7 Best Zero Drop Running Shoes in 2025

How we test zero drop running shoes

We are a group of running fanatics and we do in-depth research. We even started testing the shoes in our lab to put every shoe through the wringer and pick out the best in various categories. Here is the process:

• We buy all zero-drop running shoes with our own money. No brand out there tells us what to write or publish.
• We deliver feedback on shoes after we log 30-50 miles. We run, walk, and even do light workouts in these shoes.
• We cut every shoe into pieces to measure stack height, drop, midsole softness, tongue thickness, lug depth, and 20+ other parameters.

The best-performing zero-drop shoes make it here.

Caution! Read this before buying zero-drop running shoes

This section is written specifically for runners who are looking into zero-drop running shoes for the first time. This means you have never used zero-drop shoes and are considering them now. 

What you must know: 

1. It is never advisable to suddenly change from a high drop to a low drop, especially to the zero drop. Because of that, we recommend that you first look at the drop of your current running shoes or other footwear. If not zero drop or very low drop (up to 2-3 mm), the general recommendation is to transition to the zero-drop gradually. 
2. Zero-drop shoes can be minimalist or barefoot, but not necessarily. If this is your first time dealing with zero-drop shoes, consider trying the zero-drop shoes first and then going for the “extreme” of being barefoot or minimalist. This means you should look for some cushioning and not go for the very flat and low-to-the-ground shoes. 
3. Zero-drop shoes with minimal cushioning can be painful, especially if you’re a heel striker or if you haven’t transitioned to the zero-drop gradually. It is also said that the low-drop and zero-drop shoes promote forefoot strike more. Keep this in mind if you’re a heavy heel striker as these shoes might alter your stride and strike. 

We have covered all of these challenges, pros and cons of different heel drops, and cited many studies, in our Ultimate guide on heel to toe drop. We highly recommend you read it before adding shoes of various heel drops to your rotation. 

Know the difference: Zero drop vs. minimalist vs. barefoot

Minimalist running shoes have: 

• Low heel drop
• Low stack heights
• High level of flexibility (both longitudinal and torsional) 
• Light weight 
• No stability features (they don’t help with stabilisation or gait correction).

Overall, minimalist running shoes provide minimal interference with the natural movement of the feet. Here, you can actually calculate how minimalist (in %) running shoes that you’re using are. 

Barefoot running shoes are minimalist running shoes that resemble that barefoot feel, which means they have a heel drop of 0 mm, are very low to the ground, and are insanely flexible. 

Zero-drop shoes don’t have to be minimalist or barefoot. They only have a heel drop of 0 mm. 

Official heel drop is often WRONG

Brands often add specifications to their shoes, like weight, stack heights, and heel drop. In our lab, we measure them all as well. What we found out is that the advertised heel drop is often wrong. While this is not such a big issue when the difference is small, say 1-2 mm, it can be a big issue when the difference is huge. 

The trouble with the wrong heel drop is that you may buy a shoe with a low drop because you want to strengthen your feet, but you end up with a high-drop shoe that will actually make your hips work more. Or, you plan for a standard ~10mm drop because you’re a beginner but end up with a low-drop shoe that asks for a transition period. Best case scenario, these changes end up with some fatigue or a change in foot strike. Worst case scenario, you can get injured. 

In the lab, we stick to the official guidelines of the World Athletics. We measure the forefoot stack height at 75% of the internal length of the shoe and the heel stack height at 12% of the internal length. These measurements are always taken at the centre of the shoe, not closer to the sides. 

To achieve this, the running shoe must be cut in half. We, of course, do that as well. We then calculate the drop (heel stack minus forefoot stack). 

Here are some of the biggest discrepancies in heel drop: 

We have covered this topic in great detail in our guide How brands' heel-to-toe drop measurements differ from reality in running shoes. 

When it comes to zero-drop shoes, we sometimes get a negative measurement or a drop that is different than a zero, but we think that is ok as long as the difference is not big. In the example of Altra Lone Peak 8, we measured the drop to be 1.4 mm, while the brand claims it to be 0 mm.

Fortunately, in all our reviews you can find the exact drop measurement and rely on those numbers. 

Ground feel in zero-drop running shoes

As mentioned above, when getting zero drop shoes, you can opt for: 

1. Not cushioned running shoes or barefoot running shoes. The midsole is very thin, you are very low to the ground, which means you can feel almost every little pebble, bump, or crack on the road/trail. This means that the ground feel is 10/10. 
2. Cushioned running shoes. Less ground feel and you get to enjoy a cushioned ride. 

As shown above, we measure the stack height in the lab, which is why it’s easy to choose from more or less cushioned zero-drop running shoes. 

Foot-shaped zero drop running shoes

When diving into the zero-drop waters, it’s difficult not to mention the minimalist aspect, the barefoot aspect, and the foot-shaped toeboxes. 

