The Evolution of Track Spikes (A Sprinters Perspective)

 

The Back Story of Track Spikes

The evolution of track sprint spikes has been closely tied to improving speed and performance. Early sprint spikes, used in the late 19th century, were simple leather shoes with metal spikes designed to provide traction on natural surfaces like cinder tracks. Over time, innovations in materials and design began to revolutionize the sprint shoe. In the mid-20th century, brands like Adidas and Puma introduced lighter synthetic materials, making the shoes more flexible and aerodynamic. By the 1980s and 1990s, spikes became highly specialized, with rigid plates and sharp spikes to optimize energy return and grip for explosive acceleration. The modern era has seen the incorporation of advanced materials such as carbon fiber plates, reducing weight while enhancing propulsion and sprint efficiency. These technological advancements have allowed sprinters to achieve faster times, pushing the boundaries of human speed.

Personal Experience & Spike Reviews

When it comes to my personal experience with spikes, the change in technology over time. For example, lets look at the first spikes I've ever owned:

                                              Spike 1: Nike Zoom Rival S (
2016 Era)                                   

    

I had a lot of good races with these old reliable spikes. At a young age I only really cared about being prepared enough to run. I never paid any mind to the spikes that I owned. 

But, now when looking at this spike we can see the quality of fabric and plate is not the best for aerodynamics when it comes to sprinting. If we compare this spike to modern products, this shoe would be described as less responsive for force production, uncomfortable and can cause injuries for athletes who produce a lot of force.

*RATINGS*

For Young Kids: 7/10

   I gave a rating of 7 simply because at a young age, the majority of young kids don't produce as much force as a grown adult. In that case, they would be prone to injuries and would be able to learn how to run in spikes before upgrading.

For Adults: 2/10

I gave a rating of 2 simply because it is unsafe to wear shoes that don't compensate for the force that goes into the ground when you get older. This can cause Shin Splints, hamstring injuries and many more body complications because the adult body hits the ground harder than kids. The reason I gave this spike at least 2 points is because having spikes for a race is better than running in flat running shoes.