There is a moment in every ultra runner’s life where they stand at the start line of something truly horrible, staring into the middle distance while their brain quietly processes just how bad the weather is about to get, and […]
Mizuno have had a strange year. On the road, the Neo line has quietly become one of the best things happening in running, the kind of shoe people who don’t usually get excited about foam get excited about. On the […]
Zero drop is one of those bits of running jargon you hear floating around long before you really know what it means. In simple terms, it’s exactly what it sounds like: there’s no height difference between the heel and the forefoot. No slope. No built-in lean. Your foot sits level with the ground much like it does when you’re barefoot in the kitchen making that first coffee. Most traditional running shoes come with a drop of around 6–8mm, meaning the heel is slightly elevated. It’s a design choice that can encourage a longer stride and take some load off the calves and Achilles. Zero-drop shoes flip that idea on its head. They don’t try to guide you forward they just let you run. The result? Often a stride that becomes a little shorter, a little quieter, and a bit more underneath you. Your lower legs and intrinsic foot muscles tend to take on more responsibility. For some runners, that can feel more efficient or more “natural.” For others, it can feel like a rude awakening. Zero drop is also frequently paired with wider, foot-shaped toe boxes. The thinking here is simple: give the toes space to splay, let the foot stabilise itself, and allow impact to happen closer to your centre of mass rather than out in front in a heavy heel strike. It’s part biomechanics, part philosophy. But, and this is important, zero drop isn’t a shortcut to better running. It’s a different stimulus. Moving from a higher-drop shoe to zero drop increases load through the calves, Achilles and plantar structures. That can be positive in the long term if managed well. It can also be a fast track to niggles if you rush it. The smart move is to treat it like any other training change. Introduce it gradually. Start with short, easy runs. Maybe even just some walking. Let your tissues adapt before you start chasing mileage or pace. Like most things in running, it’s not about right or wrong. It’s about what works for you, your history, your mechanics, and what you want from the miles ahead.
Running is not exactly a quiet category. Every week there’s a new launch, a new foam, a new acronym that promises to change your life somewhere around mile 21. It’s a loud space, dominated by brands with decades of heritage […]
A shoe brand you should have heard about are launching a shoe you probably don't think you need. Stick with me though because the Hylo Athletics Axis might just be one of those trainers that quietly earns its place in your rotation without making a fuss about it.
I’ll start with the obvious: I wasn’t sure I needed the Nike Alphafly 3. Hell, I knew I didn't need this.
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