« What Are the Best Track Spike Shoes? | Home
How to Select the Best Track Spike Shoes
By | January 20, 2013
How to Select the Best Track Spike Shoes
So … you have decided to try your skill at some track and field activities! Good for you! Do you know what equipment you will need to accomplish your goal? How about the specific foot-wear for your chosen sport? You know, your shoes can make or break it for your success in this arena. Since, there is no substitute for good foot wear, let’s talk about how to select the best track spike shoes for your chosen sport.
Types of Track Spikes
Perhaps the first thing you need to know is that all track spikes are not created equal. There are three basic shoe track spike designs:
- Pyramid: these have a cone design that taper to a sharp point.
- Needle (or pin): these have a cone design also with sharp point, but the cone is thinner.
- Compression Tier: these shoe spikes have a terraced cone design with a flat end that is designed to compress instead of penetrate the track surface. This enables the track reaction power to transmit the energy back to the runner without damaging the surface of the track.
Some other characteristics of track spike designs include lengths that range from 3/16 inch (5 mm) to ½ inch (12 mm), with ¼ inch (6 mm) being the most popular. They are generally constructed of metal or ceramic, though you might also find some made of plastic. Some tracks actually limit the length of the shoe track spike or prohibit needle or pin spikes to prevent damage to the surface of the track and injury to the players.
Best Track Shoe Construction
The construction of your shoe is pretty important for comfort as well as performance. The soles of track and field foot wear are designed with a ”taper”, or upward bend of the toe of the track shoe to allow for the protrusion of the track spikes. This taper encourages athletes to spend more time on their toes when running. This taper can be designed rigidly or more flexibly, depending on the sport it is being used in.
If you are a sprinter, for example, your shoe will have the greatest number of track spikes in the toe of the sole with very little support in the heel of the shoe because sprinters spend most of their running time on their toes. The taper on a sprinter’s track shoe is the highest and most rigid to keep him or her on their toes.
For the distance and cross country runner, the track spikes will be fewer and the taper lower with more support given to mid shoe spikes for more comfort and durability for those longer distances. For the cross country runner, the track shoes will be similar to those described for the distance runner, with more support mid-foot and a more durable sole for more cushioning on the off-track terrain that these runners will encounter.
Track Spike Shoes Differ For the Jumpers
For those individuals who favor the long jump, the shoe and track spike design are similar to that of the sprinter to enable them to get the top speed needed for their long jumping. For the high jumper, on the other hand, the track shoe is flat bottomed with the track spikes located in the heel section. This design gives the jumper maximum energy transfer through the whole foot.
Not All Track Spikes have Spikes
Some track and field activities don’t require spikes on the track shoes. Activities like Shot Put, Discus and Hammer Throw have “track spikes” that are flat bottomed.
Pick your sport … then pick your best track spike shoes for your best performance.
Tags: best track spikes, running shoes, shoe track spikes, track spikes
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »