7 Best Zero Drop Running Shoes in 2024

Altra Rivera 3 is our top zero-drop running shoe because it gives us a natural yet energetic experience. Its cushioning serves the perfect mix of protection, ground feel, and comfort in our urban and off-road adventures. Our lab results coincide with all the wonderful experiences we had. 

We identified two key factors behind the Rivera 3's barely-there feel: its minimal drop and adaptive midsole. Measuring just 1.7 mm, the heel drop almost disappears, offering a nearly flat experience. The platform's fluid motion complements our movements seamlessly, which our bend test confirms is 21.4% more flexible than average.

The midsole offers a dynamic yet forgiving ride, delivering ample cushioning for impact protection upon landing and energy return for our takeoffs. The modest 28.4/26.7 mm stack offers a good amount of surface feedback and magnifies the plush sensation through its velvet touch. Our durometer confirms it’s an incredible 34.2% softer than average. Despite this, we don’t sink into the foam and receive a lot of bounce to sustain our faster paces instead.

One complaint we have is that its laces frequently come undone during our runs due to their smooth texture. We recommend switching them out or double-tying them for added safety.

Paradigm 7 shines as a light go-to pair that gives great ground feel, comfort, and flexibility to move around. It has some stability features for added support and is very accommodating for all-day wear. Our lab and run tests cement Paradigm 7 as our best daily trainer among zero-drop running shoes.

Paradigm 7 stays true to Altra’s zero-drop branding, with an almost non-existent 0.1 mm drop. Its 27.6/27.5 mm stack, combined with its Innerflex technology, makes it ideal for midfoot to forefoot strikers. This utilizes cuts in the midsole to allow the foot to flex naturally. Its flexible nature makes it easier to maneuver, emerging 28.9% more adaptive than average.

Even with its lower stack, the Ego Max cushioning feels comfy without being overly soft. This enhances stability because we don’t bottom out. Our durometer confirms its velvet touch, measuring 18.8% softer than average.

Paradigm 7 feels airy and fresh with its light 9.3 oz (264g) weight vs. the 9.5 oz (268g) average. Its upper contains large ventilation holes with a thin fabric underneath for comfort. On our breathability test, it scored an impressive 5/5.

This isn’t the best option for speed-running as it lacks the energy return to sustain fast paces.

Just by its name, we already know the Altra Escalante Racer has speed in its DNA. The streets and our lab further confirm it's the best tempo/race shoe among zero-drop running shoes. With its light, low, and loose build, it offers a grounded and energetic experience that’s great for building speed without the aid of rigid plates.

Light at just 7.3 oz (208g), Escalante Racer melts away with our feet as soon as we start running. Its lightweight design is attributed to its thin midsole, enhancing ground connection and agility.

Low drop and cushioning is what this speedster's all about. At 19.0/18.5 mm, its minimalist stack makes our legs do the work, which is great for building muscle strength and endurance. The almost-zero 0.5 mm deviation is barely noticeable, enhancing the barefoot experience.

Loose from all angles—Escalante Racer boasts of the FootPod technology in the outsole and the InnerFlex technology in the foam to ensure the shoe moves based on our natural motions. From forward bends to twists, the midsole barely resisted. Our lab results showcase an impressive 62.9% higher flexibility than average and the lowest 1/5 score for torsional rigidity, proving that speed and flexibility can go together.

However, its minimal cushioning may lack comfort for daily abuse and very long miles. We warn caution that the zero-drop ride takes time to get used to.

Among zero-drop running shoes we tested on foot and in the lab, Altra VIA Olympus 2 stands out as the best for long distance with its cushioned midsole offering a dynamic ride and its durable outsole surviving hundreds of miles. Not only that, it’s designed with intention, mirroring our natural foot shape for a more comfortable experience. 

Made with EGO MAX foam, VO2 delivers a generously cushioned and responsive ride that feels more effortless in endurance runs. Our caliper reveals a tall 34.8 mm heel, and a staggering 35.0 mm forefoot, one of the tallest we’ve encountered in this area. This leads to a non-existent -0.2 mm drop, maintaining Altra’s zero-drop branding. With its plush foam, 32.2% softer than average, it infuses each stride with bounce and comfort.

