Multi-purpose shoes
Product 2020
Woman, Man
The Cimalp 864 Drop Evolution is an unusual shoe whose drop can be altered depending on your desire: 4, 6 or 8mm. The idea is very interesting and allows you to limit injuries for those runners who want to change to forefoot running. Christopher McDougall’s bestseller Born to Run has indeed left a few casualties in its wake. We are not necessarily born or conditioned in the West to run with the Huarache sandals of the Tarahumara Indians. Injuries to the calves or Achilles tendon were legion, we even speak knowingly, a paradox: weeks of rehabilitation to save your knees by damaging your calves!
So let’s start from the beginning with these famous Cimalp 864 Drop Evolution which are presented as a cool tool for gradual evolution towards shoes with a reduced drop while avoiding any pathology.
The shoes therefore come with three sets of interchangeable soles, of different thickness. A mini booklet (not easy to read without glasses) suggests a program for moving intelligently from an 8mm drop to possibly a 4. For those who want to take the step, these Cimalp are therefore an undeniable and relevant aid.
It is extremely interesting to play with the different insoles on the track, to isolate one parameter (that of the terrain). The ideal is to start with the 8mm drop and then go directly to 4. Then go back to the 8 to feel the difference. A gap that becomes much more difficult to identify when you go from 6 to 4 millimeters, unless you are particularly perceptive. The following experience is also enriching: a 4mm insole for one foot and the other at 8mm. There’s no doubt, the drop is not a myth, the difference between the height of the heel and the forefoot has a real impact, it really affects the stride.
Before moving on to the field experience we had with the Cimalp 864 Drop Evolution, a few preliminary remarks and questions.
The additional soles supplied have different thicknesses, they vary the shoes’ available volume. You therefore need to play with the lace adjustment.
Is the drop of a so-called “normal” shoe managed by the outer sole or the insole as is the case with the Cimalp? Because the insole settles quickly and consequently the drop’s value also changes. On the other hand, the front end of the insoles that enable you to vary the drop is very flexible and tends to crease when you slip them into the shoes. Last thought, generally (and the Cimalp 864 Drop Evolution is an exception, in our opinion,) customizable products are rarely adopted by the market. It’s like a car full of options, you are happy to have them but you use 1/10th of the possibilities and when you need to start reconfiguring the product, you prefer to leave it as it is. We remember commercial flops like the Rossignol Radical R11 Mutix, skis capable of making large or small radius turns by changing the interchangeable arms which were screwed onto the top-sheet. Or the Raidlight shoes, where you could change the intensity of the cushioning by changing the heel.
The Cimalp product escapes this curse because they are very easy to use and swap round. This can also answer a need: to redefine your stride towards a more mid/forefoot.
So what’s it worth? The weight is standard (320 grams in size 42, could lose a little) for a versatile shoe (medium distances, ultra, training, competition). In our opinion, it’s not snug enough around the heel, a feeling that is amplified when you go down to a drop 4.
The same goes for the area from the arch to the instep, we would like a little more envelopment. But there’s good overall comfort and you can rake up the kilometers and elevation gain without needing to warm-up. The tongue is very flexible and doesn’t stay in place creating a fold at the base of the laces. It’s not a major problem, but you have to position it well when putting it on. Once the shoe is tight, this bit is unattractive. Cimalp stated this is because the tongue is ribbed to prevent it from coming down.
Lace adjustment is effective. We were worried that the lace was too short but it was the right length for a single knot (too short for a double). The stone guard is very effective, it combines flexibility and protection.
We liked the cushioning that helps the runner without being too much. You keep the contact with the ground and have an excellent foot strike. The Cimalp 864 Drop Evolution stability is also rated very good and you keep proprioception on a slope on the forefoot.
Downhill, the underside of the foot is very well protected on a path strewn with stones, you can attack!
Vibram rubber is effective in most conditions. In some cases, we would have liked a little more grip under the forefoot, but that’s just a matter of personal taste. The grip is versatile. Another good point, the sole doesn’t clog up with mud.
We also liked the color code of the set of insoles and the drop clearly written (roughly) on them.
Overall quality is good.
The Cimalp 864 Drop Evolution is currently being purchased on the brand’s website at 119.90 euros.
The Cimalp 864 Drop Evolution are a very good tool for gradually reducing your drop while limiting the risk of injury. By playing with the different soles, you can customize them and modify their support. The process is interesting in more ways than one, especially as going from a 4, 6 or 8-millimeter drop is simple and fast.
We used this equipment over a long period of time
These are our thoughts after intensive use:
Receive your answers by mail. Do you have a particular question concerning the design, use, durability or other about a tested product? We will answer your question personally.
