We’ve tested a ton of high drop running shoes and have rounded our favorites up for you in this list.
We’ve said over and over that there is no running shoe that is going to be perfect for every runner in every situation – and when it comes to a low or high drop, your needs could change as you age or deal with injuries, too.
High drop refers to running shoes with a heel-to-toe drop between 12mm-10mm, so definitely higher than your 8mm average shoe. They’re beneficial for runners who are dealing with Achilles issues, and also those with limited ankle mobility.
We’re going to talk about those problems and more below, so lock in and let’s chat.
Who Needs a High Heel Drop?
Put simply, heel-to-toe drop is the difference between the height of the shoe at the heel and the height of the shoe at the forefoot. It’s also sometimes called offset, and ranges from 0mm to 14mm.
High drop shoes used to be the standard, but have slowly been falling out of favor with runners for various reasons (a big one being the lower drop seems to reduce force in the knee). There is still a place for them on the shelves though, especially if you have some specific physical concerns.
One of those is irritated calves or Achilles, which are unloaded in a higher drop shoe. The higher heel drop eases range-of-motion requirements on that part of your leg.
Runners dealing with posterior tib issues or simply a lack of range of motion at the ankles might also benefit.
10 Best High Drop Running Shoes
There are still quite a few high drop running shoes out there to choose from, and our goal is to take some of the pressure off you. Our team of testers covers all kinds of paces and goals, so no matter where you fall in the pack, we’re sure one of these shoes is going to work for you.
So, for our money, these are the 10 best high drop running shoes on the market.
Go To High Drop Daily Trainer: Brooks Ghost 17
We logged a ton of miles in this shoe, and now we’re ready to tell you what makes them a high drop winner for so many runners.
First up, this is a very durable, comfortable shoe with 1.5mm more cushion than previous versions, but still doesn’t have a huge stack. The Ghost 17 is firm and can handle a whole lot of miles.
It’s also light enough to not slow you down on race day, which can make this shoe an easy grab for some runners. The Ghost is also affordable, making it versatile enough to go from every day to race day without skipping a beat.
That said, the 17 is a 2mm shorter drop than the 16, which you may not appreciate if you have Achilles issues. It’s also cushioned in the midsole with Brooks’ DNA Loft v3 foam, with 3mm of nitrogen in the forefoot and 1mm in the heel. We think this makes it feel super snappy underfoot.
This shoe is also a certified carbon neutral product, which makes us feel like we’re giving back just a little.
- Weight: 10.1 oz Men’s, 9 oz Women’s
- Heel drop: 10 mm
- Available in 6 colors
- Available in wide, narrow, and extra wide
- Available from Brooksrunning.com for $150
- Read our full review of the Brooks Ghost 17 >>
Max Cushion Daily Trainer: Nike Vomero 18
For easy days and long runs, the Nike Vomero 18 just might be your new best friend. Despite it’s look, it’s not heavy or clunky, and will make you happy no matter how many miles you’re putting on them.
Admittedly, Coach Amanda has moved away from a lot of higher drop shoes, but was smitten with these pretty quickly and they now have a place in her weekly training.
The shoes are soft but also durable, so these will last you as long as you want to keep them, and has a decent energy return for a daily trainer.
When you start getting in to high stack shoes, it’s really easy to get something a bit mushy or that sucks away the energy. These aren’t bouncy like a carbon plated race shoe, but almost give you that same impression. It’s a really comfortable ride for those long mileage days or for a great easy run. You’ll see the Puma mentioned below is better for recovery runs because it is much softer.
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- Weight: 11.5 oz Men’s, 9.3 oz Women’s
- Heel drop: 10 mm
- Available in 6 colors
- Not available in wide
- Available now on nike.com for $155
- Read our full review of the Nike Vomero 18 >>
Best High Drop Stability Shoe: Brooks Adrenaline GTS
The “GTS” stands for “Go-To-Support,” and this shoe is really made for runners who need max stability and support, while still prioritizing comfort. It’s lighter than ever, even with the unique GuideRails support system that helps keel the body aligned.
