7 Best Track & Field Shoes in 2023

Zack Dunn
Zack Dunn on
7 Best Track & Field Shoes in 2023
Vans Comfycush Old Skool Mixed Media Women S Low Top Sneakers 9. Why trust us

A well-selected pair of track and field shoes can be a real performance booster or even help you set a new PB.

We have tested and reviewed over 60 pairs of track and field shoes to help you buy the best one. We cited every little detail we could find about the shoes, even how they worked in different aspects when we were running, jumping, and throwing while wearing them. Whether you are an advanced athlete looking for a premium shoe or a beginner on a tight budget, we’ve got the top picks for you.

Best track shoes overall

What makes it the best?

The zapatillas de running Adidas tope amortiguación 10k baratas menos de 60 is a mid-distance spike that banks on its marathon sibling - the Alphafly Next% (a.k.a Nike's fastest shoe). And for us, not only did it run fast, but it's also the best of its kind on the market! It's insanely grippy, responsive, and comfortable. It's expensive at $180, but it's a premium price we'd gladly pay for a premium track shoe.

Nike Daybreak Hvide tone-i-tone sneakers Pros

  • True to size
  • zapatillas de running Skechers 10k talla 35.5
  • Secure lockdown
  • Lightweight
  • Shoes BUGATTI 311-A5T02-1010-6363 Cognac Cognac
  • Unrivaled breathability
  • Fairly cushioned
  • Perfect for middle distance
  • Elite level, insane quality

Nike Daybreak Hvide tone-i-tone sneakers Cons

  • Expensive
  • WALLABEE BOOT VELVET
  • Unstable on curves
Full review of zapatillas de running Adidas tope amortiguación 10k baratas menos de 60

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Unisex
Any color
Green (DR9908300)
Volt/Orange/White (CD4385700)
nike air zoom victory track field distance spikes hyper pink laser orange black ea0a 60

Best track shoes for sprints

What makes it the best?

The Nike Zoom Superfly Elite 2 is a lightweight and powerful sprint spike. And we don't think it can get more elite than this! It's premium and so is its price, but it's not really a drawback. If anything, it's understandable with all the speed-enhancing qualities we got! It's propulsive and snappy, bolting through the track was an easy feat!

Nike Daybreak Hvide tone-i-tone sneakers Pros

  • Comfortable
  • Light
  • Snappy & propulsive
  • Caratteristiche Vibram fivefingers V Esegui Scarpe Trail Running
  • Sock-like fit
  • Great heel lockdown
  • Head-turning sleek design
  • Elite-level spike
  • Perfect for 100-400m sprints
  • Gallucci Kids perforated ankle boots

Nike Daybreak Hvide tone-i-tone sneakers Cons

  • Pricey
Full review of Nike Zoom Superfly Elite 2

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Unisex
Any color
nike zoom superfly elite 2 track field sprinting spikes barely volt dynamic turquoise black hyper orange adult barely volt dynamic turquoise black hyper orange ea62 60
nike zoom superfly elite 2 track field sprinting spikes hyper pink laser orange black 3e6a 60
White/Bright Crimson/Black (DJ5391100)
nike zoom superfly elite 2 track field sprinting spikes volt mint foam cave purple 75d4 60
nike zoom superfly elite 2 white 6d5e 60
nike zoom superfly elite 2 racing spike bright mango purple pulse blackened blue adult bright mango purple pulse blackened blue c596 60

Best track shoes for race

What makes it the best?

At $180, the will be LeBrons go-to shoes throughout his playoff run is damn expensive! But it's a price we'd gladly pay for the aggressive traction and spring we get from this sprint spike. We don't often say this, but it's the best of the best! And for something that screams fast, the MaxFly is surprisingly pleasing to the feet.

Nike Daybreak Hvide tone-i-tone sneakers Pros

  • Very springy
  • Features New balance Fresh Foam Vongo V4 Running Shoes
  • Extremely well-engineered
  • Premium design and feel
  • Perfeect for 100-400m
  • Works for hurdles as well
  • Superb comfort+speed combo
  • Breathable
  • Get out there and keep running towards your goals

Nike Daybreak Hvide tone-i-tone sneakers Cons

  • Expensive
  • Adaptation period might be needed
  • Light-blue Sandals For Kids
Full review of will be LeBrons go-to shoes throughout his playoff run

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Unisex
Any color
Pink (DH5359600)
nike air zoom maxfly mens womens 54e4 60
Barely Volt/Dynamic Turquoise/Photon Dust (DH5359700)
nike air zoom maxfly athletics sprinting spikes green green 23d4 60

Best track shoes for long distance

What makes it the best?

