The drop!

[stega1958]

I seem to be on the mailing list for a running shoe catalogue and have noticed that for some shoes they quote the "heel to toe drop".

I understand what that measures but wonder why you would choose a greater or smaller number? And what's the average?

[TX-Bluebonnet Graduate]

I'm not sure what that measures. Is it the amount of cushioning under the heal area?

[swanscot Graduate]

I understood what it measures, but was unsure of which you'd choose, so I went looking. This article explains it well: gearinstitute.com/getschool...

They say:

"Here’s why it matters. A shoe with a thick heel demands that you run on your heels—it shoves a wedge of foam beneath your heel which has to hit the ground first. A shoe that’s flat allows you to run on your midfoot—so your entire foot hits the ground at the same moment as your heel. That’s not only the most efficient stride, but it’s also the one that will send the least amount of shock up your leg, reducing your propensity for injuries."

Having read this I had to search to find the drop for my running shoes . My Brooks Adrenaline shoes have a 12mm drop. This is interesting as I think I land on my midfoot, yet the article claims I'd notice the heel getting in the way. Maybe I should ask my son to video me running and watch it in slo-mo!

Today I ran for the first time in my new off-road Inov8 Roclite's and they have a 8mm drop. (I knew off-road shoes had less cushioning in the heel, but again had to search to find the height). Today's run was uphill on a very wet, very muddy forest track, so can't say I really thought about my running form too much; I didn't notice a difference in how I was landing on my feet. It will be interesting to see how these compare on a level track or path.

[Anniemurph Graduate in reply to swanscot]

That's interesting, Swanscot - I love my Brooks Adrenaline but hadn't noticed that I land on my heels, in fact I'm quite conscious sometimes of landing flat-footed. I only ever run on hard surfaces but since I bought these, fitted after gait analysis at a specialist running shop, I have had no problems with shin pain etc. as I did at the start in my original trainers. If I look at my ordinary shoes I wear down the outside of the heels, yet there isn't any noticeable wear in the same spot on my Brooks trainers, which were fitted for over-pronation.

[stega1958 Graduate]

Thanks guys

My current shoes are Brooks (I think Vapor 9), no idea of the drop on those.

I benefit from some motion control but don't wear the outside edges of the heels that much so I think I must be striking somewhere between heel and midfoot.

That's a good link Swanscot, looks like I would prefer the feel of an 8mm drop.