Doctors of Running Podcast

Nathan, Matt, and David take a look back at the 2026 super shoe class so far, comparing and contrasting new releases like the Tyr Valkyrie Elite 2, Nike Alphafly 4, Adidas Adios Pro 5, and others each take a different approach. They also dig into what really determines how a super shoe performs or feels, and how smaller brands are approaching their first entries into the category.

Rabbit is the presenting partner of our podcast. You can use code SPOOKYDOCS10 to get 10% off your entire order of $50.00 or more. Note that the code is limited to one use per customer and can't be combined with other discounts. The code is active from 1st of every month to last day at 11:59PM PST, but don't worry because we'll be bringing you a new code every month. Shop now at https://www.runinrabbit.com.

Our In For Testing segment is fueled by Skratch Labs! Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING! https://www.skratchlabs.com

Chapters

• 0:00 - Intro
• 1:28 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs
• 26:48 - 2026 Super Shoe roundup
• 28:08 - Tyr Valkyrie Elite 2
• 34:02 - What determines super shoe performance or feel? Raw pace or effort?
• 36:54 - Nike Alphafly 4
• 43:58 - Adidas Adios Pro 5
• 54:16 - Topo Specter Elite
• 56:46 - Skechers Aero Elite
• 1:07:16 - The approach smaller brands are taking towards super shoes
• 1:16:08 - Wrap-up

David and Andrea run through a new round of This or That, They weigh the Sonicblast 2 against the SC Rebel, debate non-plated versus plated performance trainers, and take sides on specific-task versus versatile footwear. Also, what's better: recovery runs or long walks? Liquids or gels during long runs? And much more. Want your ideas on the next This or That? Email us at [email protected].

Rabbit is the presenting partner of our podcast. You can use code DORSEPT10 to get 10% off your entire order of $50.00 or more. Note that the code is limited to one use per customer and can't be combined with other discounts. The code is active from 1st of every month to last day at 11:59PM PST, but don't worry because we'll be bringing you a new code every month. Shop now at https://www.runinrabbit.com.

Our In For Testing segment is fueled by Skratch Labs! Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING! https://www.skratchlabs.com

Chapters

• 0:00 - Intro
• 1:04 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs
• 15:52 - This or That? Sonicblast 2 or SC Rebel?
• 23:00 - Non-plated or plated 2026 performance trainers?
• 32:00 - Specific-task shoes or versatile shoes?
• 41:10 - Recovery run or long walk?
• 52:48 - More outsole for durability or less outsole for less weight?
• 57:14 - Liquids or gels during long runs?
• 59:30 - Cucumber lime or watermelon Skratch?
• 1:02:54 - Soft or firm midsoles for long runs?
• 1:09:30 - Wrap-up

Matt sits down with Stephan Scholten, adidas' Global Vice President of Product, for an inside look at the development of the Adios Pro 5. Scholten walks through what's new in Adidas's popular racer — from the Energy Rim and updated geometry to changes in the Lightstrike Pro midsole, outsole traction, and upper.

Rabbit is the presenting partner of our podcast. You can use code DORSEPT10 to get 10% off your entire order of $50.00 or more. Note that the code is limited to one use per customer and can't be combined with other discounts. The code is active from 1st of every month to last day at 11:59PM PST, but don't worry because we'll be bringing you a new code every month. Shop now at https://www.runinrabbit.com.

Our In For Testing segment is fueled by Skratch Labs! Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING! https://www.skratchlabs.com

Chapters

• 0:00 - Intro
• 0:50 - Overview of the new elements of the Adios Pro 5
• 3:14 - What does the new energy rim bring to the shoe?
• 6:14 - How has the geometry changed?
• 7:48 - How has the midsole changed?
• 11:24 - How they improved the outsole traction
• 15:48 - Durability testing
• 20:32 - How have Adidas athletes responded to the shoe?
• 22:12 - Upper changes
• 25:28 - Big lessons Adidas has learned from their new racing shoes
• 30:22 - The future of the Adizero line
• 31:14 - Wrap-up

David and Matt dig into the mailbag, covering whether there are any drawbacks to running in just one shoe, advice on managing ligament injuries, and how height and weight influence the way runners interact with their footwear. They also field questions on shoe choices for HIIT and hybrid training, whether high-drop shoes still have a place, and recommendations for replacing the Saucony Tempus 2. Want your mailbag question on the next episode? Email us at [email protected]!