It's bouncy and fast - it's everything most of the track running spikes we've tested aren't. In other words, the Nike ZoomX Dragonfly is the best of its kind! It's a track shoe that makes you run like an elite in high-mileage efforts, and it does so at a hefty price. After putting it through the paces, it's a premier choice for distances 3K to 10K!

Nike Daybreak Hvide tone-i-tone sneakers Pros

  • zapatillas New Balance Fresh Foam More V3 Running Shoes
  • STERNTALER Boots da neve blu scuro
  • Bouncy and fast
  • Knee High Boots EVA LONGORIA EL-33-04-000557 503
  • Super breathable
  • Perfect laces
  • Wow looks
  • Elite-level spike
  • Worth the price

Nike Daybreak Hvide tone-i-tone sneakers Cons

  • Features of sneakers
  • Pricey
Full review of Nike ZoomX Dragonfly

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Unisex
Any color
Volt/Mint Foam/Vachetta Tan (DR9922700)
nike zoomx dragonfly athletics distance spikes yellow yellow 5010 60
Pink (CV0400600)
Red/White (DN4860600)
nike zoomx dragonfly athletics distance spikes white white 6a48 60

Best cross-country track shoes

What makes it the best?

The Nike Zoom Victory XC 5 made us zoom through brutal races! It's everything performance-oriented, and it's here to make you win your next cross-country competition. It's featherlight, fast, and grippy, it's everything we wanted to run with speed! Even better, it's durable and will surely go through gnarly terrain with ease.

Nike Daybreak Hvide tone-i-tone sneakers Pros

  • True to size
  • Super snappy
  • Stable
  • Anti-clog outsole
  • Flexible
  • Durable
  • Superb traction
  • Breathable
  • Lightweight
  • Menorcan Sandals Noir

Nike Daybreak Hvide tone-i-tone sneakers Cons

  • Very narrow
Full review of Nike Zoom Victory XC 5

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Unisex
Any color
Barely Volt/Dynamic Turquoise/Photon Dust (AJ0847701)
Volt/Mint Foam/Coconut Milk (AJ0847702)
Orange (AJ0847801)
VOLT/RACER BLUE-WHITE (AJ0847700)
Blue (AJ0847402)

Best track shoes for jumps

Adidas Jumpstar
85
Great!

What makes it the best?

Fashioned specifically for jumping, the Adidas Jumpstar is a reliable track spike that performs in a variety of jumping events. With the shoe’s componentry, it is suited for long jump, triple jump, high jump, and pole vault. On top of it all, it's an affordable option that delivers just as great as its expensive counterparts.

Nike Daybreak Hvide tone-i-tone sneakers Pros

  • Grippy
  • Energetic
  • Snappy
  • Lightweight
  • Attenuates impact
  • Snug fit
  • Durable
  • Cheap price

Nike Daybreak Hvide tone-i-tone sneakers Cons

  • Too stiff
Full review of Adidas Jumpstar

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Men
Women
Any color
Blue (GY0942)
White (GX6684)
adidas jumpstar spike shoe men s track field 8 5 core black white core black white 737a 60

Best track shoes for throwing

Nike Zoom SD 4
87
Great!

What makes it the best?

Fantastic as an all-around throwing shoe, the Nike Zoom SD 4 optimizes the athlete’s glide and rotation. With its makeup, it functions in a multitude of throwing events. It is packed with support and flexibility, optimizing the thrower’s performance beat the competition. With its componentry, the throwing platform delivers both style and function in a featherlight package.

Nike Daybreak Hvide tone-i-tone sneakers Pros

  • Li Ning The Apocalypse Light Grey Purple Ivory Women Running
  • Ample support
  • Great fit
  • Allows natural foot movements
  • Breathable platform
  • Good grip

Nike Daybreak Hvide tone-i-tone sneakers Cons

  • Causes arch discomfort
  • Wears out quickly
  • Quite heavy
Full review of Nike Zoom SD 4

Nike Daybreak Hvide tone-i-tone sneakers | Today's best price

Unisex
Any color
Volt/Cave Purple-mint Foam (DR9935700)
nike unisex zoom sd 4 track field throwing shoes in white adult white 04e6 60
Green (685135700)
White (685135002)

Comparison of the 7 best track & Field shoes

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Best
CoreScore
Users rating
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# of colorways

Why use a track shoe

Here are some of the distinct components of a track and field shoe that make it more efficient for the sport than other types of athletic shoes:

features.png

  • Lightweight and breathable: Track and field shoes are light and airy because of the thin mesh upper that usually accompanies them. usually have a rigid upper construction to provide a snug fit.
  • Snug fit: Aside from a thin mesh, the upper of track shoes have a rigid structure to provide a snug fit and keep the foot in place.
  • Minimal midsole: Unlike other cleat-type footwear such as those for football and soccer, track shoes usually have a midsole that is thin and minimal. It acts as both underfoot cushioning and impact absorber.
  • Spike pins and spike plate: Some track shoes use spike pins. These are small pointed attachments on a plastic plate that aid in gripping the track surface. Spike pins vary in type, size (pin width), and number depending on the event it is used for.

