Dr. Tom’s Top Shoe Picks

Affiliate Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links to products we recommend. If you purchase through these links, Balance Foot & Ankle may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products we use with our patients.

Hoka Bondi 9

Plantar fasciitis · Max cushion

Clinician-Recommended Alternatives

Dr. Tom's Pick: Pain Relief

Doctor Hoy's Natural Pain Relief Gel

Natural arnica and menthol formula. Our preferred topical for foot and ankle pain - no artificial dyes or parabens.

Replaces: Biofreeze | Available on Amazon with free Prime shipping

These products are personally used and recommended by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM at Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists.

$170★★★★½22K+ rev

Buy on Amazon

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23

Flat feet · Overpronation

$140★★★★½18K+ rev

Buy on Amazon

Dr. Tom’s Top Bob and Brad Massage Guns

Bob and Brad C2 Massage Gun

$80★★★★½11K+ rev

Buy on Amazon

✅ Medically reviewed by Dr. Thomas Biernacki, DPM — Board-Certified Podiatrist · Last updated April 6, 2026

Marathon Season Foot Prep: Products Every Runner Needs Before Race Day

Your Feet Carry You 26.2 Miles – Are They Ready?

Marathon training starts 16-20 weeks before race day. Your feet are involved in every single one of those training miles. As a podiatrist and runner, here is exactly what you need to prepare your feet for marathon season and cross the finish line healthy.

The Marathon Foot Timeline

16-20 weeks out: start with new insoles, get a gait analysis if you have had prior foot injuries. 12 weeks out: all footwear decisions finalized – race shoes broken in, insoles settled. 8 weeks out: longest training runs – evaluate any foot symptoms now before taper. 4 weeks out: taper phase – maintain foot care routine but do not introduce anything new. Race week: trim nails, apply body glide, lay out all race-day foot gear.

Essential Marathon Foot Products

Gold #1: Curex RunPro – [AFFILIATE LINK – Curex RunPro] – The dynamic arch support design is ideal for marathon training. Available in low/medium/high arch heights. Start wearing these 12+ weeks before race day to fully adapt before peak mileage. The thin profile works in most race shoes without reducing toe box space.

Silver #2: PowerStep PULSE – [AFFILIATE LINK – PowerStep PULSE] – For runners who need more rigid structure. Excellent for marathon runners with prior plantar fasciitis, significant overpronation, or who are wearing supportive training shoes.

Also essential: moisture-wicking running socks (Balega, Darn Tough, or Smartwool), Body Glide anti-chafe for toes and heel seams, Leukotape for blister-prone areas, compression sleeves for post-run recovery.

The Most Common Marathon Foot Injuries (and How to Prevent Them)

Black toenails: trim nails short, ensure adequate toe box space (thumb-width from longest toe to shoe end). Blisters: moisture-wicking socks, Body Glide, proper shoe fit. Plantar fasciitis: Curex RunPro or PowerStep PULSE, calf stretching, gradual mileage build. Stress fractures: follow the 10% rule, calcium and vitamin D supplementation, cross-train if any bone pain develops. Neuroma: wider toe box shoes, metatarsal pad insole modification.

Race Day Foot Protocol

Wear your race shoes for at least 3-4 long runs before race day. Never wear new gear on race day. Apply Body Glide before putting on socks. Trim nails 3-4 days before (not the day of – freshly trimmed nails can be sensitive). Warm up with dynamic foot stretches. Have a post-race recovery plan: elevation, ice, compression, easy walking the next few days.

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Marathon Foot Preparation: The Products and Protocol for Race-Day Foot Survival

Marathon-specific foot preparation addresses the demands of sustained 26.2-mile loading that training runs do not fully replicate. The primary race-day foot problems — blisters, black toenails, plantar fasciitis flare, and metatarsal stress reactions — are predictable and substantially preventable with appropriate preparation. Blister prevention starts with sock selection: double-layer socks (Wrightsock, Drymax, Feetures) eliminate the friction at the skin-sock interface by allowing the two sock layers to slide against each other rather than transferring all friction to the skin surface. Body Glide or petroleum jelly applied to blister-prone areas before the race reduces friction at known hotspots — the posterior heel border, fifth toe lateral surface, and medial hallux. Shoes broken in gradually in training — not race-day new — with enough toe box room for the forefoot swelling that occurs during extended running are the most important single intervention for race-day blister prevention.

Black toenails result from repetitive trauma of the toenail striking the shoe toe box during the forward lean and downhill running of a marathon course — nail length and shoe length are the primary variables. Nails trimmed to the tip of the toe (not shorter, which allows more nail-box contact on the descent) and shoes with at least a half-size extra length in the toe box prevent most black toenail formation. For runners with established plantar fasciitis, race-day insole selection is critical: the same insole worn in training should be in race shoes (do not switch insoles on race day), and a 2–3 minute calf and plantar fascia stretch before the starting corral helps establish fascial length before the first miles of loading. At Balance Foot & Ankle in Howell and Bloomfield Hills, we provide race-ready foot evaluations for Michigan marathon runners — addressing existing foot conditions before race day and providing specific product and protocol recommendations for the individual runner’s foot profile and race goals.

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Related Treatment Guides

• Plantar Fasciitis & Heel Pain Treatment
• Custom 3D Orthotics
• Sports Foot & Ankle Injury Treatment
• Bunion Treatment

Michigan patients can access expert running injury specialist in Michigan at Balance Foot & Ankle. Our board-certified podiatrists serve Howell (4330 E Grand River) and Bloomfield Hills (43494 Woodward Ave #208). Schedule an appointment online or call (810) 206-1402 for same-week availability.

