Shoes best for trail, off road, mountains and other unstable surfaces. See the best trail shoes.
Good to know
As long as you stick to the road or path, and if you want just one running shoe, buy a road running shoe.
Pace
If you are new to running, go with daily running shoes. They are best suited for moderate paces and are cushioned enough for any distance.
Speed training shoes are lighter and better for shorter distances and faster paces. Competiton running shoes help you reach peak performance on a race day.
Brand
Arch support
Neutral / cushion / high arch
Shoes for runners who do not need any additional arch support (Around 50% of runners). Best for people with normal, high or medium high arches. See the best neutral shoes.
Stability / overpronation / normal arch
Shoes for runners who need mild to moderate arch support (Around 45% of runners). Best for runners with a low arch. See the best stability shoes.
Motion control / severe overpronation / flat feet
Shoes for runners who needs a lot of arch support. Best for runners with flat feet. See the best motion control shoes.
Good to know
- Rule of thumb: If in doubt, buy neutral shoes to avoid injuries.
- More about arch support in this video.
- Find your arch type by following steps from this video.
Disclosure: We earn
affiliate commissions
at no extra cost to you when you buy through us.
If you find a good deal on RunRepeat, you click to the retailer and you buy the shoe, we get a commission of the sale. This is how we pay ourselves. It does not make the shoe pricier for you.
Nike has been on the cover of the most popular health magazines and even on the cover of Times Magazine. These are no small feats that are reserved only for the best of the best. Splashed on the covers and reviewed by no less than 100,000 runners the world over, Nike consistently upholds the trademark of cool and awesome designs with incredible footwear performance.
Why make the most out of the best Nike low drop shoes?
Best Nike low drop running shoes - November 2019
Nike varies its low drop approach to address the needs of various runners. It has several low drop shoes that offer the least amount of cushioning to replicate the feel of true barefoot running while there are those low drop shoes in its fold that still offers sufficient cushioning on the heel and forefoot areas.
Another variety that the best Nike low drop uses is the freedom of movement that is allowed for the arches and the tendons. This type of shoe makes full use of the natural movements of the foot and allows them to develop and strengthen on their own. It also lets the foot do the majority of the cushioning on its own.
The other type of Nike low drop shoes offers less arch or tendon movements and is fitted with a significant amount of cushioning that the foot does not have to work on active cushioning. This is a type that is built for runners with slight overpronation tendencies. It limits to a point the mild rolling inwards of the foot after impact for a more stable and safer ride.
Regardless of the difference in variance and in how Nike maximizes the use of the drop, all Nike low drop shoes have one thing in common. Excellent ground perception is the main thing found among all these low drop shoes. The low drop allows the shoes to stay relatively close to the ground to get the best sensory feedback possible.
Runners who love the trail but are hooked to low drop shoes should look for a pair that offers a thicker midsole. The relatively thick midsole would be an excellent shield from the uneven and often rugged terrain of the outdoors.
For the superior trail performance of a low drop shoe, do go for a pair that has deeper tread patterns than low-drop shoes used mainly for tracks or road. The deep tread patterns or aggressive lug formation would be optimal for the much needed grip in mud, snow, and technical aspects of trail running.
Low drop shoes are also great alternatives for the transition to barefoot running. It provides exceptional underfoot sensory feel and allows a more developed leg and foot mechanics to successfully handle running without any shoes at all.
What should influence you in getting the best Nike low drop shoes?
Heel to Toe Differential. Nike provides options for runners with heel differentials of 0-8mm. The range of this drop is exceptional for natural foot articulation.
Cushioning. Air units in the forefoot or on the heel or the use of its responsive midsole foams are the main cushioning features utilized by Nike in their low drop shoes.
Underfoot Protection. BRS 1000 carbon rubber is utilized underfoot for optimal grip and durability as well as the environmentally preferred blown rubber which is excellent for traction in almost all surface.