DOES Heel to Toe Drop REALLY Impact Your Run?

[@rasyidizulkifli2285]

I usually don't have issues with drop as I've used 0 drop altra to 12mm drop mizuno, but when using nike Pegasus 10mm drop my plantar fasciitis flares up in the first 3km before getting better 4km onwards. 15 years ago drop was the main metric people looked for, but now I feel the foam softness reduces the drop one you have your weight on the heel

[@Garymanders]

Never even think about drop..i just wear what feels comfortable

[@FordyRuns]

Not a bad way to think

[@oisin_o_boyle]

As a midfoot striker I noticed better runs with lower drops, a reason why I switched from higher drop Brooks to ASICS with 5-8mm.

[@derringera]

Is it because of the drop or is it because a lower drop leaves more stack in the mid and forefoot? As a mid foot striker I think it's the latter.

[@theghostofpcs2391]

The point where I really start to care about drop, is when there's not enough foam under the forefoot. As a forefoot striker, that is quite important to me. Otherwise I'm only interested in things like rocker and bounce. I don't like shoes without some kind of rocker. I do seem to like more shoes in the 4-6 range. All of this probably mostly explains why I don't like Nike shoes anymore.

[@JeremyGiese]

I agree. Too many companies emphasize stack height in the heel meanwhile i want to know just the forefoot height. Im a mid to forefoot

[@AnDre-fj5lb]

@@theghostofpcs2391 why is Nike "Pro" lineup also 8-10mm drop? I'm also a forefoot striker, and worse of all, I weight 90+kg so I'm also very heavy. most shoes feel totally flat to me. I'm still using pegasus 37-38 thanks to the high pressure pod under the forefoot. most zoomX shoes are totally useless except vaporfly 2, because their softness and little foam in the toe

[@theghostofpcs2391]

@@AnDre-fj5lb If you don't mind a high stack and somewhat heavy shoe, I can highly recommend the Adidas Prime X 2 Strung (if you can find it at a nice discount). It only has a short break in period, and the bounce and roll is just fantastic!

[@derringera]

Most of this rings true for me too. Like the Nike Pegasus 40 was 33mm in the heel and 10mm drop. That 23mm forefoot causes a lot of general aching in my forefoot. Topo Spectre 2 is 37mm heel and 5mm drop. That 32mm forefoot stack feels great!

[@derringera]

The Spectre is an example of reducing drop to improve forefoot stack. The other way is to go Superblast 2 with 45mm heel. Then you can make the drop whatever you want and my forefoot will still feel protected 😅

[@GTE_Channel]

After I accidentally discovered zero drop it fixed any knee related injury over night. It reintroduced me into running. Currently running in zero and 4mm drop. Zero injuries in the past 2,5 years and run 50k a week on average.

[@relax101mag]

I think the rocker profile and shoe size has a much bigger effect than 5mm drop one way or another

[@matthewlaw]

Drop is the first priority when I select a running shoe. I have surgery histories on both knees many years ago. The knees were functioning well after that yet they had minor complaints nearly everyday. I started running during the pandemic, with 10mm drop shoes, they hurt. Then I found Altra zero drop, I knew it's a huge difference, but I still gave it a try. I loved them as knee pains were gone immediately including the old ones, but just for exactly 3 months, my achilles tendons screamed. Then I tried other different drops and found that 4-8mm work for me and 6mm is the sweet spot. 4mm and 8mm are still giving pressure on achilles tendons and knees respectively, but in an acceptable way. After fixing the the drop range, no more knee pains and achilles tendon pains. Btw when deviate nitro 3 was announced, I was upset with its 10mm drop, as I was a big fan of the version 2, which was 6mm drop. On the other hand, this lowered my temptation of buying new shoes as selections are fewer. 😀

[@FordyRuns]

Great feedback thanks

[@arthurnelson9747]

My 63-year-old knees can feel the difference in drop. The 8mm drop in most shoes will trigger pain (save for Vapor and Alphaflies--that must have something to do with the foam). I loved the 0mm drop of Altra Excalante, but those shoes didn't have the pop of the then-new carbon fiber plated shoes. So, four to six millimeter drop shoes work best for me.

[@jackatmensacosacoaching]

Walking in shoes makes me very aware of the drop, the faster I go, the less I notice any differences in drop. I think the rocker shape and the cushioning are much more noticeable and relevant (at least to me).

