Spikes for 400m/800m - Comparison of 2

Running Shoes/Running Gear

12 years ago 02/25/2012 12:08am EST

Hi, I'm a sophomore high school runner that is going to focus on the 400m/800m. I know that the ideal spikes for this would probably be something like the Maxcats, but because of monetary reasons I am deciding between the following two spikes:

Saucony Velocity 4 --

One site I checked said that it is for 100m-1600m, while another said 1500m+. I'm leaning towards this one, but if this is truly made for 1500m+, then I'm worried that wearing it during a 400m might somehow injure me (I know that wearing sprint spikes for distance events is dangerous, so I'm assuming wearing distance spikes for sprint events is also not a good idea).

http://www.firsttothefinish.com/ItemMatrix.asp?Cc=fw_foot_middist&GroupCode=20105-1C&Mic=72R-SAU-9.5&eq=fw_201051C&MatrixType=2

Brooks Surge MD --

I can't find any real reviews of this shoe so I'm a bit skeptical. Description is "For middle distance events and intermediate jumps," so its unclear what sort of events this is good for.

http://www.firsttothefinish.com/ItemMatrix.asp?Cc=fw_foot_middist&GroupCode=110059-448&Mic=6AD-BR-9.5&eq=fw_110059448&MatrixType=2

If anyone has any experience with either of these two shoes I would be very grateful.

12 years ago 02/25/2012 12:26am EST

re: notalotofdepth

The Velocity would be a fine choice.

It has the same spike plate as the Saucony sprint spike at the same price. The Velocity will probably be a bit lighter and more flexible, and it will have a little more midsole and a slight heel.

No risk of injury using the distance spike for 400/800.

If you're a big, powerful runner you might benefit from the stiffer platform a higher-end sprint spike provides, but that goes more to top-end performancet than injury prevention.

12 years ago 02/25/2012 12:44am EST

re: notalotofdepth

12 years ago 02/25/2012 12:02pm EST

re: excoastranger

Thanks for the quick response! Yeah, I don't think I'll be able to pull off using a sprint spike in the 800m; I'm pretty slow. I'm a guy, and I ran distance last year with a 2:28 800m and am now wanting to switch to sprints, focusing on the 400m and doing a few 800m runs. This will be the first time I've bought spikes, so I appreciate any advice I can get.

12 years ago 02/25/2012 12:10pm EST

re: notalotofdepth

Why do you need spikes? How much does a 228 halfmiler REALLY need to dig? -__-

12 years ago 02/25/2012 12:26pm EST

re: well umm..

lol yeah I know what you mean. We all have to start somewhere, though, right? I've been training though and I feel pretty confident that I can get down to about 2:18 (although that's still not very fast)

12 years ago 02/25/2012 12:46pm EST

re: notalotofdepth

Hey man, don't let the losers get you down.

Spikes are a good idea for the 400, but you have to "be able to" run in them.

What I mean by that is that many people twist on the ball of their foot slightly when doing something like a 400, especially people with your level of experience. Part of this comes from taking very long strides, which is common in the 400.

Whereas flats will let your foot spin on the ground a bit, good spikes will not. Whatever you do, DO NOT train in them until you have developed good form first.

Middle-distance spikes are different from sprint spikes, they are mushier and not nearly as rigid, allowing your foot some twisting action, even though the spikes are firmly embedded in the track, so you may benefit in terms of less injury from getting middle-distance spikes at this point.

Final recommendation is, if you can, TRY THEM ON. One of the most important things for me is how they feel on the foot, which has to do with where and how the lacing is positioned, reinforcing straps, shape of strike plate, width of heel, other closure devices like velcro tabs, etc. There is no substitute for trying them on.

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