Below are track shoe reviews and where to buy them
- Competition track shoes are called “Spikes” or “Track Spikes”. The implements you screw into the bottom of the track spikes are also called spikes and are almost always included in the box with the shoes. Note:
- There are different shoe types based on the competition event your champion will compete in.
- For example, a sprinter wears a different shoe than a distance runner, and a shot putter wears a different one than a runner.
Best Running Spikes for Youth Athletes (8U – 13-14)
Overview Distance, Middle Distance, Sprint & Field Spikes
The Best Spikes for Beginner High School Age Athletes
Purchase 1/4-inch Running Spikes
Where To Buy Running Shoes & Competition Track Spikes
Running Spikes
| Group | Level | Shoe / Type | Best for | Key points | Video review | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100-200 Sprinters | ||||||
| 100-200 Sprinters | Youth (8U-14) | Aftershock / Pink Bolt / Neura Kids Sprint Spikes | Budget kids sprint spikes (60–200) | Youth‑specific sizing, 7–8 pin plates, lower‑cost option vs major brands. | No major independent video reviews; use store reviews. |
Aftershock Pink Bolt Neura |
| Youth (8U-14) | Nike Zoom Rival Sprint | Youth sprinters 60–200, hurdles | More aggressive sprint plate, 6 spikes, good entry sprint spike. | "Most Versatile Spike for Beginners" | Nike | |
| High school | Nike Zoom Rival Sprint | 60–200m sprints, hurdles | Entry-level sprint spike with aggressive plate design. | "Most Versatile Spike for Beginners" | Nike | |
| Elite HS/adult | Nike Zoom Superfly Elite 2 | Elite 100-200m sprinters | Zero drop, super lightweight, 8-pin plate for maximum speed. Elite-level "super spike." | Search "Nike Superfly Elite 2 review" on YouTube | Nike Superfly Elite 2 | |
| 400 Sprinters | ||||||
| 400 Sprinters | Youth (8U-14) | Nike Zoom Rival Sprint | Youth sprinters 60–400, hurdles | 6-spike plate works well for 400m speed endurance. | Zoom Rival Sprint review | Nike |
| Youth (8U-14) | PUMA evoSPEED Star 8 Big Kids | Youth sprints–middle distance | Kid‑specific last, good all‑round sprint/mid spike for middle school. | Top Track & Field Spikes | PUMA | |
| High school | PUMA evoSPEED Star 8 | Sprints to 400m | Versatile sprint/middle distance spike with good grip. | Top spikes overview | PUMA | |
| Elite HS/adult | Nike Maxfly 2 | Elite 100-400m (incl. hurdles) | Carbon Flyplate + dual Air Zoom, ultra-aggressive for elite sprinters. Olympic-level performance. | Search "Nike Maxfly 2 review" on YouTube | Nike Maxfly 2 | |
| Middle Distance (800-1500) | ||||||
| Middle Distance (800-1500) | Youth (8U-14) | Nike Zoom Rival Multi (Kids) | "Do‑everything" beginners (100–1600, hurdles, LJ, PV) | Versatile plate, some heel cushioning, good for kids still heel‑striking. | Nike Zoom Rival Multi review | Running Warehouse |
| Youth (8U-14) | PUMA evoSPEED Star 8 Big Kids | Youth sprints–middle distance | Good all‑round spike for middle school middle distance. | Top Track & Field Spikes | PUMA | |
| High school/adult | ASICS Hyper MD 8 | 400–1600m, versatile for HS‑age | Middle‑distance plate with some support, good for serious mid‑D. | Top Track & Field Spikes (mid‑D) | First to the Finish | |
| Throwers | ||||||
| Throwers | Youth (8U-14) | Nike Zoom Rival Multi (Kids) | Multi-events including jumps | Versatile spike good for field events and jumps. | Nike Zoom Rival Multi review | Running Warehouse |
