Athletics spikes are also running shoes. These are very specific and are basically intended only for running on athletics tracks. This is what the athletes you see on TV during the Olympic Games or Athletics Championships have on their feet. However, there are also several types of spikes. When talking about running spikes, one of the basic criteria is distance.
Athletics spikes can be roughly divided into three or two groups:
- spikes for sprins, for distances from 60 to 400 meters,
- spikes for middle-distance running, for distances from 800 to 1500 meters,
- spikes for long-distance running, for distances from 3,000 to 10,000 meters.
When divided into two groups (as is the case with the adidas brand, for example), the division is simpler:
- spikes for short-distance running, for distances from 60 to 400 meters,
- spikes for long-distance running, for distances from 800 to 10,000 meters.
It is worth remembering that these are not fixed limits. In the sprint spikes, you will also run 800 or even 1500 meters, and in the long-distance spikes, you will also run
Athletic spikes for sprints
The lightest of the three. Designed for starts at distances from 60 to 400 meters.
At such distances one runs using only the front part of the foot. There is no heel-to-toe contact time here. Therefore, the sole under the heel is kept to a minimum. There is no foam here, and only stiff plastic or a bit of rubber under the heel. The front, on the other hand, is more raised, stiff and contoured to allow the fastest possible rebound from the ground. Sprinters’ spikes also often have thinner but stiffer uppers, which are designed to hold the foot and keep its movement in the shoe to a minimum. All of the force is to be directed into rebounding as quickly as possible.
Athletic spikes for middle distance running
Medium running spikes are the most versatile spikes. These are designed for medium distances from 800 to 1500 meters. These will also work well in jumping competitions, for example.
At medium distances, the heel starts to make noticeable contact with the ground. That is why the midsole has a layer of foam. These spikes usually have a thicker upper than sprint spikes. These are a compromise between sprint and long-distance spikes and are the most versatile. Often referred to as “multi-use”. These are designed for medium distances from 800 to 1500 meters, but if necessary, you can also run 100 and 5000 meters in them.
Athletic spikes for long distance running
For long-distance runs from 3,000 to 10,000 meters, we recommend using long-distance spikes.
The heel makes contact with the ground over a long distance, which is clearly noticeable and can be felt. That is why there is a lot of foam under the heel of long-distance spikes. This provides much more comfort and safety than medium spikes. Long-distance spikes are also not as profiled at the front. The number of screws in the midsole is also less important. Therefore, while we can screw 7 or 6 screws into sprint and medium spikes, long-distance spikes only have 5 or even 4 screws.
