Best Running Spikes: Winter 2026

Hi Ashish,

Thank you for your comment. As you see in our blog post the best spikes for long distance running (from 3000m to10000m) are Adidas Distancestar and Nike Rival Distance. 

It is difficult for me to advise you which one is a better fit and feel for you without you trying them on. If you can I would suggest to you visit our store and try them on. For those customers who can't come to our store we offer free delivery and returns. Hope this helps. 

Kind regards
Nandanti

Hi Keighan,

Thank you for your comment. I hope you will enjoy your track runs. If you are new to the track I would suggest you go for something more cushioned, like Adidas Distancestar or Nike Rival D.

If you are planning to run on your toes only for 400m – which is very hard to do in the beginning – I would suggest you go for sprint spikes like Adidas Finesse, Sprintstar or Nike Rival S9.

Please see our selection of cross country spikes here.

If you are thinking to use your track spikes for cross country as well (which is not ideal) I would suggest you go for the first option above (Adidas Distancestar or Nike Rival D) and just change the little spikes on the bottom from track size (5mm) to cross country (12mm).

I hope this helps. Good luck with your running.

Thank you
Kind Regards
Nandanti

Hi Johannes,

Thank you for your comment. It is difficult for me to advise you on the right type of spikes without you trying the spikes on and comparing them to see which one is the most comfortable for you. Do you have an opportunity to come to one of our stores and try the spikes on? When buying the spikes is important to know what for you would like to use them. If you are planning to buy the spikes for racing I would suggest to go for sprinting spikes. If you are going to train in them you need more cushioning so there is less pressure on your calf muscles and in that case I would suggest to go for middle distance spikes.

Hope this helps. All the best with your running. Thank you.
Kind Regards
Nandanti

Hi Daniel, Thank you for your comment. The spikes don't exist in a wide fitting. They just don't make them. I know it is a bit frustrating. It is difficult for me to advise you over email which type of spikes would be the best for your feet. The best is to try them on and see what fits you. I would suggest to go for bigger size as you need them broader. We offer a free delivery and returns policy. I hope this helps. Please let me know if you have any questions or if there is anything else I can do for you. Thank you,

Kind Regards
Nandanti

Hi Steve, Thank you for your comment. For your daughter I would suggest you get one pair of middle distance spikes for all the events she does. Please see these options below from two different brands:

Nike Rival M

Adidas Distancestar 

These spikes have a bit of cushioning under the heel to protect her feet. At the age of 11 she is is not going to be on her toes all the time so the cushioning in the spikes is essential. You are welcome to get a specific spike for her if you wish. The only disadvantage is that her feet are growing and she will need to replace them quite often.

I hope that this helps. Please let me know if you have any questions or if there is anything else I can do for you. Thank you, Kind Regards

Hi Charlotte,

Thank you for your comment. It is difficult to chose the spikes without trying them on. Nike Rival S are basic sprinting spikes. If you prefer something more professional, specifically designed for 400m I would suggest Zoom 400. The other option would be Adidas Sprintstar, which is at the level of Rival S but from a different company. Hope this helps.

Thank you,
Kind regards,
Nandanti

Hi Emmanouel, Thank you for your comment. I know it is a difficult decision regarding the spikes. The best would be to try the spikes on and see which one has the best fit, feel and plate for your feet. If you prefer an aggressive plate then Adidas Finesse could do the job as well. At present it is very difficult to get a hold of Nike Superfly. Nike didn't offer us any for this year so there is a possibility that we will not have them in stock at all this year. You also can look at Nike Zoom 400. This spike is designed for 400m specifically. We offer a free return policy. After you purchase the shoes from us you can try them around your house first. You can also try them outside on a dry, clean track for a short run (20m-50m). The shoes must be in a good condition for a return. With the delivery we send out a free label for the post office so if you don't like the shoes just stick the label on the parcel and drop it at the post office. Once they arrive to us we will process refund or exchange according to your instructions. I hope that this helps. Please let me know if you have any questions. Good luck with your running. Thank you, Kind Regards Nandanti

Hi Chris, thank you for your comment. Unfortunately no companies make track spikes in a wide or extra wide fitting – they just don't exist. In fact track spikes are quite tight fitting, so the foot is more secure in them to avoid any friction or movement. Even racing shoes don't exist in a wide or extra wide fit. I know it is disappointing. Please let me know if you have any question or if there is anything else I can do for you. Thank you, kind regards, Nandanti.

