So in the past couple of years for some reason when I race wearing spikes I die really hard. Even wearing chunky shoes like the hoka bondi I run faster times than I do in my Nike dragonflies. That being said I run very well in vaporflys. I was wondering what shoe would be best to steeple in this outdoor season? Would a vapor fly work good in water? Or would there be a better shoe for it?
You definitely want a spike shoe for stepping on and over the water barrier and better traction with hurdling the other barriers. Pick a good distance spike that you would race a 5k in on the track and use that for the steeplechase. Don't wear socks for the water pit, and consider drilling holes in the shoes to drain out the water. Adidas used to make a specialty steeplechase shoe (Adistar Steeple) that was designed this way.
Spikes that looks cool
Both legs
Wall drill
Trail leg drill
Hurdle mobility drills
Put 2 hurdles on opposite sides of the track for when you do intervals. Low hurdle height to get used to continuous running and hurdling
Hoka Cielo MD seem to be a great shoe. Plenty of traction and decent cushion. It might not be as fast as the dragonfly, but it's still a great shoe. Hillary Bor use the Cielo for all it's Steeplechase race.
I do use the Cielo and I can back it's a very good shoe with traction and enough cushion. Now, I don't know for SC.
keep looking. there are some magic steeple shoes out there. you will know when you see them. never stop.
Has anyone used the cloudspike or the air zoom victory? I think the AZV sounds like a terrible idea due to the jump but I'm not sure how the cloudspike would feel.
There seems to be fewer steeple specific shoes out there. I am a masters steeplechaser and was using New Balance Long Distance 5k V7 which they no longer make. I liked the 4 spikes and some flexibility. I run my other races (800, 3K) in Nike ZoomX Dragonfly. I am concerned about wearing a platted shoe stepping on the water jump. Has anyone made this transition?
I just started steepling as a masters runner last year and ran in the Nike ZoomX Dragonfly XC. It was recommended and is oddly perfect! I haven't been on the track in years (ok, decades) and the cushion and plate feel amazing. I'm getting ready for this year's season and wondering if there's a better shoe. I love how the spike feels but know the technology is changing by the second and shoes make a difference. Thoughts?