A traditional running shoe usually has a heel drop of about 10mm and up. ... The lower the drop, the more a shoe will help promote a midfoot strike—considered by many to have a lower impact stride than a heel strike. Keep in mind that the lower the drop, the more your Achilles tendon will have to work.

Is heel to toe drop important?

Heel-toe drop is not a highly important factor when selecting your first running shoes. Instead, you'll want to think about comfort as the biggest consideration. ... A low heel-toe drop (from 0 to 6 mm) is best for runners who land on the middle or front of the foot.

Does heel drop matter in running shoes?

The lower the drop, the greater the potential to improve cadence. Foot switch is slower in higher drop shoes. Lower and zero drop shoes promote midfoot and forefoot strike. A higher drop allows for rearfoot strike because the elevated heel helps with high impacts when the heel hits the ground.