Combined with the high drop of 12mm, these shoes gently guide the foot and ankle into proper alignment.
The new model coming Fall 2025 will be dropping to a 10mm. It’s definitely a sign that things are changing and as the brands add more cushion, they have to decrease the drop to keep the shoe stable.
Brooks is going to be on the list a lot because they still create a lot of 10mm heel drop shoes, where other brands like Hoka have started at 4-5mm and stuck to it.
The Adrenaline is a classic stability shoe favorite and that’s why we’ve made it to model 25. The Adrenaline does a great job of giving you that cushioned feeling, alongside the guidance to stop your foot from dropping inward.
- Weight: 10.2 oz Men’s, 9 oz Women’s
- Heel drop: 12 mm
- Available in 20 colors
- Available in wide
- Available now on Brooksrunning.com for $140
- Read our full review of the Brooks Adrenaline GTS >>
Best Lighter weight Shoe: Mizuno Wave Rider 29
Mizuno called their Wave Rider 28 the “ultimate daily trainer,” but this update makes us feel like the 29 actually deserves the title instead.
They have durable cushions, aren’t flashy, but can go the distance on a training day or a race day. Their ENERZY NXT midsole compound is “designed to maximize energy return and cushioning for optimum performance.”
The shoe is soft but not squishy, and the firmness is what a lot of people look for in a high drop shoe. This provides much needed stability if your heels and/or ankles feel like they need some help, but remains soft enough with a good energy return as well.
The 1mm higher stack height adds a little weight, but this version does feel a little softer and faster than the 28.
The Pebax Mizuno Wave plate felt a little stiff in the 28, but either due to the higher stack or lower heel drop in the 29, the shoe felt softer while still offering its trademark stability.
- Weight: 9.3 oz Men’s, 8.0 oz Women’s
- Heel drop: 10 mm
- Available in 4 colors
- Available in wide
- Available now on Mizunousa.com for $140
- Read our full review of the Mizuno Wave Rider 29 >>
Durable 10mm Heel Drop Daily Trainer: Nike Pegasus 41
The Nike Pegasus has been one of the most popular running shoes for decades, and it’s definitely become a go to running shoe around here. We like that this isn’t a big max cushioned trainer, which is overkill for a lot folks.
Instead, it’s a moderate cushion that’s going to feel good for plenty of miles and allow you to pick up the pace or just keep it at an easy cruise.
The full ReactX form midsole feels fantastic, and feels good and sturdy underfoot without being overly soft.
The outsole is durable, the breathable mesh up to keeps your foot feeling fresh and dry, and a firm heel counter keeps your foot locked in place. It’s a great choice for longer runs, and is able to go the distance for 300+ miles, too.
And even though it’s a great choice for weekday runs, it can also deliver during marathon training.
As an added plus, Nike is working to reduce its carbon footprint, and this shoe reduces their impact by 43%.
- Weight: 10.4 oz Men’s, 8.6 oz Women’s
- Heel drop: 10 mm
- Available in 5 colors
- Available in wide and extra-wide
- Available now on Nike.com for $140
- Read our full review of the Nike Pegasus 41 >>
Best Max Cushion Shoe: Saucony Triumph 23
The Triumph 23 also made our list of best cushioned running shoes, so it’s safe to say that we love it. Where the Vomero does have a little bounce, this is all cushion. It just feels really nice over those longer miles on the legs and feet.
It’s comfortable, yes, but it’s also stable enough for those who need a little help. The shoe is also durable and is ready to log tons of miles on a daily run. This version is also slightly lighter than the last few, which is nice.
If you’re not out for a personal best, these are great shoes for race day, too. Your achilles and ankles – and maybe even your back – will thank you for giving them a try.
- Weight: 9.2 oz Men’s, 8.4 oz Women’s
- Heel drop: 10 mm
- Available in 10 colors
- Available in wide and extra-wide
- Available now on Saucony.com for $160
- Read our full review of the Saucony Triumph 23 >>
Best Recovery Run Shoe: Puma Forever Run Nitro 2
The Puma Forever Run Nitro 2 is super comfortable and light, and we think it would be great for providing the support needed on recovery days. This is their max cushioned stability running shoe, and they’ve put a lot of thought into how it works.