[@ivankovacevic7593]

I had severe plantar fasciitis years ago & moving to 0 drop cured it completely, within a few months, since then ive gone to 6mm (Adios pro) & 0 drop for every day use , its helped strengthen my feet a fair bit

[@FordyRuns]

Interesting thank you

[@ifonly4486]

There's no better or worse drop. It all depends on your running mechanics. It's a very personal thing like bike saddles........

[@FordyRuns]

Yep although any bike saddle for me is horrible 🤣

[@PanicRev157]

‘Spoiler alert, I’m not a doctor and I have absolutly no background in what I’m talking about’ I say this every morning as I’m putting on my work uniform

[@AndreLangeveldt]

Was recommended the Brooks Ghost 15 (12mm drop)cause of Achilles issues.. did not like them, and nothing changed. Moved to Boston 12’s (7mm drop) and pain went away.. remember at one point shouting on a run, “I’m back, baby!!” .. thank you the content you put out. Love the channel

[@michaelhatch1994]

I have both zero drop and 8mm drop shoes and I have run similar times with both and don't notice the difference, but then I am a forefoot strike runner. What I do notice is if the rocker doesn't rock. I have a highly rated pair with a 10mm drop and I might as well be running in clogs because the rocker is very flat. I will admit that when I later bought some carbon plated shoes with a really good rocker and a lot of bounce in the heel that I altered my running stride to take advantage of the new shoe mechanics when running outside (heel/midfoot strike). Mind you, you won't be seeing me on the highlight reels at the Olympics, just a common garden hobby runner.

[@trogpo]

I use low-drop for sprints and plyometrics workouts, and high-drop for warm up and cool down. No doubt that low-drop allows better sprint and plyometrics performance , and I can feel it very well while training. Using low-drop shoes is absolutely necessary to prepare your body for spikes, which have negative drop and are thus brutal on your Achilles tendon.

[@nguye578]

Muscle-wise, I've never noticed too much of a difference between 7, 8, 9, 10, and 12 mm drops. Most of what I notice is from the shape of the rocker and how stable the shoe is. BUT, what I've found with 10-12 mm drop shoes is I tend to slide forward during my runs, which is annoying because then my heel starts slipping and I have to re-tie my shoe. So any 12 mm drop shoe with a rocker is basically a hard no for me (*cough* Brooks *cough*).

[@StefanTerndrup]

I prefer 8 and lower, 4-6 is best for me. I run every day and do some rotation between my shoes. The lower drops help me when I feel a bit strained in my calfs. The higher drops 10-12 is no good for me, after a few km I get pain in my achilles.

[@FordyRuns]

Thanks for your input

[@derringera]

Interesting that, of the ranges you mentioned, 10-12mm is the lowest mechanical strain on your Achilles.

[@Saixtanwar]

I believe varying drop within my rotation has helped keep me injury free these past few years, currently alternating Brooks adenaline GTS (12) and Saucony tempus (8) Usually use my old Rocket x (6)for tarmac park runs. I cant say I notice the transition.

[@FordyRuns]

This is great news

[@ryanhenry3012]

Great topic. My left leg notices no difference in drop variations. My right leg does massively, and it's injury causing if I go too low. I ruptured my achilles 20 years ago, am fully healed (ran 5 marathons), but when that happens, you get scar tissue, which makes the achilles far less stretchy and flexible. It took years to work this out btw so anyone struggling do this; Whatever shoes you get use a heel lift in the shoe you have any issues with eg your calf pulling and injuring. 6mm heel lift is usually perfect. That means 8mm on the left and 14mm (taking all the pressure off your calf) on the other. It's game changing for me, so I'm sure this will help others.

[@stephenwibberley4003]

I find as a heavier runner, a lower drop encourages me to heel strike more harshly, so rather than roll forward it puts more pressure on my hips and knees so will have more soreness after. This is also true for less cushioned and some carbon plated shoes. I know this is more of a issue with my running technique and weight which both can snd should be worked on but I thought it may be relevant to other people (especially at the start of your running journey)

[@gtromble]

I have shoes ranging from 5mm to 10mm. I do notice the difference. But a high drop shoe with a soft foam may feel like a lower drop due to compression of the foam in the heel. Before rockers became a thing, high drop was used to get the runner onto the forefoot quicker. Then companies like Hoka innovated rockers and more moderate drop to do essentially the same thing. You may not be sensitive to drop because you review running shoes and thus are running regularly in a variety of drops, foams, and rockers.

