Stack Height
The total thickness of the shoe sole (midsole + outsole) between your foot and the ground.
What is Stack Height?
Stack Height is simply how high off the ground your foot sits inside the shoe. It is measured in millimeters.
- Barefoot: 0mm
- Minimalist: < 10mm
- Traditional: 20-25mm
- Maximalist: 30mm+
World Athletics Rules
With the advent of "Super Shoes," stack heights got ridiculous. To preserve the integrity of the sport, World Athletics introduced a rule in 2020:
- Road Racing Shoes: Must have a stack height of no more than 40mm.
- Note: This is why the Nike Alphafly and Adidas Pro Evo have very specific cutouts and measurements to stay legal.
High Stack vs. Low Stack
| High Stack (Thick) | Low Stack (Thin) |
|---|---|
| ✅ Maximum cushion | ✅ Maximum ground feel |
| ✅ Leg protection | ✅ Stability & agility |
| ✅ Energy return (modern foams) | ✅ Lightweight |
| ❌ Less stable on corners | ❌ High impact forces |
Why Measure It?
Knowing your preferred stack height helps you buy shoes online. If you love the Hoka Clifton (Stack ~30mm), you probably won't enjoy the Vibram FiveFingers (Stack ~4mm).
Stack height tells you how much cloud you're buying.
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