7 Best Running Shoes For Heel Strike in 2024 (2024)

A combination of lab tests and runs led us to choose Deviate Nitro 2 as the best overall for heel-strikers. It's a reliable companion with its soft foam oozing comfort. Balancing this relief is a stiff carbon plate pumping up our adrenaline levels.

Heel “strike” doesn’t feel like the right term since we felt such a gentle landing on our heels with every stride forward. The shoe’s soft cushion absorbed much of the impact. Our feet felt great from mile 1 and beyond! Backed up by our durometer in the lab, we pressed into its foam and it came up 32.5% softer than average!

The heel counter provided support without leaving any abrasions or blisters on our heels. With a flexibility score 25.9% higher than the average of lab-tested shoes, it followed naturally with every movement we made.

The pair provided a pop of energy in our speed workouts too! We checked for the shoe’s flexibility in the lab with our 90° bend test and it emerged 92.2% stiffer than average! The stiff carbon plateacts like a springboard, transforming our every step into a higher bounce — and, therefore, more energy to move forward.

Deviate Nitro 2’s heel drop of 5.6 mm is considered mid-range. We recommend exploring higher-drop options if heel-strikers would prefer smoother forward rolls provided by higher heel drops.

We cut open the best heel-strike running shoes and learned that Novablast 4 is the best daily trainer. Its flexible build and plush cushion support any distance and pace we perform 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.

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.

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%.

Our top trail shoe for heel-strikers is Fresh Foam X More Trail v3. Staying true to its name, its luscious foam keeps our legs fresh while its grippy outsole helps us confidently traverse various terrains. It offers the support and protection needed to conquer the trails.

Based on our durometer, the outsole stands at 84.6 HC, which is right below the 85.1 HC average. It’s soft enough to stick to the ground and tough enough to protect the feet from debris. Its 5.0 mm sticky lugs improve traction, boosting our sense of sure-footedness.

For a trail shoe, this pair is skyscraper high at 38.6/31.8 mm in the heel and forefoot (vs. 31.5/24.2 mm average). This results in a 7.1 mm drop that suits heel-strikers since it promotes smooth forward rolls. The extra cushion in the heel area dampens the impact of landing.

Further providing a great deal of comfort and protection is its velvet foam, that's 45.6% softer than average based on our durometer. Despite this, it doesn’t bottom out and is surprisingly steady for its size. It makes the ride more enjoyable with its solid amount of bounce while its wide base enhances stability.

With less ground feel, we recommend exploring other pairs for faster and more technical trail runs.

Performance-wise, the Endorphin Pro 3 is undefeatable. A lively midsole is complemented by a powerful carbon plate, synergizing with a smooth ride to create the ultimate racing kick for heel strikers.

A supershoe by all means, this Saucony spat back infamous amounts of energy in our every stride. Its power emanates from the mighty plate ensconced within the midsole, crafting an ultra-stiff core. In fact, using our force gauge to assess the Pro 3’s resistance to 90º bending unveiled a staggering 94.4N opposing force, over 3x the average running shoe!

Turning our runs into a breeze, the Endorphin Pro 3 promoted buttery smooth transitions, with the 9.3 mm heel-to-toe drop blinking an eye to heel-striking runners. Moreover, how light and nimble it feels on foot deserves our cheers. While the average heel striker racer weighs 225 grams (7.9 oz), this shoe condenses all this into its feathery 206 grams (7.3 oz).

However, runners with wide feet might need to look elsewhere. Our caliper measured a toebox width of 94.3 mm, holding less room for toes than the average shoe that registers 97.9 mm.

Running shoes for heel strike average $135 when they drop. Unfazed by it, the Brooks Revel 6 came out as an exceptional performer for its $100 price tag, solidifying its place as a reliable pick for heel strikers seeking a lively daily trainer.

We found the Revel 6 ride utterly smooth with its vertiginous 13.2 mm drop easing out our heel-to-toe transitions. That’s way higher than the 8.9 mm average, clearly emphasizing its inclination towards a heel-striking stride. Plus, it does so in the most natural way thanks to its loose feel! It resisted with only 19.2N to being bent 90º, boasting 37.3% greater flexibility than average.

Delving beneath the insole, we were mesmerized. The midsole scored 20.1 HA in our durometer, meaning it’s a modest 18% softer than average. This foreshadows a smoothly responsive ride, which was seamlessly delivered in our runs.

While its heel is fairly cushioned — our caliper clocked in a 32.9 mm heel stack — we found the Revel 6 rather underwhelming for long runs, being best suited as a spirited daily trainer to spice up any rotation.