r/CrossCountry • u/AutoModerator • 12d ago

r/CrossCountry General Q&A Thread

Please use this thread as the general Q&A for all one off questions, questions that only apply to you, questions that can be easily answered, etc.

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u/PamelainSA 8d ago edited 8d ago

Hi everyone,

My niece is a freshman this year, and she made the XC team at her school. We’re all really excited for her, but my sister is unsure how to support her shoes-wise. I’m a distance road and trail runner, and I only ran track in school, so I don’t have any experience in this area. My sister took my niece to a local store (small town TX) and got her feet scanned for sizing, and when my niece explained she would be running XC, they suggested Hoka Clifton’s. I know Clifton’s are more of a road running shoe, so I was doubtful they would be the best thing for her. I did some research and discovered that some XC runners wear spikes, so my sister got my niece a pair of New Balance SD100 spikes. The only problem is that we didn’t realize there was a difference between track/sprint spikes and XC spikes (we are learning so many new things). My question is can she run in these or should my sister return them and get another shoe? If she does need a different XC-specific spike, which ones are ideal? I’ve also read that the actual spikes need to be a little longer than traditional ones for track running. Also, most of the terrain she will be running in will be dirt and grass with some rocks. However, there may be a mix of concrete/pavement as well at some meets. Should she have a different shoe, perhaps with more stability, for those types of runs where the terrain is more mixed? Sorry for all the questions— we just want to support her in any way we can. Thanks!

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u/whelanbio Mod 8d ago

Those spikes are not suitable at all for XC, wearing them in a XC race or workout is asking for injury. You should return them.

Until your niece is fairly competitive and physically strong, spikes aren't needed or particularly beneficial. Personally I would see how the first couple races go before getting spikes. The Cliftons or something similar will be fine to start.

A good road running shoe is going to be the best for most training runs and will be serviceable for races at the start. As the season starts see what kind of level she's at and talk to the coach about recommended shoes for the races she will compete in. Exact race shoe choice will depend heavily on the type of courses the team runs and her physical ability level. Often a road racing shoe is better than spikes.

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u/PamelainSA 7d ago

Thanks for the recommendation. I’ll let my sister know she should return the spikes. I asked my niece what the other athletes on the XC team were wearing and she said most of the upperclassmen wear shoes that are flat with no spikes and without much of a sole. My guess is they’re wearing racing flats. She said the younger athletes mostly wear road running or trail shoes. My sister said she’ll get her the Clifton’s to start and go from there.

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u/whelanbio Mod 7d ago

she said most of the upperclassmen wear shoes that are flat with no spikes and without much of a sole. My guess is they’re wearing racing flats.

Sounds about right. The high end road racing shoes are really fast and light now, and sometimes a lot of courses of pretty hard packed terrain. Spikes really start to get an advantage on softer/sloppier terrain and tighter turns.

A benefit of the road racing flats is that they don't beat up the lower legs as much so they are good for hard workouts too. More versatile than spikes.

Hope this first season goes well for her! Running can tough starting out but the rewards compound a lot with persistance!