Looking for a lower heel drop - post Ankle Sprain

New Balance 730 for road, New Balance MT110 for trails. I literally bought 20 pair of minimalist shoes in the last year for road and trail and have tried and returned many others to running warehouse for store credit. Also like the brooks pure project line but not the pure grits.

Not neccessarily looking for a minimalist shoe - just a lower heel drop.

The 730's are not part of the minimalist line and they have a 4mm drop and mine weigh ( size 12) about 7oz and have plenty of cushioning without being too soft kike the brooks pure line. They also have a very wide toe box. The big thing about minimalist shoes is the lower heel drop though. That and lighter uppers. If you get a pair if something from rinning warehouse they will give store credit if gently used and returned. Other stores may do the same.

Saucony fastwitch. I've worn them the last 3 years and they get a thumbs up from me.

Runningwarehouse has the nb 870 listed with an 11+ heel toe drop so this doesn't really match wat he was looking for.

I was running in the Brooks Pure Cadence for a while. I felt it accelerated my plantar fasciitis (I was dealing with it before) to the point I had to stop running. I then went to the NB 890 and was able put my orthotics in them. The 890 is more of a traditional shoe with a heel drop of 8mm vs. the usual 12mm.IMO, many of these minimalist shoes are just racing flats, so be careful.I'm a 50+ yr old male, my window for minimalist shoes might have passed.

Lefty McGillicutty wrote:

I'm coming back from an ankle sprain and I am considering switching to a shoe with a lower heel drop to reduce my chances of getting another sprain when I'm back on the roads and trails.

I currently run 30 -40 miles per week in Mizuno Wave Inspire 8's. I wear orthotics.

I'm looking at the Brooks Pure Cadence and New Balance 890 or 870.

I'm through racing for a while and looking for a solid trainer.

It depends on how much lower you want. Staying in the stability category you could go with the Saucony Guide 5 which has an 8mm drop. Moving down to a 4mm drop you could go with the Brooks Cadence or the Saucony Mirage.

If you're planning on still wearing your orthotics, the Guide 5 would be the best bet. I'm not sure how the cadence and mirage work with orthotics.

The 890 has the same heel drop as the Guide 5 but it is a neutral trainer (probably not for you). The 870 is a stability trainer but I'm not sure on the heel drop. I don't think its much lower then a traditional shoe.

You didn't specify the v2 model.

redux - uhhhhhhhhhh wrote:

triedalotofshoes wrote:

Runningwarehouse has the nb 870 listed with an 11+ heel toe drop so this doesn't really match wat he was looking for.

http://www.runningwarehouse.com/descpageMRS-N8702M2.html

Stack Height: Heel (28mm), Forefoot (20mm)

All major brand seem to be reducing their heel heights in running models. By next year I would think you can find a low drop shoe from about any brand.

http://one50south.blogspot.com/

Brooks pure cadence have a 4 mm drop but enough cushion. I have good feel in them compared to heftier shoes. I didn't have much transition either. The NB 730 are more like racing flats with very little cushion and non supportive uppers. You might be able to transition to more minimalist but the pure line is a good stepping stone. It just depends what you can handle. Many will not tell you that the transiton to more minimal comes with a price & dont necessarily make you faster or better...

Did the right pair of shoes make you faster or better? I hope so...20 pairs?? Who has the money to buy that many?