Altra is known for zero-drop running shoes and for foot-shaped running shoes. Their toeboxes are wider than the average, with some being significantly wider than the average. It depends on the fit (they offer 3: Original, which is the widest; Standard, which is medium; and Slim, which is the narrowest). Just keep in mind that Altra’s Standard fit is much wider than the Medium (regular) in other brands. 

Although Altra trade-marked this shape, other minimalist and barefoot (also zero-drop) running shoes with wider toeboxes are available. This is because, as a part of the whole natural-running movement, toes are supposed to splay and not be cramped in the toeboxes. 

Finding a wide and tall toebox in zero running shoes 

There's no way to measure the width of the toebox on the inside without somehow destroying its form or shape. The callipers can't fit inside, and we can't get a proper reading. Because of this, we make a gel mould of each toebox that enters our lab. 

Creating a gel mould of the toebox so that we can measure the width

If you have such needs, do not worry, as we measure the width of the toebox in 2 places and have the lab data at your disposal. 

Depending on where your toes need more room, you can look for toeboxes that offer that extra space. 

If this is where you need extra room, we recommend looking at the zero-drop running shoes listed below. We update these lists automatically, with every zero-drop running shoe that we test! 

How soft are zero drop running shoes?

The softness of the midsole plays a huge role in the overall comfort and performance. If you’re curious about different foams used in running shoes and their properties, we wholeheartedly recommend reading our ultimate guide on foams. 

Showcasing the cushioning in a zero-drop Altra Paradigm 7

We measure the softness of the midsole with a shore A durometer. 

The lower the number on the durometer, the softer the midsole. In case you're very specific about this, we list both the firmest and the softest zero-drop shoes below (these lists are automatically updated as we publish new shoe reviews).

Flexibility of zero drop running shoes

When it comes to the flexibility of running shoes, we do the longitudinal and torsional test. For longitudinal flexibility, we clamp the forefoot to the table and bend the heel to 90 degrees using a digital force gauge. The bigger the number on the gauge, the more force we used = the stiffer the shoe. 

Using a digital force gauge to measure the stiffness of a zero-drop running shoe

More flexible running shoes allow for a more natural movement. Stiffer shoes, on the other hand, offer more stability and can be snappier (especially when equipped with a carbon-fibre plate). 

Assessing the torsional rigidity of a zero-drop running shoe in RunRepeat lab

When it comes to the torsional rigidity, we twist the shoe and assign it a 1-5 rating, where 5 is the most rigid. Rigid running shoes are great for trail runs, especially the ones on technical terrain or sections with large sharp rocks, where every bit of stability and protection matters. 

When it comes to running shoes with a 0 mm drop, runners most often look for flexible shoes because zero drop is often related to more natural running and feeling the ground, and high levels of flexibility go hand in hand with that. 

How durable are zero-drop running shoes?

Depends on whether they are made for road, trail, or both. And it depends on their design: cushioned or barefoot? Nevertheless, we test them all and log our data. 

Testing the durability of the toebox in RunRepeat lab

In our shoe lab, we use a Dremel to test the durability of running shoes. We press it against the a) toebox b) heel padding and c) outsole. This allows us to understand how durable the shoes are in those 3 places. 

When testing the durability of the toebox and heel padding, we assess the damage on a 1-5 scale, where 5 is the most durable.

But, when we test the outsole, we use a tyre tread gauge. It allows us to measure the exact depth of the dent our Dremel has made. 

The bigger the dent, the less durable the outsole. 

The durability of the toebox is, of course, more important in trail shoes than in road shoes. 

How to transition to zero-drop running shoes

There isn’t one simple answer because how much time you’d need to do this depends on: 

1. Which shoes did you previously run in? How high is their heel drop and were they cushioned? It’s not the same to transition from 4 mm to 0mm or from 12 mm to 0 mm.
2. Are you a heel striker? If yes, you might need more time to get used to the zero-drop shoes, especially if they are not cushioned enough at the heel to welcome your heel strike.
3. Do you have any (past) injuries, and is there a reason you want to keep the load lower on certain parts of the legs?
4. Which zero-drop shoes are you buying now: cushioned or not cushioned? 

Here are a few tips on how to include the zero-drop running shoes in your rotation: 

1. Start slowly. The transition must be gradual. You can first use the shoes to just walk/hike in them and not immediately run. Short walks/hikes only. 
2. When you start running, do short, easy runs only at the beginning. A few miles, tops.
3. Don’t run in zero-drop shoes every day. Start with a few times per week. 
4. If you feel pain, premature fatigue, or any straining, it is best to stop immediately. You might want to carry your ‘regular’ (higher-drop) running shoes in your backpack in case this happens so that you can get back home in shoes your legs are familiar with. 
5. Keep in mind that it can take up to half a year or a year to completely adjust to zero-drop running shoes (to be able to do a 10-mile run or so, not just the short one). 
6. If your feet are hurting in zero-drop shoes, consider adding exercises that strengthen your feet and calves to your weekly workouts. 

Overall, it’s great to include different drops in your rotation because you get to strengthen different muscles in your legs. Just stay on the safe side and keep the transitions gradual!