Cross country spikes

[Les The Gnome]

I was slipping & sliding round the mud of the first two cross country races at Clarke Gardens & Skem, even though the weather has been relatively dry. I talked to a few of our experienced x/c runners and both recommended x/c spikes.

I went to Sweatshop Chorley & used my "£15 off new shoes" voucher to get some, and they had a decent selection. The ones I got were the Brooks Mach 13, but the key thing is the same as with all running shoes - get the ones that fit properly and which suit your running style & frame.

For those who've not used x/c spikes, there is very little midsole and they are very light. On mine, there is a small amount of grip on the rear of the shoe and 5 spikes on the front. The advice I got in the shop and from other runners was to get 12mm spikes for the shoes. The ones supplied with the shoes were about 6mm.

I've used them for a bit of training on my own and in Saturday's x/c training. They make a big difference going up and down steep hills, no slipping at all. It will be interesting to see how I get on with them in a race, although the first one I'll use them in (at Sefton Park) is relatively flat.

[Lazarus]

I recently bought a new pair of XC spikes after not using XC spikes for a number of years. I have tended to use Fell shoes, which I think on some types of XC suit me better. I can't understand why they supply XC spikes with 5-6 mm spikes because they are useless on the country. I to use 12-15 mm spikes.
The one thing I will say is don't buy XC spikes by mail order. They (like Fell shoes) need to be a perfect fit . I bought my new pair over the internet and they were too small. It becomes a bit expensive when you have to pay the postage .... both ways.. to replace them.

[lazysid]

Sweatshop.co.uk offers a free returns service for online purchases.

I also recently purchased a set of new 12mm pyramide spikes from an Ebay listing £1.75 plus £1 P&P.