Medical References & Sources

• American Podiatric Medical Association — Patient Education
• American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society — Foot Conditions

Clinical References

1. Thomas MJ, et al. “The population prevalence of foot and ankle pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis.” Pain. 2011;152(12):2870-2880.
2. Hill CL, et al. “Prevalence and correlates of foot pain in a population-based study.” Journal of Foot and Ankle Research. 2008;1:2.
3. Menz HB, et al. “Foot pain in community-dwelling older people: an evaluation of the Manchester Foot Pain and Disability Index.” Rheumatology. 2006;45(7):863-867.

Your Board-Certified Podiatrists

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

Board-Certified · FACFAS

Dr. Carl Jay, DPM

Board-Certified Podiatrist

Dr. Daria Gutkin, DPM

Podiatrist

Podiatrist-Recommended Marathon & Race Day Foot Products

Marathoners and long-distance runners put extraordinary stress on their feet. These are the products Dr. Biernacki recommends to runners preparing for race day.

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Best Running Shoes | Best Compression Socks | Book an Appointment

Dr. Tom’s Recommended Products for foot care

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Balance Foot & Ankle earns from qualifying purchases. We only recommend products we use with patients.

Hoka Bondi 9 Dr. Tom’s Pick

Best for: Max cushion daily wear

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PowerStep Pinnacle Dr. Tom’s Pick

Best for: General arch support

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KT Tape Pro Synthetic Dr. Tom’s Pick

Best for: Multi-purpose taping

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Footnanny Heel Cream Dr. Tom’s Pick

Best for: Daily moisturizer for cracked heels

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Dr. Tom’s Top 3 — The Premium Foot Pain Stack (2026)

If you only buy three things for foot pain, get these. PowerStep + CURREX orthotics correct the underlying foot mechanics, and Dr. Hoy’s pain gel delivers fast topical relief. This is the exact stack Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM gives his Michigan podiatry patients on visit one — over 10,000 patients have used this exact combination.

#1

⭐ Editor’s Pick — #1 Orthotic

▶ Buy on Amazon

PowerStep Pinnacle MaxxDr. Tom’s #1 Brand

Best For: #1 OTC Orthotic — Plantar Fasciitis + Overpronation

★★★★★ 4.5 (28,341+ reviews)

Amazon’s ChoicePrimeAPMA-Accepted

Dr. Tom’s most-prescribed OTC orthotic. Lateral wedge corrects overpronation that causes 90% of foot pain. Deep heel cradle stabilizes the ankle. Built by podiatrists, used by patients worldwide.

✓ PROS

• Lateral wedge corrects pronation
• Deep heel cradle stabilizes ankle
• Dual-density EVA — comfort + support
• Trim-to-fit any shoe
• Used by 10,000+ podiatrists

✗ CONS

• Trim-to-size required
• 5-7 day break-in for some

👨‍⚕️ Dr. Tom’s Verdict: This single insole eliminates plantar fasciitis pain in 60% of patients within 2 weeks. The lateral wedge is the active ingredient — it stops the overpronation that causes the fascia to overstretch with every step. Pair with a max-cushion shoe for compound effect.

🛒 Check Latest Price on Amazon — Free Returns →

#2

⭐ Best Premium Orthotic

▶ Buy on Amazon

CURREX RunProDr. Tom’s #1 Brand

Best For: Premium German-Engineered Orthotic

★★★★★ 4.4 (4,000+ reviews)

Prime

3 arch heights for custom fit (Low/Med/High). Carbon-reinforced heel + dynamic forefoot — the closest OTC orthotic to a $500 custom orthotic. Engineered in Germany.

✓ PROS

• 3 arch heights for custom fit
• Carbon-reinforced heel cup
• Dynamic forefoot zone
• Premium German engineering
• Sport-specific support

✗ CONS

• Pricier than PowerStep
• 7-10 day break-in

👨‍⚕️ Dr. Tom’s Verdict: Choose your arch height from a wet-foot test (low/med/high). Wrong arch = re-injury. For runners, athletes, or anyone who failed standard insoles — this is the closest you can get to custom orthotics without paying $500. The carbon heel is what professional athletes use.

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#3

⭐ Best Topical Pain Relief

▶ Buy on Amazon

Dr. Hoy’s Natural Pain Relief GelDr. Tom’s #1 Brand

Best For: Topical Pain Relief — Plantar Fasciitis + Tendonitis

★★★★★ 4.6 (5,500+ reviews)

Prime

Menthol-based natural pain relief — Dr. Tom’s #1 brand for fast relief without greasy residue. Safe for diabetics + daily use. Cleaner formula than Voltaren or Biofreeze.

✓ PROS

• Menthol-based natural formula
• No greasy residue
• Safe for diabetics
• Fast cooling relief — 5-10 minutes
• Cleaner ingredient list than Biofreeze

✗ CONS

• Pricier than Biofreeze
• Strong menthol scent at first

👨‍⚕️ Dr. Tom’s Verdict: Apply to plantar fascia + calves before bed. Combined with stretching, eliminates morning fascia pain. The clean formula means you can use it daily long-term — Voltaren has 30-day limits, Dr. Hoy’s doesn’t.

🛒 Check Latest Price on Amazon — Free Returns →

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM is a double board-certified podiatrist and foot & ankle surgeon at Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists in Southeast Michigan. With over a decade of clinical experience, he specializes in heel pain, bunions, diabetic foot care, sports injuries, and minimally invasive surgery. Dr. Biernacki is a member of the APMA and ACFAS, and his patient education content on MichiganFootDoctors.com and YouTube has reached over one million views.