Track and field season is fast approaching and now is the time to gear up for success! Whether you’re a dedicated coach working to set your team up for victory or a student athlete eager to beat your personal records, Dick Pond Athletics has everything you need. From specialized footwear to team apparel and accessories, we’re here to help you have your best season yet.
Events in Track and Field
Illinois high school track and field typically offers a range of events designed to highlight speed, endurance, and skill. While programs can vary, you’ll generally see:
- Sprints and Hurdles: 100m, 200m, 400m, 100/110m hurdles, 300m hurdles
- Middle-Distance and Distance: 800m, 1600m, 3200m
- Relays: 4x100m, 4x200m, 4x400m, 4x800m
- Field Events: High jump, long jump, triple jump, pole vault, shot put, discus
These events offer athletes an opportunity to develop speed, strength, and technique. Ensuring you have the right gear is critical, especially when it comes to footwear and apparel.
Best Shoes for Track and Field Events
Proper shoes can make all the difference, regardless of if you’re blazing down the track or perfecting your form in a field event. Finding the perfect fit is very important to your success. Most athletes should aim for a sock-like fit, not restricted but secure. If you’re a beginner athlete or are adding a new event, ensure you get fitted by the specialists at Dick Pond Athletics. This will help your overall comfort and performance.
At Dick Pond Athletics, we carry a wide range of spikes and specialty shoes to match every event’s demands. Here’s a quick guide:
Sprint Spikes and Hurdle Events
- Ideal for 100m, 200m, 400m, and hurdle events.
- Designed for maximum traction and explosive power in short distances. They usually have no heel and are very lightweight.
- Plates: Spikes have either a flexible or stiff spike plate that helps keep runners on their toes for a faster cadence while running. Flexible plates are best for 200-400m, while stiff plates help straight-line speed, like the 100m. Beginner athletes SHOULD NOT go into a plated spike as their first pair. Seasoned athletes can use a plated spike or “Super Spikes” but only when appropriate.
- Hurdlers should use a flexible sprint spike or a middle-distance spike because the spikes have a small, cushioned heel.
- Recommended Shoes: Adizero Prime SP 3 Sprung, Adidas Sprintstar, Asics Hypersprint, New Balance FuelCell SD 100, Nike Zoom Maxfly 2, Nike Zoom Superfly Elite 2, Nike Zoom JA Fly, Nike Zoom Rival Sprint, Nike Zoom Rival Multi, Saucony Spitfire 5
Middle-Distance Spikes
- Offer a balance of support and speed for events like the 800m and 1600m (1 mile).
- These shoes usually have a small, cushioned heel and a smaller footprint than distance spikes. These can be used for all events except the throws.
- Plates: As with Sprint Spikes, elite level mid distance spikes will have a flexible carbon or pebax plated spike plate with an air pocket or more cushioned forefoot along with a more cushioned heel. Beginners shouldn’t go into a plated spike as their first pair.
- Recommended Shoes: Asics Hyper MD 8, New Balance FuelCell MD 500, Nike Air Zoom Victory 2, Nike Zoom Rival Multi, Puma Evospeed Star 9, Saucony Velocity MP
Distance Spikes
- Built for endurance, featuring extra cushioning and a secure fit for events 3200m and longer, including steeplechasers.
- These shoes have full-length cushioning, fewer spikes, and a smaller spike plate on the forefoot.
- Plates: Distance spikes have a less aggressive plate that allow for more of a mid-foot strike and heel protection in longer distances. Elite level spikes will have a full-length carbon or pebax plate with even more cushioning throughout the foot.
- Recommended Shoes: Adidas Distancestar, Hoka Cielo x 2 LD, Hoka Cielo x 2 MD, Hoka Crescendo MD, New Balance FuelCell MD 500 V9, Nike Air Zoom Victory 2, Nike ZoomX Dragonfly 2 Elite, Nike ZoomX Dragonfly 2, Nike Air Zoom Mamba 6, Nike Zoom Rival Distance, Puma Evospeed Distance, Puma Evospeed Star 9
Jumping Spikes
Long Jump, Pole Vault, and Triple Jump
- These spikes have a thin, full-length midsole for cushioning and stability when planting. Triple Jump shoes usually have a different heel since they must handle the 3 plants of a triple jump. Pole vault shoes are generally labeled as either Long Jump or Triple Jump since they have similar takeoff requirements.
- Recommended Long Jump Shoes: Adizero LJ, Nike Air Zoom LJ Elite, Under Armor Hovr Skyline Long Jump
- Recommended Triple Jump Shoes: Adizero TJ/PV Elite, Nike Zoom TJ Elite
- Recommended Pole Vault Shoes: Adizero TJ/PV, Nike Zoom Pole Vault Elite
- If your event is a combo jump, we recommend these Combo Jump Shoes: Adizero TJ/PV, Adidas Jumpstar, Nike Zoom Rival Jump, Saucony Soarin J 3
High Jump
- These spikes have rearfoot spikes as well as forefoot. They are designed to allow a firm plant for the takeoff foot.
- Recommended High Jump Shoes: Adizero HJ, Nike Zoom BJ Elite, Puma Evospeed HJ Ultraweave, Under Armor Hovr Skyline HJ
Throwing Shoes
- Specially designed soles for rotational or glide throwing techniques essential for shot put and discus.
- Two types of shoes are made for throwing events: glide shoes and spin shoes. Glide shoes have a textured bottom for grip. Spin or rotational shoes have a smoother bottom for better spin.
- Recommended Shoes: Adizero Throws, Adidas Throwstar, Asics Throw Pro 3, Asics Hyper Throw 3, Nike Zoom Rotational 6, Nike Zoom SD 4, Nike Zoom Rival SD 2, Puma Evospeed Throw, Saucony Unleash SD 3, UA Centric Grip Throw
By selecting the right spike shoe for your event, you’ll ensure you achieve peak performance and prevent potential injury. Our experienced staff at our 5 Dick Pond Athletics locations can help you find the perfect fit, from top brands like Nike, Saucony, New Balance, Asics, and more.
Coaches: Equip Your Team for Success
Coaches, you play a pivotal role in creating a successful track and field program, and Dick Pond Athletics is here to supply you with everything you need. We offer an array of team gear to keep everyone looking and performing their best. You can explore our full selection of offerings in our online catalog, which features:
- Team Uniforms: High-quality singlets, shorts, and warm-ups for a unified look.
- Spirit Wear: Hoodies, T-shirts, and accessories so your athletes and fans can show school pride.
- Coaching Essentials: From whistles to stopwatches, everything you need to run an efficient practice.
- Custom Screen Printing and Embroidery: Personalize apparel with your team’s colors and logo.
We also offer team visits or spike nights where your athletes can get fitted for the perfect shoes or spikes and learn tips from our experienced staff. These events also kickstart excitement for the season and instill team spirit, ensuring everyone heads into the season feeling confident and prepared.
See How Dick Pond Athletics Can Support Your Team
At Dick Pond Athletics, our goal is to help you and your team gear up for a winning season. Whether you’re searching for the latest spikes, outfitting your entire team, or just need sound advice, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Here’s to a season of personal bests, record-breaking times, and team camaraderie!
