Choosing the right pair of running shoes can easily make or break your success as a runner. If you tend to be more of a forefoot striker (you run more on your toes,) then you know that you need a shoe with a lower 4mm heel to toe drop, also called the offset.
But how do you know which is the best pair of shoes for you and your needs? Look no further, we’ve done the work for you by spending hours comparing specifications, reading real customer reviews and basically thinking about what will make you the happiest on your runs, whether you’re on the trail or the road.
Hands down our top pick for a running shoe with a 4mm heel drop is the Skechers Unisex GOrun Razor 3 Hyper. Its unbeatable combination of fast Hyperburst foam, long-run comfort and lightweight design will keep your feet happy on 5k sprints and long, slow marathons. Check out the full review below, seven other great options and a detailed buying guide. We haven’t forgotten about you trail runners, so we’ve also included our top three choices for trail running shoes with a 4mm offset. Two of our choices even won Runner’s World awards! Can you find them?
Top 3 Comparison Table| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
TOP RUNNING SHOE WITH 4MM HEEL DROP  |
TOP RUNNING SHOE WITH 4MM HEEL DROP
|
Skechers Unisex GOrun Razor 3 Hyper
|
|
CHECK PRICE |
|
BEST FOR COMFORT  |
BEST FOR COMFORT
|
HOKA ONE ONE Bondi 6
|
|
CHECK MEN’S PRICECHECK WOMEN’S PRICE |
|
BEST TRAIL SHOE WITH 4MM OFFSET  |
BEST TRAIL SHOE WITH 4MM OFFSET
|
Hoka One One Speedgoat 3
|
|
CHECK MEN’S PRICECHECK WOMEN’S PRICE |
Best Low Drop Running Shoes (4mm & 6mm)
1. Skechers Unisex GOrun Razor 3 Hyper
It’s easy to see why we chose the GOrun Razor 3 Hyper for our first choice. The Hyper Burst foam is a revolutionary combination of long-run comfort while still having that “springy”, energetic feel that’ll help you shave seconds or even minutes off your fastest times. This shoe even won the 2019 Runner’s World® Gear of the Year Award.
Features: Hyper Burst Foam, Lightweight Construction and breathable fabric lining
Pros
- Comfortable cushioning with a “springy” feel
- Very, very light
- Great for anything from speedwork to marathons
Cons
- The word SPEED on the side. (You’ll either love it or hate it)
2. HOKA ONE ONE Bondi 6
HOKA shoes are known for having a lot of cushioning and the Bondi 6 is their most cushioned shoe yet. If you want to feel like you’re running on clouds of firm marshmallows, then the Bondi 6 is for you. People rave about their plush cushioning and smooth ride.
Features: Full-length EVA midsole, tons of cushion and a silky-smooth ride
Pros
- Maximum amount of plush cushion
- Full-length EVA midsole
- Silky smooth ride
Cons
- A little expensive (As most HOKA ONE ONEs are)
3. New Balance Fresh Foam Vongo V4
The Fresh Foam Vongo V4 is a good middle ground between our first two choices. The thick layer of Fresh Foam gives you full-foot cushioning and the unique combination of foam densities provides a little extra support where needed. The sock-style upper is quite comfortable since it provides a glove-like fit that eliminates the traditional tongue.
Features: Comfortable sock-style upper, thick Fresh Foam midsole and tongueless design
Pros
- Long-run comfort and support
- The upper fits like a glove
- Extra thick Fresh Foam cushioning
Cons
- Thick sole and extra cushioning aren’t ideal if you’re looking to break some speed records
4. Saucony Type A9
The Type A9s are a great choice if you’re looking for one thing, speed. As a shoe designed primarily for short, fast runs, they have a thin EVA sole that really lets you feel connected to the road or track. It’s hard to find a better performing shoe for such a good price.
Features: Low-profile midsole with firm EVA foam, lightweight racing upper
Pros
- Designed for racing
- Good price
- PWRTRAC outsole for durable grip
Cons
- The firm sole is good for speed, but not the best for long races over rough roads.
5. New Balance More V1 Fresh Foam
If you want maximum comfort, but aren’t ready to shell out the big bucks for the HOKA ONE ONE Bondi 6, then check out the New Balance More V1 Fresh Foam. It has the most Fresh Foam of any New Balance shoe (hence the name “More Fresh Foam”) and is designed to provide a smooth, cushioned ride that makes you want to keep running.
Features: Maximum Fresh Foam, smooth transitions, unique tongue to help secure the foot
Pros
- Most Fresh Foam of any New Balance shoe
- Premium lightweight comfort
- About half the price of most HOKAs
Cons
- Good for comfort, but not for maximum speed
6. Saucony Fastwitch 9
The Fastwitch 9 are aptly named since they truly are fast. Their quick responsiveness is thanks to the SSL (Saucony Super Lite) EVA midsole, so you get comfort and support that won’t weigh you down. The PWRTRAC outsole has 3x the traction of normal rubber soles so you can confidently take on those quick runs on wet pavement.
Features: SSL EVA midsole, reasonable price and PWRTRAC outsole
Pros
- Fast and responsive midsole
- Reasonable price
- PWRTRAC outsole for improved traction
Cons
- Some say the toe box is a little tight
7. Brooks Pure Flow 7
The Brooks Pure Flow is a great option if you’re looking for a simple, no-frills shoe with a low drop. Its clean and simple design won’t slow you down and you still get legendary Brooks’ quality. The minimalist design and stretch-woven upper helps your foot feel unrestricted while running.
Features: BioMoGo DNA cushioning, simple design and lightweight construction
Pros
- Simple, no-frills design
- Comfortable yet responsive DNA cushioning
- Stretch upper has a glove-like fit
Cons
- For those of you with wide feet, the toe area may be too tight.
