Shoes

Notes on Shoes:

If you’re new to track and field, the following might be helpful. Your coaches are all happy to offer more assistance if you're not sure.

In our area, The Shoe Box, Movin’ Shoes, and Fleet Feet all have good selections of competition shoes and running shoes for training. They also tend to have knowledgeable staff and competitive pricing. 

Competition Shoes

Most of our athletes will benefit from having event-specific track/field competition shoes. Other than the throwing shoes, we often call these shoes "spikes" because they have removable metal spikes to help with traction. Most places that sell these label them clearly by the types of events they are for, but here are some guidelines about the different types that may be helpful. If you’re not sure, talk to your event coaches. 

Sprint: These have an aggressive foot position for running on your toes and almost no heal padding. Best for athletes specializing in the 100, 200, and 400. Long and triple jumpers may also use these.

Middle Distance/MD: These are designed for athletes running events between 400 meters and 3200 meters but are also probably the best all around option for athletes who are interested in many events and those who are doing sprints, jumps, pole vault. They have a relatively aggressive foot position, but more heal padding than sprint spikes. 

Distance: Designed for longer track races. These have a mostly flat spike plate and the most heal padding. These (or cross country spikes) might be a good option for runners who specialize in the 1600 or 3200 and who tend to have a midfoot or heel strike while running. 

Multi-Event: A couple companies make a “multi” shoe (such as the Nike Zoom Rival Multi). These are basically a sprint spike with a slightly more flexible and padded heel. A great choice for sprinters who also do long jump, triple jump, and pole vault. The Shoe Box stocks these.

High Jump: More serious high jump athletes should get high jump-specific spikes. These have spikes in the heel that will reduce the chance of slipping. 

Throwing shoes: Throwing shoes have a smooth sole that helps throwers to spin/glide. It’s perfectly fine to throw in trainers (and some people even use old basketball shoes) but more advanced/competitive throwers will benefit from the correct shoe. 

Cross County spikes: These have a rubber outsole and more flexible plate than most track spikes. If you have these types of spikes from cross country, they’ll work for the track distance races.