The shoes flares out in spots that create the most stability, and employs a more rigid heel counter to add support. This structure keeps your foot in place as you pick up the pace.
The wider midsole and dual-density NITROFOAM gives you enough cushion to be comfortable on longer runs, and Puma improved the fit by adding a rolled heel collar.
Overall, these are a good, everyday shoe that will give you the support you need to log extra miles, and the comfort you crave along the way.
- Weight: 10 oz Men’s, 9 oz Women’s
- Heel drop: 10 mm
- Available in 6 colors
- Not available in wide
- Available now at Puma.com for $150
- Read our full review of the Puma Forever Run Nitro 2 >>
Light Weight High Drop: On Cloudrunner 2
Out of the box, these shoes look stylish and comfortable, and once we slipped them on, they definitely did not disappoint.
This mild stability trainer is comfortable and perfect for everyday runs. The stability aspects are easy to ignore, which makes it a great daily trainer for people who don’t want to be reminded they’re wearing a shoe for that purpose.
Its moderate cushion and decent energy return leaves it light underfoot, and is likely to sit in the sweet spot for many runners.
- Weight: 9.7 oz Men’s, 8.5 oz Women’s
- Heel drop: 10 mm
- Available in 6 colors
- Not available in wide and waterproof
- Available now at On.com for $150
- Read our full review of the On Cloudrunner 2 >>
Best High Drop Trail Shoe: Nike Wildhorse 10
At under 10mm this one could be a stretch for high drop, but there aren’t a ton of high drop trail shoes and even less that we would truly recommend. Meanwhile, we’re really impressed with this shoe for a lot of runners.
If trail running is your think, you might be looking for a high drop shoe that can offer you support on the trail – and the Nike Wildhorse 10 delivers.
This shoe is breathable, protects your ankles from debris, features a Trail ATC outsole, and has a ReactX foam midsole that gives it a responsible feel. It’s perfect for terrain that’s moderate to rolling, and reduces impact fatigue on longer runs.
We did think the shoe has reduced ground feel that left us a bit disconnected from the trail, but on longer runs, you don’t want to feel every root or rock, either.
Overall, these trainers were great for offering extra support on trail runs, while not trading any comfort if you run longer distances.
- Weight: 8.6 oz Women’s
- Heel drop: 9.5 mm
- Available in 5 colors
- Not available in wide and waterproof
- Available now at Nike.com for $165
- Read our full review of the Nike Wildhorse 10 >>
Best Lower Stack Height: Adidas Supernova Rise 2
It’s got a lower stack height than many max cushioned shoes, so if that’s what you’re looking for, you should definitely give this a try. Runners who overstride and heel strike could also find that reduced stack height beneficial to their training.
If you’re someone who likes to feel as if you’re cruising for those daily miles, this firm sole may not be the best choice. They do need a bit of a break-in period, especially if you’ve been running on higher stack, super cushioned shoes.
The Rise 2 is lighter than its predecessor and has a roomy toebox, both of which are great for longer runs, and if you want one shoe for training, it could very well work. It’s durable and will last a long time no matter what kinds of surfaces you run on every day.
It’s fairly responsive, letting you pick up speed for tempo work.
- Weight: 9.7 oz Mens, 8.1 oz Women’s
- Heel drop: 10 mm
- Available in 6 colors
- Not available in wide
- Available now at Adidas.com for $140
- Read our full review of the Adidas Supernova Rise 2 >>
Heel drop isn’t the most important thing when deciding on a shoe, but it’s right up there with overall feel underfoot.
And remember, just because you’ve always run in one type of shoe, it doesn’t mean you always will. Our needs change as we train and as we age. Don’t be afraid to step in to something new and especially if you order from most of the brands we’ve reviewed you’ll find a good 30 day return policy so you can test it out!
We hope this list was helpful to you on your journey to finding the perfect running shoe for you.
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