4 replies to this topic

[Colin Townsend]

From the Help Desk:

Quote

I am taking my grandson to the Regional Athletics Carnival in Dubbo on Friday from Forbes. It is very dry out here and we bought him a pair of running spikes for the carnival. They come with two sets of spikes - one short and one longer. What do you suggest is the best spikes for running in under these conditions.

Thank you
Yvonne

[Jogger]

Definitely short spikes on hard ground.

[Tubby-]

I disagree a bit with that.

"Long" spikes that come with shoes are generally only 7 or 9s, and the shorts are most likely synthetic surface 7s (or even 5s).

Spikes are for traction, and traction will be better at 9mm than 5-7. I've never known a grass surface so hard as to be in appropriate or uncomfortable for 9mm, yet there are plenty where 5m wouldn't even break the surface (Auburn?), or take any traction in a loose surface.

(Provided there is actually a grass cover) It virtually doesn't matter how hard it is, 7-9mm beats 5-7 on grass IMHO.

T

[southy]

The 9mm spikes are for grass tracks and the 7mm are for synthetic tracks. But having said that, it depends on how old your grandson is. Primary schools will often not allow spikes at all in the 800m races, only laned events and jumps. Also if he is young I do not recommend 9mm spikes. I usually recommend kids younger than about 12 or 13 not use the long spikes at all. The 9mm spikes can do a lot more damage to someones leg or foot. Young kids running around playing in long spikes IMHO is a recipe for trouble. I have seen too many kids taken off for stitches, even from 7mm spikes on syntheitic tracks.

[Jogger]

Tubby, When I wore spikes, the issue was how hard the ground was (due to frost not drought). Long spikes on solid ground are not good. But if its slippy then long spikes are ok. Inevitably you would take all your spikes, check out the track and then re-screw in what is most approproate for the gound THAT DAY.