With the high school track and field season right around the corner now is a good time to start thinking about getting your racing spikes and shoes. This may be a little intimidating for first time track athletes and parents so we’ve put together a few tips to make the spike buying process easy and pain free.
Click here for Complete Runner’s Guide to Spikes [pdf]
Why Do I Need Spikes?
Spikes are meant to help athletes perform their best on the track. They are super light-weight and give you that extra boost that could be the difference between second and first place.
What Kind of Spikes Do I Need?
Shoe companies usually have three types of spikes based on your running events: sprint, mid-distance, and long-distance. The sprint can be anywhere from 100 meters to 400 meters, and the mid-distance can cover 800 meters to 5000 meters, making it a good all-around spike for the athlete who does a little bit of everything.
Do Spikes Fit Differently Than Running Shoes?
We like to have about a thumb length of room in our running shoes, but we want a snug fit in our spikes so you may need a half or full size smaller than your running shoes. We will make sure to custom fit your spikes to make sure you have the right size for your feet.
Should I Only Wear Spikes to Race?
Since spikes are very light and have little cushion they are meant to be used only for racing. This is not to say you can’t use them for a hard track workout but this should be the exception. Make sure you have a new pair of running shoes for your daily training runs and keep the spikes for the meets when you really need them.
How Much do Track Spikes Cost?
Just like running shoes spikes come in a variety of brands and performance levels. Some will cost less than running shoes and some about the same. Most brands have entry level spikes that are a good value for first time runners as well as a higher end model with the latest technology that running veterans will be sure to want to perform their best.
What About Changing the Spikes?
After a while your spikes will wear down and you will want to replace them. When you buy new spikes most of the shoes include a wrench and some of the higher end shoes also come with a spike pouch. We have a variety of spikes of all different lengths as well.
What Now?
We invite you to stop by Complete Runner to check out our new New Balance, Saucony, Under Armour and Hoka and let us help you find the right track spikes for your feet this season.
If you are a track team or coach we have team nights to help the whole team learn more about spikes and get custom fitted. We’ll provide the refreshments and group discounts. Just call us at (810) 233-8851.