[@scottsteele765]

So many shoes are much softer these days, that the drop turns into a minus as soon as your heel has any weight on it.

[@davidg9120]

I feel this as well especially as a heavier heal striker.

[@AnDre-fj5lb]

true, but a running shoe is for running right? so who cares if you have a minus drop, If you are a forefoot striker???

[@scottsteele765]

@ 80-90% of runners heel strikers. Good for you being in the other 10-20% 👏

[@ericreynolds469]

2 things I’ve noticed about drop. I’m not sensitive to it but higher drop makes me feel like I’m striking a bit closer to the heel. Not tremendously but enough to notice. Second I think rockered versus non-rockered shoes have more impact on the feel than the drop. Higher drop but less rocker makes it feel more slappy during the foot strike but higher drop with more rocker feels more normal and smooth.

[@SwolePapi15]

I seem to enjoy somewhere between 6-8mm drop most. But I wouldn’t not consider a shoe with a higher or lower drop

[@junaideej.k7634]

yes i immediately notice of the drop is high. I run daily in minimal shoes and notice i prefer a low drop with a rocker. I am asian and naturally have beefy calves. Noticed my knees and hips would hurt if i run only in high drop. I went from an 8mm drop to 0 drop shoe in 1 month and had no injuries related to it, running about 7km in my hour long daily run. I have 0mm, 7mm, 8mm drop shoes. I switch between them depending on what hurts. Calves sore, switch higher drop. Knees sore, switch to a lower drop. Race and speedwork in 6-8mm drop. Daily in 0mm if my calves aren't sore.

[@FordyRuns]

Thanks for your input on this subject

[@mikerobinson4589]

I haven't noticed drop in a running shoe since the Takumi Sen 6 that was flat as a pancake. My modern shoes are so soft they all feel less until you start running. Saying that I still think I prefer an 8mm drop and stay around that buying shoes.

[@napnap5094]

Hi I’m mostly do 50k ultra trail races and train for that, my shoe rotation is Altra Mont Blanc, NB venym, and asic novablast 5 I obviously notice drop from Altra to the others but using zero drop for say 30k out of a min 100k weekly mileage is so good for building foot ankle strength, novablast 5 great for long runs not on trails. The Novablast also is so comfortable and easy to run in I do a couple long runs in a week but using them more I find could be of detriment to my trail focus so the 3 shoes mix well. And the Novablast would be the highest drop I’d want to go with, and it didn’t take long to get used to Altra’s. And for me at 60kg don’t find the Novablasts too soft as some people are saying. Cheers

[@GeoffEgan]

I'm 71 and need shoes with drops 10-14. I usually insert wedges in the heel, without a big drop I get calf muscle and Achilles trouble. Most of my life I've worked in boots with higher heels and that may be the reason. Running shoes with big drop set-up means fewer problems.

[@RobertHarridge]

I don’t really think about the drop/offset much, but there are some shoes where you really feel the drop lifting you up on your toes. I love the Saucony Triumph 20/21, but that is a shoe that really feels like a high drop shoe. Most shoes between 6-10mm I usually don’t feel much of a difference, but the Triumph 20’s I really feel that difference. I still love the shoes, though. Anything under 5mm, and I definitely feel it in my calves/achilles, particularly Altra’s zero drop shoes. I’d definitely say most shoes I don’t really notice it much.

[@joshuamoss9116]

I've had knee arthritis and the lower drop 6mm and below have been great.

[@FordyRuns]

Glad that works

[@vincewarne228]

I try to stick between 4-8mm, nothing too crazy. I feel like softer foams don’t show up a low drop - possibly better to have more foam under the toes.

[@FordyRuns]

Interesting thanks

[@kyzersoze9002]

I'm VERY sensitive to drop and I can usually sense even 1mm differences. Having injured my knee several times in 8mm drop shoes in the past I've come to learn lower drop suits my gait better and prevents injuries. It's not the be all end all as other factors like midsole flare, bevel and geometry all have a massive effect too. That coupled woth individual foot strike pattern will dictate whether or not you get on with a shoe. It's also worth noting not all shoes feel or run like the listed drop. I'm running in the Novablast 5 right now and they definitely feel more like a 5-6mm drop to me!

[@MrHardware17]

In my experience, lower-drop shoes have caused Achilles issues. This has only been noticeable on the long runs. 10-8mm is my sweet spot on drop, but I keep a couple of 6mm drop shoes in the rotation.