Hi Maria,

Thank you for your comment. I would like to know how old is your daughter and what is her foot size? If her foot size is up to UK5.5 I would suggest to go for Adidas Allroundstar. This spike is specifically designed for kids and has enough cushioning for any sprinting distance on track. If her foot size is bigger than UK5.5 I would suggest Adidas Sprintstar or Nike Rival M. These two spikes are designed for sprinting distances, are flexible, and have enough cushioning for kids. I would not suggest you go for anything with sturdy platforms like Nike Zoom 400 or Superfly. They could be too hard for your daughter. It would be good if you can come with her to one of our stores so she can try the spikes on and compare them, and find the most comfortable one. I hope that this is helpful.

I wish your daughter all the best in her running.
Nandanti

Hi Alex,

I am sorry to hear that you had such a painful experience with your spikes. According to my knowledge all the cross country last the same and there is no one more durable than the other. I know that the trails can be very tough. I would suggest to try a different brand to see if there is something that works better for you. Please see our selection of cross country spikes.

If would be great if you could come to one of our stores and try the different spikes on to compare them and see which one has the best fit and feel for you.

All the best with your cross country running.

Nandanti

Hi Sheldon,

Thank you for your comment. We don't stock Adidas Adizero Accelerator so I can't offer you any information on this spike. Nike Superfly has really rigid platform to keep you on your toes constantly. That is why it is mainly recomended for 100-200m sprint. Adidas Finesse is a sprinting spike but can be use for 400m as well. Nike Zoom 400 is an ideal 400m spike. It also depends what distance you run more of. It would be good, if you have an oportunity, to try both spikes on and compare them – to see which one fits and feels better on. I hope that this is helpfull.

Good luck with your sprints.
Nandanti

Hi,

I would like to ask you if you need a spike for a child or an adult? If it is for a child Adidas Allroundstar Junior or Nike Rival S are the best options. For an adult you can use any sprint spike. Nike Rival S or Adidas Sprintstar are more basic. If you like a more professional spike you can look at Nike Superfly Elite or Adidas Finesse. I hope that this helps. Good luck with your sprinting.

Kind Regards
Nandanti

Hi Csaba,

Thank you for your comment. Just to clarify the difference between the Nike Rival M and Zoom 400 spike. Rival M is a basic middle distance spike. Zoom 400 is Nike's premium middle distance spike, that is the reason why is more expensive. Zoom 400 has a lightweight plate to keep the runner on their toes, but it is cushioned under the heel and flexible so it can be used for 800m as well. Rival S is for sprinting (100m-200m) – S means sprint. Some runners use the same spike for training and competing. Some runners prefer to train in one spike and race in a different one. It is up to you to decide. I hope that this helps. Please let me know if you have any questions.

• CsabaNovember 20, 2019 at 11:44am

  Dear Nandanti Martaskova,
  
  thank you for the answer! We would prefer a single pair of spikes. I wasn't sure if the probably stiffer full length plate of the Zoom 400 is recommended for a junior athlete and if it can be user for trainings? Since 300 meter is the best discipline I would choose the Zoom 400, probably it is also better for 100m than the Rival M.
  
  With best regards,
  
  Csaba Reply

  • Nandanti MartaskovaNovember 20, 2019 at 4:03pm

    Hi Csaba,

    Zoom 400 is still very flexible. Your son will be very happy with Zoom 400. I wish him lots of fast runs on the track.

    Kind Regards,
    Nandanti

    Reply

Hi Ryan,

I would suggest to go for whatever event you do more of. Generaly speeking the sprint spikes are design for sprinting only, they have a very sturdy spike plate to keep you on your toes and not enough cushioning for long jump. You would be better to do long jump in a middle or long distance spike. Prime SP is designed for 100m only (sprinting only) in comparison with Finesse which could be used for 100m (sprinting) and occasionaly up to 400m.

I hope that this is helpful.
Good luck with your running and jumping,
Nandanti

• RyanJuly 16, 2019 at 2:57pm

  • could you inform me about the differences in the spike plates of the prime sp and finesse?
  
  • secondly, i heard that the prime sp's are narrow and will hurt your feet?
  
  • thirdly, is it a good idea to use the prime sp's for training regulary plus competitions (as they have irremovable spikes) or would you recommend the prime finesse for both competitions plus trainings?
  
  • also, i read that the prime sp's reduce your foot's ability to provide propulsion / stride length because of the lack of (metatarsal?) movement due to the stiffness and shape of the spike. is this true?
  
  just wanna clarify some doubts :) Reply

  • Nandanti MartaskovaJuly 16, 2019 at 5:05pm

    Hi Ryan,
    Unfortunately we don't stock Prime SP so I can't give you any information about this shoe. Reply

Hi Marc,

I love the Father/Son tussle on best-suited-distance:-) Well, The Zoom 400 is going to be great for 400 meters and personally I think it's fine for 800 meters too, but you don't want to be going any further than 800 in them. You also don't want to risk stress injuries when he's still growing and the legs and feet are prone to stress trouble anyway. Arguably he shouldn't be using a Zoom 400 for 800 meter training either. So, unless his current Rival M spikes still fit and can be used for anything over 800m then I'd play safe and stick with another pair of the Rival M.

Hi Mandi,

Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that your daughter is having a tough time getting spikes to fit and that she likes the look of - which can be important when it comes to inspiration. Feet growing at different rates is quite normal but I can fully appreciate the tricky situation you are in now with fitting shoes. Hopefully in the next year the feet will balance out in sizes. But for now, I think you've made a pretty sound decision. If she sticks with the MD6 she will be safely held for the hurdles - I would be slightly concerned that she could turn her heel on landing if the shoe is too big on one foot - and although these spikes are not as fast as the Rival S the difference is fairly small. The benefit of the Rival S over MD would really only be noticed in competition, so it depends on how much she competes and at what level. If she's running for her school or club in the County races then she will be at a slight disadvantage.

If you go for the Rival S instead she can use a thicker sock on the smaller foot, I would advise against putting in a thin insole as that could upset her hips as one leg would effectively be couple of millimetres shorter and that's really not wise. But the reality is that even with a thicker sock she's going to be moving around in the shoe. As mentioned above, I'd be more concerned about the hurdles than the 100M; if her foot is loose and she lands slightly awkwardly she could end up with an injury.

So, on balance - and of course I've not actually seen how the spikes fit her - if she can bear to stick with the MD6, I think this is the safer option. Unless you can find the Rival S in two sizes at a price you can afford. At 12, she's still got 1-2 years of foot growth to come. So hopefully this is a temporary problem. If it's of any help, we would gladly offer you 15% discount on the purchase of two pairs of the Rival S.

Good luck
Shankara
Reply

Thank you for the offer-that is very kind, but I'm not in the UK. I appreciate your advice and all the advice you have given to others on this page. It has helped me make an informed decision for my daughter.

Hi Charlie,

It's great that you're trying out different disciplines and finding out what you enjoy the most and what you're best suited to. You certainly don't want to be investing in different running spikes at this point, you just need a good general all-rounder that will protect you - and help you. I'd recommend the Nike Zoom Rival M, the Adidas Distancestar or the Saucony Vendetta. All of these will work for the sprints, 800m and although very different from a High Jump spike (which has a stronger upper and a rigid sole) will suffice for now. If you end up sticking with the High Jump, that's the speciality spike I'd invest in first – apart from anything else you'll find the track spikes will wear out or tear on the uppers once you build on your power for the High Jump.

Enjoy!

Shankara

• CharlieMarch 24, 2019 at 3:31pm

  Thank you for your help. Could you tell me the best spikes to get for High Jump please? thanks Reply

  • Shankara SmithMarch 26, 2019 at 8:45am

    Hi Charlie,
    
    We stock the Nike Zoom Elite High Jump because it's proved far and away the most popular with our customers over the years. Adidas do a High Jump spike but we never found it as popular in fit as the Nike - I'm sure it would suit someone who gets on well with Adidas but it wasn't as universally well-fitting as the Nike. We also had the Asics High Jump spike for a while but no one really liked that at all. So, from my experience the Nike is the sure-fire winner but some will also get on well with the Adidas.
    
    Shankara Reply

Hi Raiden,

You are fast! Fantastic :-) Yes, you could certainly benefit from a more powerful track spike to bring your times down even more. Choose from the Nike Zoom Superfly Elite, Nike Zoom JaFly or Adidas Finesse. All will have a much more powerful spike plate than whatever you are using currently and this will be so helpful to you, especially for your starts.

Best of luck

Shankara

Hi Maarten,

Sorry for the techie hitch that's led to this reply coming in late to you :-( The Nike Zoom Victory is more of a long distance spike, so it wouldn't be my choice for 800m unless you were concerned about injuries. It works for the 1500m but as you're mainly 800m with some 400m and 1500m I would stick to a good middle distance spike. In a way the Nike Zoom 400 is closer to your Brooks as there's a full length power plate, though it would be a real push to run 1500m in it, too much I would think. We find the Adidas Distancestar a very popular spike for 800m and it has a spike plate along similar lines to your Brooks, though no more powerful.

Hope that's of some help

Shankara

Hi Isabella,

The Showdown will be great for the 100m and fine for Long Jump but I agree it might be too stiff for the Hurdles whilst your daughter is still a junior. You'd still want a sprint spike but you could take something with a less aggressive plate that gives a fraction of flex from the mid foot back. The front part will still be a rigid spike plate as they all are. I'd recommend either the Adidas Sprintstar or the Nike Zoom Rival S. Both are more basic sprint spikes than the Showdown but that's actually what you want – the top of the range sprint spikes will all have very rigid and powerful spike plates, which when she's older, has stopped growing and her muscles are more powerful will be fine even for the Hurdles but right now may be too much.

The other idea would be to check with her coach – if she's running with a club. Her coach will know her best and understand her needs best. If she's not got a coach and only a school PE teacher then I wouldn't necessarily expect the teacher to be fully informed on spike running shoes – he or she may be but you couldn't expect it 100%.

Hope this is of some help

Shankara

Hi Michael,

The Adizero SP is a very powerful sprint spike, designed for an athlete at the top of their game who has a really good running gait. If your son finds they work well for him then there is no better spike. For some athletes it will be too powerful but for an experienced sprinter they willl be great. My only concern would be the 400m, these spikes are designed for 100M and 200M, wearing them for 400M may prove tough on the legs. But again, if your son finds they work well and he's happy then great :-)

All the best
Shankara

Hi Chuck,

It all depends on whether you land on your heel at all. For the 110M Hurdles you probably don't but may find that on the 300 and 400 you land a bit on your heels as you tire. If that's the case - or if you guess it might prove the case as you start trying the longer distances - then I would suggest the Nike Zoom 400. It is a great sprint spike but has a little more give at the heel to protect you.

If you're confident you won't put pressure on your heels then - if Nike Rival M felt good to you that time - go for either Zoom Rival S or Zoom Ja Fly if you want a more powerful spike plate. If you're not attached to the idea of Nike the Adidas Sprintstar is also a good option.

Good luck
Shankara

Hi Saije,

It's great to hear you're starting Track, it's so much fun and gets you super fit!

So, what are the best running spikes for you? Well, it sounds like you want to give it all a go and see what ends up feeling the best disciplines to you, which is a really good idea. You may end up cutting down and focusing on just a couple of distances or you may have such a great time with the variety that you stick with all of them. For now you've got two clear choices:

1. Take a middle distance spike and use it for everything. This will give you the touch of cushioning under your heel to protect you over the 400 and 800, will be fine for the shorter sprints, you'll just be missing out of the power in the sprint spikes. If you're starting out even the middle distance spikes will feel great and help you improve. Nike Zoom Rival M or Adidas Distancestar.

2. You could take something like the Nike Zoom Rival M / Distancestar for the 800 and maybe the 400 (if you find you land on your heels at all then you'd use these). Then also get something like a Nike Zoom Rival S or Adidas Sprintstar for the 100M, 200M and 110M Hurdles. This way you have perfect shoes for all distances.

It really depends on how you're coming to Track and how fit you are currently. If it's a case of wanting to spice up your training, enjoy the camaraderie of track sessions and see how it goes, I'd stick with option 1. If you're determined to take Track seriously and really discover what your capacity is in these distances then go for option 2.

