Advance Performance - the running store for everyone
Running Spikes
There are lots of different types of running spikes, each designed for different events and different athletes. We'll talk you through the choices here.
Sprint Spikes
Sprint spikes are designed for distances up to 400m and are all about speed and power - they are minimalistic to avoid adding any weight, and generally achieve this by cutting out all the protective cushioning technology we are used to in road running shoes. Sprinters tend to run on the forefoot, as this is most efficient for very short distances - unlike road running where most of us would land on the heel and roll through to the forefoot - so cushioning at the heel is not necessary.
Novice athletes, or younger runners who are still growing, are normally better off with a middle distance spike (see below)- these are still appropriate for sprint distances, but have more cushioning, notably some cushioning at the heel which gives the body a bit more protection. Much kinder for growing bodies, or those just starting out. Plus if you are still experimenting with which event is your favourite, a middle distance spike could be used for sprint AND middle distance, whereas a sprint spike should never be used for over 400m.
Quick guide to sprinting spikes:
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Brooks F3 - premier spike for sprint or hurdles up to 400m |
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Saucony Crescent 2 - premier spike for sprint or hurdles up to 400m |
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Brooks Twitch S - for sprint or hurdles up to 400m |
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Nike Zoom Rival S5 - for sprint or hurdles up to 400m. Ideal for beginners. |
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Adidas Sprint Star for Women - for sprint or hurdles up to 400m |
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Nike Zoom Celar 3 - specialist spike for 200m / 400m designed to optimise performance around corners |
View our full selection of sprint spikes here.
Middle / Long Distance Spikes
Middle distance spikes are designed for up to 5000m, and long distance spikes up to 10km. These shoes have more cushioning than sprint spikes, most notably in the heel since the body needs more protection when pounding round a track this far! This also means they are better for novices and athletes who take part in a combination of track events. Some of these spikes may also be used for cross country running when fitted with a longer spike.
Quick guide to middle / long distance spikes:
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Adidas Edge Arriba - middle distance, 400m - 1500m |
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Saucony Endorphin MD 2 - middle distance, 800m - 1500m |
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Saucony Velocity 3 - versatile middle distance spike, for anything from 60m to 5000m. Plus XC with longer spikes. |
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Nike Zoom Rival D 4 - entry level middle distance spike for up to 5000m |
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Brooks Z2 - long distance, 800m - 10,000m |
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Nike Zoom Shift FB - long distance, 800m - 10,000m |
View our full selection of middle and long distance track spikes here.
Cross Country Spikes
Cross Country spikes provide the ultimate traction on grass or loose dirt and can make the difference between winning or losing when the surface beneath you is slippery.
Here are a selection of our XC Spikes:
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Saucony Kilkenny XC3 |  |
Nike Zoom Waffle XC 7 |
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Adidas adizero XCS |  |
New Balance RX240 |
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Asics Hyper XC |
View our full selection of cross country running spikes here.
Field Event Spikes
Track athletes often branch out into events other than running - so whilst we are a running specialist, we stock a selection of spikes for high jump, long or triple jump, javelin, shot put, hammer and discus. Why do you need a different pair of spikes for these events? It's all about getting the right grip, or traction, to give you the best possible preparation for the jump or throw. The position of the foot when taking off for a jump is different to that found during running - so jumping shoes are designed to support this propulsion phase. Then of course some events, like pole vault, involve a straight run up - which again requires subtly different support to high jumpers who have a curved run up. Then throwing shoes for shot, hammer or discus are designed to optimise performance during rotation and glide movements. You get the idea.
Having said all that, just as with running spikes, some shoes are designed to suit several events - a javelin throwing spike is pretty similar to a discus throwing spike, so often a shoe is designed to suit both events.
Quick guide to jumping spikes:
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Nike Zoom HJ 3 - for high jump |
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Asics Cyber High Jump - for high jump |
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Nike Zoom TJ - for jumps with a straight run up: triple jump, long jump, pole vault |
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Asics Cyber Jump Beijing / Cyber Jump - for jumps with a straight run up: triple jump, long jump, pole vault |
Quick guide to throwing spikes:
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Adidas Throwstar - versatile throwing shoe for discus, shot |
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Nike Zoom SD 3 - for rotational and glide techniques: discus, shot |
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Asics Cyber Throw - throwing shoe for discus, shot or hammer |
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Nike Rotational 4 - for throws specifically requiring rotational traction: shot, discus, hammer |
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Asics Cyber Javelin Beijing / Cyber Javelin - for javelin |
