7 Best Running Spikes

We pushed our lab-tested running spikes to the limit and found Nike’s MaxFly 2 as the best overall. It screams maximum record-breaking speed with its powerful midsole, propulsive FlyPlate, and grippy outsole. We believe this premium spike is one of the most advanced of its kind, justifying its £190 price tag.

MaxFly 2 gives one of the most unique rides we’ve ever tried. It features the pleasant ZoomX foam in the heel and dual Air Zoom units in the forefoot that launch us forward. Our calliper reveals a 15.7/17.7 mm stack, leading to an aggressive -2.0 mm drop that promotes forefoot striking.

Complementing the Air Zoom’s magic is the stiff FlyPlate. Altogether, the ride feels incredibly energetic. Our bend test confirms it’s tough to bend by being 80.2% more rigid than average, translating to insane responsiveness with every stride.

Underfoot, transitions feel smooth and the traction works well thanks to the highly engineered spike plate with many tiny lugs. The forefoot has 6 spike pins for added traction on the track.

Other than its steep price, we can’t recommend this to beginners as it demands flawless form and technique for it to fully come alive. It would be best to dip their toes in a more affordable spike.

We bolted through 100m-400m distances in search of the spike with the best track feel—Nike’s Zoom Superfly Elite 2 undeniably dominated this category. Its lack of a midsole gives direct ground connection and its aggressive design feels insanely propulsive, grippy, and race-ready with its fit. This lightweight elite spike unleashed our speed and power beyond our imagination.

It's hard to ignore how close we felt to the track, with only 12.3 mm combined insole and outsole separating us from the ground. Our calliper measured a non-existent drop, further enhancing the barefoot experience, and is perfect for building muscle strength.

The spike feels airy on foot with its 5.5 oz (156g) build, but its energy return makes its presence undeniable. Underfoot, the honeycomb-patterned outsole doubles as a propulsion plate, offering both energy return and traction. We felt steady sprinting through curves as the 8-pin configuration bit the track well.

The Atomknit upper feels light and breathable as it hugs our feet snugly. Our smoke test confirms this with a high 4/5 score for ventilation. Thankfully, the shoe didn’t taper too much and had 75-mm wiggle room for our big toe.

Because of its aggressive nature, we don’t recommend this shoe to amateurs. More advanced and skilled runners will enjoy the full benefits this Nike can offer.

The Nike Dragonfly 2 feels like a dream with its airiness, speed, and comfort on track. We felt like flying in our high-mileage efforts as this elite racer shines best in 1500m distances and beyond. It’s extremely supportive and powerful, making it our top long-distance spike.

Dragonfly 2 feels pleasantly bouncy and fast throughout our track workouts mainly through its ZoomX cushioning. This premium foam is Nike’s lightest and most responsive, and we’re blessed to have a generous 19.9/19.7 mm stack in this shoe. It’s very supportive for long distances and delivers massive energy return. We noticed its capability to sustain our power for long efforts, thanks to the stiff Pebax plate that ensures a smooth and efficient ride. 

Dragonfly 2 is a real pleasure to be in since the light build and airy upper create a weightless and effortless sensation. It has many perforations for breathability and feels comfortable to be in, validated by its 5/5 breathability score in our lab. Meanwhile, our scales reveal it’s a feathery 5.1 oz (145g), 7.6% below average.

Underfoot, the outsole features a streamlined 4-pin removable setup for enhanced agility. Its traction is unquestionable as we had no slips even as we encountered high-speed curves.

To experience its elite performance means paying a higher price tag of £160. We recommend those on a budget to explore other options.

Extremely light and fast feel like understatements when describing our runs in the Nike Victory 2. We discovered in the lab that it combines all the best speed-oriented features into one: feather-weight build, dual Air Zoom units, top-tier cushioning, and the Flyplate. This powerhouse is undeniably our top superspike on track.

Victory 2 feels incredibly bouncy underfoot thanks to the glorious ZoomX foam which got a plush 12.5 HA durometer reading. It features a maximum cushioning of 19.9/19.3 mm to keep our legs fresh for distances of 800m and beyond. The forefoot includes dual Air Pods which spring us back powerfully with every stride.

