Mailbag! Is Heel Drop a Lie? Toe Numbness? Our 2025 Shoe Rotation? | DOR Podcast #269

 

 

Mailbag! Is Heel Drop a Lie? Toe Numbness? Our 2025 Shoe Rotation?
Doctors of Running Podcast, Episode 269

It's time for a mailbag round where we dig through our emails and DMs to answer your questions! Matt & David team up to tackle questions about heel drop, stable-neutral speed shoes, treadmill shoes, how they'd build a rotation, and more. Want your question answered on the next mailbag? Email us at doctorsofrunning@gmail.com.

Matt's Favorites Shoes of 2025

Matt's Favorite Shoes of 2025
These are our team's top running choices that came out this year.

By: Matthew Klein

 

2025 has been an interesting year. We finally saw some attention to stability shoes, with great updates to the Kayano, ForeverRun, Hurricane and other stability shoes. We unfortunately lost most of the light/fast stability category, although a few of the stable neutral racers have continued on. Training shoe-wise, we had some awesome surprises, with companies like Salomon, TYR and R.A.D debuting some fantastic lightweight trainers. Racing shoes have really started to get crazy, with weights starting to get down to the minimal era. Personally, this year has been crazy. From building our orthopedic DPT course from scratch at George Fox to, to presenting on a national level (CSM 2026) for the first time, to hitting over 7000 miles of stroller running with Isabella, this has been a great year in many ways. Despite the large mix of shoes this year, there are some clear winners this year that are worth discussing. It should be noted that all of the following shoes I have taken to well over 100 miles and not only do they perform well, they have also demonstrated fantastic durability.

Andrea's Favorite Shoes of 2025

Andrea's Favorite Shoes of 2025
These are our team's top running choices that came out this year.

By: Andrea Myers

2025 brought big changes in my training and racing as I transitioned from marathon training to middle distance track racing, focusing on the 800 and mile. As compared to previous years, in which my weekly mileage was in the 50-70 range, my mileage has been steady in the 35-40 range plus two days of heavy weight training. Long runs max out at 10 miles and my speed work increased to include a lot of mile, 800, 400, and even faster paced work. These changes in my training resulted in changes in the shoes I need and prefer, as I was no longer looking for shoes to help me deal with the high levels of fatigue of marathon training, but needed shoes to handle fast paces on the track when not wearing spikes. From an industry perspective, 2025 was a great year of innovation in the racing category, but a year of mostly disappointment for me in the trainer category, as it seemed every daily trainer I previously liked gained stack and weight in its 2025 version. 

Nathan's Favorite Shoes of 2025

   

Nathan's Favorite Shoes of 2025
These are our team's top running choices that came out this year.

By: Nathan Brown

 

2025 was another year where I had to face significant obstacles in my running journey when it came to remaining healthy. The last 3 years have included a tear of the ligaments on the bottom of my big toe (which is still giving me fits from time to time), a ganglion cyst forming in my ACL, and a stress fracture. I'm thankful that although it isn't fun to have injuries that necessitate time away from running, I've been able to find joy and contentment in so much of life beyond running: being a husband, father, friend, teacher...among many other things. However, I'm also learning that my kryptonite is also my main "why" of running: being and relating with others. I often sacrifice smart decisions for the sake of community, often leading me to run too long, too fast, too soon. Looking toward 2026, I'm excited to strike a better balance of prioritizing my own health while still doing this sport with my main interest in relationships. Part of that will be getting my own running coach again since 2022 when I went back to grad school. I'm looking forward to what is next!

David's Favorite Shoes of 2025

David's Favorite Shoes of 2025
These are our team's top running choices that came out this year.

By: David Salas

 

2025 has been a year of change for me. I have been training intensely for years and decided to take a step back this year. Running this year has been more around enjoying the activity itself and spending time with friends. I may not have not been ripping it on the track as much, but we still got some quality miles in. Below are my favorite shoes of 2025.

We Rank Our Top 5 Shoes of 2025 | DOR Podcast #268

 

We Rank Our Top 5 Shoes of 2025
Doctors of Running Podcast, Episode 268

It's that time of year! We get the whole team, Nathan, Andrea, Matt, and David, together to round up our favorite shoes of the year. This time we're doing things a little differently for the pod: no categories, just favorites. We list out our straight-up favorite shoes that released in 2025 and tell you why we love them so much. We'd love to know what's on your list! Email us at doctorsofrunning@gmail.com.

Best Shoes for People with Hallux Rigidus (Shoes With Stiff Forefoot Rockers)

 

Best Shoes for People with Hallux Rigidus
Or, the shoes with stiff forefoot rockers.

One of the more commonly affected joints in the foot is the first toe. Also called the "Hallux", the major joint where the toe bends can be impacted by a variety of pathologies. Bunions (Hallux Valgus), gout, turf toe, and sesamoiditis are a few of the conditions that may impact this area. One of the more common problems is a stiffening of this joint, called Hallux Rigidus. This is a fancy term for loss of motion at this joint, which may be caused by a variety of things. 

Diadora Cellula 2 Review (2025)

Diadora Cellula 2 Review
By Bach Pham and Matthew Klein

 

The Italian brand's latest edition of the Cellula 2 is here. The first edition provided the company with a max cushion, rocker model that had a lot of inherent stability. Our team liked the shoe as a first edition, praising its smooth ride and instant competitiveness with its peers like the Hoka Bondi and Saucony Triumph. Version 2 comes out with a list of changes that at some sacrifices helps draw out more of the plushiness in this particular category. 