| High school/adult | Nike Zoom Rival Multi | Multi-events, jumps, field events | Versatile plate works for throwers doing jumps and multi-events. | Expert review | Running Warehouse | |
| XC / Distance (Bonus) | ||||||
| XC / Distance | Youth (8U-14) | Nike Zoom Rival XC 6 (Kids) | Youth cross country, longer reps on grass | XC spike with cushioning and 6‑pin plate. | Top Track & Field Spikes (XC) | Nike |
Running Shoes (no spikes)
| Group | Level | Shoe line | Use case | Video review | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100–200 Sprinters | |||||
| 100–200 sprinters | Youth | Nike Kids Pegasus / Nike Kids Cosmic Runner | Neutral, reasonably light trainers for drills, short reps, and general track training. |
General Pegasus overview in 2026 shoe videos (e.g. “2026 RUNNING SHOES | Let's Talk About Them!!”). Watch on YouTube |
Nike Kids Pegasus / Cosmic Runner: Shop kids running at Nike |
| 100–200 sprinters | High school / adult | Saucony Endorphin Speed / Nike Pegasus | Endorphin Speed for faster sessions and tempo; Pegasus as the daily‑training workhorse. |
Marathon shoe roundup including Endorphin Speed and Pegasus (e.g. “Best Marathon Running Shoes 2026”). Watch on YouTube |
Nike Pegasus: Shop Pegasus at Nike Saucony Endorphin Speed: Shop Endorphin Speed at Saucony |
| 400 Sprinters | |||||
| 400 sprinters | Youth | ASICS Kids Gel‑Excite or Contend | Cushioned and durable for repeat 200–400s, warm‑ups, and multi‑sport use. |
Youth‑shoe buyer guides that feature ASICS kids lines (e.g. “Best Running Shoes for Youth Track – 2026 Reviews”). Read youth shoe review |
ASICS kids running: Shop kids running at ASICS |
| 400 sprinters | High school / adult | ASICS Novablast / Nike Pegasus | Novablast for bouncy yet soft combo of tempo and speed endurance; Pegasus as a versatile everyday trainer. |
Comparison / review of Novablast vs Pegasus (e.g. “Nike Pegasus vs ASICS Novablast”). Watch Pegasus vs Novablast review |
ASICS Novablast: Shop Novablast at ASICS Nike Pegasus: Shop Pegasus at Nike |
| Middle Distance (800–1500) | |||||
| Middle distance (800–1500) | Youth | HOKA Kids Clifton | Soft, protective cushioning for aerobic work, strides, and growing mileage. |
Clifton family overview in 2026 shoe preview videos and reviews (covers ride/fit; kids’ version rides similarly). Search Clifton review on YouTube |
HOKA Kids Clifton: Shop kids HOKA |
| Middle distance (800–1500) | High school / adult | ASICS Novablast or MegaBlast | Handle easy runs plus moderate workouts; MegaBlast better if they’re edging into higher mileage. |
2026 running‑shoe previews and ASICS “BLAST series” overview (covers Novablast and MegaBlast). ASICS BLAST series guide |
ASICS Novablast / MegaBlast: Shop BLAST series at ASICS |
| Throwers | |||||
| Throwers | Youth | New Balance Kids Rave Run / 860 Youth | Rave Run as neutral; 860 Youth for a bit more support during turns and weight‑room work. |
Youth‑track shoe roundups that highlight New Balance kids (Rave Run / 860) lines for support and durability. Read youth shoe review |
New Balance kids running: Shop kids running at New Balance |
| Throwers | High school / adult | Brooks Ghost / Brooks Adrenaline | Stable, durable trainers that work well for circles, lifting, and light running. |
Ghost & Adrenaline covered in 2026 “best running shoes” lists and reviewed widely on YouTube (fit/ride breakdowns). Search Ghost review Search Adrenaline review |
Brooks Ghost / Adrenaline: Shop at Brooks Running |
Where to buy running shoes and track spikes for your Champion.
VSathletics (includes spikes for young kids)
