The 2011 track season is upon us. As in other pre-Olympic years, there are some newproducts being rolled out to serve the annual championships, as well as the anticipationof what will be coming out for the 2012 London Olympic Games. The usual players have

new and updated products; only Reebok stands pat. adidas and Mizuno have minor updates,while ASICS, Brooks, New Balance, Puma, and Saucony present new offerings for athletes atall levels. Here we review 8 of the best, most representative shoes, and highlight 8 more togive a well-rounded overview of what’s available.

adidas adiZero Avanti 3 $110

The Avanti is a name fa-miliar to athletes from ageneration ago when it

was the adidas entry-leveloffering found in abundance

on tracks across the U.S. The 2011 offering is designed for high-end performance and is now the pinna-

cle of adidas distance spikes. The airmesh upper lines up the footover the spike plate to maximize traction, and the green colorway

suggests Oregon’s influence in the track & field world. The effective,6-spike distance plate has been proven over several seasons. This

update is largely the same as the original adiZero Avanti, withminor adjustments to the upper to center the foot over the full-lengthEVA, which offers a touch of cushion. The mesh upper and perfora-tions in the midsole and spike plate allow for water to drain quickly.

The overall result is a quality product that delivers performance.

UPDATED Sizes: unisex 4–13,14,15 Weight: 5.9 oz. (w/spikes, men’s 11) Spikes: 6, replaceable Upper: mesh, synthetic overlays Innersole: sheet EVA Midsole: full-length CM-EVA Outersole: full-length thermoplastic spike plate Recommended for: 1500–10,000 meters, steeplechase; synthetic surfaces

ASICS Prima Diva Sprint 2$100

The Prima Diva Sprintemerges in Round 2with a major reno-

vation and ugradedfeatures. Developed in

cooperation with Olympichurdler Lolo Jones, it’s designed to be

ASICS’ best women’s sprint spike. The Diva 2 trades up fromthe Turbo Phantom spike plate to the same plate as the JapanLite-ning, ASICS’ top-of-the-line sprint shoe—which is to say,from a stiff, 7-spike plate to the nimble 6-spike plate. It alsosaves some weight while better accommodating the female

foot for which the shoe is intended. The zippered shroud bothimproves aerodynamics and snugs the fit for improved per-

formance. A thin, full-length layer of EVA adds its measure ofcomfort to the shoe.

UPDATED Sizes: women’s 5–11,12 Weight: 6.4 oz. (w/spikes, women’s 8) Spikes: 6, replaceable Upper: mesh, synthetic leather shroud Innersole: sheet EVA

Midsole: full-length EVA Outersole: full-length thermoplastic spike plate Recommendedfor: 100–400 meters, hurdles; synthetic surfaces

Brooks PR MD $60

The PR series replacesthe entry-level spikes

that Brooks has offeredfor the past decade.

Here each component hasbeen upgraded which explains

the price nudge of $5. The PR MD features a new6-spike, Pebax plate with a sharkskin TPU outersole, each providing

performance-enhancing grip. A thin, full-length layer of EVA iscapped by a slightly built-up heel pad for protection in the jumpingevents or when fatigue causes a less-than-efficient footstrike on the

track. The improvement in its entry range—which also includes a PRSprint and PR LD—boosts Brooks track & field to a new level, and is

well worth the price.

NEW Sizes: men’s 5–13,14,15; women 6–12 Weight: 5.7 oz. (w/spikes, men’s 11); 4.7 oz. (w/spikes, women’s 8) Spikes: 6, replaceable Upper: mesh, synthetic overlays

Innersole: sheet EVA Midsole: full-length sheet EVA Outersole: combination Pebax spike plate,thermoplastic sharkskin (heel) Recommended for: 400–1500 meters, hurdles;

synthetic surfaces

Mizuno Geo-Silencer 3 $110

The Geo-Silencer hasbeen Mizuno’s topmiddle distance

shoe for almost 5years. The Geo Silencer 3 is a

color-up from last season’s Silencer 2,which debuted an update to the upper that has been main-

tained in version 3. The spike plate is 3⁄4-length nylon with a PU-impregnated polyester laminate. It creates a hard-toothed,

grippy heel that’s been proven in numerous Mizuno spikes frompast seasons. Six spike wells and three permanent pins provide

the forefoot traction, and this season features newly shapedspikes with fluted ridges to improve the response on syntheticrubber tracks. The synthetic leather upper snugs the foot nicelywith traditional lacing and internal webbing and features ahook-and-loop strap at the top of the laces for extra security.

