36 best high drop training shoes

“High-drop” refers to those training shoes that have a heel-to-toe drop of 10 mm or more. The drop, also referred to as the offset, is the difference in height between the heel and the forefoot sections of a shoe.

Some people feel more comfortable using high-drop training shoes compared to low-drop or minimalist training shoes because they believe that the heel lift allows them to be more stable because of the change in the angle of the ankle. The slight elevation lessens the strain on the ankle which results in achieving a deeper squat. The sloping design also positions the foot to be ready to push off at any given time which is vital during sprints and plyometrics.

A high-drop platform can be found among workout trainers as well as in all weightlifting shoes with an elevated heel.

High-drop weightlifting footwear

Weightlifting shoes are a perfect example of high-drop trainers. The heel in this type of footwear is visibly more elevated than the forefoot as this section usually has a thin sole. The high heel changes the angle of the ankle allowing the wearer to squat deeper, feel planted on the ground during deadlifts and stable while performing cleans, jerks, and snatches.

High-drop workout shoes

These trainers usually have a thick midsole that attenuates shock during high-impact moves to keep the foot and the joints of the lower extremities protected. Compared to weightlifting shoes, this type of high-drop training shoes is more flexible in the forefoot to accommodate natural foot flexion needed for active movement.

Author

Nicholas Rizzo

Nick is a powerlifter who believes cardio comes in the form of more heavy ass squats. Based on over 1.5 million lifts done at competitions, his PRs place him as an elite level powerlifter. His PRs have him sitting in the top 2% of bench presses (395 lbs), top 3% of squats (485 lbs) and top 6% of deadlifts (515 lbs) for his weight and age. His work has been featured on Forbes, Bodybuilding.com, Elite Daily and the like. Collaborating along the way with industry leaders like Michael Yessis, Mark Rippetoe, Carlo Buzzichelli, Dave Tate, Ray Williams, and Joel Seedman.

nick@runrepeat.com