[@FordyRuns]

Seems some similar comments tbf

[@5kribbles]

I think 6mm difference is not going to be too different because when you stand on the shoe you squish the foam a bit anyway, if the foam softness is different how much effect can a few mils really have? I like to rotate in a pair of Vivobarefoot Primus lite 2 which are zero drop and zero cushion. Then I absolutely feel the difference between those and my regular daily trainers (vomero17 and superblast2). I feel like for me it's a really good tune-up for running form and a extra work out for all my foot and ankle fascia. You should try it, I'd love to see a video of your experience with zero cushion. But of course with zero cushion you need to limit the distance until your feet are maximum robusto.

[@RobertBruno]

For me it depends on the shoe. I don’t notice it in most shoes, but Nike’s I notice it, especially the Invincible where the heel feels massive and the forefoot feels like it’s bottoming out.

[@FordyRuns]

Yeah can be more noticeable in some

[@Manuel_712]

Morning all. I prefer the drops 4mm-8mm. Like to Fordy. A nice weekend for everyone.

[@runzization]

Because of foam composition from length of shoe Drop is dynamic. There could be a 2-3mm +/- swing at your individual footstrike. Pegasus 40 is listed at 10mm drop. Brooks Ghost 16 12mm drop. Both feel relatively the same standing whereas running the wider/softer heel on brooks makes it seem lower.

[@Nieuwhollands]

I think that the softer the foam is the less you notice the drop. Back in the day drop was a lot more noticeable. These days a rocker might even make a bigger difference in feel and ride than drop does imo.

[@Ben-yw8be]

Yes I notice how my foot strikes with different drops. When there's a steeper drop of 10-12mm, I tend to heel strike more. I guess it makes sense because there's more weight in the heel area due to the foam distribution. Like a pendulum, your legs swing more where the weight is more. I really like the drop of 5-8mm. I definitely strike in my center of mass. I'm not a fan of 0-4mm drop. I already have a flat foot. I tend to stay away from Hokas and Altras because they have those 4mm drop or zero drop shoes. I've tried the Rincon 3's with a 4mm. I returned it after two runs.

[@pisderata]

In 50 years people will laugh about 10mm drop, we are supposed to run mostly with the front foot powered by our calfs...they adaptes the drops from casual wear. My heels literally hurt using high drops because they go against my natural mechanic

[@FordyRuns]

Yep!

[@brendanpearson7717]

I seem to be sensitive to higher drop. Anything above 8mm makes my knees feel punished and I get pain in the ball of my foot over longer distances. Less than 6mm tends to feel pretty flat and clunky. I do well with 8mm, but 6 is ok too. If i try on a 10mm drop I instantly feel like I'm running in high heels. I have fairly flat feet, overpronation, and almost always need a wide size for more volume in the fit.

[@zaqmailify]

I can add that the drop really has little effect when you pick up the pace. In my opinion, shoes with different rocker types and heel geometry have a much more obvious effect....

[@FordyRuns]

All valid points

[@stevemcq75]

I've got a range of drops among my shoes, from 4mm to 10mm. I do notice it on the run if I go from a 10mm (Brooks Glycerin GTS) to a 5mm drop (Hoka Arahi) one after the other. Recently I've been working on increasing cadence as part of resolving some mild shin pain and when wearing my Saucony Hurricane 24s (6mm drop, high stack, very cushioned) it did feel a bit like the lower drop meant I had to climb over the forefoot stack to turn my feet over. I don't notice this at all in higher drop shoes like my Adidas Supernova Solutions (10mm) or my Brooks Hyperion GTS 2s (8mm). It did make me wonder if low drop + high stack + soft cushion can equal a negative drop on the run when you put weight through the heel perhaps leading to that sensation of having to climb over the cushion to turn the feet over 🤔🤔🤔

[@benimpson14]

I don’t really look at the drop, it’s more the rocker for me, just like a smooth transition

[@FordyRuns]

Interesting thank you

[@theghostofpcs2391]

Same. Although I do seem to be happiest in the 4-6 range, the rocker is more important to me.

[@PhilipWatts-q5r]

I mostly run in 8 -10mm drop shoes which seem to work my knees, upper legs, and glutes, but I recently got the Saucony Hurricane 24 for my slower recovery runs with a 6mm drop and it worked my ankles and lower legs more

[@bloatedtonydanza7798]

When I use a low drop my calves and Achilles suffer a bit, That’s why I prefer 8-10mm drop.

