Versatile trainer with an 8 mm drop

Asics Novablast 4

The can-do-everything Novablast 4 is our top pick with an 8 mm offset.

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1. Read our detailed review of the Asics Novablast 4 here.

The Asics Novablast 4 is softer and marginally taller than the Novablast 3, so that makes it like a watered-down Superblast of sorts.

It’s a deeply cushioned shoe with a lot of pep, thus making it versatile for daily training as well as tempo runs.

The Flytefoam Blast+ midsole brings ride comfort and speed-friendly responsiveness together. Add a rocker midsole to the mix, and you have a shoe that makes it easier to ‘roll’ forward. As pointed out in our review, the rocker point is higher than it was on the Novablast 3.

The Novablast 4 also works better as a forefoot striker’s shoe, which only proves that its 8 mm drop is of little consequence.

The single-piece mesh upper fits securely, but with a high level of interior smoothness and comfort. Because of the redesigned heel, it fits tighter than the previous model.

Daily trainer with an 8 mm drop

Saucony Ride 17

The Ride 17 is an 8-mm drop trainer that’s versatile enough for everything between daily runs and a half-marathon.

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1. Read our detailed review of the Saucony Ride 17 here.

As long as we can remember, the Saucony Ride has been an 8 mm drop shoe. And that makes a lot of sense, considering what the Ride 17 is meant for. It’s sold as a versatile trainer for everyday miles that runners of all levels can use.

For this year, Saucony has replaced the EVA midsole of the Ride 15 and 16 with a Pwrrun+ foam stack. Pwrrun+ is an expanded PU foam that was also used in the previous Triumph model. A version of it also makes up the adidas Ultraboost’s midsole.

The Ride 17's insole is made of Pwrrun+ E-TPU foam. It's thick enough to be replaced by a stability Orthotic.

The Ride 17's insole is made of Pwrrun+ E-TPU foam. It's thick enough to be replaced by a stability Orthotic.

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On the road, the new Pwrrun+ midsole delivers cushioning with an underlying firmness. While it’s not as soft as the Triumph, the Ride 17 is comfortable for long runs like a half-marathon.

Also, Pwrrun’s durability allows you to accrue everyday miles without the fear of compacting the foam. A rubber outsole protects the midsole and improves traction during landings and take-offs.

A thick Pwrrun+ footbed adds step-in comfort under the foot.

All these features make the Ride 17 very versatile. The just-right midsole softness makes the runs comfortable and efficient; at no point does the Ride 17 feel sluggish. A mild rocker makes it easier for the foot to roll forward.

The true-to-size upper brings together optimal fit security with interior comfort.

Versatile cushioned trainer with an 8 mm drop

Asics Superblast 2

The versatile Superblast 2 builds on the Superblast V1’s success. It combines an ultra-cushioned ride with a lightweight and agile ride character.

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Running shoes like the Asics Superblast 2 are a rare breed, because it’s not often that you come across a shoe that is truly capable of almost everything.

Make this your everyday trainer or pre-marathon trainer; the Superblast V2 can fill the role of both. You can even race in them, as long as the speeds are slower than 4:00 min/km (6:30 min/mile).

The versatile character is the result of a well-thought-out design; the lightweight Flytefoam Turbo foam is stacked over a thinner (and firmer) base.

Not only does this cut down on the weight, but it also makes the Superblast comfortable yet quick enough for tempo runs. Also, the rocker midsole propels the foot forward.

The Superblast 2 is a souped-up version of the Novablast 4.

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The Superblast 2 is also very user-friendly. The 8 mm drop midsole doesn’t have a learning curve, and in most cases, the shoe is good to go right out of the box. The snug (and true to size) upper combines ‘fast shoe’ elements like a racer tongue while retaining a padded heel for interior comfort.

Asics has made changes to the upper, so it’s more breathable than the Superblast V1 and has more toe-box space.

Cushioned easy run trainer with an 8 mm drop

Brooks Glycerin 21

The Glycerin 21 isn’t fast nor too slow. This 8 mm drop shoe is ideal for cruising at easy speeds.