UPDATED Sizes: unisex 5–13 Weight: 6.6 oz.(w/spikes, men’s 11) Spikes: 6, replaceable; 3, permanent Upper: synthetic leather Innersole: sheet EVA Midsole: full-length CM-EVA Outersole: full-length thermoplastic

spike plate Recommended for: 400–1500 meters, hurdles; synthetic surfaces

Track & Field Spikes by Cregg Weinmann

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Track & Field Spikes (continued)

FOR MORE SPRING 2011 SPIKE PREVIEWS, SEE NEXT PAGE.

New Balance MD800 $100

The introduction of theMD800 rounds out the

top-end track offerings forNew Balance, where the mid-

dle distances had been a bit over-looked until it added some top-flight competitors,

including Maggie Vessey. The MD800 is built on a new full-lengthspike plate of Pebax nylon and carbon fiber that’s light, strong, andresponsive. The midsole is molded ActEVA Lite that provides bettercushioning than expected for a middle-distance shoe. In fact, the

midsole makes it suitable for events from 800 meters on up to 5000meters. The seamless upper is fully lined with lightweight syntheticsuede for sockless use. The exterior has HF-welded overlays in theforefoot and a tough woven mesh that combine to supply good

support to the racing foot.

NEW Sizes: men 4–13,14; women 5–10,11 Weight: 5.7 oz. (w/spikes, men’s 11); 4.6 oz. (w/spikes, women’s 8) Spikes: 6, replaceable Upper: mesh, welded synthetic

overlays, full synthetic suede lining Innersole: sheet EVA Midsole: full-length molded ActEVA Lite (EVA) Outersole: full-length Pebax spike plate, carbon fiber insert

Recommended for: 800–5000 meters & up, hurdles; synthetic surfaces

Nike Zoom Superfly R3$120

The Superfly wasonce the epitomeof sprinting tech-

nology and itcontinues to heavily

influence the industry because itworks. The spike plate is the same power sprint platform Nikedeveloped around a decade ago molded from Pebax nylon

for its light weight, responsive feel, and durability. The midsoleis a wedge of Phylon for just enough cushioning. The upper iswhere the real changes can be seen. Fuse technology—HF-welded supports across the entire upper that create a web ofultra light support—and a hook-and-loop lock-down strap overthe metatarsals make the upper equally supportive with consid-

erably less bulk. The result is a responsive sprint spike thatmanages both power and speed.

UPDATED Sizes: unisex 5.5–13,14 Weight: 7.3 oz. (w/spikes, men’s 11) Spikes: 8, replaceable Upper: mesh, welded synthetic overlays Innersole: sheet EVA

Midsole: full-length Phylon (EVA) Outersole: full-length Pebax spike plate Recommendedfor: 100–400 meters, hurdles; synthetic surfaces

Puma SLX Zone $110

The SLX Zone is a newrelative to the well-

established Harambi.It shares the same upper

pattern—though here it’s a newopen mesh—and the same midsole: a nice,

cushy layer that softens the effects of synthetic tracks. The outersoleshows divergence from its sibling, as the plate provides a weightsavings by eliminating much of the thermoplastic and using only

three small sharkskin patches that cover about 30% of the outersole.The perimeter of the forefoot features 4 spike wells that encircle a

forefoot of polyester-backed TPU embossed with dozens of tiny, plus-sign–shaped lugs for additional grip. The combination of light

weight, cushioning, great flexibility, and effective traction make theSLX Zone a good distance spike choice.

NEW Sizes: unisex 5.5–12,13,14 Weight: 5.0 oz. (w/spikes, men’s 11) Spikes: 4, replaceable Upper: mesh, synthetic suede overlays Innersole: sheet EVA Midsole: full-lengthCM-EVA Outersole: polyester-backed thermoplastic perimeter (forefoot), sharkskin (center fore-

foot, heel) Recommended for: 1500 meters & up, steeplechase; synthetic surfaces

Saucony Showdown $100

The Showdown is botha new shoe and anew category forSaucony track &

field. Developed incollaboration with Olympian

Wallace Spearman, the Showdown is Saucony’s first high-endsprint spike. The upper is a minimesh enclosed in a zippered

shroud, which offers a supportive fit and provides some“speedy” aesthetics. The midsole and outersole combine

Saucony’s Flexion plate, a TPU device that aids touchdownand propulsion, with a Pebax spike plate that offers light

weight and durability. Here it’s configured for power sprintingwith a brawny 10-spike arrangement of Christmas tree

elements to maximize traction. This is a quality addition to the well-rounded Saucony track lineup.