[@FordyRuns]

Fair enough

[@GTE_Channel]

It makes them soar at first but will make them bulletproof on the longterm.

[@elijahmodnar1]

ive been wearing zero-drop since 2012(3pairs of brooks-pure-drift) and it defo helped recovering from plantar, which im sure was caused by high drop/stability shoes (brooks beast/trance) and eventually started wearing altras in 2016 and topos and theyre great for lower-back/hip/knee issues BUT it takes months and months to get your achilles/calf/ankle the right length/strength to wear zero-drop all the time, would be best to ease into it by alternating to normal 8-10mm drop when you feel your ankle needs a rest ;) i still buy "normal" running shoes like asics/nike each year and mix them up as even now, 10years+ later i still sometimes need to give my achilles a rest ;)

[@PabloPerez-nd7se]

I can’t add any value because I have six pairs of shoes and can’t honestly tell you the drop in any of them.

[@jimhollyoake3179]

I wear Ghosts. Don't feel the drop but do notice on long runs that it is my hamstrings/glutes that get sore whereas calves/achilles are absolutely fine

[@LofotenDoc]

Started running in Altra (Zero drop) when they first released the Paradigm 10 years ago. I’m a forefoot striker. I really feel the pain in my forefoot when trying on shoes with a drop and it feels like my backside leg cannot form tension like my calfs are not doing any work. Personally it doesn’t work for me other than occasionally doing a marathon in the Alphafly which have a low drop.

[@fergusdenoon1255]

Question I have: is a 5mm drop in a size 7, equivalent to a 8-10mm drop in a size 13? Logically a shoe that reports a 5mm drop in all sizes is selling a geometrically different shoe in every size...

[@therangersinger]

Ummm no

[@fergusdenoon1255]

@therangersinger erm, if the answer is "no" then the angle of the drop from heal to forefoot is different in every shoe size ...

[@therangersinger]

@@fergusdenoon1255 you are thinking about this the wrong way. Specs given are from the sample size. Let's just just say that the specs for a shoe are a men's size 9. The manufacturer reports this shoe has a 5 mil drop with 30mm of stack in the forefoot and 35mm in the rear. Now let's jump up to a men's size 13. You will still have a 5mm drop because the midsole thickness is scaled up to the size of the shoe. Going up four whole sizes in a shoe is not going to have the same stack height as the sample size. It will increase. But the heel to toe offset will remain the same.

[@fergusdenoon1255]

@therangersinger then that is a problem! The point on this case is that a 5mm drop on a shoe that's 20cm long, is a different triangulation geometry than a shoe that's a 5mm drop and 30cm long, a different angle, the longer shoe has a lesser angle, the shorter shoe has a steeper angle, the smaller shoe will feel the drop more than the longer shoe. Argument absurdum: if a shoe is 5mm long and a 5mm drop, the angle is 45°. If a shoe is 50mm long and a 5mm drop, the angle is more like 4.5° If the scale the foam without scaling the drop... completely different shoes from one size to the next.

[@therangersinger]

@@fergusdenoon1255 if you have all the answers then why did you even ask the question in the first place 🤦🏼

[@Jobru88]

I agree that the rocker profile makes a bigger difference then drop. I am still not sure why companies still make 12mm drop shoes at all anymore

[@Mister.Curious]

With the amount of foam/bounce the current shoes offer, it's difficult to notice drops anymore. I'm sure it mattered 'back in the day', but it's just a number now imho

[@ivocupic1912]

I don't feel the drop when I run but if you make a fast transition from 10mm to 0 mm your calves will suffer.

[@FordyRuns]

Big time!

[@keyboardbw]

For me, i cant go too low with the drop, given my hiatory of calf and achilles issues. Low drop puts too must strain on this weaker part. On the other hand rockers and plates help, like the glideride and endorphine speed.

[@onlineo2263]

I have zero drop Altras and i have some 12mm Nikes and many inbetween! I find that running over an hour i struggle with both. Foot pain in the Nikes from not enough foam in my forefoot (even though i predominantly am a heal striker) and calf pain in the Altras. I am 90kg and run 20mins for 5km, 42mins for 10km, so i definitely need some good cushioning. Actual drop makes little difference to my times. Barefoot shoes were horrible, and lack of cushioning really messed up my feet.

[@brewlovinrunner]

I only notice drop when walking or running really slow.

