The widely held assumption is that heel striking is associated with the use of more traditional running shoes with padding under the heel and forefoot/midfoot striking is more associated with barefoot or minimal running shoes. The probable reason is the comfort of heel strike with a padded shoe and the somewhat discomfort associated with the use of no padding under the heel. Obviosuly you can forefoot/midfoot strike in a running shoe with a padded heel and we have all seen the occasional example of someone in a minimal shoe or no shoe heel striking
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Barefoot/Minimalism Running and Heel Striking
