Whether you're a passionate trail runner, competitive track athlete or weekend warrior, the right shoe accessories can transform your experience. From added comfort and protection to potential performance boosts, explore our massive range of accessories at Wildfire Sports & Trek to optimise your footwear for running, sports and adventure. We dive into the details on how shoe accessories can improve the cushioning, fit and traction of your running shoes and athletics shoes, as well as support the health of your feet.

Enhance Your Comfort With Running Socks & Sports Socks

Never underestimate the importance of a pair of performance socks. Sports socks, hiking socks and running & gym socks brands like Balega, Feetures, Steigen, Injinji, Smartwool and Wigwam craft technical socks that prioritise moisture-wicking comfort, blister prevention and targeted support. 

Our range of men’s socks and women’s socks at Wildfire Sports & Trek includes no-show socks, ankle socks, quarter socks, crew socks and calf socks to suit different environments and personal preferences, whether you're tackling rocky trails or pounding pavement. 

Having your choice of sock height and thickness allows you to customise the feel of your running shoes, with marathon and everyday runners often opting for thinner and shorter low-cut socks for breathability, and hikers and trail runners gravitating towards thicker, high-cut socks to shield against the weather and trail debris. 

Merino wool socks provide odour resistance and temperature regulation with their naturally thermoregulating properties, while synthetic fibres produce lightweight socks with fast-drying comfort all-year round.

Improve Your Cushioning & Support With Insoles

Customising your sports shoes and running shoes with the right insoles or orthotic inserts can significantly enhance comfort, support and injury prevention, helping you to care for your feet. Superfeet, Sof Sole, Lightfeet and Archies Footwear offer specialised sports and running insoles that cater to various foot types and athletic needs.

For those who overpronate (with low or flat arches), insoles with reinforced medial arch support can help stabilise the foot and prevent excessive inward rolling. On the other hand, supinated or underpronated feet (with high arches) benefit from insoles that provide extra shock absorption and flexibility, improving comfort and reducing the risk of stress-related injuries.

Whether you need everyday cushioning or biomechanical correction, the right insole can drastically improve your stride and endurance, while allowing you to personalise the feel of your footwear.

Personalise Your Fit With Speed Laces 

Swapping out traditional laces for speed laces can not only make entering and exiting your road running shoes, trail running shoes, hiking boots, training shoes, netball shoes or other sports shoes faster and easier, but help reduce your injury risk. 

Speed laces, also known as quick laces or bungee laces, are the go-to for many triathletes, helping shed precious seconds off the bike to run transition (T2). For marathon runners and racers, they allow you to conquer the kilometres ahead without concerns that your lacing will come undone and compromise the fit of your running shoes. For trail runners, your lacing system can be a matter of safety, with the potential for traditional laces to catch on debris like sharp sticks.

No-tie laces from Vivobarefoot and Salomon use toggle systems that ensure a secure lockdown, cinching in the fit without the hassle of adjusting the lacing mid-run or the risk of becoming loose and tangled, giving you peace of mind on your next adventure or race. Whether you're a beginner runner or elite athlete, speed laces are a small yet practical and time-saving essential for training, racing and everyday wear, allowing you to adapt most sports shoes, sneakers and trainers with lacing systems into a no-tie design.

Boost Traction With Replacement Spikes

For track and field athletes, replacing worn spikes is essential to maintain traction and top performance. We carry a variety of replacement spikes including those that are compatible with sprint spikes, middle and long distance spikes, long jump spikes and high jump spikes. 

Choose from pyramid spikes for versatile grip across surfaces, high traction needle spikes for cross country racing, or Christmas tree spikes (xmas tree spikes) for jumps, hurdles, sprints and middle distance events, compressing the track for a bouncy rebound effect. 

Matching the right spike to your track and field event ensures you maintain efficiency, grip and speed when it matters most. Discover how to choose track and field spikes for expert advice on metal spike pins for athletics. Also, be sure to check with your local track regarding what length and shape of spike pins are permitted. 