[@FordyRuns]

Interesting thanks for commenting

[@karlbratby4349]

Used to not think about drop but as got older foot health has become an issue, plantar plate strain, fat pad issues so now I do notice high drop shoes as puts more pressure in ball of foot thus plantar plate. Now I don’t buy anything over 6mm apart from superblast.

[@thierryung9387]

The best shoes are the ones that make you feel good. I was curious to test several brands, and it's in the Altra that I feel the best (Altra Torin 4.5, Altra Via Olympus). Less pain in the knees after a run, better stride, less fatigue. I also run trail with Asics Trabuco Max, very cushioned, but it requires a little more effort. I also tried the Adidas SL2, in the end I didn't like it. Too tight, not stable enough. At the moment the weather is not good. I run on a treadmill, and the Via Olympus which are anvils, are ultimately the best for that. The Adidas SL2 are difficult on the treadmill. That's how I see what suits me best.

[@FordyRuns]

First sentence… 100%

[@Ginguredrunner]

I'm learning through trial amd error that it isn't just about drop. I bought the Puma Forever Run with a 10mm drop to help with tendinitis and calf issues BUT im finding that the complete lack of rocker might be making things worse. They are super comfy though.

[@jameslong2659]

For me 9mm drop is perfect, seem to have minimal injuries/niggles etc. For my trail shoes I run in 5mm Hoka’s and whilst I don’t immediately notice much of a difference, in longer runs, I tend to get fatigue in the lower legs - which I don’t get in 9mm drop shoes

[@Ruffnreddyrunner]

the only time I notice a higher drop is on decents of hills or going up them, but I do notice the difference in trail shoe and road shoe drop is different no need for a 8-10mm drop on trail shoes imo ,0-4mm is fine for me.

[@cmcp]

I've never even considered the drop measuremwnt when buying. I'm very bad for changing away from what I like. All of my shoes are Nike or Asics because I have a good rotation between Novablast, Streakfly for every day running and Metaspeed and Vaporfly for racing.

[@isacv2182]

Drop feel is kind of subjective to each one biomechanics. With that said not each shoe with 10mm drop feel the same do to different kind of foams used and were the drop start and if it’s a higher stack with soft foam or lower stack with firmer foam. Do to all of that At the end of the day one may work for you better and one less. The hard one is we need to try out what work best for us individually and it’s cost related. We also may prefer different For different workouts speed stuff or steady or walking.

[@FordyRuns]

Thanks for the input

[@MiracleWarriors]

I run 90% at sidewalks and this ground is a lot more firm then a road or where a bicycle corridor. So what I would recommend that can impact much more positively then if the shoes you chose to run today had a high or low drop. It is to see if you can earn warm-up and/or run at least your first mile on the softer ground to warm-up your legs and especially your feet and shims before continuing your run in a firmer ground like sidewalks .

[@FordyRuns]

Thank you for commenting with your feedback

[@therapygrind]

5K / 10K forefoot-ball striking racing? 0-4mm drop (New Balance SC Elite v4 =4mm drop). It's more stressful, requires more strength but delivers more speed. 1/2 or Full M? greater drop for the additional and needed support for the distance. I can run in anything - but minimal drop (if any) is a plus for middle distance racing...

[@jameslourens8691]

I've been running for 35 years and I have never even asked about the drop when purchasing shoes. I suspect it only really affects runners sufferiing from preexisting conditions such as achilles tentonitis etc.

[@geoffreymccann2841]

Yes I notice the drop no it doesn't make any difference in my buying. But I feel it's less noticeable in some shoes these days as opposed to when racing flats were the go to race shoes . The rocker these days I feel makes it harder to tell the difference.

[@stubestrong]

yes, due to ankle mobility i stay around 6-8mm. low drop say 4mm or less you run on fore foot all the time.

[@idawson998]

Big drops are no good if you regularly run on hills, especially going down them

[@romanbrcar6640]

I would say I'm like you. Don't really notice the difference in drop. However: I noticed it in the NB Elite v4. I think it has a 4mm drop and on the first few runs I could feel that my heel went much lower than in other running shoes. Need to say that I'm a heel striker. After a few runs and when running at faster paces this feel went away. So maybe it's more prominent in shoes with softer foams. But that's just my thought.

[@lawbinson]

I love drop in a walking shoe. It basically walks itself for you.

