Physical Therapists Using Clinical Analysis To Discuss The Art And Science Behind Running and The Stuff We Put On Our Feet

Monday, March 31, 2025



Shoes, like most things, are getting more expensive each year. When I was working in running stores almost 20 years ago, I was shocked when shoes started to consistently hit $100. Now, shoes in that price range are considered "budget running shoes" while the standard shoes cost $140-$200 (or more). While foams, upper materials and rides have dramatically improved, durability has seemed to suffer over the years. While at one time you could reliably expect a shoe to last 300-500 miles (running stores and companies would always say), now many shoes are lasting far less than that. Particularly with my unique biomechanics, reporting on durability is a key feature I assess when reviewing and testing shoes. With increasing costs and economic challenges, I have decided to put together a list of the most durable running to help people find shoes that will last, especially for those who are hard on shoes.

Saturday, March 29, 2025


ASICS Metafuji Trail Review
By Matthew Klein

Now that road super racing shoes have been around long enough, trail super racing shoes are beginning to drop from every company. With an already solid trail line up, the Metafuji trail fits a unique niche as a carbon plated, top-layer super foam trail racing shoe. Featuring one of the tallest stack heights in the line, it is also one of the lightest, giving it a strong head start as a racing shoe. A fast ride underfoot is only matched with the aggressiveness, making it a solid option for those who are able to control it. What is required to pull that off is worth talking about.

Thursday, March 27, 2025

 


 

All about IT Band Syndrome and New Shoes from ASICS and Diadora
Doctors of Running Podcast, Episode 235


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.


Tuesday, March 25, 2025


Hoka Mafate X Review
By Matthew Klein

Now that much of the "super" technology has been in road shoes for some time, it is no surprise to see it start to bleed into the trail world. Companies have been putting plates in trail shoes for years as rock plates, so a move to carbon plates is not that much of a leap. The addition of softer superfoams is, with a new "super trail shoe" category emerging. The Hoka Mafate series, long viewed as a faster, more aggressive trail shoe for ultra distances, gets the carbon plate and PEBA foam top layer treatment. In addition to these updates comes an incredible stack height that moves it to being one of the tallest trail shoes on the market. Despite all these new things, the biggest question still remains, "How does it perform?"

Monday, March 24, 2025


The Monday Shakeout: Do Trail Shoes Really Need To Be Super?
By Matthew Klein

This week we address the increasing addition of carbon fiber plates in trail shoes and the emerging number of "Super" trail shoes. While there has been plenty of research on the efficiency benefits of super shoes designed for road, the research on them in trail running has just begun to emerge.

Sunday, March 23, 2025

 

 

Hoka Cielo X1 2.0 Analysis: Differing Opinions! and Thoughts on Super Shoes for Shorter Distances
Doctors of Running Podcast, Episode 234


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.


Saturday, March 22, 2025

 
Best Carbon Plated Running Shoes
By DOR Editorial Team

Jump to Carbon Plated Shoes A-Z |  Jump to Best Plated Shoes for 5k to Marathon

The current trend in racing shoes has been toward super foams and carbon fiber plates.
Although plates have been used in the past, their popularity has surged. A new age of fast shoes has come about and now a variety of companies have released their products (some in small batches). For the first time (almost ever) there is an interest from the general public (and not just the competitive runners) in finding the fastest shoe to get them across the finish line. We at Doctors of Running thought it would be helpful to have a guide to all the current models to help you choose if and which one may be right for you.

Friday, March 21, 2025


Diadora Gara Carbon 2 Review
By Matt Klein and Andrea Myers

The Diadora Gara Carbon was Diadora's first venture into the super shoe category. The Gara Carbon featured a PEBA midsole called Anima PBX, a carbon plate designed in collaboration with Ducati, and a Matryx mesh upper. Diadora claims that Anima PBX provides total rebound of 80% while reducing weight by 40%. Its fit is notable for a wider and higher volume toe box as compared to most super shoes on the market, but its $300 price tag also makes it one of the most expensive. Version 2 keeps most things intact, with the upper receiving some material changes.

Tuesday, March 18, 2025


On Cloudsurfer 2 Review
By David Salas and Andrea Myers

The original On Cloudsurfer model gained a lot of attention for being very soft and a bit different from the normal offerings from On. They branched away from the traditional Speedboard geometry and introduced what they call CloudTec Phase.  CloudTec Phase is a midsole that has diagonal and tuned holes throughout its length to help with shock absorption and propulsion. Their goal is to make a soft and effortless ride. The 2nd iteration of the Cloudsurfer sees a newly tuned CloudTec Phase, upper construction, and a more grippy and durable outsole. This is meant to be a daily workhorse training shoe. 

Monday, March 17, 2025

 


The Monday Shakeout: Physical Therapy Jokes Part II 
By Matthew Klein

This week we do something different. Most people who view, listen to and read our content have been spared from Matt's constant joking. While we understand he is a father, it is often a bit much. So in the name of equality, he has decided to bother all of you with this too.

