As a track and field athlete, you demand precision, power and speed from your sports gear and athletics shoes to help unlock your performance.

At Wildfire Sports & Trek, we’re proud to support athletes of all levels and disciplines – from beginner track sprinters to elite jumpers – to achieve your goals. Whether you're gearing up for school athletics, club competitions or national-level track and field meets, our massive range of sprint spikes, distance spikes, long jump shoes, high jump shoes and throwing shoes will help elevate your performance from the starting blocks to the podium.

Featuring leading high-performance brands like ASICS, Saucony, Puma and Mizuno, we are passionate about being part of your journey with quality, comfortable and innovative track and field shoes. If you’re wondering “What shoes should I wear for track and field?”, Wildfire Sports & Trek has got you covered with our athletics footwear guide below. Check out our blog on how to choose track and field spikes for further details and expert advice.

Sprint Spikes

Sprint spikes for men and women are engineered for explosive speed and maximum forward propulsion. Designed with aggressive spike plates and minimal cushioning, these track shoes are optimised for 50m to 400m sprints and hurdle events. The upper is lightweight and form-fitting, ensuring a snug fit that allows for rapid foot turnover and minimal energy loss. The metal spike pins are strategically positioned at the forefoot, rewarding forefoot strikers with greater power and efficiency. These performance-enhancing running spikes are complemented by a pronounced toe spring and stiff forefoot engineering to promote snappy strides.

At Wildfire Sports & Trek, you'll find ASICS sprint spikes, whose streamlined models are a favourite for their responsive plate design and snug support. Puma sprint spikes feature the innovative PEBAX plate technology, offering elite-level traction and power for fast acceleration off the blocks. Saucony sprint spikes, a running shoes brand known for its performance-driven engineering, provide lightweight designs with stiff spike plates for controlled speed and sleek precision.

With their high-speed traction, the sprint spike range at Wildfire Sports & Trek confirms that yes, sprint spikes do make a difference when it comes to your performance on race day - reducing your contact time with the ground, and allowing you to push harder and faster during your race. For sprinters, the right track spikes can shave off critical fractions of a second. Whether you're competing at a school carnival or national championship, our sprint spike range ensures you're equipped with footwear built for podium-topping performances.

Distance Spikes: Middle Distance & Long Distance Spikes

For middle and long distance track runners, distance spikes for men and women offer a balance between lightweight construction and cushioning. As a guide, middle distance spikes cater to 800m – 1500m events, whereas long distance spikes are engineered for events 3000m – 10,000m.

Running spikes intended for competing over longer distances generally offer more comfort underfoot for improved protection to reduce fatigue. They have a more flexible spike plate and extra forefoot or midsole cushioning compared to sprint spikes to absorb impact over extended distances. Alike with sprint spikes, they follow the formula of ‘better traction = more speed’, with spikes pins placed to achieve this effect.

ASICS middle distance spikes and ASICS long distance spikes combine lightweight support with the breathability of airy mesh uppers. They often feature thicker heels, ideal for athletes who need consistent comfort over longer races. Hoka middle distance spikes offer a formula of speed and support on a cushioned platform, and may feature a carbon-fibre plate for enhanced efficiency, stability and propulsion. Whether you're chasing PBs or qualifying standards, Wildfire Sports & Trek's track shoes selection ensures you'll find the right blend of speed and endurance in your track distance spike.

Jump Shoes: Long Jump Spikes & High Jump Spikes

Long jump spikes are speed-oriented – helping athletes reach maximum acceleration during the approach or sprinting phase with lightweight constructions. They feature a more flexible plate compared to high jump spikes to aid in the transition between sprinting and jumping, while remaining aggressive in terms of traction. They fit similarly to a sprint spike – snug to move in harmony with your foot, while being also suitable for triple jump athletes who need powerful propulsion and stability. Long jump shoes feature a flat, grippy outsole with forward-placed spikes and a stable heel to provide optimal support during the approach and take-off phases.

Alternatively, high jump spikes are control-oriented. High jump involves transferring the vertical force during approach into height – requiring enhanced support and traction for performance and injury prevention. They optimise energy transfer with more rigid plates than long jump shoes and feature spike pins in both the forefoot and rearfoot to provide traction during the curved approach. This allows you to plant your foot confidently before launching into the vertical jump, with heavier and more structured designs and improved heel support to handle the challenges and specific motion of your event. High jump shoes are also an option for pole vaulters requiring high levels of support and stability.