NEW Sizes: men 7–13,14; women 5–11,12 Weight: 9.0 oz.(w/spikes, men’s 11); 7.4 oz. (w/spikes, women’s 8) Spikes: 10, replaceable Upper:

mesh, zippered synthetic leather shroud Innersole: sheet EVA Midsole: Flexion Plate TPUOutersole: full-length Pebax spike plate Recommended for: 100–400 meters, hurdles;

synthetic surfaces

TrackSpikesSp2011FINAL_Layout 1 2/28/11 9:08 AM Page 2

Brooks PR LD $60 NEW Sizes: men5–13,14,15; women6–12 Weight: 5.7oz. (w/spikes, men’s11); 4.7 oz.(w/spikes, women’s8) Spikes: 6, re-placeable Upper:mesh, synthetic overlays Innersole: sheet EVA Midsole: full-length sheet EVA Outersole: combination Pebax spike plate(forefoot), thermoplastic sharkskin (heel) Recommended for:1500 meters & up, hurdles & jumps; synthetic surfaces

Brooks PR Sprint $60NEW Sizes: men 5–13,14,15; women 6–12 Weight: 6.3 oz.(w/spikes, men’s11); 5.2 oz.(w/spikes, women’s8) Spikes: 6, re-placeable Upper:mesh, zipperedshroud, synthetic overlays Innersole: sheet EVA Midsole: full-length sheet EVA Outersole: combination Pebax spike plate,theromoplastic sharkskin (heel) Recommended for: 100–400meters; synthetic surfaces

Nike MaxCat 3 $110 UPDATED Sizes: unisex 4–13,14,15 Weight: 6.5oz. (w/spikes, men’s 11) Spikes: 5, replaceable Upper:mesh, weldedsynthetic overlays In-nersole: sheet EVA Midsole: full-length Phylon (EVA) Outersole:Pebax spike plate (forefoot), TPU matrix (heel) Recommendedfor: 100–400 meters, hurdles; synthetic surfaces

Nike Zoom W 3 $75 UPDATED Sizes: women5.5–12 Weight: 5.4oz. (w/spikes,women’s 8) Spikes:5, replaceableUpper: mesh,welded syntheticoverlays Innersole:sheet EVA Midsole: full-length Phylon (EVA) Outersole: full-length Pebax spike plate Recommended for: 800–5000 meters& up, hurdles; synthetic surfaces

Puma TFX Distance 3 $65 UPDATED Sizes: men 7–12,13;women 6–11,12 Weight: 7.1 oz.(w/spikes, men’s 11);6.7 oz. (w/spikes,women’s 8) Spikes:7, replaceableUpper: mesh, syntheticoverlays Innersole: sheet EVA Midsole: full-length sheet EVAOutersole: 3⁄4–length thermoplastic spike plate, rubber (heel)Recommended for: 800–5000 meters & up, hurdles & jumps;natural & synthetic surfaces

Puma TFX Sprint 3 $65UPDATED Sizes: men 7–12,13;women 6–11,12Weight: 6.8 oz.(w/spikes, men’s11); 6.1 oz.(w/spikes, women’s8) Spikes: 7, re-placeable Upper: mesh, synthetic overlays Innersole: sheetEVA Midsole: full-length sheet EVA Outersole: 3⁄4-length thermoplastic spike plate, rubber (heel) Recommended for:100–400 meters; natural & synthetic surfaces

Saucony Spitfire $65NEW Sizes: men 7–13,14;women 5–11,12Weight: 7.9 oz.(w/spikes, men’s 11);6.4 oz. (w/spikes,women’s 8) Spikes:7, replaceableUpper: mesh, synthetic overlays Innersole: sheet EVA Midsole: full-length EVA Outersole: full-length Pebax spike plateRecommended for: 100–400 meters; synthetic surfaces

Saucony Velocity 4 $60UPDATED Sizes: men 7–13,14;women 5–11,12Weight: 7.7 oz. (w/spikes, men’s 11);6.3 oz. (w/spikes,women’s 8) Spikes:7, replaceableUpper: mesh, synthetic overlays Innersole: sheet EVA Midsole:full-length sheet EVA Outersole: Pebax spike plate, carbon rub-ber (heel) Recommended for: 800–3200 meters, hurdles &jumps; natural & synthetic surfaces s

THE REST OF THE SHOES WE PREVIEWED FOR SPRING 2011

Track & Field Spikes

Cregg Weinmann is footwear and running products reviewer for running network LLC. He can be reached via e-mail at shuz2run@lightspeed.net.

Copyright © 2011 by running network LLC. all rights reserved. no part of this article may be stored, copied, or reprinted without prior written permission

of running network LLC. reprinted here with permission.

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