Toe to heel drop - experiences?

[zoom-zoom]

I really really really really wish I could find a shoe with some cushion that doesn't require me to either run on my tippytoes or smack my heels with every single step, but I've come (late) to the realization that fit has to come before everything else.

I don't know what level of stability you need, but you might really like the Nike Lunarfly. I've been running in these for quite some time. They are very lightweight, lower profile, but still quite cushy. I alternate them with my New Balance 905s. On paper they are similar (both are lightweight, light stability performance trainers), but the feel is very different. The Nikes feel like a much plusher shoe, but they still don't have bulky heels and have a really flexible forefoot.

[OakLeaf]

They look good, but they don't even come in D width for women, let alone the EE I need. I can (could) squeeze into Nike's Zoom Structure Triax 13 in D width, but I'd love to get away from the huge heel, plus I don't even know whether the current version (#15) fits or not.

I'm trying a pair of Mizuno Inspire in men's EE, which when I tried them in the store yesterday didn't have too terribly much heel slip. They're still really built up and have a pointy toe, but we'll see.

[zoom-zoom]

They look good, but they don't even come in D width for women, let alone the EE I need. I can (could) squeeze into Nike's Zoom Structure Triax 13 in D width, but I'd love to get away from the huge heel, plus I don't even know whether the current version (#15) fits or not.

I wear a D, too...that's one reason I like the Lunarflys--they actually fit me really well and have a really roomy toebox (and don't limit me to NB--about the only company that makes wide width performance shoes). I can't wear most medium-width women's shoes. I wonder how the men's would fit. I would imagine that they might work well if you are an EE.

[GLC1968]

I run in a 4mm drop NB Minimus Trail (wide width, of course!). Zero cushioning, but I like it that way as I'd be running totally barefoot if I could get my skin to cooperate. Transition from a custom orthotic fitted high stability, high drop NB shoe took me months and I wasn't a high mileage runner to begin with...

My husband recently switched from a 12mm drop shoe (a Nike style, not sure which) to the 4mm drop NB Minimus Road version. The Road has more cushioning in the forefoot than the trail does and it suits him well. He wasn't putting in a lot of miles before, so his transition has been easier than it might have been for a serious runner, but he's loving the new shoes. He comments almost every run how he enjoys being able to feel the road and precisely how his foot is positioned, so that he can immediately correct it. This is after we took a Chi Running clinic (which is what prompted his shoe shopping in the first place), so he was already working on improving his form before making the switch.

The NB Minimus Road is on sale at most stores right now for $60 ish because they are replacing it with a new design in the spring. So if you don't mind not being able to keep the same shoe going forward, it might be a nice, inexpensive, low-drop shoe to try.

[OakLeaf]

The NB Minimus Road is on sale at most stores right now for $60 ish because they are replacing it with a new design in the spring.

NB says the new version will be zero-drop. So for the purists (or plantar fasciitis sufferers) for whom 4 mm is too much, it might be worth the wait and the extra cost.

[GLC1968]

NB says the new version will be zero-drop. So for the purists (or plantar fasciitis sufferers) for whom 4 mm is too much, it might be worth the wait and the extra cost.

I thought I read somewhere that they will have both - a zero and a 4mm. But yeah, I'm waiting on the zero for sure!

[jessmarimba]

Just got the minimus trail as my "everday" shoe so my poor low back doesn't have to deal with a heel. I love them. It's like they were made for my feet. I haven't run in them yet and I don't know if I will but I had some gift cards for Zappos and they were on sale so I went for it. Best shoe decision I've made yet.