[@JumpinJay2run]

I can go from a 12 - 6 with minimal impact. With my age and running form the 12 slows me down. When I run in a 0 drop, I run like a toddler. I love the 0 drop for walking and foot strength building, escalante 4 ex. , however I cannot run in them. I wonder if drop and protection factor, stability etc play more of a role. So try this test with minimalist shoes and I think that is where the differences are less masked.

[@arranlinton-smith1145]

I'm with you, drop is arguably more noticeable when you walk in running shoes, however as soon as start running your centre of balance moves onto the forefoot where there is going to be less difference. Cushioning and the balance of the rocker of the shoe is arguably going to have greater impact.

[@FordyRuns]

Yeah good points

[@chriswells6153]

Read Born to Run. Drop is the first thing I look for. You feel it in your calf if you haven’t worn a lower drop shoe for a while!

[@ChoirFan1]

I have very weak calves/achilles. I have been working hard on strengthening them for some time. When I first started running, I took advice from a podiatrist, in relation to the shoes I should be looking at, and settled on the Mizuno Wave Inspire 18 - a support shoe with a 12mm drop…no issues! I liked the look/feel/ comfort of the New Balance 860 ( support shoe with 8mm drop) and bought a pair. I immediately started to get calf niggles & soreness, so I stopped wearing them and went to the Mizuno Wave Inspire 19…calves back to normal. I looked around for other support shoes with a 12mm drop and found the Brooks Adrenaline. They were comfortable, but the cushioning in them was so soft, they actually negated the higher drop and I started getting sore calves. Bottom line is that, to me, the difference between 12 and 10 or 8mm is profound and immediate, so yes! It is important.

[@FordyRuns]

Fair enough thanks for your input on this subject

[@Maochan81]

My right knee is very sensitive to the drop. I was running in Hoka's with 5-6mm for some time then wanted to try something else (endorphin speed 3, novablast 4). Although I liked both shoes, my knee hurt so bad I could barely walk. Even pinched a nerve in my hip with the endorphin speed. So I went back to Hoka with the mach6 and did 600km without any major pain. So It seem i just can't use 8+ mm drop shoes. Feeling wise I also generally lack some foam in the forefoot in high drop shoes. Now the new novablast 5 is out, runrepeat measured 7.4mm drop (9mm in Nova4) and am on the fence if I should buy it. Tried at the shop and the foam feel awesome, but kinda feel it's a higher drop shoe. I'm wasting money testing this stuff :)

[@YTParads]

When I lived in a hilly area high drop was so bad for going downhill for me but good for going uphill. Now that I live in a relatively flat area I don't really notice much difference.

[@FordyRuns]

Interesting thanks

[@davidg9120]

I have Achilles tendonitis and so I often buy high drop shoes but I don't feel on foot that there's any difference

[@Ghimlioak]

I buy my shoes with a 8mm drop max but generally I prefer lower drops 4-5-6. But it’s true I sense zero difference between all my shoes. I’m a forefoot striker so may be for heel striker it makes a difference.

[@craigpilcher]

Ive been training in 12mm drop by racing in 8mm drop. I can honestly say i cant feel the different.

[@jimmccafferty3972]

I like low drop shoes as I find the 8-10mm drops make me heel strike. Surely I can't be the only one 🙂, a good example is the Alphafly 1 which was easy to bounce along in, on the airpods, with a 4mm drop. Then Nike ruined the newer versions with an 8mm drop, so my heel makes contact before the airpods/forefoot

[@tono1665]

6-8mm for me as it seems an even balance reducing any soreness. Tried triumph 21(10mm drop) and I felt like the heel was clunky and in the way of a smooth transition.

[@horstbeham5756]

I run in a NB SC Elite v4 with 4mm drop, Rebel v4 and Brooks Ghost Max 2 with 6mm, Saucany Ride 17 with 8mm, Asics GT-1000 12 with 9mm as well as a Brooks Ghost 16 GTX with 12mm drop. The 2 New Balance shoes feel different, almost like negative drop, but probably only because of some extra foam in the middle. I like running in all of them and don't really notice a big difference. I guess it mattered more when shoes didn't have such pronounced rockers.

[@FordyRuns]

True

[@jamesfinneran9039]

Hi Chris Probably a weird suggestion / question ? Did you wear different shoes on each foot with different drops ? I seen another run tester you tube channel do this before to test between new / old versions of running shoes but maybe they are just helmets 😂

[@FordyRuns]

Nah sounds like an injury waiting to happen

[@philliphickey2687]

I find myself heal striking in high drop shoes. 5 and below drops just work for me

[@markbateman9222]

I was told by a physio that a higher drop eases strain on the calf, Achilles, soleus but increases strain on the knees. But surely it depends on your style? A heel striker will notice a significant change in the drop more than a midfoot, forefoot striker?

