Using running spikes is a great option for anybody involved in cross country running, and whether you are a member of a running club and enter races, or you just run around fields and trails for pleasure, there will definitely be a perfect pair of spiked running shoes for you.
You might wonder why go to the bother of buying running shoes with spikes when in the past you have always managed without. The answer is grip. You are probably much better with normal running shoes if you go jogging around parks on the paved areas – in this case, get new ones regularly, as the shock absorbing ability deteriorates quickly if you do a lot of running, and this can lead to knee and ankle injuries. However, if you run on grass or dirt tracks or any kind of cross country trails, spikes will give your running a new lease of life. It is even more important if you run after it has been raining and the trail has turned to mud; or if you are racing and your times are important to you.
Specialized cross country running spikes are a good idea for off road running as they have longer teeth than those used for track sprinting, and often have spikes protruding from the side of the sole as well as the base. This gives far superior grip, and enables you both to run significantly faster times and reduce the risk of injury. The common injuries that are preventable by wearing spikes are all those petty little muscle pulls and strains, where perhaps you planted your foot and just as you began your next stride, your supporting foot slipped. On mud, the direction of the slip is unpredictable and so several muscles can be under assault – and needlessly, since running spikes will give you the confidence that your feet will not be slipping anywhere!
Most people are aware of the use of track and field running spikes in the international athletics meetings shown on TV. There are different types of spikes available depending on what your specialty happens to be. The differences for runners is generally the amount of cushioning, so whereas a short distance sprinter will not need any at all, but will need excellent grip, the long distance runners will need some extra comfort to help them complete their races.
Apart from matching the shoes to the event you participate in, there is the usual decision about whether you go straight to the men’s section or the women’s section in the store. The usual size differences apply between the two. Mens running spikes tend to be wider than the running spikes for women so you can choose for yourself what you decide to wear. If you are a woman and all the women’s shoes are too tight for you to run comfortably, then consider going to the men’s section – there is no shame in it! You should be looking for the most comfortable fit you can get, whoever the marketing department thinks those wider ones are meant for. Similarly for the men. If you have narrow feet, you might find that the women’s running spikes are much better for you. You certainly should not settle for equipment that ends up rubbing and causing blisters.
A quick tip about men’s and women’s sizes (although you should always try on the shoes in the store to get a perfect fit): if you are a woman and want to try a wider men’s size, subtract one size (womens size 6 is mens size 5). Obviously, if you are a man and want to try the slightly narrower womens running spikes, do the opposite and add 1 size (mens size 8 is a womans size 9). This rule applies to US men’s and women’s sizes of athletics shoes. There is a myriad of different sizing systems in common use, depending on what type of shoes, country of origin etc, so it pays to just get a bunch of sizes and try them!
The other thing to remember is that the girls running spikes will be marketed differently, usually in very bright colors with pink accents, whereas often the boys shoes can be drab; this unfortunate stereotype is ever-changing though, as the well-known international athletes flex their fashion muscles; so if you are a boy, you will probably find a suitably garish pair of spikes if you shop around for long enough!
If you are younger, you will also be able to find junior running spikes and shoes available in many sports stores. These will be pretty much the same in style to the adult versions, but in the smaller sizes. Same rules apply: always try them on, or make certain of your size and know the returns policy if you buy online.
In the world of running spikes, there really is something for everybody, whether you are a sprinter, a cross country runner or a triple jumper; and whether you are a man or a woman, young or old. The best thing to do is jump in with both feet and give them a try to see how they compare with your usual flat running shoes.
Running Spikes Info