03/04/2024
One the most important parts of a shoe, besides the toe box (Previously Posted), is the heel drop. This is the amount of drop from the heel to the forefoot. Most typical running or casual shoes have a considerable drop like the top shoe shown. This has no benefit in my opinion and has 3 major downfalls:
1. It places the foot in constant plantarflexion which can limit ankle dorsiflexion mobility over time.
2. Encourages heel strike and can effect normal gait pattern.
3. A higher heel places more stress on the ankle dorsiflexors eccentrically if you have a heel strike gait pattern.
The shoes shown in the second and third photo are different, but they both are zero drop. The main difference is that the middle shoe has some cushion where the barefoot shoe cushion is very minimal. Zero drop shoes are ideal as it allows your foot to sit in a natural position which allows the rest of your body to maintain good positioning.
Zero drop with cushion:
Barefoot style:
