What spikes to buy, only ever ran on Road

average_runner

HI;

After the marathon i am going to try the cross country lark. Love the road running so couldenjoy this too.

So as a complete novice what spikes should i buy, do you need the same support you have in your normal runner. Currently using brooks adrelanine.

What about size, in runner i take 11.5

Any other different gear do i need?

Peckham

Was in exactly the same situation myself last year. Only ever done road running (in Brooks Adrenaline also), and went to buy spikes.

I just went into Runaways in Dublin and asked him to recommend spikes. From what I could establish, I don't think the technical aspects of spikes are as important as they are in normal runners - i.e. support etc. is nowhere near as important given that you normally only use them on soft ground and only over short distances.

No other gear required for XC...and it is great fun, especially if it's a mudbath!

average_runner

I am sure my other half look forward to me comng home all mucked up

Whats the average price for spikes?

robinph

I was in the same position last year and ended up in a pair of Asics Hyper md, which are aparently really a middle distance track shoe. I think that as long as it's not a sprint shoe then it doesn't matter though, and your potentialy better with the track one as you can then use it on the track as well.

My shoes came with a set of short 5mm spikes, but I've since then got a couple of sets of longer spikes to use depending on the weather for the upcoming race.

Peckham

average_runner wrote: »

Whats the average price for spikes?

I think the various pairs I tried on last year were all in the €40-€60 range.

dna_leri

robinph wrote: »

I was in the same position last year and ended up in a pair of Asics Hyper md, which are aparently really a middle distance track shoe. I think that as long as it's not a sprint shoe then it doesn't matter though, and your potentialy better with the track one as you can then use it on the track as well.

My shoes came with a set of short 5mm spikes, but I've since then got a couple of sets of longer spikes to use depending on the weather for the upcoming race.

The ASICS Hyper XC that I have is very similar to the MD and will cross over to track as well, cost around €50. Make sure to try them on as they are usually about half a size smaller than your road shoe.

plodder

Mae sure you tell them, the shoes are for cross-country because the standard spikes are too short, and you'll need to buy a set of longer ones.

RacoonQueen

I was thinking of starting a simliar thread a few weeks ago. Do spikes come in different models for women like the road shoes do? I usually wear asics on the road...but brooks seem to come up on a lot of searches for spikes.

robinph

plodder wrote: »

Mae sure you tell them, the shoes are for cross-country because the standard spikes are too short, and you'll need to buy a set of longer ones.

Worth having a few different lengths anyway, you'll need the 5mm ones if you do any track races but a few other longer lengths will be handy depending on the conditions at the time for the XC.

Bambaata

Im in the same boat and went into Runways the other day. Unfortunately i have a size 12 foot and they only had one pair of shoes that size. He's getting 1 other in late this week that i can try on. How much are the spikes? He told me i'd be best getting a set of 12's as they are generally a good allrounder. Are they so cheap that i could really do with a set of each (9's, 12's, 15's and whatever other sizes?)

Peckham

A set of spikes (as in the metal bits you screw into the shoes) will only cost a 2 or 3 euro.

robinph

I think I have 5mm, that came with the shoes and I've only used on track, and then 9mm(?) and 12mm ones as well for use in varying levels of mud. It's mostly the middle sized ones that I use though.

shels4ever

Bambaata wrote: »

Im in the same boat and went into Runways the other day. Unfortunately i have a size 12 foot and they only had one pair of shoes that size. He's getting 1 other in late this week that i can try on. How much are the spikes? He told me i'd be best getting a set of 12's as they are generally a good allrounder. Are they so cheap that i could really do with a set of each (9's, 12's, 15's and whatever other sizes?)

Yep they are only a couple of euro, Depending on weather 12 mm would be grand for most races here unless it was crazy dry or lots of frost then.