About
Podiatrist Tested helps readers compare footwear and orthotic designs, published specifications and fit considerations.
Written and medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM, FACFAS · Last reviewed 8 October 2026
On this page
Models and versions change. A useful comparison identifies the specific shoe discussed, the source of a specification and the limits of applying it to an individual foot. A brand name alone does not establish fit or clinical benefit.
Current reviews analyse information published by manufacturers, named retailers, independent laboratories and research sources. We do not have original shoe-test photographs, bench measurements or wear-test records supporting them. They should be read as specification analyses, not reports of our own physical testing.
Who I am
I’m Tom Biernacki, DPM, FACFAS — a board-certified foot and ankle surgeon practicing in Howell and Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. I also make and dispense custom orthotics; that clinical and commercial interest is relevant to this publication’s orthotic coverage. My authorship and credentials do not establish original shoe testing or a separate clinician review of every article.
What this site is
An independent footwear and orthotic information publication based on attributed published specifications and sources. Current reviews have no documented original physical testing. Published measurements must be attributed to their actual source, and a specification analysis cannot establish an original test score or earned seal. Our evidence policy and proposed future testing requirements are explained at How We Assess Shoes.
We earn affiliate commissions from qualifying purchases through our links. Our independence policy prohibits paid test results, scores, rankings, a seal or placement. Editorial recommendations should follow published evidence and fit considerations rather than commission rates. Any future product acquisition or testing should be disclosed with its supporting records.
Credentials you can check
Anyone can call themselves a foot expert online. These are verifiable by a third party, which is the only kind of credential worth printing:
- Tom Biernacki, DPM, FACFAS — Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, double board-certified in foot surgery and in reconstructive rearfoot and ankle surgery by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery; Fellow of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.
- NPI 1821330051 — the national identifier issued to licensed U.S. clinicians. Look it up in the federal NPI registry.
- In active practice at Balance Foot & Ankle in Howell and Bloomfield Hills, Michigan — clinical bio. The clinical bio provides information about his practice.
Podiatrist Tested is an independent publication of Foot & Ankle Web Services LLC. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or accredited by the American Podiatric Medical Association or any other professional body.
What this site is not
It is not medical advice, and reading it does not make you my patient. Footwear is one part of treating a foot problem and usually not the most important part. If something hurts for more than a few weeks, if you have diabetes or numbness, or if you see a wound, see a podiatrist in person — including one who is not me.
If I get something wrong
Tell me. Corrections get made on the page with a date on them, not quietly. Contact me here.
Correction (8 October 2026): Clarified that current reviews analyse published specifications and sources. Removed unsupported personal shoe-purchase, measurement and wear claims while retaining the author’s credentials, practice links and orthotic-interest disclosure.
Recently reviewed
Individual shoe pages state their evidence tier, published measurements and who should skip them.
Saucony Endorphin Speed 5
Spec AnalysisLight plated neutral trainer. Saucony publishes both stack heights and they match its 8 mm drop — not yet tested.
HOKA Mach 6
Spec AnalysisLower, firmer neutral HOKA. HOKA publishes a 5 mm drop and neither stack height — not yet tested.
ASICS Novablast 5
Spec AnalysisBouncy high-stack neutral. ASICS publishes an 8 mm drop and neither stack height — not yet tested.
Our funding and evidence policy
We earn affiliate commissions from qualifying purchases. Our policy is to assess published evidence and fit needs rather than rank products by commission rate. Current reviews are specification analyses; see our method for their limits.