A look at the different types of running shoes

1. AComparisonofSeveralDifferentTypesof
RunningShoes

2. Trainers
• Generic Shoes
• Often used by non
competitive runners
• Also used by
competitive runners in
training
• Offers a lot of support
• Very heavy shoe

3. Cross Country Spikes
• Used by competitive
cross country runners
• Usually contain 6 holes
for ½” to ¾” spikes
• Designed to have as
much support as
possible
• Still a very heavy shoe

4. Long Distance Spikes
• Used by runners on a
track between 1 mile
and 10k
• Usually only has 4 holes
in the toe
• Much lighter than
Trainers or Cross
Country spikes

5. Middle Distance Spikes
• Usually worn by runners
between 400 meters
and the 1 mile
• Very light shoe
• Usually has 6 holes in
the toe
• Much less support than
the previous shoes

6. Sprinter Spikes
• A 5th type of shoe designed for runners in
anything less than 400 meters
• Contains almost no support
• Feels like wearing nothing
• Most sprinters prefer Nike
• Bottom of the shoe can even be plastic