7 Best Running Shoes For Heel Strike in 2024

We cut open the best heel-strike running shoes and learned that Novablast 4 is the best in the category. Its plush cushion supported every distance and pace we went for while burning daily mileage. Despite the visual bulk, it sustains a steady ride.

Novablast delivers heavenly and cloud-like comfort. Each landing feels gentle on the foot and more notably on the heel since our caliper measures a towering 39.2 mm cushion. Our heels feel protected from surface impact. Upon checking with our durometer, the FF Blast+ ECO emerged 28.7% softer than average. Underfoot, this translates to a pillowy and bouncy feel.

While most maximalists are unstable, Novablast deviates from the standard by providing generous width to the midsole. It has an extra 9.6/4.7 mm in the forefoot and heel to find our footing securely without any ankle rolls. Even during sharp turns, our feet remain planted to the ground.

Novablast 4 is the perfect daily trainer because of its uncomplicated midsole. It moves naturally with our strides and is comfortable enough for walking. Our bend test confirms our observations when it measured 13.5% more flexible than average.

We warn caution that the upper feels damp and toasty on hot days. We don’t recommend this pair as a summer trainer.

We dissected and ran with the best heel-strike running shoes and learned that Pegasus 40 is the best daily trainer. It's an icon for burning daily mileage with its fluid ride, balanced cushioning, and long outsole lifespan. From steady runs to LSDs to shorter intervals, this Nike smashes them all.

Pegasus 40 is the perfect daily trainer because of its uncomplicated midsole. It moves naturally with our strides and feels effortless on foot. Our bend test confirms our observations when it measures 45.6% more malleable than average.

Another simple yet efficient feature is its moderate cushioning, which our caliper shows is 30.2/20.5 mm in the heel and forefoot. It strikes a good balance between impact protection and surface feedback. Its humble nature also enhances surefooted strides. For added comfort, it maintains a plush composition, which our durometer confirms is 24.8% softer than average.

A significant reason why we find the Peg to be a reliable training partner is its exceptional durability and grip. It can handle wet and dry pavements effortlessly while maintaining its pristine condition. We know this workhorse can take the beating of several training blocks with its tougher (86.0 HC) and thicker-than-average 3.4 mm rubber.

We warn caution that the upper has subpar breathability, which isn’t enough for hot days. We don’t recommend this pair for tropical weather.

In terms of comfort and speed, the Endorphin Pro 4 is undefeatable. In our test runs, its plush and vibrant midsole is complemented by the carbon plate’s Speedroll technology, creating a smooth and energetic ride—definitely the heel-striker’s ultimate racing kick.

The lab and our own feet witnessed the magnificent power of this light supershoe. At only 7.8 oz (220g), it has so much energy to give that comes from the S-shaped carbon plate within the midsole, crafting an ultra-stiff core. We double-checked with our flex test and true enough, it emerged 137.5% stiffer than average.

Another energy source is the lively midsole that promotes effortless transitions without sacrificing comfort. Its plush 38.1 mm heel mutes out the ground with a 9.5 mm drop that supports heel-striker strides. Despite its stack, EP4 retains stability by incorporating a firmer 22.0 HA foam below the soft 18.5 HA top layer for steady support.

What’s even more impressive is the durable outsole that can survive repetitive landing impacts in the rear area. Our durometer reveals the 2.1 mm thick XT-900 rubber is a tough 85.3 HC. EP4 doesn’t stop there and performs better than average in our brutal Dremel test.

However, our experience tells us other elite racers feel faster since EP4 highlights comfort. Those who crave peak performance can explore other options.

For heel strikers in demand of a stability shoe, the Adrenaline GTS 23 reigns supreme. Its heel-hugging soul oozes reliable cushioning, heavenly matching our landings with security and comfort.

Every highlight of the GTS 23 starts at the heel, and that’s where the magic happens. An initial manual assessment of the heel counter revealed a 4 out of 5 stiffness, prioritizing a safe fit without overlooking comfort. Besides, this Brooks boasts a vast platform for heel strikers, going all-in for stability. With our caliper in hand, we measured a remarkable 96.9 mm midsole width at the heel, exceeding the average by 7.0 mm. 