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1. Read our detailed review of the Brooks Glycerin 21 here.

One thing that runners like the most about Brooks is their consistency. Among all the running shoe brands, Brooks is least expected to spring a surprise with a radically redesigned model. This Seattle-based brand values consistency and incremental changes.

The Brooks Glycerin is a good example. It has never been a super-soft running shoe (despite Brooks claiming otherwise) in all its years of existence; the Glycerin has been a supportive and cushioned trainer with a relatively firm ride.

Pictured here is the cushioned and neutral DNA Loft midsole of the Brooks Glycerin 21.

The added padding pushes the foot forward by a few mm.

The Brooks Glycerin 21's insole is thick enough to be replaced by a stability Orthotic.

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The Brooks Glycerin 21 uses the same DNA Loft V3 (a kind of Nitrogen-injected foam) as before, but dials up the softness. While it’s still firm when compared to competing foams, the 21 is softer than the 20.

From a usage perspective, the Glycerin 21 hasn’t changed.

It’s a dependable everyday trainer for easy runs; this is no speed demon. It’s going to give you all the support, durability, and padding you need, but it’s not happy when pushed too hard.

The true-sized upper is plush as always, and comes in an optional wide.

Softest shoe with a 9 mm drop

Nike Invincible 3

Look no further than the Invincible 3 for a soft trainer with an 8 mm heel-to-toe offset.

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1. Read our detailed review of the Nike Invincible 3 here.

If you want the softest and plushest running shoe of all, look no further than the Nike Invincible 3.

The thick and wide midsole is made of 100% ZoomX foam – the same compound that powers the Vaporfly. It’s responsive, lightweight, and extremely comfortable for long-distance runs. It’s fitting that the cushy midsole is matched with a spacious upper and plush interior.

The high-volume ZoomX midsole makes the Invincible 3 extremely comfortable, regardless of the distance.

However, there’s a caveat – the Invincible 3 is best used for easy cruising rather than speed runs.

Even though the shoe has the same ZoomX foam that makes the Vaporfly a fast shoe, there’s no Carbon plate inside the Invincible Run. This is also a very high-volume midsole that adds to the shoe’s 11-ounce weight, so it’s nowhere as agile as Nike’s signature plated racer.

The Invincible 3 gets a fabric lasting covering the midsole – something that the V2 did not have. As a result, the cushioning is firmer.

The Invincible 3 has a couple of changes that make it firmer than the Invincible 2.

By adding a lasting fabric over the midsole, the foot no longer has direct access to the ZoomX foam. Secondly, the groove on the midsole sidewalls makes them firmer than the Invincible V1 and V2.

10 mm drop trainer for overpronators

Asics Kayano 31

Overpronators will like the Kayano 31’s cushioned yet supportive ride.

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1. Read our detailed review of the Asics Kayano 31 here.

The Kayano has changed drastically over the last couple of years, so here’s a quick recap.

Last year, the Kayano 30 finally lost its medial post – a harder wedge of foam that was meant to control the inwards roll of the foot.

In its place was a cushioned trainer with a wide and supportive 10 mm drop midsole. The Kayano 30 was still a ‘motion-control’ shoe with pronation management features, except that it went about it in different way.

The Asics Kayano 31 is also available in a wide and extra-wide.

The Asics Flytefoam last - cushioned, yet firm and supportive.

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The inner midsole was more supportive than the outer side, and the groove under the heel sloped towards the outer side. This directed the ‘lean’ towards the outer side – something that most pronation-control shoes should do.

The Kayano 31 has a similar design, except for one major difference. The 31’s Flytefoam midsole foam isn’t the same as the type used on the 30.

Whereas the Kayano 30’s foam felt like an EVA blend, the new Flytefoam feels like a blend between Flytefoam Turbo and EVA. It’s not soft, though. To provide some context, the ride is much firmer than the Asics Nimbus.

On the road, the Kayano 31 produces a cushioned ride that excels at daily runs and long-distance training. At the same time, stability features like the hard heel counter, firm midsole, and wide base make the Kayano supportive.