Rabbit is the presenting partner of our podcast. You can use code DORSEPT10 to get 10% off your entire order of $50.00 or more. Note that the code is limited to one use per customer and can't be combined with other discounts. The code is active from 1st of every month to last day at 11:59PM PST, but don't worry because we'll be bringing you a new code every month. Shop now at https://www.runinrabbit.com.

Our In For Testing segment is fueled by Skratch Labs! Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING! https://www.skratchlabs.com

Chapters

• 0:00 - Intro
• 1:44 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs
• 22:08 - Are there any drawbacks to only running in one shoe?
• 26:32 - Any advice on managing ligament injuries?
• 29:12 - How does our height and weight impact how we interact with shoes?
• 34:48 - What shoes should I use for HIIT/hybrid training?
• 39:16 - Are high (8-12mm) drop shoes still ok?
• 44:08 - Recommendations for replacing the Saucony Tempus 2
• 50:04 - Wrap-up

What's more important: fit or performance? Nathan, Matt, and David rank five performance trainers based on fit, then weight in on how fit and performance work together to better help you figure out what shoes work best for you.

Rabbit is the presenting partner of our podcast. You can use code DORSEPT10 to get 10% off your entire order of $50.00 or more. Note that the code is limited to one use per customer and can't be combined with other discounts. The code is active from 1st of every month to last day at 11:59PM PST, but don't worry because we'll be bringing you a new code every month. Shop now at https://www.runinrabbit.com.

Our In For Testing segment is fueled by Skratch Labs! Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING! https://www.skratchlabs.com

Chapters

• 0:00 - Intro
• 6:58 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs
• 37:58 - Ranking five shoes by fit
• 39:46 - #5
• 44:18 - #4
• 45:58 - #3
• 50:34 - #2
• 55:06 - #1
• 58:10 - How do fit and performance work together?
• 1:05:24 - Wrap-up

Join David and Matt as they go on a free-wheeling conversation on where running is headed. They discuss whether Asian shoe brands are poised for a bigger presence in the US market, whether the trend of new-age foams making their way into daily trainers is a net positive, and which shoe has surprised them most in 2026. They close things out with a debate on where Yomif Kejelcha ranks among the greatest distance runners of all time.

Rabbit is the presenting partner of our podcast. You can use code DORSEPT10 to get 10% off your entire order of $50.00 or more. Note that the code is limited to one use per customer and can't be combined with other discounts. The code is active from 1st of every month to last day at 11:59PM PST, but don't worry because we'll be bringing you a new code every month. Shop now at https://www.runinrabbit.com.

Our In For Testing segment is fueled by Skratch Labs! Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING! https://www.skratchlabs.com

Chapters

• 0:00 - Intro
• 0:43 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs
• 32:24 - Are we going to start seeing more Asian shoes in the US?
• 43:03 - Is the trend of new-age foams in daily trainers a good thing?
• 51:59 - What shoe has surprised you in 2026?
• 58:23 - Where does Yomif Kejelcha stand in the greatest distance runners of all time?
• 1:09:01 - Wrap-up

Nathan, Matt, & David are here for our latest mailbag round. Matt shares some early thoughts on the Altra Vanish Carbon 3 and runs through more shoes currently in testing before diving into the mailbag. They tackle questions on how to actually sense your own running mechanics, what it means for your form to be "right," road shoe recommendations for knee pain while returning to running, and how to find new shoes after coming back from a long injury layoff. Want your mailbag question on the next episode? Email us at [email protected]!

Rabbit is the presenting partner of our podcast. You can use code AUGDOR10 to get 10% off your entire order of $50.00 or more. Note that the code is limited to one use per customer and can't be combined with other discounts. The code is active from 1st of every month to last day at 11:59PM PST, but don't worry because we'll be bringing you a new code every month. Shop now at https://www.runinrabbit.com.

