Running shoes with higher heels could increase your risk of leg injury

Running shoes with an elevated heel may change the speed at which the feet hit the ground, raising the risk of injuries in the lower legs, according to a small study

By Carissa Wong

30 August 2023

The heel on running shoes typically range from 1 millimetre to 40 millimetres, with these heights varying in their potential to cause injuries

Luca Sage/Getty Images

Running shoes with a higher heel may raise the risk of injury by changing how the feet strike the ground. In a small study, researchers found that running shoes with heels around 20 millimetres high may be more likely to cause discomfort and tightness in the lower legs than those with little or no heel. However, other aspects of running shoes could also affect injury risk.

When running, …