#109 What Heel Counters Actually do for Runners

#109 What Heel Counters Actually do for Runners

Heel counters are often overlooked when choosing a shoe, but their design can make or break a shoe for runners. Heel comfort is critical to the ability to run in a shoe. They're also often touted to promote stability and biomechanical benefits, but what do they actually accomplish? Nate, DJ, and Matt dive into the design, research, and evidence surrounding heel counters. We're also excited to give this month to Club West Track in Santa Barbara, CA.

The Subjective: what's a specific part of a shoe that can make it or break it for you?

Chapters
0:00 - Intro
2:56 - The Subjective: what's a specific part of a shoe that can make it or break it for you?
5:35 - Defining the heel counter
15:14 - The origin & purpose of heel counters
24:33 - The evidence of the effects on heel counters on biomechanics
31:51 - The importance of heel lockdown in carbon-plated shoes
38:38 - Physical conditions that might effect heel fit in shoes
45:24 - How to lace-lock your shoes
48:54 - Wrap-up

Jaksot(301)

#287 The Latest on Super Shoe Research 2.0: Matching Up to Your Running, Known Effects on the Body, How to Adapt Appropriately

#287 The Latest on Super Shoe Research 2.0: Matching Up to Your Running, Known Effects on the Body, How to Adapt Appropriately

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 exp...

1 Huhti 1h

#286 Our Favorite Shoes of 2026 So Far, and David’s Running the Boston Marathon!?

#286 Our Favorite Shoes of 2026 So Far, and David’s Running the Boston Marathon!?

The beginning of 2026 has been absolutely loaded with new shoe releases, and David and Andrea are here to pick their Top 3 (plus a few honorable mentions) for the year so far, including picks from On,...

25 Maalis 1h 15min

#285 Sharing Our Strength Routines, Debunking Weightlifting Myths, and What We’re Testing

#285 Sharing Our Strength Routines, Debunking Weightlifting Myths, and What We’re Testing

Weightlifting: runners know it has a myriad of benefits but it can be a struggle to fit it into already full training and life schedules. Matt & Nathan are here to help. They dive into the physiology ...

18 Maalis 56min

#284 Mailbag! Is There Real Science Behind Recovery Shoes? Best Stable Neutral Long Run Shoes? Lightweight vs. Max Cushion?

#284 Mailbag! Is There Real Science Behind Recovery Shoes? Best Stable Neutral Long Run Shoes? Lightweight vs. Max Cushion?

Time to open up our mailbox for your questions! Nathan, Matt, and David join up to tackle questions about recovery runs, compression gear, stable neutral long run shoes, and much more. Want your quest...

11 Maalis 1h 6min

#283 Breaking Down the Cielo X1 with Hoka

#283 Breaking Down the Cielo X1 with Hoka

Hoka's making big strides in 2026 with a big updated to their top-tier distance racing shoe: the Cielo X1 3.0. Matt is joined by Rebekah Broe, Senior Director of Product Performance Footwear at HOKA, ...

4 Maalis 51min

#282 Becoming a Competitive Masters Runner, ft. Jennifer St. Jean

#282 Becoming a Competitive Masters Runner, ft. Jennifer St. Jean

On this episode, Andrea is joined by Jennifer St. Jean, an incredibly accomplished masters track runner and high school & collegiate coach. Jen shares insights from her long and decorated masters trac...

25 Helmi 1h 1min

#281 Talking All Things Superblast 3 with ASICS

#281 Talking All Things Superblast 3 with ASICS

ASICS is coming in hot as we head into Spring with a big update to one of their most beloved models: the Superblast 3. Nathan and David are joined by Paul Lang (ASICS Global Footwear Senior Product Ma...

18 Helmi 48min

#280 This or That? Easy Day Shoe or Do-it-All? Super Trainers or Plated Trainers? Frigid Cold in SHORTS or Hot Run in Long PANTS?

#280 This or That? Easy Day Shoe or Do-it-All? Super Trainers or Plated Trainers? Frigid Cold in SHORTS or Hot Run in Long PANTS?

If we have a favorite phrase, you know it's going to be "it depends." Well, not when we've got a round of "This or That"! Nathan, Matt, and David put themselves on the hot seat to tackle your This or ...

11 Helmi 1h 6min

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