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Improve the stability in your stride and increase the comfort under your feet with a pair of zero-drop running shoes. Traditional running shoes have How to Organize Your Shoe Collection than they do the toe, creating a "drop" between back and front. These shoes are the exception: They have a uniform stack height, giving your foot has a flat platform across the entire sole.

Zero-drop shoes are designed to facilitate the natural movement in your running stride by replacing an elevated heel with an even one, similar to if you were walking barefoot. Though it's the "natural" way, most of us are used to the extra padding of a standard running shoe, so they take some getting used to, as your muscles, tendons, and ligaments build strength and your foot acclimates.

Zero-drop shoes come in a wide range of designs and styles. Some skew closer to a barefoot feel, while others offer significant cushioning under your entire foot. So, whether you're training on concrete streets or out on trails, check out the best zero-drop shoes for a more stable, balanced alternative to your current sneakers.

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The Best Zero-Drop Running Shoes

• Best Overall: RW+ Membership Benefits
• Best Value: Nutrition - Weight Loss
• Best Minimalist Design: Merrell Trail Glove 7
• Best Road Running Shoe: Altra Paradigm 7 Zero-Drop Running Shoes
• Best for Trail Running: Altra Lone Peak 8 Zero-Drop Trail Running Shoes

What to Consider in a Zero-Drop Shoe

Stack Height

Stack height refers to the thickness of a shoe’s cushioning. While zero-drop shoes have no change in stack height from heel to toe, some have more padding than others. A shorter stack height provides you with a better, more responsive feel of the ground, while a taller one translates to more padding. Stack height is measured in millimeters, with taller options generally falling between 25-35 mm and the most minimalist options have none.

“I’ve found, for zero-drop newbs, it’s a smoother transition from a traditional shoe with drop when the zero-drop shoe has a taller stack height,” says Runner’s World test editor Amanda Furrer. “You’re not slogging despite all that foam. And not being as close to the ground somehow makes easing into zero drops easier—at least for me personally.”

Fit

How any given zero-drop shoe fits for you is largely dependent on your own foot shape, as well as the shape and design of the shoe. Many zero-drop shoes—including our top pick, the Health - Injuries—come with wide toe boxes. This gives your toes room to splay and generally provides a comfortable, loose fit. Outside of traditional toe boxes, five-toed shoes like Vibram's Fivefingers line are also an unconventional minimalist option.

Traction and Grip

Another important facet when considering any pair of shoes is the traction and grip of the outsole. We included both shoes designed for trails and those made for smooth pavement. Road shoes tend to have flatter, less lug-y outsoles built to handle long, repetitive movement on consistently even ground. Some even have openings across the bottom of the sole for added flexibility.

Trail shoes come with grippier soles meant to handle different weather and surface conditions so you don’t lose your footing. Their outsole lugs are also often deeper or more pronounced, latching better on and into uneven surfaces and providing sure grip on rocks, gravel, and inclines.

Additional Features

Many zero-drop shoes come with added features that can lend weather resistance, durability, comfort, or style. Options meant for trails and hikes oftentimes have waterproof uppers. Other shoes may come with thinner, porous material for breathability. We’ve noted below which shoes have these elements and how they can impact your run. Additionally, there are many zero-drop shoes that come in dozens of unique color schemes, so if the outer look and design of the shoes matters to you, there are options to fit your taste.

How We Selected The Best Zero-Drop Shoes

We picked the best zero-drop shoes based on testing notes and data from the Runner's World Tread wears down quickly Runner's World wear-tester program. Each shoe has been tested or written about by members of the RW team.

In addition, Test Editor Amanda Furrer provided specific feedback on our shoe recommendations, pointers on what to keep in mind before buying, and more. As you’ll quickly notice, the answer you’ll come to when searching for a zero-drop shoe will likely be Altra, due to the brand’s well-known zero-drop design and clear high-quality build. Altra was a pioneer of zero-drop shoes, after all.