{"id":10919,"date":"2023-05-18T08:01:15","date_gmt":"2023-05-18T15:01:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/?p=10919"},"modified":"2023-12-22T03:09:49","modified_gmt":"2023-12-22T11:09:49","slug":"what-is-heel-drop-in-shoes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vionicshoes.com\/blog\/what-is-heel-drop-in-shoes\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Heel Drop in Shoes?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"what-is-heel-drop-in-shoes\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Athletics, like any discipline, comes with its own unique lexicon. And if you hang around committed walkers, hikers, or any shoe-dependent athlete, you\u2019ll probably hear phrases like \u201ctoe box,\u201d \u201carch support,\u201d and \u201cheel drop\u201d from time to time. The latter of which\u2014the heel drop<\/i>\u2014can have significant impacts on the health of your feet, ankles, and knees when exercising.<\/p>\n

So, what is<\/i> heel drop in shoes and how does it fit within shoe terminology<\/a>?<\/p>\n

Simply put, the heel drop is the height difference between the heel and toe of your shoe. If you\u2019re not sure what level of heel drop you might need to take your exercising to the next level, follow along as we break down everything you need to know.<\/p>\n

THE HEEL DROP EXPLAINED<\/b><\/h2>\n

Whether you\u2019re walking on a treadmill, the pavement, or a rocky terrain, your goal is to work up a sweat and get the blood pumping with no unexpected snafus or discomfort along the way. While there\u2019s no guarantee that every walk or hike will be flawless, one way to increase your chances is by wearing the right performance shoes<\/a>\u2014and that includes ensuring they come equipped with a comfortable heel drop for you<\/i>.<\/p>\n

To determine what level of heel drop you need, it\u2019s helpful to have a general understanding of what a heel drop is and why it\u2019s important.<\/p>\n

What Is Heel Drop in Shoes, <\/b>Really<\/i><\/b>?<\/b><\/h3>\n

Think about the way your feet feel in your current pair of athletic shoes. Now think about your walking strike while wearing those shoes. Do you land on the forefoot (front), the midfoot (middle), or the rearfoot (heel of your foot)?<\/p>\n

The heel drop plays a big role in where your foot lands during each stride. And when you do strike pavement, the heel drop determines how much higher the heel is than the forefoot.<\/p>\n

For example, let\u2019s say your shoe\u2019s heel is 25mm thick and the forefoot (the area near the toes) is 15mm. The difference between the two is 10mm\u2014this is the heel drop.<\/p>\n

Heel drop typically varies from 0 millimeters (mm) to 16mm, with the average athletic shoe providing a 10mm drop.1<\/sup><\/p>\n

<\/h3>\n

Why Is the Heel Drop Important?<\/b><\/h3>\n

You might not think that a quarter inch or half an inch of extra height in the heels of your shoes is that important in the grand scheme of exercising. But that quarter inch could be the difference between giving you ample arch support and finding yourself with unexpected calf cramps or knee pain midway through your walk.<\/p>\n

In other words, the heel drop of your shoes is important because it determines how<\/i> you move.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s say you prefer to hit the ground with your forefoot. However, before you knew that the \u201cheel drop\u201d existed, you switched to a higher drop shoe. This makes it much more challenging to strike with your forefoot. Instead, you\u2019d be much more likely to land on your rearfoot (on your heel), which could change the entire way you walk, including:<\/p>\n