Protect Your Feet On The Trail With Gaiters

For trail runners, trekkers and off-road adventurers, gaiters are essential to keep debris out of your trail running shoes or hiking boots and shoes to maintain momentum and limit distractions. Lightweight, breathable gaiters from Salomon, Altra, Moxie Gear, Hunters Element and Sea to Summit are designed to fit snugly around your ankles and shoes, offering a protective barrier against dirt, sticks and gravel.

Get Rid Of Odours With Shoe Deodorisors 

To keep your footwear fresh and long-lasting, consider investing in shoe deodorisers. These handy accessories from brands like Boot Bananas and Sof Sole combat odour and moisture buildup - ideal after long training sessions or wet trail runs. Explore our selection of accessories and waterproofing & fabric care to keep your shoes performing at their best for longer.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 

What Type Of Sock Is Best For Running? 

The best running sock for you may vary based on your preferences and the conditions, however there are some key criteria to look for to support the health and comfort of your feet. Top performance socks for men and women are engineered with comfort-focused features like:

• Breathable, moisture-wicking materials to keep your feet dry and fresh (e.g. Merino wool from Smartwool or performance synthetic fibres and technologies like CoolMax from Injinji or Lightfeet) 
• Seamless, virtually seamless or flat toe seams to prevent friction and blisters (e.g. Steigen and Balega)   
• Arch support for improved stability and reduced strain (e.g. Lightfeet and Balega)
• Compression technology to support recovery (e.g. OS1st and CEP Sportswear) 
• Left and right specific fit for maximum comfort (e.g. Feetures)
• Toe-sock designs (e.g. Injinji and Vibram socks) to give each toe individual freedom to move and blister protection 

The thickness of your sports socks will also play a part in your choice, with some runners preferring to enhance the comfort of their running shoes with cushioned socks like Balega socks, Lightfeet socks and Feetures socks, or prefer a more minimalist, barefoot feel from thin running socks from brands like Steigen socks. Each of these leading running sock brands offer lightweight, breathable socks to reduce bulk and heat, while delivering varying levels of plushness or targeted cushioning.

In terms of whether you’re running on the road or trail, trail runners may prefer trek and trail socks with thicker, more durable and cushioned designs like Wigwam hiking socks and Smartwool socks for protection on rough terrain.

Can Insoles Help With Plantar Fasciitis? 

Yes, the right insoles for you can be highly effective in managing and relieving plantar fasciitis. This painful condition caused by inflammation of the tissue band along the base of the foot, is often aggravated by poor arch support and impact-related stress.

Many insoles from brands like Superfeet, Sof Sole, Lightfeet and Archies Footwear offer targeted arch support, heel cushioning and shock absorption, and may reduce strain on the plantar fascia. These features help redistribute pressure more evenly across the foot, promoting better alignment and reducing pain during activity and recovery. For best results, choose an insole designed for your specific arch type - whether you have low arches that contribute to overpronation or high arches that contribute to supination or underpronation. 

If you experience any chronic or recurring pain or injury regarding your feet, we recommend consulting a healthcare professional or podiatrist for guidance. 

How Often Should You Replace Spike Pins?

You should check your spike pins regularly for signs of wear, which can be detrimental in terms of their performance for athletics events. Over time, spikes can dull, bend or wear down, reducing traction and efficiency on the track.

As a general guide, consider replacing your spike pins every 3 - 6 months, however this will also be influenced by how frequently you wear them and what surfaces you wear your track and field shoes on. Avoid wearing your spike pins on hard surfaces like concrete and road as this may greatly reduce their lifespan and cause discomfort for your feet. Also, ensuring they stay clean and dry between uses can help reduce their risk of rusting. 

Be sure to inspect your spikes before events and carry extras like ASICS replacement spikes for your ASICS track and field shoes to ensure optimal grip and performance.