The comfortable engineered mesh upper is offered in multiple widths. The fit is true-to-size.

8 mm drop trainer for overpronators

New Balance Vongo V6

The Vongo’s ‘stability plane’ plate controls pronation without affecting ride comfort.

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As a stability shoe, the Vongo V6 does something novel. While you can’t see it from the outside, the soft dual-density midsole hides a stiff plate. The said plate has large windows (or holes) on the outer side, whereas the inner half (when viewed longitudinally) is solid.

This unique construction makes the inner midsole more supportive than the outer side. Meaning, when loaded, the midsole is easier to compress on the outer side, thus giving the Vongo V6 a noticeable cushioning bias.

Other than that, the Vongo V6 is a comfortable do-it-all trainer. The reformulated Fresh Foam midsole and articulated outsole work together to make it the softest Vongo ever, a trend that we’ve also seen on the redesigned 1080V13.

Road-trail hybrid with a 9.5 mm drop

Nike Pegasus Trail 4 Gore-Tex

This 9.5 mm drop shoe isn’t a serious trail shoe, but a ‘soft roader’ – aka a road-trail hybrid.

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1. Read our detailed review of the Nike Pegasus Trail 4 here.

The Nike Pegasus Trail 5 has just been released, so this is a good time to pick up a pair of the Pegasus Trail 4 for less money.

The Pegasus Trail 4 is what we call a ‘soft roader’ in these parts. Meaning, that it’s not a running shoe that works well on technical off-road trails, but manages unpaved flats and roads equally well. In short, it’s a road-trail hybrid.

The cushioned midsole offers a high level of on-road comfort.

The build quality takes the abuse from running on asphalt well, whereas the React midsole provides the comfort of a regular trainer. The Pegasus Trail 4 comes in two variants – the standard model as well as the waterproof Gore-Tex variant.

The midsole stability isn’t great, so running in the Pegasus Trail on uneven surfaces is best avoided.

Plated marathon racer with an 8 mm drop

Saucony Endorphin Pro 4

The Endorphin Pro 4 has everything one expects of the Carbon-plated super shoe. It’s cushioned, lightweight, fast, and breathable.

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The Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 isn’t just any running shoe with an 8 mm heel offset.

The lightweight PEBA midsole (7.5 oz/212 gms) is perfect for high-mileage speed work; the springboard effect under the heel and the rocker forefoot make the Endorphin comfortable yet fast at the same time.

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The rigid Carbon plate and flared midsole make the ride more supportive than many other plated racers of this category. The 39.5 mm (rear) and 31.5 mm (forefoot) stack heights keep the feet fresh during a marathon.

The soft and breathable mesh shell breathes extremely well while securing the foot over the midsole.

Despite its ‘wing’ plate, the Speed 4 is not as stable as the Pro 4.

Surprisingly, the Endorphin Pro 4 is more supportive than the Endorphin Speed 4. The Carbon plate is stiffer than the Speed 4’s Nylon plate, so the foot doesn’t roll as much.

We just wish that both the Saucony Speed and Pro didn’t stink so much – their midsoles (or paint) have an unpleasant industrial smell.

Lightweight tempo trainer with an 8 mm drop

Brooks Hyperion 2

The unofficial successor to last year’s Hyperion Max is a lightweight and comfortable trainer for tempo runs.

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When we reviewed the original Hyperion Tempo three years ago, we fell in love with the shoe.

It’s not often that a running shoe combined a speed-friendly character, durability, and ride comfort without adding weight. But that’s what the Hyperion Tempo did. It was also an 8 mm drop tempo trainer, a relative rarity during the time.

Non-EVA compounds like the Brooks DNA Flash fares well under heavy loads.

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The 2024 Hyperion 2 has most of the things we loved about the H-Tempo, but there are noteworthy changes.

Not only is the DNA Flash midsole softer (for greater ride comfort), but it’s also taller (34 mm and 26 mm stack). And if the specs sound familiar, that’s because the Hyperion 2 is the unofficial successor to the Hyperion Max from last year.