Spike pins.png

Track shoes vs running shoes: 3 key Trainerss

Although track-and-field as a sport includes running events, the shoes used for those are different than the typical running shoe. Each shoe has its particular design and purpose, which we can differentiate through the following:

  • Weight: Track and field shoes are significantly lighter than running shoes. They use fewer materials and are relatively smaller in figure because they intend to boost the athlete’s momentum.
  • Cushioning: Track spikes for running events are thin and minimal. On the other hand, running shoes are plush and substantial as their focus is on underfoot cushioning and arch support.
  • Overall appearance: The most noticeable Trainers between track shoes and running shoes is the use of spikes. Track shoes for running use spike pins zapatillas de running Salomon mujer trail talla 46 azules entre 60 y 100.

Track and field shoe categories

The various events within the track-and-field sport are distinctive from one another and, as such, require the use of different shoes. Here are the types of track spikes and the notable qualities of each one:

Running events

Running
Sprints Mid-distance Long-distance
Sprints.png Mid distance.png long distance.png
  • lightweight
  • little-to-no cushioning
  • around 7-8 spike pins
  • Aderra High Heel Sandals
  • more tapered forefoot compared to sprint spikes
  • around 6 spike pins
  • Coach 1941s spring shoes ended up stealing the spotlight
  • around 4-6 spike pins (to keep the shoe lightweight)
See track and field shoes for sprints See track and field shoes for mid-distance See track and field shoes for long-distance

Nike Daybreak Hvide tone-i-tone sneakers | Jumping spikes

Jumping
x Travis Scott Air 1 High OG SP sneakers White High-jump Pole vault
long jump.png high jump.png pole vault.png
  • Rafa Simonsa sneakersów
  • usually flat in the heel area for more stability and power during the jump
  • uses a sturdy upper material for durability during varied movements
  • has a midfoot strap to keep the foot in place during run-up and take-off
  • employs spikes in the heel for increased support and traction
  • underfoot structure is the most rigid among all jumping track shoes
  • heel area is more padded compared to other jumping shoes
Nike Daybreak Hvide tone-i-tone sneakers See high-jump shoes See pole vault shoes

Throwing events

Throwing
Javelin / Shot put / Discus throw / Hammer throw
Javelin.png Shot put.png Discuss throw.png Hammer throw.png
  • Under Armour Scarpe Running Charged Assert 9
  • These shoes do not use spike pins as throwing events include circular and pivoting motions that do not require the additional grip
  • Kemps Best Season in His Best Shoe
  • Has a smooth (but not slippery) outsole to allow for a fluid spinning motion
See javelin shoes See shot-put shoes See discus throw shoes See The sneaker comes with pink

Frequently asked questions

Are spike pins important in track shoes?

There is no absolute rule that track and field shoes should be used with spike pins. Additionally, not all track shoes are used with spike pins. When used accordingly, spike pins improve traction and support.

Are socks important?

You might be hesitant to use socks because track shoes are intended to fit snugly on its own. Socks are not important. Many athletes prefer not to wear socks because it makes the fit of the shoe too tight and the movements uncomfortable.

How we test track & Field shoes

Here at EdiconnectShops, we provide you with recommendations for the best track and field shoes based on our very own experiences and observations. We set the process in motion by getting hold of the shoes we wanted to test. We purchase the pairs so that we do not need to gratify anyone, especially brands, by providing a good review.

We then proceed with wearing the shoes in our actual track and field sports and activities. We assess all the things we can notice about the shoes, but we make sure that we spend a good and substantial amount of time on each of them before we finalize our thoughts.

Next up, we collect more usable data by measuring and scoring the parameters of the shoes through our lab tests. We quantify 30+ parameters, one of which is durability. For this test, we use our Dremel tool to apply force on the different parts of the shoes, then we employ our expertise to subjectively discern how durable and abrasion-resistant the shoes are.

By the way, we also split the shoes in half to uncover all the parts of the shoes for us to investigate and take note.

Author
Zack Dunn
Zack Dunn

I race distances between 800 meters and 10K whether it be on the track, the roads, or on cross country courses. My typical training consists of easy days, long days, workouts (fartleks, tempos, interval training, etc.). My typical training paces range from 7’30 a mile on easy days to sub-5 minutes a mile on fast interval days, and with many paces in between. I run anywhere from 40-60 miles a week. My personal bests are 2:00 for 800m, 4:30 for 1600m, 9:50 for 3200m, 15:57 for 5K, and 34:10 for 10K.