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I’ve worn zero drop shoes for 8 years and got Achilles tendinitis last year due to significantly ramping up my tennis game. The podiatrist blamed my zero drop shoes but I don’t wear them when I play tennis 🤷🏽‍♂️ I feel a little vindicated after watching this video 😄

Hi, thanks for the video. When I transitioned to zero drop, it took 6 months to return to my previous mileage. I started with no more than a half mile in the zero drop. On other days, I used my 6 mm drop shoes. Over time, I increased mileage and number of days in the zero drop. By 6 months I was 100% zero drop for both training and daily wear.

You are, without question, the best I have ever seen or heard on this issue. Everything you said is exactly correct and fits with my experience. I moved from regular drop shoes to zero drop shoes last year. Within 2 weeks, my Achilles started bothering me on both feet. I rested about three weeks, did my Achilles exercises, and then went back out. On the very first day, pain returned in my left Achilles. I did this same scenario over and over again, probably four or five times, until I finally gave up on zero drop shoes. Every time I went back out after resting, the Achilles pain immediately returned. I then did some research and it was exactly as you said. Moving to zero drop shoes too quickly can cause pain. But I never did get to a point where the zero drop shoes DIDN’T cause pain! So I gave up on them. I then bought some Brooks shoes, which have the highest heel to toe drop I could find. I haven’t had any problems since! I will never go back to zero drop shoes, not only because they aren’t comfortable and they caused me Achilles problems, but they tend to be extremely ugly (especially Altras)! It’s just not worth it to me. There are plenty of non-zero drop shoes that have a wide toe box. That’s good enough for me. 😀

glad i found this before doing the bob and brad techniques lol. definite overuse on my part. flat sole running shoes and a poorly timed motivation to train for a marathon

Waking up steep steps with a weighted vest on helps tremendously as far as strength training

Heel to toe drops hurt my knees. Yes, your feet might have less stress with the elevation, but it just shifts the stress to your knees and lower back.

I've run everyday for years. My Achilles was always a pain. I upped the stack every time to treat it right. Wrong. Injury is weakness and my Achilles was super weak from all the cushion. My vibrams and Vivo have made my Achilles completely pain free. Even after 30 miles runs. I wake up the next day and they feel no pain at all.

I switched to zero drop shoes for trail running. Climbing hills and going over rocks put strain on my tendons. My right foot gets sore after a run at the heel. I purchased heel inserts and that definitely helped. They are stackable so you can get as much support as you need. I have long runs in my training coming up so i am going to use them thicker until its cleared up and then remove them one at a time to transition. Just an idea for people that dont want to carry 2 pairs of shoes

Love your videos

I’m a male, in my mid-60s, and retired from two careers that were often mentally and physically challenging (military and law enforcement). So I’ve always been physically active, both for my job requirements and for my pleasure and wellness. Soon after retiring, I attempted the Appalachian Trail in “zero drop” shoes (Altra was my brand). I did fine, as I had transitioned for six months prior to starting the trail. But (why is it, that the older we get, there is always a but,?!) an old Navy back injury brought me off trail. I currently hike 4-8 miles a day, 5-6 days a week. I’ve gone back to zero drop, primarily for the “toe spread”…and general foot comfort….but I am noticing some pain where my Achilles is. My question…..I guess…is, until I am fully “zero drop” capable, would adding an insert with some slight rise, be helpful? I really, really, - REALLY!! - don’t want to go back to traditional footwear! Your video presentation….and your obvious knowledge on the topic….is excellent! Thank you.

Recently started walking more than I normally do on consistent basis in barefoot shoes noticed my tendon hurting then it got worse,then I didn’t even want to walk at all. I had an old pair of crocs in the closet so I busted those out started wearing those and walking with them noticed my Achilles felt so much better, now I’m kind of nervous about barefoot shoes.

I've been running (maybe twice a month) in Altras for a year or so and they're really comfortable and enjoy them, however I did have some ITBS issues initially and now more recently the Achilles tendonitis. But after this video and what you said about doing other activities for periods of time in between runs has made me realise that me wearing ankle supporting hiking boots everyday over long distances in steep slippery terrain (for my job) has probably not helped my feet, ankles and legs adjust to the zero drop running! Would some barefoot running (on your toes) help strengthen the feet/ankles/legs for zero drop shoes or should I switch back to conventional shoes?

They definitely cause pain that I guess doctors would call tendonitis. But there is a little knot in the fascia behind my knee that, if I work it out, the pain immediately releases. I have been running zero drop for a few years now, but my volume and intensity are ramping up significantly and I think I need to alternate my shoes with something supported every now and again.

I wish I saw this video before I got over excited and decided to sprint in my Zero Drop shoes on the first day and tore my achilles 😢

Many thanks Really you are the best But please, the pain return again after marvlous improvement , waiting for your advice to minimize this annouying pain 😍😍

I switched to zero drop for the first time and got a partial Achilles tear

Echo ruins the sound a bit.

