XC Spike Dos & Donts

Cross Country Spike Dos and Don'ts. Everything you need to know about your cross country spikes.
Why do I need XC spikes?
Who should invest in XC spikes?
Do I train regularly in my XC spikes?
Can I run in them on concrete?
On what surfaces can I use them?
Can I wear my XC spikes for track season?
Can I wear my track spikes for XC season?
How should my spikes fit and feel?
How should I care for my spikes?

[@romario4897]

Wish we had stores like this down in Texas

[@Trisam100]

Great video with relevant and accurate information. Thank you for sharing. I have some athletes that like the idea of a spikeless cross country racing shoe (like the Sacony X2 Flat for example...which is designed for cross country running). However, when one of my athletes was at Gazelle Sports, the athlete was told that these were only for concrete running. However, they are designed for cross country. In fact, I loved racing in them through high school and much of college. Were there a few situations where a spike might have been more advantageous? Yes, but mostly I found that they worked well and when I had slipping issues in a place on a course, those with spikes did also...mind you likely a little less. Anyway, I do think there is room for this kind of shoe on the cross country course as well. Thanks again for a video well done.

[@kaismithley7384]

super helpful video, thanks!

[@gazellesports]

Thank you, Kai!

[@kevintheys4641]

I normally run with custom made spikes based on the Kinvara Saucony 12. I'm torn between the HOKA Crescendo, Dragonfly XC or RIVAL XC6... which one would provide the most comfort during a cross. I normally run with Saucony on concrete (endorphin collection) because I do need some cushioning (+M40).

[@aliyoungruns]

whats that in your pocket

[@lorenzoquirante8685]

2:45 I WAS SWEATING AND like damn thankgod

[@gazellesports]

Haha glad we put your mind at ease!

[@KaranPatel-ei5wz]

2:59 I WAS SWEATING AND like damn imma be broke

[@lorenzoquirante8685]

@@KaranPatel-ei5wz😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐😐

[@cookiescreamicecream5976]

Which spikes do you recommend for wide feet?(I used brooks ghost 11 2E width as trainers)

[@gazellesports]

Hey there - The Saucony Kilkenny has been known to be more accommodating towards wider feet but Nike's Zoom Rival XC has more room around the achilles than most other spikes. The more premium, higher-end spikes available will typically run more narrow so shoot for one in the $65-$80 price range. Hope this helps!

[@cookiescreamicecream5976]

Thanks for the reply! I’ll probably buy a pair of those saucony’s if I find a good deal on them.

[@ricardofregozo344]

What happens if u run with xc spikes on concrete?like will the spikes break or will it just be weird since there meant for more grassy terains

[@gazellesports]

Hi Ricardo, It will just feel weird - kinda clicky clacky and stiff because as you mentioned they are meant to dig into the grass and dirt. They won't break if you're running over a short patch in a race, and since they are not meant to train in you won't be running in them on paved roads or sidewalks. Hope that helps!

[@fpsproductions6073]

In that case I would assume its better to run in the grass during a race when there is an option between grass and pavement even though grass is known to be slower?

[@wiesnfan7670]

Great video

[@poojasuresh2304]

Can I use the nike zoom rival waffle 5 (rubber spikes) on the road?

[@lou-xr5rz]

Hi, I just got my first ever pair of spikes and have a big race next week (doing for experience). I tried to practice in them but walking on the gravel pavement on the way to my (muddy) route, the horrible crunching noise and the weird experience of the metal spikes against the hard ground made me so uncomfortable i had to take them off. Is it normal for them to make that loud noise? I was really embarrassed bec I thought I'd put them in wrong or something. This vid was great. I just don't want to show up to race day running around in these spikes knowing nothing about them.

[@gazellesports]

Hi Lou, No need to be embarrassed! Yes, you can expect the loud clicking noise when you walk/run in spikes on hard ground. Track spikes are designed specifically for tracks and very little else so we would recommend limiting their use to the rubber. You won't do your warmup before your race in your new spikes; run beforehand in your regular running shoes and only put your spikes on 10-15 minutes before your race starts. We recommend doing your pre-race strides after you've laced them up. You'll find they're much more quiet when they're on the surface they're designed for!

[@lou-xr5rz]

@@gazellesports Hi Gazelle Sports, Thank you so much, you have no idea how reassuring this is. I went for a run in some really thick mud to test them out yesterday, and you're right! I didn't slip like I would in my trainers and they didn't make that sound. It was a bit different though! And wow, I had no idea! Thank you, if it weren't for this video I would be stressing out for the rest of the week. Thank you so much. :)

[@gazellesports]

@@lou-xr5rz We're so glad we could help! Hope you have an awesome season!

[@AirRunning]

Are the Nike zoom victory xc 5’s good spikes for both track and xc

[@animallife5135]

Which spike do you recommend for triple jump

[@gazellesports]

Hi - a multi-use spike is going to be the best for most triple jumpers because it has a bit of extra cushion in the heel.

[@brandonwhite9270]

Is the saucony shay xc4 a good xc spike vs the Kilkenny xc7?

[@toddhamilton8272]

can you wear your spikes without the spikes

[@KornDoesStuff]

Yes you can

[@youtubert3138]

Why are spikes meant to be tight and uncomfortable? It’s not logical, better run with simple sneakers.. but compromising comfort is ridiculous….

[@musicvideospatrick]

Would you recommend a SPIKELESS cross country shoe for track training sessions? (1,5h warmups, sprints, long jumps, etc etc) thank you for your reply

[@patrickb.2612]

Probably not. If you can run at your race paces efficiently in clunky training shoes imagine how much faster you can run in spikes. I would suggest doing workouts in trainers. Its like how baseball players train with extra weight on their bats so when they swing normally it feels much easier.

[@gazellesports]

Hi Future Olympian! We would recommend looking at a racing flat, lightweight training shoe, or spiked spike for track sessions. The first two being the most ideal since they take the load off of your body. Spikes can be pretty harsh.

[@allenperezgarcia1026]

What if I use a orthotic insole?

[@gazellesports]

Good question. You may have a hard time inserting your orthotic insole in a racing spike. Spikes are meant to hug your foot, almost providing the feeling of being barefoot. If the orthotic is 100% necessary, you'll likely be able to fit it in. But keep in mind that one of the main advantages to racing in a spike is the weight reduction. Adding a full-length medical orthotic will add weight and also minimize the effectiveness of a spike's torsion system (what is bending and snapping you forward every step). There's no harm in trying them out; put your orthotics in a wider fitting pair of spikes (Nike's Zoom Rival XC or New Balance's XC7, for example) and take them for a few strides! Also, a local running store may be able to help you with this process and find an insole/spike combo that works really well for you. Good luck!

[@neilgupta92]

i have Achilles tendonitis and require supportive running shoes, are there spikes which can accommodate my needs

[@gazellesports]

Hey Neil, Truth be told - no. Spikes aren’t built for support or even necessarily comfort; they’re built for performance. Your best bet is to wear an achilles support strap (Pro-Tec gazellesports.com/products/pro-tec-maverick-sports-achilles-tendon-support-3700f or CEP gazellesports.com/products/10066046-ortho-achilles-brace-blk-wo16l1?variant=12607951077475 make great ones) or even CEP compression socks with a spike suitable for the events you’ll be competing in. If you don’t mind adding a little weight to your spikes, you could insert an insole (a 3/4 one by a brand like Powerstep is what Louis in the video sometimes uses) to increase support.

[@eligruenbacher715]

I have a pair of Nike zoom dragonfly’s? Would those be okay for cross country?