What is the difference between indoor and outdoor track spikes

In some places an indoor track is longer than meters. This is an advantage, so races run on these tracks are sometimes not recognized until a standard amount of time has been added.

An indoor track can have a maximum of six lanes; an outdoor track typically has eight lanes. An indoor track is further unique because it can have banked turns. This banking is an advantage to a runner who competes on a flat track.

There are many differences between the events competed in indoor track and outdoor track. These differences are mainly due to space constraints in an indoor facility. Outdoor competitors race meters, whereas indoor they compete in meter races. Indoor includes the weight throw, however this event is not contested outdoor. What's right for you? Is one better than the other? What you want to do is purchase a shoe that has at the very least some form of technology in the heel. For those who feel the need for additional forefoot cushioning, purchase a model that has technology in the forefoot.

A word of warning: the more technology a shoe has, the more it will cost. Outsole: Years ago when outsoles would wear out in miles, everyone ran down to buy Shoe-goo to increase outsole life.

Those days are pretty much gone. In fact, most outsoles last longer than the midsole. This makes it extremely important to log the miles you have on your shoes. Most midsoles last between miles. This is the part of the shoe that provides the cushioning and support to keep you injury free.

Don't make the mistake of running on worn out shoes simply because the outsole isn't worn through. You're risking injuries. The features described above come into play when you determine one very important fact, what type of foot strike do you have?

You've probably seen described in running magazines or running shoe catalogs the drawings showing an overpronating foot or a neutral foot or an underpronating foot.

The problem is that in looking at the pictures, most people assume that they need to land on the inside portion of the heel to be an overpronator, but this is absolutely WRONG.

Let me repeat, you can land on the outside portion of the heel and be an overpronator. In fact, this is what most overpronators do. So how do you determine what your foot strike is? You start by looking at the outsole wear of your old shoes here's how we do it in the store. Ninety-five percent of all runners land on the outside edge of the heel, so this really tells us little.

What you need to do is look at the wear of the forefoot area of the shoe. Overpronator: Forefoot wear is exclusively under the big toe and ball of the foot area. In severe cases, the wear will be exclusively under the ball of the foot and towards the inside medial area of the shoe.

The more severe the inside force, the greater the need for a medial post. Neutral: Forefoot wear is directed straight down the middle of the forefoot. Most of the wear will occur right between the second and third toes.

Diagnosis: These runners can train in just about any shoe design. The medial post is really unecessary. Underpronator: Forefoot wear is directed primarily towards the outside edge of the forefoot under the pinky toe. Diagnosis: These runners generally have high arches and rigid feet meaning they need flexible shoes.

Usually, these runners opt for a lightweight trainer because they are flexible and curve lasted a banana shape to provide more support under the outside edge of the shoe. Medial posts are again unnecessary. Forefoot Striker: Forefoot wear will concentrate itself at the ball of the foot under the entire width of the shoe. This shoe will also show little to no wear at the heel. These sink deeper into the track and may serve a lighter runner better than a heavier runner.

The staggered design helps prevent the spikes from sticking into the track as much. Many runners are now favoring needle spikes to these.

It also has a soft upper that keeps the foot in place, but stays light and nimble. Mid-distance spikes are ideal for the , , , and mile distances. But they can easily be used for events as short as the or as long as the 2 mile. It can even be used for jumping events. Click here to see our favorite mid-distance spikes. Spikes made for the mile and two mile are essentially extreme racing flats. They are made to be light and nimble. And the support is minimal.

Instead, these spikes are feather-light to keep your turnover as fast as possible. Because they are so minimal, long distance spikes are only recommended for distances of meters or longer. They lack the support or aggressive spike plate for shorter events.

See our favorite long distance spikes. There are two types of jumping spikes: high jump spikes and spikes for the pole vault, long jump, and triple jump. High jump spikes have spikes in the ball of the foot like running spikes — but they also have additional spike implements in the heel.

This allows for better support and traction during the approach and plant. High jump spikes also provide a lot of lateral support on the upper of the spike.

This is to keep the spike secure as you twist over the high bar. For runners new to the high jump, you can also buy a J Heel link to amazon that attaches to a mid-distance spike in the heel. This essentially converts it to the full spike plate found in a high jump spike. Long jump, triple jump, and pole vault spikes have a thin spike plate to provide traction on the runway, but also to allow for extra support during take-off and landing.

Both types of jumping spikes are highly specialized and should only be used for jumping events. See our favorite jumping spikes. Track shoes designed for the shot put and discus are made without spike implements. Instead, they are built to provide grip for the shot put and spin for discus.

They also feature supportive uppers to keep your feet locked in place.