I've been wearing those flat wooden Dr Scholl sandals around the house for more years than I remember. Basically zero drop platforms with a slight ridge under the toes for them grip as I walk. I recently bought a pair of Altra Olympus 5 trail runners which have a zero drop and after several multi km practice hikes have not had any issues with my Achilles. In the past I used regular hiking shoes with small drop. I wonder if my sandal history helped make the transition to zero drop trail runners so smooth?

Great video, thanks for the information. I’ve been reviewing the zero drop shoes but have a question about how they would effect my metatarsal. I noticed that you mentioned they bothered your forefoot. I’m not a runner but I do a lot of hiking and have used Hokas a lot, but there wide sizes for hiking shoes are very limited. I was thinking of trying the Altra Olympic 5 mid for waterproof hikers. Do you think they would bother my metatarsal? And I would use a custom orthotic that puts more of my weight on my arch. Thanks again for the video.

I had Achilles tendonitis for almost a year, but have been good for at least three months now, running without issues a few times a week (being cautious not to overdo). I have always worn running shoes with a heel drop, but have also had some issues with shin splints and knees. I see reforming my running form as perhaps the best option to be injury free and run happily. Zero-drop shoes seem a good option for good running form. For someone like me, with past but not current Achilles tendonitis, what do you think?

Hi. I switched to a barefoot running shoe in January and immediately noticed a big difference for my toes. I have Freiburg's disease which effects the blood flow to my metatarsals and I've had much less pain since then. But on the last 3 weeks I've been experiencing bad pain in my Achilles tendons. Sometimes one side, sometimes the other, or sometimes both. It's hindering my performance. I'm not a big runner. I do CrossFit and usually only run around 1-2km at a time, around 3-4 times a week. Do you think that this recent issue could be caused by the shoes? Until that point, I hadn't had any issues in either foot with the Achilles.

I irritated my (back of) heel spur during a race in Oct '22. I have been rehabbing as you suggested. I have also been strengthening my feet and recently incorporated minimalist shoes for non running activities to help with that. My issue now is the heel spur lump rubbing against the heel counter when running. I have tried taping gel (I cut up gel heel cups) to my heel and cutting out the plastic heel counter from my running shoes to minimize the friction. It works, but not perfect. Would be interested in any suggestions...

Hello! What about heel bursitis? I have been running for almost 2 years in zero drop shoes but in the last 6 months I have been dealing with heel bursitis. I did a scan and the tendon is fine I guess it is strong enough, but still I have pain in my ankle due to the left over liquid. Did some fizio rounds, the pain is down, but I can still feel the ankle stiff. Was thinking on going for 5mm drop shoes temporarily. Would it help?

So switching to Birkenstocks 100% caused my Achilles tendonitis, and in turn contributed to my ruptured Achilles . They should warn you 😠 Now my foot is swollen , my Achilles is likely permanently damaged, and I'm out several hundred dollars on shoes I can't wear. I'm 62 and I don't have months to transition into a pair of shoes. I guess it will be running shoes for the rest of my life, and maybe even walking with a cane as well. I can't even fit into my old Blundstone .😔

Do zero-drop shoes have anything to do with plantar fasciitis? I think Tendonitis and PF are both just over use injuries when you change what you have been use to too fast. I had Achilles Tendonitis for almost a year after switching to zero-drop but I also went from hiking 20 miles a week to backpacking 100 miles a week over night. The next year after taking it easy over the winter I kept wearing the zero drop shoes and never (even years later) had the Achilles Tendonitis issue again. The PF came from switching from trail running in zero drop to running on pavement for just a week. In just 4 years Ive had just about every overuse injury there is but I feel fine now . . . Now I'm afraid to ever run on pavement again least I get another PF

Do they sell inserts to counter a higher heel drop? I recently got a higher heel drop shoe and I’m use to a drop with half the mm. I went from a 4mm to a 8mm. I’m wondering in there are inserts for something like this?

Went from vans to Nike air maxes and noticed a swollen painful Achilles when walking. Should I go back to vans?

Hello.. What happens when the Achilles tendon is completely removed.can a person walk without Achilles tendon if completely removed..? One of my relative met with an road accident. No skin grafting or muscle flap surgery is possible as the blood vessels there is damaged also that tendon has become dead so doctors are opting for complete removal of Achilles tendon. Can a person Walk without it as it the largest n strongest tendon in our body.

I switched to barefoot and achilles tendons are sore. Trying to fix my duck feet at the same time. Facing feet forward feels harder on tendons.

So the higher the drop .. the less stretch on the achilles tendon and also less stress on the plantar fascia

My achillies feels a lot better when I walk in a boot rather than in my zero-drop shoes.

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