#287 The Latest on Super Shoe Research 2.0: Matching Up to Your Running, Known Effects on the Body, How to Adapt Appropriately
Doctors of Running PodcastShow Notes
Matt is joined by Dr. Iain Hunter of Brigham Young University's Exercise Science department for an evidence-based deep dive into the science of super shoes. Drawing on his own research, Dr. Hunter explores the wide variability in how runners respond to plated footwear and tackles the practical questions runners are asking — whether super shoes are right for everyone, how to find the right fit, and how to integrate them wisely into training. They also dig into what the research says about tendon health, trail super shoes, and maintaining foot and calf strength. Dr. Hunter completed a mathematics education degree with a coaching minor at BYU followed by a Master's of Education in coaching. His interests in biomechanics grew during his master's degree which led him to continue education with a PhD in Health and Human Performance at Oregon State University. He teaches biomechanics while working with USA Track and Field applying his research to elite distance runners. Get your DOR Merch: https://doctors-of-running.myspreadshop.com/ We're thrilled to have Rabbit as a presenting partner! You can use code SPRINGDOCS 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 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 2:20 - Dr. Iain Hunter's background 6:48 - How the results of Iain's studies have impacted his training 11:20 - How do people's responses to super shoes vary? 21:54 - Does everyone need a super shoe? How should they find the right one for them? 25:48 - Advice on training in super shoes 30:42 - How super shoe effect tendon health 41:34 - What's the research on trail super shoes? 45:10 - How to maintain foot & calf strength 50:28 - What's coming next for Dr. Hunter's research? 53:02 - Adapting to super shoes 57:44 - Finding Dr. Hunter's work online 59:16 - Wrap-up
More from Doctors of Running Podcast
Nathan, Matt, and David dig into a fast-growing new category of super-tall, super-cushioned trainers, not necessarily made for speed but for comfort cruising. Is it a real category? Who is it actually good for, and is it worth $200+? They put eight of these shoes into a randomized bracket, including the ASICS Slowcush, Nike Vomero Premium, and Saucony Paramount Max, to see which one comes out on top. 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 2:52 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs 22:36 - Breaking down a new category of shoe: ultra-max cushion 35:06 - Are these "good" for us? 39:32 - Bracketology 40:58 - Mizuno Sky Prime vs. Nike Vomero Premium 43:44 - ASICS Slowcush vs Adidas Hyperboost Edge 47:02 - Hoka Skyward X2 vs. Saucony Paramount Max 50:14 - Puma Magmax 2 vs. On Cloudmonster 3 Hyper 52:24 - Semifinals 55:10 - The Final 57:44 - Wrap-up
Matt and Andrea tackle a question we get all the time: how do I recover faster? Are all those things we see on our algorithms helping or hurting us? Muscle scrapers, massage guns, compression, you name it, you can buy it. Are they placebos or the real deal? Want your buy/sell proposition on the next episode? Email us at [email protected]! 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 4:24 - In for Testing: Powered by Skratch Labs 19:22 - Recovery 101 27:00 - Buy or sell: muscle scrapers 31:02 - Compression clothing 35:10 - Recovery runs 38:52 - Foam rolling 40:44 - Percussion massagers 42:12 - Optimizing your training for recovery & consistency 53:40 - Supplements 57:16 - Is sleep the single most important factor? 59:06 - Post-run stretching 1:05:02 - Closing thoughts
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