Tips on Buying Triple Jump Shoes

The triple jump event in track & field dates back to the ancient Greek Olympic Games. Triple jump combines aspects of high jump, long jump, and sprinting. Successful triple jumpers know that a good jump is more about speed and timing than anything else. A proper shoe gives you the platform from which to successfully "launch" your triple jump.

  1. Spikes

    • Track spikes for the triple jump are similar to pole vault spikes, with a similar shape and angle. When you are looking at track shoes for the triple, if you can't find something specific for the triple, it's a good idea to ask to see something designed for the pole vault, in order to get the spikes right.

    Shoe weight

    • According to triple jump champ Michael Roberts, it's not about the jump, it's about the running. To achieve championship distances, speed is key, and for speed you need a good running shoe. Ironically, the best running shoe may be almost no shoe at all. Dr. Nicholas Romanov, creator of the Pose Method, advocates shoes that are lightweight through the uppers, allowing maximum flexibility of the foot during running, jumping, and landing.

    Soles

    • Triple jump shoes should have thin soles to allow the foot to flex properly. Dr. Romanov cites an increasing frequency of foot injuries among athletes as shoe technology has improved--we may be overprotecting our feet. Some racing flats meet the requirement for sole flexibility. If spikes are required, look for the most flexible lightweight shoe possible. According to recent studies, barefoot runners experience fewer injuries than do runners with high-tech foot protection.