And last but not least, we’ve got to talk about the heel-to-toe drop. This is the difference in elevation between the front of your foot and the heel, and it’s important because it has everything to do with how your foot lands on the ground. Shoes with more drop (8-12mm) encourage you to land on your heel, while shoes with less drop (0-4mm) encourage you to land on your forefoot or midfoot.
A lower drop (e.g. 4mm or lower) is usually more suited for a faster, more aggressive running style. Shoes with lower drop are typically intended for running races – anything from 5ks to ultramarathons.
A higher drop (e.g. 8-12mm) is generally associated with a more laid-back, cushioned experience. You’re likely to find that a good every-day running shoe will have a heel-to-toe offset somewhere around this range.
But it’s important to note: If you’re used to running in a high drop shoe, and you abruptly switch to a low-drop trail shoe, it’s going to affect your legs differently. A lower drop puts more effort on your calf muscles, and if you’re not used to using them as much, they’re likely going to get sore. You may want to start with a trail shoe with a higher drop, as you’re adjusting to the feel.
Okay, now that we’ve covered the different factors, now let’s narrow down which type of shoe will be best for you based on the types of trails you plan to run on.