Where to find spikes

All-round athletics spikes are suitable for almost all athletics events. They often resemble middle distance spikes. They are lightweight and have an outsole that provides light cushioning. Sprinting spikes are specially made for reaching top speeds. They are usually very recognizable by their streamlined appearance, thin heel and curved forefoot. They often feature a zipper closure on top that conceals the laces and helps to ensure even less air resistance.

Sprint spikes have more pins than most other spikes. This helps to ensure grip even during the enormous force that is released when sprinting at full speed. Because sprinters almost only run on their forefoot, sprinting spikes have the thinnest possible heel and offer virtually no cushioning.

The hard and stiff plate under the forefoot gives little flexibility to minimize the loss of energy. To get the most out of sprint spikes, they must have a tight fit. At 21RUN you will find sprinting spikes for men as well as sprinting spikes for women. For track athletics, all distances between meters and meters are considered middle distance events. All shorter distances are viewed as sprinting and all longer distances are considered long distance events. The middle distance spike is a shoe that has characteristics of both sprinting and long-distance spikes.

It is a lightweight and fast shoe, but has a full sole which provides some cushioning. Hurdlers often use middle distance spikes because these spikes are fast enough for shorter distances, but also offer some cushioning during landing phase. These spikes are also viewed and used as all-round spikes. In track athletics all distances above meters are considered long distances. Long-distance spikes have a more flexible and flatter sole and have fewer pins.

To provide support and cushioning to the feet they have a full-length sole and are a bir thicker. Although they have a tight fit, long-distance spikes fit slightly wider than sprinting spikes. Cross spikes look a lot like long-distance spikes. They usually only have 6 pins and the outsole offers a lot of traction and has grooves to drain away water. Because cross country circumstances are a bit tougher and therefore ask more of the outsole, the outsole is a bit more durable than those of track spikes.

Because the surface is often not flat, these types of spikes also offer more support to the midfoot. When there is a lot of hard underground on a course, you can always replace the pins with blind pins. This way the thread remains protected and you will still experience enough traction. High jump spikes have a flat and thick sole. The outsole allows you to also add four pins underneath the heel and the midsole offers some cushioning to alleviate pressure.

The pins in the heel ensure grip during the run-up bend and during take-off. The rigid outsole and the pins ensure a powerful take-off. High jump spikes often feature a strap on the bridge of the foot, which optimizes their fit and keeps the feet in place during jumping. The strap also helps to support the ankle. Some athletes use high jump spikes for javelin throw.

Spikes Javelin throw spikes look a lot like high jump spikes: they have pins in the heel, have a rigid and flat sole and often feature a strap over the bridge of the foot. There are, however, some important differences between these two types of spikes. There are, for instance, javelin spikes with a high shoes and javelin spikes with a low shoe. Javelin spikes also have a reinforced toe part and a heel block.

The high shoe helps to protect the ankle, the reinforced toes prevent damage to the shoes when they are dragged over the track and the heel block protects the heel when the body is blocked and the javelin thrown. Some athletes use javelin spikes for high jump. Long jump spikes in many ways resemble sprint spikes. Just like with sprinting events, they have to ensure a speedy run-up and a powerful take-off.

Therefore, long jump spikes are often light of weight. The spikes provide excellent support and thanks to the strap over the bridge of the foot, they ensure that the feet stay in place. Long jump spikes often have a substantial spike plate underneath the forefoot.

Some athletes also use long jump spikes for triple jump or pole vault. Although some brands make specific triple jump and pole vault spikes, most brands make a spike that can be used for both events. These types of spikes have a rigid spike plate underneath the forefoot and a midsole which provides cushioning and protects the feet.

Long distance runners often run with more of a heel-toe gait while sprinters are on the balls of their feet during their races. To deliver the best possible performance, track spikes are engineered to accommodate these differences by using different foams, spike configurations and plate materials. Long Distance Track Spikes Best for m-5K : These are the most flexible and have the most midsole and heel cushioning while still keeping a slender profile and light weight.

The spike plate is often made of the same outsole material as the rest of the shoe, or it is a more flexible material like PEBAX.

The spike count can range from spikes to give you grip and traction without disturbing your natural cadence. Mid-Distance Track Spikes Best for m - m : These shoes are much more of a specialist shoe than long distance or sprinting spikes, and include features from both. Mid-distance spikes will retain the midsole and heel cushioning found in long distance spikes, but will often have a harder spike plate and less flexibility to deliver a responsive ride.

The spike count tends to find a happy medium between spikes to deliver more propulsion as you sprint through the m. Sprinting Track Spikes Best for 55m - m : Typically the lightest track spikes you can find, sprinting spikes have design features like carbon-fiber plates that keep them stiff and snappy to help you gain speed. These shoes have little to no heel cushioning and are designed to hold your foot in a lightly flexed position, keeping you on the balls of your feet as you run.

Sprinting spikes tend to have anywhere from spikes to help you push off the blocks and dig for speed with each step. Throwing: Spikes for javelin, shot put or discus focus on supporting your ankle as the rest of your body twists to generate momentum.

Unlike running spikes, throwing spikes are smoother on the bottom to allow for smooth motion transitions. Some discus or shot put spikes even have a special disk in the outsole that lets you place your weight on one foot and spin while you throw, helping to stabilize your body and allow fluidity in motion. Jumps and Pole Vault : The spikes for these events are relatively similar, they focus on helping you gain speed before you jump or vault.

Jumping or vaulting spikes are similar to sprinting spikes in that they are lightweight and feature more spikes in the spike plate to help you grip the track. High Jump spikes feature additional spikes in their heal because they are the only event where they need to run on a steep curve and require extra traction, especially at takeoff.

Long jump and Triple jump spikes are the most like sprinting spikes because you need to generate speed in your approach, but the plate is positioned slightly differently to help you takeoff correctly.

Pole Vaulting spikes are usually stiffer than sprinting spikes and have a solid base to ensure traction at takeoff like triple jump spikes. Track and field spikes are designed to give you the traction you need to run, jump or throw effectively on a track surface.

Spikes for track events are designed to promote a faster running form by placing greater emphasis on the balls of your foot; however, this does not guarantee that you will run faster. Based on the events you participate in, the best spikes for you will vary.

Ultimately, you want to find spikes that feel comfortable and suit the events you participate in. Simply put, no.