What is a shoe drop?

What is a shoe drop?

When it comes to choosing a running or trail shoe, there are many parameters to take into account. And one concept is becoming more and more important in the discourse of manufacturers, the drop. Today, thetechnical team of AlpinStore tells you everything you need to know about that particular concept.

Definition

The drop of a shoe, is the difference in height between the back and the front of the foot. It is expressed in millimetres.

Before

The standard was about 12 mm drop, just a few years ago. To have a good cushioning and to protect the heels. However, by preferring these drops, the attack of the stride is made by the heel, the foot forward and the leg stretched out. Thwarting progression since this is not the natural way to run.


Concept

The concept of drop was introduced only a few years ago. Today, brands offer shoes with different drop sizes to meet the needs of all runners(from 2 mm to 10 mm).

It is commonly accepted that so-called "minimalist" shoes have a drop of 4 mm or less, while most shoes are more between 8 mm and 10 mm.

Manufacturers are now tending to reduce this famous drop in order to move towards "zero-drop", the ideal of minimalist runners. However, they keep a slight drop in order to preserve the running comfort of as many runners as possible. Thus the stride will be natural, with a balanced forward posture and an attack with the forefoot.

Influence of the drop on the stride

The smaller the drop, the more natural the runner's stride is. Indeed, he places his heel less on the ground when attacking his stride and runs more on the front or the middle of the foot. Thus, the body is less traumatized because the runner's ankles, calves, knees, quadriceps and hamstrings are more aligned when his foot hits the ground.

AlpinStoretips

Careful, it's traumatic to change the drop overnight. The transition should be gradual. The more you tend towards minimalism, the more your running technique must be excellent, to avoid injuries.

Note that there are shoes with a low drop (4 mm) but with a thick sole, as well as shoes with a high drop but with a very thin sole. Moreover, the identity of some brands are based on ultra-thick soles with very low drop.


Find your future running & trail shoe with an adapted drop, among all our brands:



1 Comment

  • Avatar
    Lechevalier
    Jul 19, 2018

    J'ai acheter deux marques complètement différentes, hoka mach et mizuno 21 avec foulées léger pronateur et j'ai était séduit. Pour course rapide les hoka sont géniale pour une propulsion vers l'avant sans conséquent. Et les mizuno rider21 vers un confort et une légèreté incroyable, pour semi et marathon.

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