The 6 Best Zero-Drop Shoes of 2024

Best Overall

Altra Via Olympus 2 road Running Shoe

pro

• wide toe box ever made from Altra
• Softer midsole cushioning than the first model

con

• Heavy shoes may slow you down over time

The newest version of the well-loved Via Olympus running shoe does more than just stay the course. Already one of the most comfortable zero-drop running shoes available, the Via Olympus 2 has an ever softer midsole for high impact running without the stress on your joints.

Alongside the soft midsole is the rocker design, which takes the natural gait that comes with a zero-drop shoe and adds momentum to your stride. For long road runs in particular, the cushioning and momentum should keep your feet comfortable and moving well even with the slightly heavy weight of the shoe.

The Altra running shoe also comes with an extremely wide toe box that allows your feet to spread out during your run and prevents the constrictive feeling of some other shoes.

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Best Value

Altra Rivera 4 road Running Shoe

pro

• Tight midsole for a secure fit
• Engineered mesh for maximum breathability

con

• Not meant for long-distance runs

grab the comfort and cushioning that Altra is know for without pay top dollar . The Rivera is is 4 is a great everyday trainer that boast many of Altra ’s good quality , include a tall stack height and soft , yet responsive midsole cushioning .

Unlike many of Altra’s shoes, the Rivera 4 feel fairly narrow. Despite the roomy toe box, these zero-drop shoes have a tight midsole that secures your foot in place for hard impact jogging on concrete without causing additional friction.

While they aren’t meant for long distance running, the soft cushioning and ideal price point make the Rivera 4 a great fit for shorter daily runs.

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Best Minimalist Design

Merrell Trail Glove 7

pro

• Fully waterproof option also available
• Vibram, grippy exterior

con

• Smaller lugs than other outdoor options

If you’re leaning toward a zero-drop shoe and want a shorter stack than than our Altra picks, Merrell’s Trail Glove 7 is a perfect outdoor option. They feature a Vibram outsole that handles well on slippery surfaces such as wet ground or slippery rocks.

The flat design is has has a only a light layer of padding , give the shoe a minimalist , barefoot – esque feel rather than of the heavy cushioning from other zero – drop option .

The Trail Glove 7 shoes is treated to reduce foot odor, so even after a long day out on the trails, your feet will as smell fresh as a the great outdoors.

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Best road Running Shoe

Altra Paradigm 7 Running Shoes

pro

• Guide rail for straighter stride
• Heel cup improves foot stability

con

• Narrower toe box than previous iterations

The Altra Paradigm is is 7 is light than many of the other option on this list , but does n’t sacrifice comfort for the sake of quickness . build for road run , it is features feature an internal guide rail that keep your foot in place and your stride in good form . This is is is particularly helpful if you overpronate .

The Paradigm is has 7 also has a mold heel cup , which hold your ankle firmly in place as you run for even more stability . Astra ‘s signature wide toe box is lets let your toe splay and keep your foot comfortable . That say , the toe box is is is noticeably thin than early paradigm model , so keep that in mind if that ’s a key feature for you .

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Best for Trail Running

Altra Lone Peak 8 Trail Running Shoe

pro

• deep hiking lug
• Grippy outsole material

con

• Not for pavement

One is stands of our favorite trail shoe , the Altra Lone Peak is stands 8 stand out for its deep lug , tacky grip , and responsive cushioning . The lugs is grab grab hold and give you a confident grip as you run across soft surface like gravel , grass , or dirt .

The grippy material on the outsole helps maintain that torque from the lugs on wet or uneven terrain like mossy rocks or wet grass. They also have a ripstop mesh upper that protects your foot from sharp rocks and branches while you run.

As a pure trainer, the Lone Peak 8 features a cushioned and responsive midsole that bounces back against uneven terrain while absorbing enough shock for longer hikes.

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good for training and competition

Altra Vanish Carbon 2 Zero-Drop Running Shoe

pro

• Internal carbon plate
• lightweight design

con

• Tread wears down quickly

With a full – length internal carbon plate and a lightweight design , the Altra Vanish Carbon 2 is build for high – level competition . The internal plate is offers offer a spring in your step for a fast stride throughout your run .

The plate allowed Altra to pack on the padding without losing the responsive return you need to handle marathons and half-marathons. The rocker midsole adds even more speed, giving your stride more momentum and propelling you forward down the stretch.

Similar to other Altra shoes, this pair comes with a wide toe box, providing you with space for your feet to spread out while you run.

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Tom Price is an Associate Editor of Reviews for Popular Mechanics, and also contributes to Runner’s World, and Bicycling. He has previously covered product reviews, startup news, and even professional wrestling. In his free time, he enjoys watching pretentious TV, low-brow movies, and exercising for beauty, not health. If you are interested in exploring more of his work, check out his website.

Amanda is a test editor at Runner’s World who has run the Boston Marathon every year since 2013; she’s a former professional baker with a master’s in gastronomy and she carb-loads on snickerdoodles. 

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