Which shoes?

[TeaforTheWins]

I absolutely love wearing Birkenstocks, my feet are happiest and healthiest in them, but my question is what should I wear running?! I’m looking for a zero drop, arch support running shoe but the zero drop ones tend to have no arch supports! Help! (Mainly a trail runner)

Have a look at Altras

ah yes I’ve seen these but I’m not sure which ones have the 0 drop yet some arch support! There are just so many it’s confusing! Anyone else run in them?

You really don't want zero drop unless you're an experienced runner. Especially if you've already got foot problems

Hi Gravy, I really do want some zero drop running shoes!

All Altras have zero heel drop as far as I know

Why are you convinced you want zero drop? The point of natural 0-drop shoes is that they allow your feet to move and spread as if you're barefoot. They'll exacerbate any and all foot and ankle problems you have. They by design have no support and normally don't have much padding either, because that reduces the natural feel. Most shoes with arch support are designed to correct over-pronation so are far from neutral which means they have a higher drop. If you have foot problems and are going to be running on road at all, you're likely to do yourself an injury in a natural shoe.

For something neutral but supportive, you could give trail running shoes a try. They come in a few types including very padded so you can't feel the bumps and very thin soles so you can feel and grip everything. I use the latter (eg La Sportiva Levante 6mm) as a mid-foot striker running off road. I wouldn't wear them on road.

If you're used to Birkenstocks then it seems odd to go from that to zero drop running shoes.

Have you had your gait looked at? I'd take some advice if I were you. I've had a lot more trouble finding the right pair of trail shoes than road shoes - I gave up on a few pairs, even 1 fitted by my very trusty local running shop, who know me well (the fit was fine, I just found them too heavy on long runs).

I know one person who wears Altras. She took a long time to ease into them (with PF along the way). She wears a completely neutral shoe for road running though.
If you need arch support, then I'd be cautious.

if you want zero drop trail shoes I’d look at Inov-8. I think they’ve discontinued the (excellent) Terra ultras, but the trailfly G is basically the same shoe and zero drop

Thank you Scotland I’ll have a look!