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The Training Blog

s5e28 Running Shoe Reviews, Ethics, and Evolution with Kofuzi | The Running Explained Podcast

  • 6 hours ago
  • 3 min read

Coach Elisabeth sits down with popular YouTuber and running shoe reviewer Mike Ko, better known online as Kofuzi, for a conversation about his journey from everyday runner to one of the most trusted voices in the running space. They discuss the evolution of running shoes, what it means to find the right fit, and how gear can shape a runner’s confidence and consistency. From there, they dive into how transparency in shoe reviews helps runners make informed choices, why softness and comfort are so individual, and what the future holds for running gear and tech. It’s an episode full of practical advice, real talk, and a reminder that the best shoe for you is the one that will get you running in the first place.





What They Discuss:

  • How Kofuzi turned casual miles into a full-on running lifestyle

  • What “good” means when it comes to running shoes (hint: it’s personal)

  • How to remain as objective and ethical as possible when reviewing products online

  • The role of softness, comfort, and tech in performance

  • How to navigate shoe reviews without getting overwhelmed

  • What the future of running shoe technology may look like


Sound Bites:

  • “I approach (my YouTube channel) from the idea of I'm just a runner and I want to explore new things.” 

  • "There's a lot of negativity on the internet, so I don't like to make negative reviews...there are times where I will say what I think about stuff, but I try not to trash it because there's a lot of reasons why a product comes out the way it does, but there's also a lot of people that are working really hard."

  • "It's okay to have more than one shoe than you really need. It's not a minimalism contest...if these are fun, and they make you happy, and it helps you get excited about training, which is good for your fitness and your overall well-being, then I feel like it's kind of a small price to pay."

  • "People ask me, what's the best shoe to start out? I'm like, the ones that you have right now."

  • "I would say that there's really only two categories of shoe: race day shoes and not race day shoes. Everything else is a subcategory of daily trainer."


Chapters:

  • 00:00 Introducing YouTube Creator Kofuzi

  • 10:09 Kofuzi’s YouTube Origins: From Runner to Reviewer

  • 14:46 Authenticity, Honesty, and Ethics Online

  • 19:32 Negative Reviews Online

  • 22:29 Individual Preferences with Running Shoes

  • 29:49 What to Look For in Running Shoes

  • 38:15 Quality vs Quantity

  • 43:53 Developing a Shoe Rotation

  • 48:09 How Long Do Running Shoes Last?

  • 55:16 How Mileage Impacts a Shoe

  • 01:05:10 Advancements in Shoe Technology

  • 01:12:23 What's Next for Kofuzi and Where to Find Him


Connect with Kofuzi:

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About Your Host

Elisabeth Scott is a running coach, educator, and the founder of Running Explained, where she helps runners train smarter, run stronger, and enjoy the process. After getting sober at 29, she laced up her running shoes with the goal of finishing a 5K—and never looked back. Since then, she’s gone on to complete multiple races, including marathons with a Boston Qualifying time, all while deepening her expertise in endurance training.


With a science-based approach, Coach Elisabeth is passionate about making complex running concepts accessible and actionable for runners of all levels. Her coaching philosophy centers on building a strong aerobic base, improving running efficiency, and developing a whole-human approach to training that prioritizes consistency, injury prevention, and sustainable progress.


Through Running Explained, Elisabeth offers training plans, online courses, and 1:1 coaching designed to help runners achieve their goals while avoiding the common pitfalls of overtraining, under-fueling, and burnout. Whether you’re training for your first half marathon or chasing a new PR, her guidance will help you train smarter, race stronger, and love the journey.

📲 Learn more at ⁠RunningExplained.com⁠

📢 Follow on Instagram: ⁠@runningexplained


Written by Sophie van Leeuwen, Podcast & Social Media Assistant

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