What should runners look for in a running shoe? Thomas Neuberger of Believe in the Run has tested hundreds of running shoes and has witnessed the evolution, trends, and fads of the running shoe industry over the years.
Thomas is a fixture in the running community as the founder of Believe in the Run. He’s tested more pairs of running shoes than almost anyone else in the United States, and has been sharing reviews since 2009, when he founded Believe in the Run.
Since then, Thomas has grown Believe in the Run to one of the top shoe review companies in the country, and he has a lot of wisdom to share when it comes to selecting a shoe among seemingly countless options.
Believe in the Run Founder Thomas Neuberger on Testing Running Shoes, Industry Trends and Fads, and Tips for Selecting Shoes
Since Thomas has probably worn more pairs of shoes than anybody else over the last 15 years (with maybe the exception of Runner’s World Director of Product Testing and Runner-in-Chief, Jeff Dengate), he is well versed in everything from individual preferences to big brand trends and from newer material technology to “super shoes.”
Thomas’ deep experience in the running shoe industry gives him an unparalleled perspective on the evolution of shoes, why some features are no longer available, and the future of running shoes.
In this episode, Thomas and I talk about:
- The 2009 origin story of Believe in the Run, a top shoe review company in the United States
- What it’s like to test around 100 pairs of running shoes a year
- The evolution, trends, and fads of running shoes, and why personal runner preference matters
- How runners can look for and try running shoes that could work for their individual bodies, instead of focusing on a specific brand
- Tips for beginner runners on selecting a running shoe
- Stack height, arch support, material, heel-toe drop… What should you consider when looking for a pair of running shoes?
- Trends in running shoes: from minimalist and barefoot to maximum cushion
- How a certain model of running shoe can go for over $2,000 on the secondary market
- How running shoes can relate to foot health and injury (or injury prevention)
- Why you should be rotating your running shoes
- Super shoes: How often should runners wear them, whether they’re worth it, and what to consider if you’re looking for a pair
- The worst pair of running shoes Thomas ever tried, and some of the best pairs of running shoes from Thomas’ experiences
- Running shoe wisdom: If your running shoes aren’t fun, then you’re running in the wrong shoes. Don’t settle.
I get many questions from runners about running shoes, so this episode will give you a ton of value to start making better shoe decisions.
Subscribe to the podcast in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartRadio, or Google Play
Links & Resources from the Show:
- Explore Believe in the Run
- Thomas Neuberger on Instagram
- Believe in the Run on YouTube
- Learn a great warm-up routine for runners
Thank you DrinkLMNT!
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