The toebox boasts Altra’s FootShape design, mirroring the natural foot silhouette for unrestricted comfort. With a roomy 104.4 mm toebox tapering to 91.1 mm at the big toe, it accommodates foot swelling during long runs.

Even the outsole has the FootPod technology, with cuts that align with our foot anatomy. Though it measures softer than average, it shows 33.3% less wear in our Dremel test than average, proving it’s built to last.

However, VO2 offers limited ventilation, which may cause blisters and hotspots when running in hot weather. We recommend looking elsewhere if breathability is a priority.

Among zero-drop running shoes, Merrell Vapor Glove 6 stands out by perfectly encapsulating the essence of minimalism. Rigorous evaluations on foot and in the lab reveal it delivers an authentic experience through its flexible midsole, grounded feel, and dependable traction. Despite its exceptional performance, this shoe remains steadfastly minimalist, exemplified by its accessible price tag of only $90.

The shoe disappears on foot as we start running and our scales reveal why: it’s an almost weightless 5.6 oz (159g), boldly shaving off 40.2% from the average trail shoe’s build. Further enhancing its featherweight feel is the maneuverable midsole, which emerged a staggering 92.5% more flexible than average. It basically feels like there’s no resistance to bending with its 2.2N force result.

The light and loose build is the result of VG6 stripping away its cushioning. At a low and leveled 7.6 mm stack, it makes us highly sensitive to ground feel, allowing us to quickly adapt to unpredictable terrains. This shoe truly delivers the zero-drop experience and our precise measurements align.

Underfoot is the reliable Vibram outsole with an aggressive pattern to enhance grip. Staying consistent in our assessments, Vibram delivers unmatched traction on mixed terrains we tested.

Unfortunately, those with narrow feet will find the shoe overly spacious. These types of runners who prefer a glove-like fit can explore elsewhere.

The Altra Olympus 5 is one of the best zero-drop trail shoes money can buy, with its supreme cushioning in the forefoot as well as the heel, and its impressive grip on wet and dry surfaces. Add its excellent energy return to the equation, and it easily takes the cake as our top zero-drop trail shoe. 

The Olympus 5's outsole has an outstanding grip that inspires a lot of confidence and security with each step. Whether we were running on wet or dry trails, the outsole did its job and stuck to the surface.

The shoe also absolutely crushes it in the cushioning department. Its heel stack is 2 mm taller than the average trail shoe, while the forefoot is a massive 6.1 mm taller. That ample amount of foam helps keep our legs well-protected on the trails. Meanwhile, the midsole is 21% softer than the average, providing a magnificently comfortable experience even on long-distance treks.

More than being soft and comfy, that midsole is also quite responsive. We felt that it had a lot of energy return, which added more excitement to our runs. 

However, the Olympus 5 is quite a heavy shoe at 11.46 oz (325g), which is 10% heavier than the average trail shoe. So those looking for a more lightweight trail shoe should consider other options.

Among all the shoes we lab-tested and ran in, Lone Peak 8 won us over with its flexible midsole, intuitive ride, and stability. As our top zero-drop trail shoe, it tackles mixed terrains with ease and control.

Navigating through unpredictable grounds feels like a breeze as the fluid midsole promotes quick and agile movements, adapting easily to our strides with less resistance. Our bend test confirms that it’s 27.1% more flexible than average. To ensure surefootedness, LP8 has 3.0-mm chevron-shaped lugs that grip excellently in dry conditions.

LP8 maintains a below-average 22.7/21.3 mm cushion, which leads to a barely-there 1.4 mm drop. This low and leveled profile promotes a more natural running feel with well-planted feet and fewer ankle rolls. We have high ground sensitivity while having enough impact and debris protection underfoot. Our durometer confirms the foam is 11.4% firmer than average, boosting both stability and a nice spring in our runs.

The wide, squared toebox follows our natural foot shape to enhance comfort and stability upon landing. The big toe area only tapers by 5.9% vs. the 20.5% average.

A weak point we found is the underwhelming traction of LP8 on wet and muddy terrains. We recommend sticking to dry surfaces for a safer running experience.