Lifting Shoes for Long Femurs

[Spleen]

I’ve been lifting in my old Vans ever since I’ve started my LP and I think I’m long overdue for an upgrade. My only question is whether or not I should buy a shoe with a heel or buy a flat shoe. I’ve read articles from Rip saying that long-femured individuals would benefit from a flat shoe due to excessive knee travel that long femurs naturally cause. I’ve also heard people say the complete opposite, and that if you have long femurs you should opt for a shoe with a higher heel, 0.75 inches minimum.

I don’t really have any mobility issues limiting my squat depth, and squatting in Vans has been working well despite the compressible sole, which has got to go.

What should I be looking for in a shoe? Am I just overthinking shit?

[Mark Rippetoe]

I’ve read articles from Rip saying that long-femured individuals would benefit from a flat shoe due to excessive knee travel that long femurs naturally cause. I’ve also heard people say the complete opposite, and that if you have long femurs you should opt for a shoe with a higher heel, 0.75 inches minimum.

This is a simple geometry problem. What is your analysis?

[Spleen]

This is a simple geometry problem. What is your analysis?

My analysis is that relative to my tibias, my femurs are quite long and that I already produce a fair amount of forward knee travel in the squat. Therefore, a raised heel would be disadvantageous for my anthropometry.

[Mark Rippetoe]

I agree.