A Guide to Running Shoe Terminology

A Guide to Running Shoe Terminology
By Matthew Klein

This week we have decided to define several terms that we use frequently but have begun to realize are not common language. As a group of clinicians and educators, our goal is to help people understand what they are putting on their feet or how they are training. This can include terms and jargon that we may take our understanding of for granted, so to help you along this journey of knowledge, we have laid out several below that we commonly use. This list will likely evolve and we may even move this to a more official page. For now, we hope this helps clarify our language!

Monday Shakeout: What Are the Best Shoes for Road Ultramarathons?

The Monday Shakeout: What are the Best Shoes for Road Ultramarathons?
By Matthew Klein

This week Matt addresses an increasingly frequent question we have been receiving via email: What are the best shoes for road ultramarathons? He draws from his experience helping his pro-runner wife make it onto the podium for several US national road ultramarathon championships, weighing personal considerations that may help you figure out the best option for your next road ultra race. 

How Does Aging Effect Runners? Our Tips from Working with Masters Runners | DOR Podcast #260

 

 

How Does Aging Effect Runners? Our Tips from Working with Masters Runners
Doctors of Running Podcast, Episode 260

Age comes for us all, no matter how active we are, but that doesn't mean it has to slow us down! Matt & David get together to discuss how aging affects running and how to adapt. They share stories from their journeys & life changes, insights from Matt's research & other studies, and share strategies to adapt your training as you age. 8

Mizuno Wave Rebellion Flash 3 Review (2025)

Mizuno Wave Rebellion Flash 3 Review
By Matthew Klein and Andrea Myers

The Mizuno Wave Rebellion Flash 3 is the training companion to the Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 3. The Pro is known for its extreme heel bevel and sky high stack height (61mm/57mm), which makes the Flash 3 seem low at 37.5mm/34.5mm. With a slightly less aggressive heel bevel, dual layer ENERZY NXT (EVA) and ENERZY XP (TPEE) midsole, and a nylon wave plate; the Wave Rebellion Flash 3 is ideal for both easy and uptempo paces. The Wave Rebellion Flash 2 was one of Andrea's favorite shoes of 2024 - will version 3 live up to her expectations?

Monday Shakeout: Super Shoes for Recovery Days?

The Monday Shakeout: Super Shoes for Recovery Days?
By Matthew Klein

This week Matt addresses a common question we get in our inbox at Doctors of Running, can runners use super racing shoes for recovery days? Those who have worn these shoes sometimes report reduced soreness after using them. Thus, many have asked whether these shoes may be able to extend beyond workouts and long runs to recovery runs. Matt addresses this with the intent of helping you make your own decisions

Mailbag! Does Heel Drop Affect Knees? Is Heelstriking Bad? Stability Recs? More on Megablast | DOR Podcast #259

 

 

Mailbag! Does Heel Drop Affect Knees? Is Heelstriking Bad? Stability Recs? More on Megablast
Doctors of Running Podcast, Episode 259

It's time for another mailbag round, where we answer your questions! Matt, David, and Nathan get together to discuss shoes, injury risk, running form and more. How stable is the Asics Megablast? Is heel-striking as bad as the influencers make it out to be? How does heel-to-toe drop effect knee pain? Listen in for this and more. Want your question answered in the next mailbag? Email us at doctorsofrunning@gmail.com

HOKA Mach X 3 Review (2025)

HOKA Mach X 3 Review
By Bach Pham and David Salas

 

Capitalizing on the immense popularity of the HOKA Mach series, HOKA introduced the Mach X a few years ago, providing a plated, slightly more performance-oriented version of original Mach. Not meant to be a super shoe, but more of a plated trainer in the realm of Puma Deviate Nitro, Saucony Endorphin Speed, etc., the series offers a performance training option between the top end of HOKA's shoes like the Rocket X 3 and their everyday basic trainers like the Clifton and Bondi series.

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 Review (2025)

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 Review
By Matthew Klein 

 

The Brooks Adrenaline series has been a staple in the running industry for many years. It is popular amongst both walkers and runners for its moderate stability and consistent ride throughout most of the series. Version 19 was one of the first to experience a massive shift to the guide rail concept, a move meant to focus on centered stability and guidance. This was a significant change for the series, which had traditionally been consistent. Version 25 follows in that path, although with the change happening at the heel rather than in the support structure. For the first time ever, the Adrenaline series has a real heel bevel and a 10mm drop. While some things remain consistent, how these change this staple series is worth discussing.