8. Mizuno Wave Sonic
Although the Mizuno Wave Sonic isn’t as fast as other racing options on our list, it’s hard to beat their long-lasting durability and low price point. You’ll definitely get your money’s worth. Even despite being a racing shoe, you still get moderate support and a natural feel.
Features: Moderate stability, low profile racing design, durable outsole
Pros
- Good stability for a racing shoe
- Durable outsole
- Budget price
Cons
- Not as fast some other racing shoes (but you just can’t beat the price)
Trail Running Shoes With 4MM Offset
1. Hoka One One Speedgoat 3
Do you get bored on the roads? Be adventurous with the HOKA ONE ONE Speedgoat 3. The reinforced TPU midfoot ensures a secure fit and the Vibram® MegaGrip outsole with multi-directional lugs are ready to take on anything that gets in your way (rocks, mud pits, fallen trees and your neighbor’s yappy dog) . More info here. Just like the Skechers Unisex GOrun Razor 3 Hyper, these also won a 2019 Runners World Gear of the Year award!
Features: Vibram MegaGrip lugs, enhanced heel support and durable design
Pros
- Enhanced grip and traction
- Plenty of cushioning for rough terrain
- Vibram MegaGrip lugs
Cons
- More expensive than some of the other options
2. New Balance MT10V1 Minimus
Do you want to be “one with nature” and feel truly connected to the trail? Then you’ll love the Minimus. The name kind of gives it away, it’s a minimalist trail runner that’s designed to keep your feet protected and comfortable while still letting you feel connected to the ground. The Vibram outsole provides exceptional grip and it even has an antimicrobial treatment to reduce odor over time.
Features: Acteva midsole, antimicrobial treatment and a Vibram outsole with flex grooves
Pros
- Odor-resistant
- Grippy and durable outsole
- Perfect amount of cushioning for the minimalist trail shoe
Cons
- The shoe runs small, so order a half-size larger than normal.
3. Saucony Peregrine 8
The Saucony Peregrine 8 is for you speedy trail runners. Saucony’s EVERUN top sole helps cushion your feet on rough trails while still being lively and responsive. The shoe provides neutral support for runners like you. You can check more info here about neutral running shoes. Don’t worry about slipping on wet rocks, the PWRTRAC outsole and strategically place lugs give you maximum grip no matter where you’re stepping.
Features: 6mm outsole lugs, EVERUN top sole and PWRTRAC outsole
Pros
- Excellent grip
- EVERUN top sole is great for fast trail runs
- Neutral support
Cons
- Not a high-mileage shoe
Running Shoes With a 4MM Heel Drop – Buyer’s Guide
You already know you want a shoe with a 4mm heel to toe drop. What else should you keep in mind when choosing one of these options? Here are 3 quick things to think about.
- Why You Run
- Cushioning
- Positive Reviews
Why You Run
Are you prepping for a race? Do you go for daily runs to stay fit without thinking too much about your time? Maybe you’re training for an obstacle course run? All of this will affect what type of shoe you buy and how you properly hydrate. You may also like the best waterproof running shoes rated by the StayonTrails team.
If your goal is speed, then you’ll probably want to look for something with a little less cushioning, that’s lightweight and responsive. If you simply want to enjoy your runs without worrying too much about how fast you’re running, then go for the plush foam. And if you need your shoes to support you as you run over a variety of obstacles, then you’ll need something with extra grip and support. Click here for more info on our beginner’s guide on running shoes.
Cushioning
The type of foam cushioning will make a big difference in how your feet feel during your runs. Our top pick, the Skechers Unisex GOrun Razor 3 Hyper, has a great balance of comfortable foam that has a springy feel and is extremely lightweight. If you want maximum comfort, then go for a shoe with more cushion. More cushion usually equals more comfort but slower times. You may also be interested in running shoes for orthotics. Visit this page for more info.
Positive Reviews
Considering customer reviews can really help you make the right choice. Try to see common issues other runners are having. Do a lot of reviewers mention that the shoes fit tight? Then you know to get a half-size larger. Are there a lot of customers who mentioned long-run comfort? Then if you’re training for a marathon, those would be a good choice. A lot of marathon runners don’t have access to good weather all the time, so we made a guide on the best running shoes for a treadmill on this page.
No need to worry about the shoes we’ve chosen for you. Each one has received tons of positive reviews from other runners, so we’re sure you can find the right one amongst those on our list.
Which is the Best Running Shoe With a 4MM Heel Drop? – Final Thoughts
When choosing one of these great options, don’t forget to consider things like why you run, the type of cushioning and of course the positive reviews.
So which will be your new running shoe with a 4mm heel drop? We know you’ll love the Skechers Unisex GOrun Razor 3 Hyper. You can’t beat the lightweight, long-run comfort that is still so blazing fast!
What are you waiting for? Get the right pair of running shoes so you can run farther and faster today.
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
TOP RUNNING SHOE WITH 4MM HEEL DROP |
TOP RUNNING SHOE WITH 4MM HEEL DROP
|
Skechers Unisex GOrun Razor 3 Hyper
|
|
CHECK PRICE |
|
BEST FOR COMFORT |
BEST FOR COMFORT
|
HOKA ONE ONE Bondi 6
|
|
CHECK MEN’S PRICECHECK WOMEN’S PRICE |
|
BEST TRAIL SHOE WITH 4MM OFFSET |
BEST TRAIL SHOE WITH 4MM OFFSET
|
Hoka One One Speedgoat 3
|
|
CHECK MEN’S PRICECHECK WOMEN’S PRICE |
Related Posts:
https://stayontrails.com/best-shoes-for-tough-mudder
Austin Mills