Independence
We do not accept brand payments for testing, scores, rankings, the seal or placement. We earn disclosed affiliate commissions.
Written and medically reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM, FACFAS · Last reviewed 8 October 2026
Our current editorial policy prohibits paid test results, scores, rankings, a seal or placement. An affiliate relationship or a provided sample must not buy a favorable recommendation or editorial approval.
Current reviews are specification analyses. We do not have original physical-test or wear records supporting a test score or earned seal. Any future original test or seal claim would require its supporting records and criteria to be published.
The Podiatrist Tested name identifies this publication. It does not establish that a shoe was physically tested or endorsed by a professional organization. Our sources and evidence limits should allow readers to assess each recommendation.
Our policy separates editorial decisions from funding: no fees for tests, scores, rankings, the seal or placement; disclosed affiliate commissions on qualifying purchases.
What we do accept
We may consider a brand-provided sample for future work, but current specification analyses do not document acquisition or physical testing of an original pair. Any future test must disclose the sample source and actual test records. A free pair does not buy a favorable result, placement or editorial approval.
We earn affiliate commissions from qualifying purchases through our links. Different retailers pay different rates. Our policy is to assess evidence and fit considerations rather than rank by commission rate. Links that may earn commissions should be disclosed.
How you can check
Look for the exact model and version, attributed sources for specification figures, and a statement of what is unknown. Current reviews have no documented original shoe-test photographs, bench measurements or wear records. An author credential, illustration or manufacturer photograph is not a product test record. If original testing is published in future, the actual sample, method, dates and observations must support the claim.
If this ever changes
Substantive policy changes and corrections should be recorded here with a date. A policy statement describes the editorial rule; it is not evidence of completed testing or an independent audit of every past commercial decision.
Policy originally affirmed September 2, 2026. The update date above records the latest revision.
Correction (29 September 2026): Clarified affiliate funding and product-acquisition policy; removed an unsupported claim about completed poor-scoring tests of brand-provided shoes.
Correction (8 October 2026): Separated the current funding policy from unsupported historical brand-access and payment claims. Clarified that current reviews are specification analyses without documented original testing, and removed an unsupported comparison with professional seal programs.
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.