Comments on: Heel-Toe Drop or Offset: What Does it Mean in a Running Shoe?

By: If The Shoe Fits.. – Her Junk Miles

If The Shoe Fits.. – Her Junk Miles — Fri, 01 Apr 2016 18:31:02 +0000

[…] the manufacturer of that shoe will change the core of how a shoe is made (midsole, arch support, heel to toe offset, etc.). The shoes you love may change just enough that they are no longer comfortable or right for […]

By: Advance Performance - Saucony Kinvara 6

Advance Performance - Saucony Kinvara 6 — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 14:31:34 +0000

[…] The Saucony Kinvara 6 are built to handle any amount of mileage you’ve got planned in a low-offset design (4mm) and weighs only 225 […]

By: Mary

Mary — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 01:39:03 +0000

Precisely why childrens calves and toes have weakened (muscle atrophy) in the past 20 years. Just look at a regular kids toes and see how skinny they are – due to excessive shoe wearing, too much padding and not enough actual muscle usage. Then look at a kids who has walked barefoot around the house most of his life, nice thick strong and wide toes. Similarly with calf muscles. These kids are going to end up with musculoskeletal problems very early in life unless they get back to barefeet and basic shoes.

By: Mary

Mary — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 01:35:15 +0000

These shoe companies are changing the designs each year just for the sake of change, there are no long term studies showing the extra padding and especially the large drops are healthy for children or adults alike – it’s all marketing hype. The proprioception of the body takes care of balance and strike, as long as it gets reasonable feedback from the foots sensors, but as soon as those sensors are suppress with artificial padding in the sole, the body mechanics start to suffer and get confused. It’s like losing your vision or hearing, try running blindfolded or with ear plugs – thats what its like for your sensory system with excessive padding. The options then become which shoes to choose to minimal physical damage – which is not a healthy thing for children.

Keep the drop low, cater for over pronation with toe wedges and let the body take care of the rest, the shoe companies know this but they need to distinguish their products from the competition – just reading the specs for a basic kids shoe is like speccing out the space shuttle, you’d think they want to send you to the moon with those shoes.

By: Peter Larson

Peter Larson — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 18:49:49 +0000

In reply to Tomasz. I'd recommend a progression personally as going lower drop will require some adaptation from your calves. Just take it slow as the transition can take some time, and a foam roller for the calves can be a big help!

By: Tomasz

Tomasz — Wed, 19 Nov 2014 05:44:01 +0000

Great article. Awesome blog.
I’ m considering switching from A3 shoes (Glycerin, vomero, Nimbus) to 0 drop.
Do you suggest gradually moving towards minimal shoes passing through drops 8, 4 etc or rather trying hard reset and go for 0 drop straight away?
I am a total heel striker, 76kgs and 3h46′ in the marathon.
I’d like to improve my running technique for my knees’ benefit and lower back pain.
Thank you

By: Peter Larson

Peter Larson — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 18:14:46 +0000

In reply to Joe R. Drop is just the difference in height between the heel and forefoot, so not sure it would influence toe clearance. Interesting question, not sure of the answer.

By: Joe R

Joe R — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 14:42:54 +0000

I have slight foot drop, are you describing more toe clearance with a higher drop. When my foot comes through I’m looking for more distance between the toe and ground. Or would you think a zero drop would work better for running?

By: Patricia

Patricia — Tue, 05 Aug 2014 16:31:48 +0000

In reply to Peter Larson.

Thanks – I’ll check them out. I don’t run. I’m just a senior citizen trying to avoid a recurrence of plantar fasciitis…just trying to be able to walk.

By: Peter Larson

Peter Larson — Tue, 05 Aug 2014 15:27:47 +0000

In reply to Patricia. Are you looking for a running shoe or a casual shoe? For running, the Saucony Virrata is zero drop and is a slimmer fit. For casual maybe something like TOMS?

By: Drop the 1/2 Inch High Heels The Motivated Runner

Drop the 1/2 Inch High Heels The Motivated Runner — Fri, 01 Aug 2014 05:14:02 +0000

[…] https://runblogger.com/2010/06/heel-toe-drop-or-offset-what-does-it.html […]

By: Patricia

Patricia — Tue, 29 Jul 2014 14:43:54 +0000

Does anyone know where I can find a zero-foot-drop shoe that comes in a narrow size? The only ones I have been able to find are Keds (which pinch a little on my little toes due to narrow toe box and Earth-Runner sandals made to order (which caused a callous).