Minimalist Sneakers: What's the Deal?

Photo by: Meredith Jenk

It's All About 'The Drop'
That's sneaker speak for the slope of the sole. In traditional running shoes, the heel is built up, so your heel is elevated inside the shoe. Minimalists are more level, allowing your feet to sit parallel to the ground. Why You Care: Without a big ol' heel, you're more likely to intuitively adopt a natural forefoot strike, translating to less joint stress, says Lt. Col. Don Goss, Ph.D. In his ... more 

Photo by: Meredith Jenk

It's All About 'The Drop'
That's sneaker speak for the slope of the sole. In traditional running shoes, the heel is built up, so your heel is elevated inside the shoe. Minimalists are more level, allowing your feet to sit parallel to the ground. Why You Care: Without a big ol' heel, you're more likely to intuitively adopt a natural forefoot strike, translating to less joint stress, says Lt. Col. Don Goss, Ph.D. In his U.S. Army Medical Department Journal study, minimalist runners were three times less likely to report injury. Study drop that! less