Are Supplements Worth It? Gut Health for Runners? The Pros and Cons to Fasting? | All About Women's Nutrition and Training (re-air) | DOR Podcast #259

Are Supplements Worth It? Gut Health for Runners? The Pros and Cons to Fasting? | All About Women's Nutrition and Training
Doctors of Running Podcast Episode #259

In this re-air of one of our favorite episodes, Andrea Myers and Megan Flynn host two very special guests, Selene Yeager and Jennifer O’Donnell-Giles MS RD CSSD. They discuss a broad range of topics surrounding women's health & training–nutrition, hydration, the menstrual cycle, strength training, and more.

Best On Running Shoes | Buyer's Guide (2025)

Formed around 2010 and launched in 2012, the Swiss company centers their running around a technology known as CloudTec which aims to deliver "soft landings" and "firm and stable push off." In this guide, we talk about the brand and discuss the running shoes offered by On. We also provide a few recommendations for those interested in trying their unique offerings.

On Cloudboom Max Review (2025)

On Cloudboom Max Review
By Andrea Myers and Matt Klein

 

In a relatively short time, On has gone from a unique smaller brand to a a brand associated with coolness and wealth. The number of people we see wearing On in a variety of places outside of running has exploded. Starting out as a great walking shoe but harshly firm running shoe, the brand has made some major improvements with shoes like the On Cloudsurfer and the On Cloudboom Stride. Many of their other shoes still tend to be on the firm side but they are now clearly innovating, especially with unique uppers like the On Cloudboom Strike LS. The On Cloudboom Max is a shoe we have been excited for ever since rumors started circulating about it. A super racing shoe meant for recreational runners sounded like an extremely comfortable super trainer with some versatility. As a health and biomechnically-minded group, we were hopeful this might create a unique option for the >4 hour marathon, whom we often caution about using more aggressive super racing during distance racing. The result of this shoe's debut has left our team torn on opposite sides of the spectrum. Our usual disagreeing duo is on this review, so read on to see two different perspectives on this unique shoe. 

Puma Magnify Nitro 3 Review (2025)

Puma Magnify Nitro 3 Review
By David Salas and Matthew Klein

 

Puma has continued to push innovation and performance in their running lineups over the last few years with some solid success. We have seen advancements in foams as well as bolstering of their daily training lineups. The Puma Magnify Nitro 3 is the premium daily trainer of the lineup, aimed at providing a maximum cushioned experience. 

Monday Shakeout: Do "Illegal" Stack Heights Matter For Recreational Runners?

The Monday Shakeout: Do "Illegal" Stack Heights Matter for Recreational Runners?

By Matthew Klein

This week we address a question that is being asked of us more frequently as of late. World Athletics limits stack heights to 40mm for competition. While generally considered for elites only, sensationalism has had many recreational runners ask if they should be worried. Especially with the continued rise in stack height. Our founder Matt Klein attempts to answer this question.  

Marathon Shoes: Our Top Picks for Sub-3 and 4+ Hour Runners | DOR Podcast #258

 

 

Marathon Shoes: Our Top Picks for Sub-3 and 4+ Hour Runners
Doctors of Running Podcast, Episode 258

With a feat as monumental as the marathon, it can be yet another stressor to figure out the "right" shoe for your race. Matt & David are here to try to help you figure out the best shoe for you when it comes to 26.2. Do you need a super shoe? What about "super trainers"? How does stability factor into it? They answer these questions and more as they guide you through the shoe choices for runners of all abilities & paces.

Puma Deviate Nitro Elite Trail Review (2025)

Puma Deviate Nitro Elite Trail Review
By Matthew Klein

The original Deviate Nitro Elite was and still is one of the most comfortable racing shoes I have tried. While not necessarily the highest performing super shoe, it was comfortable, fit extremely well and was a shoe we frequently recommended for those wanting to try a super shoe for the first time. I took my pair to well over 250 miles and still check ebay for pairs to this day. Rumors started that Puma had made a few custom pairs of Deviate Nitro Elites with a trail outsole and I wondered if we would see a trail super shoe from them. Lo and behold the Puma Deviate Nitro Elite Trail has come to market. With clear inspiration from the road line and one of the fastest rides of the Trail Super Racing Shoe category, the Deviate Nitro Elite Trail brings this super racer to softer surfaces.

Mizuno Wave Inspire 21 Review (2025)

Mizuno Wave Inspire 21 Review
By Matthew Klein

 

The Mizuno Wave Inspire has been a quiet but consistent series over its lifespan. The tried and true high drop, plate-based moderate stability shoe has maintained this place over two decades. Recent versions experienced an unexpected weight gain, which was somewhat disappointing, given the continued use of a wave plate that had been designed to save weight over traditional foams for years. However, this has been due to Mizuno experimenting with new foams, with significant results observable across their new lines and racing shoes. The Inspire 21 finally drops some weight and adds a bit of one of Mizuno's new foams in the heel. While not the most "inspiring" shoe, it continues many traditions within the series. This consistency will be good for many who have been running in these shoes for years, as the winds of change may be upon us with the next version.