Footwear & ground•Practice-based
Stack height
Also searched as: sole stack, shoe stack
Stack height is the amount of material between your foot and the ground, usually measured in millimeters.
ground card2 claim notesupdated 2026-06-25
WBC translation
WBC uses stack height to talk about protection, ground feel, and tissue demand without turning thin soles into a virtue contest.
Why it matters
- 1Lower stack usually gives more ground feedback but less cushioning and protection.
- 2Higher stack can make rough terrain or long duration more forgiving for some users.
- 3Helps people choose by context instead of identity.
Do not overclaim
- Thinner is not automatically better; terrain, fatigue, and adaptation matter.
- A low-stack shoe can be too much too soon for feet and calves.
Evidence note
Stack height is a product specification; claims about gait, injury, or performance outcomes should be made cautiously and contextually.