healthy Runner Inventory: Assessing the Mental Health Side of Running
By Nathan Brown

If you’re reading this, you’re probably a runner right? Or you know one. Or you coach one. Or you’re related to one. Runners are everywhere. Running is one of the most popular ways to get exercise, with over 50 million Americans (15%) participating in some sort of running every year. And why not? It’s a great way to get exercise, meet friends, and step away from the business of life. Most of us want to run as a way to stay healthy.

Hoka Rocket X 2 Review (2023)

 

Hoka Rocket X 2: Ready for Takeoff
By David Salas and Matthew Klein

The HOKA Rocket X 2 comes in hot with some big updates from the previous version. The updates may seem like an overhaul, though they all feel like improvements to the shoe. The shoe now uses a PEBA-based midsole, a more streamlined upper, and a sharper spooned carbon plate. The Rocket X2 brings a new offering to the super shoe lineup and is a worthy contender. 

inov-8 Apparel Review: Road to Trail to Mountain Running (2023)

Inov-8 is a trail running company out of the UK that I discovered several years ago as I got back into running. I loved the fit and grip of their trail shoes and found them to perform exceptionally well on the technical terrain here in Connecticut. They also make performance clothing, and my experience with their shoes made me excited to try their clothing. I would expect a UK trail running company to be particularly good at making technical clothing for poor weather conditions, and I was not disappointed with what I found. 

New Balance Fresh Foam X 880 v13 Review (2023)

 

New Balance Fresh Foam 880 v13 Review: A Wogger's Friend
By Senior Contributor Nathan Brown and Chief Editor/Founder Matthew Klein

The 880 line has been a staple model for New Balance. It is the type of model that sees slow, incremental changes, and targets a wide variety of users beyond simply running. This breed of shoe can sometimes flop as a true daily training shoe, but in the past New Balance has been able to make this model a serious running shoe while still servicing a lot of groups such as walkers and people who work on their feet. Let's see what is new with version 13.

Do I Need a Running Gait Analysis? (feat. Doug Adams, Tinman Elite PT) | DOR Podcast #134

 

DOR Podcast #134: The Biomechanics of Running, featuring Doug Adams

On this episode, Nate & Matt are joined by a very special guest, Dr. Doug Adams. Doug lends us his years of experience and expertise in the mechanics of running. They discuss five typical patterns Doug sees in running mechanics like the "collapser" and the "glute amnesiac." They also talk about how your gait and strength impact your running risk, how mechanics and running economy are linked, and, of course, shoes.

New Balance FuelCell Propel v4 Review (2023)

 

New Balance FuelCell Propel v4: Beginner's Intro to Plated Running?
By Matthew Klein

One of the bigger challenges for runners who have progressed far enough to consider a plated shoe is cost. Fully plated shoes (not partial) usually start around $150 even for training shoes. While some of the older models are going (finally) going on sale, this cost can still be a barrier for many runners, especially those new to the sport. The New Balance FuelCell Propel v4 changes that, sporting a full-length TPU plate between a large amount of FuelCell foam. With those changes come a drastically different shoe from previous versions of the Propel series. While Propel 4 is plated, it gains a large amount of weight and stack height. The only thing similar about it to the Propel v3 is the name and will likely attract a completely different runner. 

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v3 Review (2023)

New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v3 Review: Jack of all Trades
By David Salas, Nathan Brown, and Andrea Myers

The New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite v3 is the newest update to the super shoe line. The SC Elite had an early release at the New York City Marathon and received a net positive from the masses. The SC Elite 3 is a redesign from the Fuelcell RC Elite 2 featuring a new Energy Arc Carbon Plate that is shaped slightly like an inverted U. The shoe also uses different geometry underfoot with a deep midline groove through the shoe. The upper also has a sock-like knit update. The result is certainly a net positive and a good addition to the super shoe lineup. 

Puma Fast-FWD Nitro Elite Review (2023)

 

Puma Fast-FWD Nitro Elite: A Highly Niche 5k-10k Racer
By Matthew Klein

Most companies have now caught up in the super shoe wars, evident by almost everyone having a PEBA-based carbon fiber maximal stack height long-distance racing shoe. While these shoes certainly can be used for shorter distances, faster, lighter 5k-10k type shoes have mostly disappeared except for the occasional older models you can still find on the sale rack. At the request of their track athletes, Puma is one of the early companies to debut a 5k-10k specific super shoe to the market. What differentiates this shoe is that it takes geometrically manipulation of the sole to a new level, although time will tell if it Puma's outside-the-box thinking with the Fast-FWD and Fast-R pays off. 

Super Shoe Deep Dive: Hoka Rocket X2 and New Balance SC Elite v3 | DOR Podcast #132

DOR Podcast #133: Super Shoe Deep Dive: Hoka Rocket X 2 and New Balance SC Elite v3

In this week's on the pod, the team takes a deep dive on two new super shoes, the HOKA Rocket X 2 and the New Balance SC Elite v3. This is HOKA's first real entry into the PEBA game and they've made a great racing shoe! New Balance has made some significant changes to what used to be the RC Elite, featuring their FuelCell midsole and EnergyArc plate technology. Tune in to hear our thorough analysis of each shoe! Finally we wrap up the episode with our current picks for a half marathon and marathon. Be sure to let us know what you'd pick!

Saucony Terminal VT Review (2023)

Saucony Terminal VT Review: Super Nimble
By David Salas & Matthew Klein

Saucony enters the super spike game with the Terminal VT. The Terminal VT is a long distance racing spike using their PWRUN HG midsole seen in the Endorphin Elite. The shoe uses a four spike design and a unique spike plate. The plate is full length, though decoupled at the heel and midfoot, making for a horseshoe like design. The plate also doubles as an outsole. 

Brooks Hyperion Elite 3 Review (2022 Release)

 

Brooks Hyperion Elite 3: A Stride Behind
By Matthew Klein

     In a continually changing industry, there is something to be said for consistency. While many companies are aggressively changing a variety of their models, Brooks for the most part has stayed fairly consistent recently. This is particularly true of their carbon-plated racing shoe, the Hyperion Elite 3. The most recent version is mostly an upper update, with a sole design almost exactly the same in the last version. So those wanting a little more flexibility in the upper may be happy. Those wanting a massive update to finally bring this series to super shoe status will have to wait, but it continues on as a stiff, semi-stable workout shoe and racing shoe for those who do not do well with super foams.