Lower midsole heights bear little to no relationship to overall biomechanical stability. The difference, however, lies with the instability of the shoe platform itself. The softer one makes the shoe, the less inherent stability it will provide for the foot itself. Theoretically, then, the lower midsole height shoes, what with their less substantial cushioning systems, would provide more stability than higher midsole heights.
However, this does NOT take into account other potential issues, including muscular imbalances, bone density, foot structure, etc. Also, again, this does not take into account the placement of the foot into a relative “natural” position. But what is natural for you? Do you land with a true natural midfoot stance, or do you land further forward on your foot? This is determinative as to where you wind up in terms of heel-toe drop in the last. For me, I work best in as close to zero drop as possible. Others will need more traditional heel-toe drops, depending on the issue at hand.
Based upon the metatarsal strain that you have suggested, I would recommend something with a bit less flexibility through the forefoot; it seems that you may be overextending through the tail end of your gait cycle. I’d try the Launches. Continued stress through this area would potentially indicate landing too far forward on the foot, and may require slightly more heel-toe drop, at which point the Green Silence, Wave Musha, Nike LunaRacer might become more viable.
Thanks for your input, it helps. The Launches will be here today so we’ll see - the metatarsal strain came up after a 2 hour marathon pace effort last weekend, in my training cycle it was the longest run I’ve done this season for the duration - 5 weeks on the kinvara’s plus both shoes show significant ‘toe-off’ wear, you sound on the right track with your observation. I ran yesterday for an hour on the same kinvara’s, took it easy but after 45mins in I was feeling that on the ‘injured’ foot, I was craving for lumpy ground to fill the gap/recess behind the big toe joint - kinda like needed arch support in that area. Odd thing (to me but probably of no surprise to you) is the fact that my 5-week old K’s show a pronounced indentation in the foot-bed at the big toe joint so you’d think that the area would be supported (the footbed had moulded or compressed permanently to ‘fill the gap’).
Perhaps there’s the clue, footbed has compressed but doesn’t spring-back at the metatarsal during my gait cycle?
Anyways, thats me ‘tuning-in’ and listening to the foot - isn’t that the whole point of minimalist footwear anyways?
Cheers for your insight once again.