At Wildfire Sports & Trek, we are proud to gear you up with jump shoes to help you advance at your event, with ASICS long jump shoes, Puma long jump shoes and Puma high jump shoes among some of the best track and field shoes to strive for your goals.

Throwing Shoes: Shot Put, Discus & Hammer Throw Shoes

Throwing shoes, designed for shot put, discus and hammer throw, are often spikeless to allow athletes to spin or glide efficiently within the throwing circle. They can be divided into two main sub-categories – glide throw shoes and rotational throw shoes.

Glide throw shoes feature a textured outsole to compensate for wet conditions and are often a valuable starting point for beginner throwers where the focus needs to be on technique over speed. They are also suitable for anyone using a glide (linear backward-to-forward movement) throwing technique in shot put. 

Rotational throw shoes feature smooth outsoles that are preferred in dry conditions, and cater to athletes of more advanced skill levels where the emphasis is on speed, using a rotational (spin) throwing technique. Top models of Puma throw shoes and Mizuno throw shoes support throwers by being designed to handle the torque and force of powerful rotational movements.

Javelin boots are their own category of throwing shoes, featuring forefoot and rearfoot spikes for sturdy grip. Whereas shot put shoes, discus shoes and hammer throw shoes generally overlap and may be used for any of these events, javelin throwing spikes are designed solely for javelin.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What Are Good Track Shoes For Beginners?

For beginners, it's important to buy the best track spikes or track shoes suited to your event and experience level. If you intend to try a variety of track and field events, middle distance track spikes, which can be found in our distance spikes category, are generally considered the most versatile athletics footwear – light enough for faster paces, cushioned enough for longer distances. Cushioning in the heel means they cater to a broader range of foot strikes compared to minimally cushioned sprint spikes, which are typically intended for biomechanically efficient forefoot runners specifically.

Middle distance track spikes are also adaptable to be worn during long jump, triple jump and pole vaulting events. They have many similarities to long jump spikes, but tend to be sleeker and offer less ankle support. Athletes that gravitate to track shoes with greater forefoot flexibility than jumping shoes often find that middle distance track spikes deliver an ideal partnership for them. However, as you find your footing in the world of track and field, we recommend buying event-specific shoes to ensure you’re receiving the cushioning and support necessary for your chosen discipline.

In terms of kids’ track shoes for Little Athletics, kids’ racing waffles are an ideal fit. Unlike running track spikes which aren’t allowed for children under the age of 10 due to safety reasons, there are no age restrictions on racing waffles. These spikeless track shoes are easier to adjust to than track spikes and are suitable for beginners of all ages. They can also be used as cross country shoes at short notice, particularly if segments of the terrain are rocky or hard, making spikes unsuitable. Many adult athletes across varying skill levels also enjoy men’s racing waffles and women’s racing waffles for their versatility and comfort.     

Are Distance Spikes And Cross Country Spikes The Same?

No, distance spikes and cross country spikes aren’t the same. Whereas track distance spikes are designed unsurprisingly for the track, cross country (XC) spikes feature greater protection for distances 4 – 12km, require off-road traction patterns and often resemble racing flats. You may encounter everything from dusty trails, wet grass and deep mud during cross country races – providing a unique challenge compared to racing on a consistent track.

The trade-off for the enhanced durability of cross country spikes to tackle these conditions is a higher weight. Like your trail running shoes, they may feature anti-debris mesh to resist tears and punctures from sticks and other natural debris. There is also a significant variance in the length of the spike pins in cross country shoes to cater to specific conditions, from shorter spike pins (6mm - 9mm) for bone-dry environments to longer spike pins (12mm - 15mm) to bite into wet grounds. Alternatively, the length of track running spikes generally sits around the 6mm mark, and it’s important to check that the length of your spike pins is acceptable for your event, as long pins can cause harm to track surfaces.

Can I High Jump In Long Jump Spikes?

While both events involve jumping, long jump spikes are not ideal for high jump, with the reverse also being true. There is significant variation between long jump shoes and high jump shoes, with long jump spikes catering to horizontal jumps, whereas high jump spikes cater to vertical jumps. This distinction may seem obvious, but it’s important to consider as it affects the engineering of your athletic shoes.

Both long jump spikes and high jump spikes often feature midfoot straps to offer a secure lockdown for control, helping you keep centred on the platform as you transition to the take-off phase. However, high jump spikes have a different spike pin configuration with metal pins at both the forefoot and rearfoot of the shoe to aid with plant and vertical lift. Using long jump spikes in high jump may result in reduced grip and stability during the plant phase, which can compromise your take-off and increase your injury risk. We recommend opting for event-specific footwear when possible.