Our In For Testing segment is fueled by Skratch Labs! Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING! https://www.skratchlabs.com

Chapters

• 0:00 - Intro
• 2:48 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs
• 17:00 - Altra Vanish Carbon 3 first thoughts
• 21:18 - More testing shoes
• 35:42 - How to sense your mechanics?
• 42:10 - How can you know if your form is "right"?
• 50:34 - Road shoes to help with knee pain while returning to running
• 56:40 - Finding new shoes after a long injury break
• 1:02:36 - Wrap-up

Andrea and Matt kick things off with early impressions of the Nike Pegasus Plus 2 before diving into another round of Buy or Sell. They debate whether the New Balance SC Elite v6 is the best super shoe the brand has ever made, whether the Clifton Pro deserves the title of best Clifton, and if the Topo Specter 3 stands as the brand's best shoe yet. Want your buy/sell take on the next episode? Email us at [email protected]!

Rabbit is the presenting partner of our podcast. You can use code AUGDOR10 to get 10% off your entire order of $50.00 or more. Note that the code is limited to one use per customer and can't be combined with other discounts. The code is active from 1st of every month to last day at 11:59PM PST, but don't worry because we'll be bringing you a new code every month. Shop now at https://www.runinrabbit.com.

Our In For Testing segment is fueled by Skratch Labs! Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING! https://www.skratchlabs.com

Chapters

• 0:00 - Intro
• 2:14 - Nike Pegasus Plus 2 first thoughts
• 7:22 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs
• 21:10 - Buy or Sell: the SC Elite v6 is the best super shoe New Balance has ever made
• 30:28 - The Clifton Pro is the best Clifton
• 35:20 - The Specter 3 is Topo's best shoe
• 41:46 - The Specter Elite is better than the On Cloudmonster 3 Hyper for the marathon
• 45:14 - ATPU is better than PEBA
• 49:30 - Rockers are specific to certain foot strikes
• 1:02:16 - The SC Rebel should replace the Rebel
• 1:10:08 - Wrap-up

If you've been with us for a while, you know we're big fans of Topo Athletic. They're new releases: Specter 3 and Specter Elite have gotten some big acclaim, and for good reason. But, you might not know about their full line of shoes. Matt, David, and Nathan are here to break down their lineup, from daily trainers, to max cushion shoes, to minimalist options.

Rabbit is the presenting partner of our podcast. You can use code AUGDOR10 to get 10% off your entire order of $50.00 or more. Note that the code is limited to one use per customer and can't be combined with other discounts. The code is active from 1st of every month to last day at 11:59PM PST, but don't worry because we'll be bringing you a new code every month. Shop now at https://www.runinrabbit.com.

Our In For Testing segment is fueled by Skratch Labs! Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING! https://www.skratchlabs.com

Chapters:

• 0:00 - Intro
• 2:04 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs
• 20:50 - A history of Topo Athletic
• 30:22 - Topo Phantom 4 & Atmos 2
• 34:36 - Ultrafly 6 & Aura
• 44:34 - Cyclone 2, Specter 3, Specter Elite
• 56:40 - Trail models
• 1:10:44 - Minimalist shoes
• 1:13:22 - Wrap-up

Our social algorithms are full of quick-fix suggestions from "experts" telling us how this one change to foot strike (or cadence or form, etc) will fix all our pain! But they're often too good to be true. Matt, David, and Nathan do some footstrike mythbusting, starting with a primer on what footstrike actually is and how it factors into injury risk. They work through several persistent myths such as that most elite runners are mid/forefoot strikers, that forefoot striking is inherently more efficient, that changing footstrike is an easy fix for pain and more.

Rabbit is the presenting partner of our podcast. You can use code AUGDOR10 to get 10% off your entire order of $50.00 or more. Note that the code is limited to one use per customer and can't be combined with other discounts. The code is active from 1st of every month to last day at 11:59PM PST, but don't worry because we'll be bringing you a new code every month. Shop now at https://www.runinrabbit.com.

Our In For Testing segment is fueled by Skratch Labs! Get 20% off your first order from Skratch with code: DOCTORSOFRUNNING! https://www.skratchlabs.com

Chapters

• 0:00 - Intro
• 1:01 - Reacting to Josh Kerr's new mile world record
• 11:32 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs
• 25:20 - A primer on footstrike
• 35:30 - How footstrike influences injury risk
• 39:36 - Myth: most/all elite runners are mid/forefoot strikers
• 42:20 - Myth: forefoot strike is more efficient
• 47:38 - Myth: changing your footstrike is an easy fix for pain reduction
• 52:04 - Myth: footstrike never changes
• 55:40 - How footstrike can influence shoe choice
• 1:06:30 - Wrap-up