Best Running Shoes with a Wide Midfoot (2025)

Best Running Shoes with a Wide Midfoot (Base, Not Fit)
By Matt Klein

In this feature, Matt Klein discusses why midfoot width has become a popular form of stability in the max cushion era of running shoes. He provides insights about the science behind midfoot width and then shares his current top running shoes for training, workouts, and racing that have a good amount of width and stability underfoot - that aren't specifically stability shoes. We will keep this article updated with new shoes that come out that fit the bill.

Can We Blame Super Shoes for Overuse Injuries? | DOR Podcast #267

 

 

Can We Blame Super Shoes for Overuse Injuries?
Doctors of Running Podcast, Episode 267

Matt is joined by a familiar face this week as Saucony’s Senior Performance Engineer Cory Hofmann joins for a discussion about super shoes. Matt and Cory debate whether this unique footwear is the cause of overuse injuries among runners in recent years. Hear what both sides have to say on this issue and let us know what you think in the comments or at doctorsofrunning@gmail.com.

R.A.D UFO Review (2025)

R.A.D UFO Review
By Matthew Klein

 

R.A.D (Rally Against Destruction), a company known for their training and gym footwear, has hit the pavement hard debuting their first running shoe. With British and US roots and a US headquarters not far from me in Portland, OR, my interest immediately spiked when they announced the debut of their first shoe: a full-length PEBA-based, non-plated, lightweight performance shoe. While the first shoes from most companies are often subpar, R.A.D did some solid homework and brings a solid uptempo shoe that is a great choice for a variety of runners with different purposes across all of them. 

Nike Vomero Premium Review (2025)

Nike Vomero Premium Review
By David Salas and Andrea Myers

 

Starting this year (2025), Nike has begun to roll out their training shoes in a three tier system. This would include a base model, a plus model, and a premium model. The Nike Vomero has always been a more premium option for daily training, and now has its own tier system as well. The Nike Vomero Premium is the tallest in stack height, and also uses ZoomX with Air Zoom Units as the midsole. The goal is to provide the runner with an "anti-gravity sensation". 

Best Shoes for People With Achilles Tendinopathy

Running Shoes for People with Achilles Tendinopathy
(Shoes with a Higher Heel Drop and Rocker Geometry)

In 2024, I completed a PhD with my dissertation focused on Achilles tendinopathy in masters runners. The reasons for this topic choice was that there was little to no evidence on the topic, Achilles tendinopathy is incredibly common among younger athletes and is the most common injury among masters athletes, and I have also struggled with this injury a few times. This is a challenging pathology given its underlying frequency, the time and effort that it takes to heal and how much it impacts running. As the Achilles tendon is an important part of the plantarflexor complex, it greatly impacts one of the most important muscular groups that support and propels the body during running gait. Those who have experienced this pathology know how frustrating it is and how long it can take to heal. The positive news is that with tendinopathies, many people can continue running (and often do) while dealing with it and often find some relief with higher drop, rockered shoes (including myself). To further assist with this, we have put together a guide on shoes that may help those struggling with injuries or problems related to Achilles tendinopathy.

Do Not Make These Offseason Running Mistakes | DOR Podcast #266

 

Do Not Make These Offseason Running Mistakes  
Doctors of Running Podcast, Episode 266

It's critical to take time off after a big training block, but as runners it can be hard to convince ourselves to do it. Nathan and Andrea team up to talk all things offseason and base building to help you plan how to build back stronger after your latest training. They give you their favorite strategies and tips as coaches on how to effectively recover, incorporate strength-training, and plan for the next big race. 

On Cloudultra Pro Review (2025)

On Cloudultra Pro Review
By Matthew Klein

 

On running shoes are frequently known to be firm. There have been a few exceptions, most notably the On Cloudboom Strike, which has been a fantastic racing shoe for many of our testers. On the trail, most of the shoes have been firmer, which also gives them excellent ground feel in an age of towering shoes. While their uppers were obviously comfortable (as almost all On shoes are), the midsoles never felt like they could hold up over long distances. That has completely changed with the On Cloudultra Pro. An incredible upper combined with a rolling, long-distance focused midsole has made this shoe one of our top trail shoes of the year. 

New Balance 1080 v15 Review (2026)

New Balance 1080 v15 Review
By Matthew Klein 

 

The last two versions of the 1080 series have been extremely popular. Version 13 was insanely light and was one of the softest shoes on the market, a combination that made it extremely unique among both trainers and premium trainers. Version 14 fixed its loose upper but gained some weight and added firmness that stabilized the mushy midsole. Version 15 is a unique progression of both versions, dropping significantly in weight, widening the upper and gaining a new midsole foam. (That's right, no more Fresh Foam!) Taking back its place as the lightest premium neutral trainer on the market, can the 1080 v15 maintain its popularity among both runners and walkers?

The Best/Worst Things Each Running Shoe Company Does | DOR Podcast #265

 

 

 The Best/Worst Things Each Running Shoe Company Does 

Doctors of Running Podcast, Episode 265

On this episode we've got a bit of a spinoff of our buy/sell format where Matt & David break down what each running shoe brand does best and worst. They take a broad look at what each company offers across their lineups, talk about their most & least favorite shoes from each, talk innovation, and more. We want to hear from you! What's your favorite brand? What do you think each company does best? Email us at doctorsofrunning@gmail.com.

Puma Velocity Nitro 4 Review (2025)

Puma Velocity Nitro 4 Review
By Andrea Myers and Matthew Klein

The Velocity series has been an anomaly in recent years. While shoes are getting taller, more rockered, lower drop and stiffer, this series has held on to a more traditional lightweight trainer personality. The Velocity series has always been known for its simplicity, providing a flexible, well-cushioned, yet extremely lightweight ride. The new version is no different, keeping a moderate stack, flexible forefoot and a surprisingly responsive ride. Whether this is relevant in today's complex world is worth talking about.