The Hyperion 2 weighs just over 7 ounces, so it makes itself useful during interval training, tempo runs, and 5K/10K races. The DNA Flash foam has a nice rebound, and the grippy rubber outsole helps with the push-offs.

The lightweight upper complements the Hyperion 2 perfectly well – it’s breathable, comfortable and keeps the foot locked in.

5K/10K racer with an 8 mm drop

adidas Adizero Adios 8

The Adios 8 is a strong candidate if you’re looking for a 5K/10K racer with an 8 mm drop.

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1. Read our detailed review of the adidas Adios 8 here.

The Adios 8 is a forefoot strike-friendly racer with an 8 mm heel drop. The Continental rubber outsole provides plenty of traction and stability for forward landings and transitions.

While the Adios 8 has been completely redone (versus the 7), it continues to be a speed-friendly shoe for races and tempo runs alike. A combination midsole (Lightstrike Pro and Lightstrike EVA foam) infuses cushioning comfort into the low-profile midsole.

This is also the roomiest adios yet. Sure, it’s snug based on any given yardstick, but there’s more room for the toes to splay. And just like all the previous adios models, the lightweight upper breathes very well.

How we selected: What to look for

Also known as the heel-to-toe offset, the ‘drop’ is the difference between the heel and forefoot thickness. For example, if a midsole has an 18 mm thick heel and 10 mm thick forefoot, it would have an 8 mm drop.

When it comes to footstrike patterns, heel drops do not matter as much. There, we’ve said it.

However, getting fixated on just the ‘drop’ isn’t always helpful – even if someone is looking for a midfoot strike-friendly shoe.

There’s a lot more involved in what makes a running shoe compatible with forefoot landings. For instance – what does the heel design look like? How wide is the forefoot? Does the upper heel allow the foot to fit flush against the heel? Is there a heel bevel for smooth transitions? Is the outsole a full-contact type?

We wrote a detailed buyer’s guide examining the various factors that make a running shoe suitable for midfoot or full-contact landings.

Based on our experience and reader feedback, a running shoe with an 8 – 10 mm offset is the ideal sweet spot for a variety of reasons:

An 8 mm offset is the perfect middle-ground

There’s a reason why most shoe brands produce running shoes with an 8 – 10 mm heel-to-toe offset. Even Saucony, the maker of the 4 mm drop shoe (aka the Kinvara), focuses on running shoes with a higher heel-to-toe offset. For example, the popular Ride 17 and just-released Triumph 22 have 8 mm and 10 mm gradients respectively.

(Related read: The best running shoes with a 4 mm drop)

The Achilles tendon is less likely to experience soreness

A lower ‘drop’ also lowers the position of the heel, thus stretching the Achilles tendon. Though the human foot has a zero mm ‘drop’, most people aren’t accustomed to footwear without a heel.

Therefore, transitioning from a 12 mm drop shoe to 0 mm may require an adjustment period. An 8 mm drop running shoe needs little to no acclimatization.

It works for all experience levels

An 8 mm offset is versatile enough to be used across all running shoe classes.

New runners can quickly find comfort in this offset range, and so can runners who are shaking off their winter hibernation. With an 8 – 10 mm drop midsole, it’s easy to pick up where you left off.

A higher heel is useful in the gym

The Asics Kayano 31’s high drop and supportive ride also works inside the gym.

Not everybody runs on the road. For many runners, the treadmill is where most of their runs take place. That’s also usually preceded – or followed by – strength training.

A higher heel-to-toe offset moves the center of gravity forward. This is helpful during lifts, where a forward bias is desirable. That’s why training shoes that are designed for strength training have a high drop. We reviewed such a shoe (Nike Metcon 7) on this site.

(Related read: The best running shoes for treadmill runs)

Lastly, running shoes with an 8 mm offset are readily available

Even though many running shoes with 0, 4, 5, and 6 mm offsets exist, it’s way easier to find a running shoe with an 8 – 10 mm drop.

And again – it’s not just about the drop, so an abundance of choices also makes it likely to find the right combination of upper fit, styling, and midsole cushioning levels.