We also found a full-length spoon-shaped Flyplate in the midsole, which adds stiffness to the shoe to enhance propulsion. Our bend test confirms this by being 43.5% more resistant to bending than the average spike.

What also allowed us to pick up our speed is the spike’s weightlessness. At a mere 4.9 oz (135g), it’s 13.5% lighter than average and melts away on foot. The Atomknit upper’s light and airy feel also enhances its effortless feel. It smashed our breathability test with a perfect rating. However, it wreaked havoc under our Dremel so we can’t recommend this spike to those who want durable uppers.

After countless tests on track and in the lab, the Nike Ja Fly 4 is our best lightweight track spike. Its grounded and minimalist nature makes it ideal for 60-200m sprints, delivering speed without the harsh stiffness of carbon plates. This spike is highly flexible and lightweight and ensures top speed without being too aggressive.

Underfoot, we discovered an outsole made of 4.5 mm of plastic. Essentially, the absence of the rubber outsole and minimal midsole contributes to its light 5.1 oz (145g) weight and flexibility. No matter how much we twisted the shoe on our manual assessment, it surrendered freely, earning the lowest 1/5 torsional rigidity rating.

Another standout feature is the spike's remarkable connection to the track, which we attribute to the low 11.2 mm heel and forefoot we measured with our calliper. As a true zero-drop shoe, it gives a genuine barefoot experience that develops leg muscle strength.

Interestingly, our bend test tells a different story vs. our twist test. At 33.0N, this Nike resisted more than the average spike (29.1N), providing some propulsion without the harsh stiffness of carbon plates. The grip from the 7 removable pins underfoot also boosts our speed and confidence on the track.

However, the lack of foam means we cannot recommend Ja Fly 4 for distances beyond 400m because the landing impact will feel too harsh on foot.

Nike Rival Sprint is all about comfort, support, and durability at a very accessible £80 price point, making it our best entry-level track spike in the lab. It’s a non-intimidating spike with a less aggressive, breathable, and flexible build, perfect for newcomers who want to conquer the track.

Starting with the midsole, we measured a steep 3.3 mm drop vs. our almost flat 0.7 mm lab average. The incline gave extra support to our calves and tendons, which beginners still need.

Rival Sprint features a tough 2.8 mm rubber outsole around the rear area and a Pebax plate along the forefoot for snappier toe-offs. The spike includes 6 removable pins that gripped the track excellently during testing. Despite the presence of a plate, this spike is one of the most flexible we’ve ever tested, boosting its comfort. Our bend test reveals it’s 39.9% more flexible than average.

Upon testing the upper, we were pleased with its perfect blend of breathability, comfort, and durability. It scored 5/5 on our smoke test and felt so soft, it’s suitable for going sockless. Even against our Dremel, the toe cap put up a tough fight with an impressive 4/5 durability rating.

However, the shoe tips the scale to a heavy 6.1 oz (174g). If every millisecond counts, we suggest exploring lighter options.

At only £70, Adidas Sprintstar is the most affordable option among our lab-tested running spikes (£120 average). For almost half the price, it delivers impressive durability and a natural feel. Based on actual tests, this spike suits runners who want to test their leg power and raw speed for 60-400m sprints.

As soon as we stepped on the track, this spike emphasised ground feel, which is a great way to strengthen our legs for shorter sprints. It has a very thin 10.4/8.6 mm heel and forefoot stack highlighting the barefoot experience.

The flexible and plateless midsole moves easily with our feet and keeps it all natural. We noticed the shoe wasn’t too rigid and felt gentle on foot. Our flex test confirms it’s 48.6% more adaptive than average.

What truly blows our minds is how durable this spike is, even for its budget-friendly price! We barely saw signs of wear after extensive testing. Both the toebox and heel strongly resisted our rigorous Dremel, showing promising signs of longevity. Meanwhile, the outsole measures a tough 88.0 HC and is 1.1 mm thicker than average. These results also translate to a longer shoe lifespan.

Unfortunately, because of the absence of a propulsive midsole, we experienced leg fatigue faster. We found that this spike is not suitable for sprints beyond 400m.