3 replies to this topic

[viking2]

What is the difference?

Can you wear long distance spikes and produce close times to the short distance ones?

[Ewen]

If you're talking about spikes used for races up to 400m vrs spikes used for 800m and longer, the main difference is that sprint spikes don't have any support for the heel.

If you're a middle-distance to distance runner, buy "distance spikes". You can use them in the sprints, but you can't use sprint spikes for races longer than 400m (unless you want to be limping for days afterwards). The type of spikes you wear won't make much of a difference to the times you'll run in sprint events.

[clanrunner]

If you're referring to cross country spikes, the spikes are usually longer as they're designed for running across muddy ground. These spikes are too long for the track. The shoes themselves have more cushioning underneath the foot, and are fine for the track if you have track spikes (eg 7mm) screwed in. I wear cross country spike shoes on the track for races further than 1500m. They have cushioning underneath the whole foot. My spikes for 1500m and shorter have cushioning under the heel but that's all.

[Stewymee]

Whilst the shoes can make a difference; unless your looking at 1/10ths of a second in savings, the difference between the two is minimal.

I previously used cross country spikes (shoes) to steeple chase. They became very heavy with water after a few laps, but gave me great cushioning and were multi purpose enough to use during the winter months.

If you are a middle to long distance runner go with the distance spike!!