What a great way to start 2019! Enjoy:-)

Shankara

Hi Brock,

Your distance spikes (as long as they're for middle distance rather than 5,000m and 10,000m) will do great for 800m up to the 2 Mile distances, it's the 400m where you'll lose out a little bit. Something like the Adidas Distancestar, Nike Zoom Rival M or Saucony Vendetta will work very well for 800m, 1500m and will just about give you the protection you need for 2 mile. These will also work for the 400m but you won't have quite the power you'd have with say the Zoom 400 which offers protection and power. Actually, you could probably get away with using the Zoom 400 for the 800m too, as long as you're injury free and not prone to injury.

So if you're distance spikes are working out well for 800m upwards, then you could invest in a Zoom 400 or other Sprint spike to give you the best chance at 400m PBs.

Hope this helps to clear it up for you a bit.

Hi Jeff,

This Adidas Distancestar would be a good choice. The Nike Zoom Rival M is also good but the construction on the Distancestar is arguably a bit better. You could consider the Zoom 400 but it might be a bit powerful for the 800, it would depend on your strength/propensity to injury.

Good luck with your training
Shankara

Hi Andy,

The Zoom 400 has been very popular with our customers; it's a good spike and there aren't many 400m specialist spikes on the market. You've analysed it exactly right; you'll get a touch more power from the Ja Fly but more comfort from the Zoom 400. We haven't had complaints about the durability of the Ja Fly and I honestly don't think it would wear much different from the Zoom 400, so personally I wouldn't throw that into the equation. So it really comes down to what you value more power or protection, although the margins are small and either is going to work for you. If you have any injury problems or a propensity for picking up injuries then the Zoom 400 would be the one to go for. Otherwise it's really a matter of what makes you the most excited to go out and sprint in!

Hope that helps you to your decision.

• Andy SmithDecember 13, 2018 at 11:17pm

  Thanks so much Shankara, really appreciate your advice! And yes I've had injury problems with my foot so I'll opt for the Zoom 400. Have a blessed Christmas! Reply

  • Shankara SmithDecember 14, 2018 at 10:44am

    Sounds like the right choice. Good luck for 2019, may your sprinting go from strength to strength.

    Reply

Hi Clara,

As you've been happy with the Celar I'd actually suggest Ja Fly over Zoom 400. The spike plate is very similar on both but the tension in the Ja Fly is slightly stronger and the grip is a bit deeper than the 400. The Celar was a fairly powerful spike, so I'm not sure you'd notice much more power in the Zoom 400 but you certainly should with the Ja Fly.

Good luck with all your training and races!

Hi Annabelle,

Wow, that sounds great. Well, for the spikes I'd consider Ja Fly or Zoom 400. If you're working more on the 400 then the Zoom 400 makes sense as it will give you good protection as you build in intensity but will also work for your shorter sprints. The Ja Fly would give you a fast spike that can work for 100 to 400, my only concern is that your body is still vulnerable as you'll still be growing, you want to limit the strain as much as you can whilst still giving training 100%. I would be a bit concerned if you were doing not only racing but all your training in the Ja Fly.

Ultimately it's not a bad idea to have two pairs – especially as your feet will have stopped growing by now I assume – and using say the Zoom 400 for training and 400m races and another sprint spike for the shorter sprints.

• AnnabelleOctober 15, 2018 at 11:53am

  Thanks! I just remembered that I forget to mention something. Last year, I ran in a pair of Nike Zoom S's I believe, and they had a much smaller spike plate than the spikes you suggested. Does that change anything? Reply

  • Shankara SmithOctober 15, 2018 at 3:36pm

    Hi Annabelle,
    
    I assume that was the Nike Zoom Rival S? That has 7 spikes, so you get plenty of grip, the difference is the power of the spike plate. The Rival S is limited to the forefoot, the Zoom 400 and Ja Fly continue the tension back to the heel. So these two would feel more powerful than the Rival S but the 400 would still give you that touch of extra protection. Reply

Hi Yasmin,

It will slightly depend on how much you do of each distance. If the 500m is occasional then you can benefit from the extra power in Nike Ja Fly or Adidas Finesse, or even Adidas Sprintstar if budget is a concern. If you do a fair amount of 500m then the best one would be Zoom 400. It will give you a bit more protection but still work as a good spike for 100 and 200m.
 

Hi Ron,

It sounds like your daughter is really into athletics, which is fantastic. Firstly, she can use the same spike shoes for the indoor and outdoor, there are no different requirements for indoor sprinting.