Also within our lab walls, we measured a generous 34.1 mm heel stack that goes 0.9 mm beyond the average of our endless data for running. Paired with a steep 12.6 mm drop, the GTS 23 fed us protected landings while promoting smooth heel-to-toe transitions that got us going for miles!

Scrutinizing upper fabric unfolded a different tale. Our Dremel test raised concerns, with a four-second, 10,000 rpm exposure easily tearing up the fabric, leading to a disappointing 1/5 for toebox durability in the Adrenaline GTS 23.

Our top trail shoe for heel-strikers is Nike’s Pegasus Trail 4. Staying true to its name, it gives us all the support and defense we need to conquer mixed terrains. It boasts a reliable grip for safety, a well-balanced cushion ensuring a comfortable and stable ride, and an airy and flexible design that fosters smoother transitions.

An excellent trail shoe needs to have traction on loose ground, wet rocks, and uneven paths, and that’s exactly what the Peg delivered in our runs. It has 3.4 mm lugs that make their dominant adhesive power present as we tackle ascents and descents.

Our heels received a lot of TLC with the Peg’s 35.5 mm rear stack, absorbing much of landing impact. Paired with a modest forefoot, the resulting drop is a steeper-than-average 12.7 mm that promotes smooth heel-to-toe transitions. To ensure our surefootedness, the cushion is a firm 34.0 HA as per our durometer.

The shoe feels almost weightless, which is surprising given its stack. Our scales reveal its 9.6 oz (272g) weight is 7.5% below average. What also promotes our agility and speed is the midsole’s flexibility. Our bend test confirms the Peg is 8.2% more adaptive than average.

We recommend those with wide feet to look elsewhere since the 107.1/85.4 mm midsole runs narrower than average.

Going beyond the comfort standards, the Ghost 15 centers its appeal on heel strikers. From the upper to the midsole, an orchestra of plush cushioning enveloped our feet and granted this shoe a spot in this list.

It’s when landing that the Ghost 15 truly shines, sinking our feet in a foamy goodness that we came to know so well. Our durometer catapulted the midsole to astonishing depths, ranking it as a downy 35.1% softer than average. Velvety sensations from above as well, with our caliper revealing an 11.4 mm thick tongue, more than double the average readings.

Attracted by its steep profile, we checked the midsole thickness with our caliper—a brutal 13.2 mm was unveiled, with the heel stack towering at 36.3 mm. For context, the hundreds of running shoes in our database average an 8.9 mm differential and a 33.2 mm heel height. These metrics translated to smooth strides in our runs, ensuring optimal protection when heel striking.

It’s in the wintery season that this Brooks stumbles. After 20 minutes in the freezer, the midsole bricked up by a massive 54.4%, hurting its performance. Underwhelming results when compared to the average increase of 27.4%.

Utterly spacious, supportive, and luxuriously comfortable—these are just some of the wonderful thoughts we had while testing Nike’s InfinityRN4 on foot and in the lab. With its forgiving ride and accommodating fit, we felt like we could log infinite miles, making it the ideal choice for those with wide feet among heel-strike running shoes.

The shoe offers ample toe space and a broad base for stability. Measuring 118.4/91.2 mm in the forefoot and heel compared to the 113.5/90.3 mm average, it provides a generous fit. The toebox measures 99.9 mm, tapering gently to 80.0 mm at the big toe area.

The ReactX foam midsole offers a plush and responsive feel. With a heel height of 34.2 mm, it provides superior impact absorption. Our durometer indicates a soft 12.5 HA cushion, 46.6% softer than average, ensuring lasting comfort during long runs.

Beneath the midsole is a robust outsole that will surely keep premature wear in the heel area at bay. We barely saw scratches after extensive running and our durometer further proves its toughness with a 90.4 HC reading, 12.4% above average.

What Nike adds in its width is lacking in its length. The shoe felt noticeably short upon try-on. Our caliper confirmed that the Men’s US 9 size was 10.1 mm shorter than Nike's stated measurements. We suggest opting for a half-size larger for an improved fit.