Doctors of Running Podcast · Doctors of Running

#270 Top Shoe Brand of the Year? Most Innovative Shoe? Biggest Disappointments? | Our 2025 Recap

·1 hr 3 min·4 clips

The Aero Glide 3 goes from boring in version 1 and 2 to a standout workout shoe after a major midsole reset.

1. Doctors of Running Podcast #270 is a 2025 recap focused on shoe brands, individual model changes, and what the hosts expect in 2026. 2. Dr. Matthew Klein, Dr. David Salas, and Nathan Brown lead the roundtable as Doctors of Physical Therapy who review running footwear. 3. The episode asks which brands produced the best shoes in 2025 and which companies are positioned to matter most in 2026. 4. The opening personal segment includes Nathan Brown’s November 22 Badger football game, a field-storming win over a ranked opponent, and his oldest child Henry meeting the quarterback. 5. Nathan also brings a mug that says "Benny's Burgers" and describes it as timely and tied to the media moment. 6. The in-for-testing section covers the Topo Atmos 2, Topo ST-6, Brooks Glycerin Max 2, ASICS Metaspeed Ray, and Zero’s 360 Rally pickleball shoe. 7. David describes the Atmos 2 as firmer than expected, especially around the lace-to-toe-box transition, while Matt and Nathan note the same snug fit in the forefoot. 8. The Glycerin Max 2 discussion centers on a firmer DNA Tuned midsole, a more rockered forefoot, and a heel that still feels clunky or rigid to the hosts. 9. Matt says the Glycerin Max 2 now feels more stable, with a wider underfoot base and a heel transition that works better than version 1. 10. The ASICS Metaspeed Ray gets described as under five ounces, highly compliant, and very unstable, with the hosts saying it is best suited to short racing efforts. 11. Nathan also mentions wearing a Paka wool hoodie and praises the company’s community-integrated sourcing from Peru. 12. For 2025 brand performance, Matt ranks ASICS at the top and points to the Kayano’s geometry changes, the Nimbus, and the Metaspeed series as evidence. 13. Matt’s second-place brand is Puma, which he credits for step-forward models such as the Fast-R 3 and ForeverRun Nitro 2. 14. Matt’s runner-up list includes Mizuno and Saucony, with Saucony’s Endorphin Trainer and Endorphin Elite 2 singled out as part of the argument. 15. Nathan also names Nike as a brand that is streamlining its lineup and creating clearer shoe roles, even when individual models like the Pegasus Premium do not land for him. 16. When the hosts shift to 2026 watchlist brands, Mizuno gets the strongest support because the Neo Vista, Neo Zen, and Ryder updates show a faster-moving lineup. 17. David adds Solomon and Diadora as companies to watch, citing Solomon’s midsole changes and Diadora’s improving uppers and materials. 18. The tone stays conversational and evaluation-heavy, with the hosts interrupting each other, comparing fit, and using personal mileage to explain their judgments. 19. Listeners who track running-shoe brands, foam changes, and yearly model updates will get the most from this episode. 20. Listeners wanting a single-shoe review or a short episode should probably skip it.

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