So, she will need a decent Sprint Spike. If Nike fit her well then they are fine, otherwise she can look at Adidas which are also good. The model you decide on should depend on two things: budget and foot growth. I guess her feet will pretty much have stopped growing now that she's 14? If so you could consider investing in a spike higher in the range: Nike Ja Fly or Adidas Finesse. However, if budget is a concern the Adidas Sprintstar is a very good spike and the Nike Zoom Rival S is also fine – just not as powerful as the Finesse and Ja Fly which would work with your daughter's stride to maximise the power she's putting in.

Regarding the heel and calf pain, the only way her Nike spikes could be exacerbating this is if they don't fit well enough – if they were too loose – because as a sprinter she won't be landing on her heels, therefore the construction of the spike won't be affecting the heel. It is more likely to be connected to the strain of her training. Calf and heel pain are connected, it would be a good idea to talk to her coach about it or visit a good physiotherapist. Possible causes: body struggling with the intensity of training whilst still growing – usually stretching and strengthening will provide a solution; other training or sports in shoes that don't provide enough support or cushioning causing calf tightness that then manifests more obviously when she's in a pair of minimal spikes; the length of time spent in the spikes which provide the right grip and fit but are still minima Reply

• RonSeptember 11, 2018 at 1:20am

  Hi Shankara,
  Thanks for the information. Immediately after I sent you the first message I went home and checked what Nike model spikes she ran in last year and they were the Nike Rival S (which I assume is the exact same as the Nike Zoom Rival S)?
  
  I believe my daughter is done growing but who knows?. At 14 she already stands 5'9 and wears a size 10 shoot ( which I believe would be a size 7.5 in the UK)
  
  I'm not overly concerned with price and since she told me that she likes the ones she had last year, the Nike Rival S, maybe I'll just get her a new pair of those (although her old ones still fit and dont look bad after 20 meets last season). Personally speaking, I would like for her to step up a bit and try the Nike Ja Fly or Adidas Finesse but I'll let her make that decision. Certainly trying them on at a store wouldn't hurt and who knows maybe she'll like something different.
  
  And thanks for the information concerning her calves. Take care and have a great week.
  
  Reply

  • Shankara SmithSeptember 11, 2018 at 10:19am

    Hi Ron,
    
    I'm glad you found the info useful. All the best, and I hope your daughter's sprinting goes from strength to strength. Reply

Hi Lina,

The Nike Zoom 400 has a more rigid spike plate but it's almost as stiff as the sprint models, so it may be a touch too much. There's a small amount of heel cushion.

I wonder if the Distance Star would suit better. Because the spike plate extends well into the mid foot, it has more tension but it also has a small wedge of heel cushion to provide some protection. The Adizero MD also has a strong spike plate but the adizero heel cushion makes for a softer landing.

The best thing would be to come in and try on both (our London branch carries both styles) or order both from us and send whichever doesn't feel right back, just make sure you try them on a carpet at home, not a hard floor.

Best
Shankara

• DavidFebruary 18, 2019 at 3:31am

  Hey im also a 800 meter runner and I would like to know if I could get away with an adizero finesse or what other high end spike would you recommend thanks Reply

  • Shankara SmithFebruary 18, 2019 at 6:45pm

    Hi David,
    
    I really wouldn’t recommend the Adistar Finesse for 800m, I just think the spike plate is too stiff for 4 bends. The Nike Zoom 400 would be a better choice as it’s still a powerful spike but it allows a more natural range of motion for the bends. It's designed for 400m but an efficient and experienced athlete could use it for 800m.
    
    Best
    Shankara

    Reply

    • DavidFebruary 20, 2019 at 1:27am

      Thank you so much I give the zomm 400 a go. Reply

Hi Laura,

In the past there have been some steeplechase specific shoes in the Nike or Adidas range which had holes in the sole, so water could drip through them, but from the ranges we've seen for 2018 there's not been a shoe like that anymore. I'd say the Zoom D (not to be confused with the Zoom Rival D) offers the best option for water drainage as the uppers are aerated even at the back of the heel. The shoe is more flexible than the Rival D, more like the Victory, with cushioning that's also at Victory levels.

Nike do make the Mambo which they target at steeplechasers but they've not supplied that spike to us this season. However, the uppers are really no better than the Zoom D anyway for drainage anyway.

Hope that helps

Shankara