[@FordyRuns]

Watch my gait analysis video

[@chrisbloomfield5375]

I agree with you Chris to have a range of drops in (and use them!) within your shoe rotation. When I started running I was warned early on to be careful about shoe drop height. Apparently there was an increase in achilles injuries with inspiration to use zero drop shoes after reading 'Born To Run ' Weirdly, I'm okay with 8mm + and 4mm or lower but 6mm can cause achilles soreness 🤷‍♂️

[@FordyRuns]

Thanks for the feedback I really appreciate your input

[@chrisbloomfield5375]

@@FordyRuns 6mm drop shoes are NB Rebel v4 and Adizero Pro 3s.

[@tkwasik]

Biggest problem with high drop shoes - for me that is all above 8mm - always feels to much foam under heel while at the same time to little in midfoot section, and that is regardless of high of stack, high or lower to ground shoe with close to 10mm I most likely wont like it for that reason With buying perspective- only pick shoes 4-8mm range with caviar that often 4mm , 5mm can swing my buying decisions in favour... only have 2 pairs of 10mm and thats enough- not even considering 10mm or more drop shoe no matter how awsome reviews it would have Also its worth to point out that im not the doctor or shoe scientist and have no clue why some companies think high drop is better than low - from my hobby joger perspective high drop do absolutely nothing to make my running better or more enjoyable Also woth to point out im mixing drops, softness, geometry, stiffnes in my rotation, almost every run is in different shoe and only isssue i have injury wise was 0mm drop shoes so far...

[@FordyRuns]

Great feedback thanks

[@kevrunsascott]

Ran in everything from 0 to 10mm drop. Don’t notice a thing between them. End of the day it’s 1cm which isn’t a great amount. I suspect marketing BS 🤷‍♂️

[@zanepritchard3600]

8 or 10mm drop is my clear preference

[@FordyRuns]

Interesting thanks

[@silvermandavid]

I care as much about drop as I care about whether the upper is knit, engineered mesh, jacquard mesh or mesh mesh, which is to say I don't care at all.

[@Stevenc1984]

Most of my shoes are probably a 6-8mm drop at a guess, although I do notice more in spikes as they're much closer to no drop. I did a cross country race not so long back with a slight uphill 200m gravel section I wasn't aware of. Running up there with 12mm spikes in the front was more of a penguin shuffle 🐧

[@Stevenc1984]

Also forgot to add, you've probably adapted to different drops with all your shoe testing 👍🏻

[@AnDre-fj5lb]

the difference is huge. the shoe also kinda dictates how you have to run in the shoe. high drop shoe makes you want to heelstrike, because all the magic happens in the heel, especially nike invincible 3 with such a soft and bouncy foam, I really cant forefoot strike, because there's not enough foam under the toe.

[@waderogers5066]

Im no expert, but with you being a forefoot striker.... would the higher heel stack even come into play?

[@johnward4299]

6 - 10mm drop is ok with me. Also with the high stack shoes, the lower drop seems less noticeable in my experience. Going off the subject a bit, my complaint is the high stack running shoe trend. With my biomechanics, I feel I'm fighting the shoe all the time.

[@FordyRuns]

Great love this thanks

[@runs.long_notfast]

For me I don't think I notice, but like you I run in a lot of different shoes. Maybe if I only ran in one it would be different.

[@alfdickinson1971]

Injured my right foot repetively playing football in my 20s developed Mortons neuroma. And I cant tolerate any sort of drop. Football boots dont really have a drop depending on how soft the surface is. So when i stopped plaing football in my 30s and ran more I transitioned to zero drop comfortably. Currently wear Altra Carbon Clown 1s for races, Altra Escalente racer and Vivo barefoot. I tried Noosa Tri 5mm drop this year and my Morton's neuroma screamed at me after running just 7k easy. Hence Im very precious and annoy you by asking you for the drops of shoes you mention off the top of your head! Lol

[@andorkish]

Between 6-8 mm is my sweet spot. When I’ve run in anything 10 mm or higher I noticed my legs hurt.

[@FordyRuns]

Interesting thanks for taking the time to comment

[@mapleridge8]

I usually keep my drop between 5&8mm