Track Shoe Differences

The sport of track and field involves many different running events that require a different type of shoe for optimal performance. Track also involves throwing events as well that require a completely different type of shoe. Moreover, the participant's level of expertise needs to be taken into consideration as a more experienced runner can use a slightly different shoe than a novice.

  1. Sprint Spikes

    • Sprinting spikes are best for events from the 100-meter to the 400-meter dash, and this also includes hurdle events. Sprint spikes are designed to be as light as possible and normally have no heel. The area under the ball of the foot on the shoe will have either a flexible or hard plate to hold the spikes.

    Middle Distance

    • Middle distance events include the 800 and the one mile and require a different type of shoe. These shoes normally have a slightly supported and cushioned heel area and have a small spike plate under the ball of the foot.

    Distance

    • Shoes for distance events, which include anything over one mile, have cushioning throughout the bottom of the shoe. This type of shoe also has less spikes. For the most experienced distance runners these shoes will have as little material as possible to make them extremely lightweight.

    Pole Vault, Long Jump and Triple Jump

    • Participants in the pole vault, long jump and triple jump need shoes that help with planting and jumping. These shoes will have full length cushioning throughout their soles and a full pad of spikes under the ball of the foot.

    High Jump

    • A high jump shoe is like no other track shoe as it has spikes throughout the entire sole of the shoe. This provides more traction for planting and take-off during the event.

    Throwing

    • There are two types of throwing shoes, gliding shoes and spinning shoes. Both options have no spikes; however, glide shoes have a textured bottom for a small amount of grip while spin shoes are smoother.