You need to replace your training shoes every season! Cross country athletes train far more than any other athlete. So if you have shoes from a previous season please replace them. This will help prevent injury and keep you healthy so you can run FAST.
Cross country spikes are more robust than track spikes. They must deal with the elements more and with natural objects, like sticks and rocks. They often have more cushioning and heel support because of the stress of downhill running.
There are a wide variety of racing spikes. These are typically used on race day and not really used for training. You need to find what works best for you. Remember that we will be racing on a wide variety of surfaces like grass, asphalt, concrete, dirt and sand.
These are typically the types of shoes we want our athletes to train in. They offer good support and can handle a lot of miles. All brands offer good running shoes. It doesn't matter if its Nike, Brooks, Adidas, Under Armour, Saucony or any other specific type of brand. You need to find what works best for your feet.