Sunday, March 16, 2025

 

 

All About Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Doctors of Running Podcast, Episode 233


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.


Thursday, March 13, 2025


ASICS GEL-Cumulus 27 Review
By Matthew Klein

The ASICS GEL-Cumulus is one of the legacy series of shoes, continuing to stand out as the straight forward neutral daily training shoe of the ASICS line-up. I refer to this as a legacy shoe simply because it was already solidly established in the running footwear world even when I worked in running stores 16 years ago. Over the 27 years this shoe has been around, it has evolved an incredible amount. Drastically different foams, geometries, drop and a much lower weight are some of the differences that have occurred despite the mainstream place this shoe has held. Version 27 continues this trend weighing in over two ounces less than the version I sold 16 years ago with a much taller stack height, yet staying simple with a straightforward ride and fit that should work for a variety of people. 

Tuesday, March 11, 2025


Xero Scrambler Low EV Review
By Matthew Klein

While I have been a fan of minimalist shoes for years, finding a great one for true trail running has been a struggle. Trails often require extensive protection from aggressive obstacles and tougher uppers that can handle abrasions from debris and other things. Additionally, I have to be really motivated to use a minimal trail shoe as most of my training is on roads with my daughter. Pushing a stroller through trails is its own challenge, let alone while wearing minimal shoes. I was lucky enough to be sent the Scrambler Low EV from Xero back in August of 2024. Initially, I expected to do primarily walking in them with some light jogging. However, I ended up wearing these for almost everything. From teaching, in clinic, to walking, lifting, hiking and even some significant running, I have used these shoes for everything. With 100 miles on my pair and next to no wear on the outsole, Xero continues with the incredibly tough Scrambler line that should be on the try-on list for any minimalist runner looking to hit the trails. 

Monday, March 10, 2025


The Monday Shakeout: A Placebo Effect in Super Shoes For Recreational Runners?
By Matthew Klein

This week Matt does a brief research article review on the potential belief impact of super shoes on performance. While the effects of super shoes are still hotly debated, there has been some consideration that some effects may extend beyond simple biomechanics. Follow along as Matt takes on a journey of how his brain analyzes current literature.

Sunday, March 9, 2025

 

 

Mailbag! How Do Shoes Help Us Run Farther? Super Shoe Advice? + Breakdown of New Stability Footwear in 2025
Doctors of Running Podcast, Episode 232


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 doctorsofrunning@gmail.com!


Saturday, March 8, 2025


Hoka Cielo X1 2.0 Review
By Andrea Myers and Matt Klein

The original Cielo X1 was a crazy shoe. An above legal stack height, an insanely bouncy ride that made the shoe run faster than its relatively higher weight, a rare laterally biased super shoe that worked well for those with medial stability needs and a design that made it work well for both elite and recreational runners. Its major limitations were the above legal stack height and the higher weight, but it made up for that by being more comfortable than many other super racing shoes. Some argued it was better classified as a super trainer but many people have used it for high-quality races. That feedback was clearly integrated in version two, which returns as a compete overhaul. The Cielo X1 2.0 is a much lighter shoe with a "technically" legal stack height, a narrower sole with a medial midfoot cut out and a far more snug upper that takes the series from crazy to aggressive. 

Thursday, March 6, 2025


Xero HFS Original vs. HFS II: A Comparison Review
By David Salas

Xero is a company that prides themselves on creating high quality minimalist shoes. Xero shoes come in a variety of uses for active lifestyles. Some models are performance based, while others lean more towards casual wear. The HFS line focuses on performance and gives you a balanced running and walking experience for daily efforts.  

Tuesday, March 4, 2025


Adidas Supernova Solution 2 Review
By Matthew Klein 

It has been 4 years since we reviewed an Adidas shoe with a stability label. The company that once had the best lightweight stability shoe (the Tempo series) and several mild stability racing shoes (most available in Asia) had everything disappear except for heavy, clunky Adidas Solar ST. Recent years has brought a new organization of their shoes, with the debut of the Adistar series (which started off heavy and clunky but improved) and the Supernova Solution series. I did not try the original Solution, although I was curious, given the reported lighter weight and PEBA midsole. After curiosity got the better of me, I purchased my own pair of the Adidas Supernova Solution 2 and have been pleasantly surprised. The company that had seemed to forget its lineage of great lightweight stability shoes has brought something to the table that rivals the Saucony Tempus 2, the only other PEBA-based stability shoe on the market. While not perfect, it is now one of only two lighter options for those wanting a PEBA-based midsole in a stability shoe that can handle training and even workouts and races for some. 

Sunday, March 2, 2025


 

We Rank Our Top 5 Daily Trainers from ’23-’25
Doctors of Running Podcast, Episode 231


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 doctorsofrunning@mail.com.


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