TRACK SPIKE SHOES FOR MEN PRO
TRACK SPIKE SHOES FOR MEN PLUS

What you do notice is the bouncy foam underfoot. The bulge remains, but New Balance slimmed it down so it’s imperceptible. V1 had a notable bulge on the lateral (outer) edge of the shoe, which was designed to give you extra contact where a midfoot striker would first touch the road at high speeds, as in tempo runs or races. Many other wear-testers had a similar experience with the V2: The shoe feels completely different from the first iteration-it has more life, more spring, more speed. Eileen is dangerously fast herself, having won the RW Half two years ago. “It feels dangerously fast,” said Eileen Cody, a Runner’s World+ member who tests shoes with us. Finally, unlike the fit of long- and skinny-like spikes of old, there’s a little bit of a flare that squares up the forefoot to accommodate wider feet. The sole isn’t soft in the general sense, but it’s less punishing than a conventional track spike without being slowed by cushioning. Instead, you feel tension build and the shoe load up as you press your weight down into it, then launch forward with toe-off. However, the sensation isn’t springy, like you might expect from ZoomX, a Pebax-based foam (the same used in the Vaporfly) that’s extremely lightweight, well-cushioned, and has boatloads of energy return.

The shoe feels entirely weird the moment you step into it-its tippy, and you notice two distinct bulges under your foot.

TRACK SPIKE SHOES FOR MEN PLUS

It uses a combination of a two-piece Air unit and springy ZoomX foam, plus a stiffening carbon-fiber plate to help you rocket around the track. The most futuristic track spike on the market today is the all-new Victory. It’s unclear how they count a shoe like the MetaSprint-which has eight clusters of raised hexagonal shapes-but it’s been approved for competition by World Athletics. Current World Athletics regulations stipulate a maximum of 11 pins on the sole of a track spike. Those had dozens of tiny needles on the bottom for grip, helped runners set world records, and were banned. It’s a noticeable effect that feels off initially, but smooths when you turn on the speed.įootwear tech has been under scrutiny in recent years, and the MetaSprint calls to mind Puma’s “brush spikes” from the late ’60s. The plate is curved and forces your foot to roll inward on toe-off so that you’re pushing off directly over your big toe for maximum propulsion. Beyond the traction component, the shape of the sole is novel, too. Instead, there’s a honeycomb pattern of jagged edges that bite into the track. The entire outsole is made of a carbon-fiber plate, but the forefoot doesn’t include any metal pins. The MetaSprint is wildly different from your usual track spike. The con is that no, you can’t wear them anywhere else.

TRACK SPIKE SHOES FOR MEN PRO

The pro of track spikes is that there’s no faster footwear for track running. Track spikes for sprinters feature multiple pins under the forefoot and minimal structure in the heel, while spikes for middle and longer distance have fewer pins and thicker midsoles for a bit of comfort. Best Trainer and Racer: New Balance FuelCell RC Elite v2įor serious racing and training on the track, you’re still best served by a pair of track spikes-extremely lightweight, stiff-soled shoes that envelop your feet and have spikes (aka, “pins”) attached underneath the forefoot.Lightest Road Racer: Asics MetaSpeed Sky.Best for 5K Races: Nike ZoomX Streakfly.Best for Weekly Track Workouts: Saucony Endorphin Pro 2.Best for Longer Intervals: Puma Deviate Nitro.Best for 400 meters or shorter: Asics MetaSprint.

The Fastest Distance Spike: Nike ZoomX Dragonfly.

The Fastest Running Shoe: Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next% 2.

But, serious innovation in recent years has radically changed what speed shoes look like even road-racing models with thicker midsoles and tall stack heights are well-suited for your speedwork sessions. This used to mean lacing up the lightest-weight pair you could find, since the fastest options typically offered just a stiff sole with tread or spikes to grip the track. Whether you’re doing short intervals on the track or racing up to 10K on the roads, you’ll want a shoe that can help you unleash your top gear. No matter your pace during a race or workout, it’s fun to feel fast.

Track spike shoes for men