What spikes to use?

I would say that the Nike Victory XC's are the best by a good margin. They are one of the lightest spikes for XC and in comparison to Nike Waffles or Saucony Kilkennies they are featherweights. I personally have raced in both Saucony Killenies and Victory XC's for Cross-Country and can safely say that the Vic XC's are just as durable a shoe, but with better built in traction. Also, when it comes to foot support. Unless you have real arch or shin issues you can use a minimalist spike (like the Vic. XC's) and not hurt yourself in any way due to the short duration of the race (within 35 min.) Just as long as you take them off right after you finish the race. When looking at a spike look for traction and weight. If you do so I think you'll find the Vic. XC's are the best.

puma complete slx zone is nice

Outside of Nike and Brooks, what do you consider to be a good distance spike? My team used to always run in Nikes, then their new designs came out...Victory, Matumbo, etc. The new designs don't last. They are too lightweight and not very durable. We've seen them ripping after just a couple of races. The upper starts to separate from the sole. We've had very few pairs that have survived a full season of track. After the disasters we had with the Nikes, we switched to the Brooks Wire. It was a great shoe. Then they created the Wire 2 which seemed to be more or less a copy of the Nike designs and then we ran into the same problems as before. I would love to find a new spike that is as good a design as the first Brooks Wire was.

Nike is great. but they are not the best for all feet. My personal preference for trainers is the Saucony Kinvaras, for XC the Saucony Shays and for track the Saucony Endorphins in the 1600, 3200, and 800. The endorphins are the lightest and best things I have ever run in. Even if they seem like more 400-800 spikes, I prefer them for all distances on the track. They are very light and keep me on my balls of my feet at all times, simply the best spike out there.

Nike is great. but they are not the best for all feet. My personal preference for trainers is the Saucony Kinvaras, for XC the Saucony Shays and for track the Saucony Endorphins in the 1600, 3200, and 800. The endorphins are the lightest and best things I have ever run in. Even if they seem like more 400-800 spikes, I prefer them for all distances on the track. They are very light and keep me on my balls of my feet at all times, simply the best spike out there.

For Sprints Adidas Adi Finese

It depends on your gait and what types of shoes you are used to for training. I wouldn't use the Victory track spikes because I think the six pin plate is too aggressive for an 8k. If you pronate/supinate minimally and naturally strike the ground towards your midfoot, the Matumbo might be the best choice considering its light weight and ability to allow your feet to flex and move more efficiently. Otherwise, you are probably better off using a more cross country-specific spike or racing flat such as the Victory XC.

Nike Kennedy zoom's. Only Nike shoe I'd wear.

haha really? I've had 3 pairs of Forevers, and they've all been solid. Maybe your choice in products are not consistent IE different models not working for your needs.Not crazy about their trainers, but flats and spikes I'll never use anything else.

Brooks Wire.

I've always worn nike xc spikes/flats/track spikes just because i know the quality will be consistent.

what kind of shoe you wear doesn't make a big difference on race performance, it comes down to what you are comfortable wearing...~saucony sucks~so because everyone at footlocker wears nike it makes them the best? no it is just because they have bought into that very mindset. they aren't fast because they wear nike, they would be just as good in any shoe. personally i'd rather spend $30-50 on xc spikes than $110 for the same quality

Saucony Shay XC is the best xc spike. First of all wearing a track spike for xc is dumb, it isn't designed for the surfaces you run on. I think saucony makes the best xc spikes...I give it to nike every time for track but not xc

pirannahs are sweet, and im a fan of forevers too

you may to consider flats with alot of pavement! Asics pirannahs , nike streak xcs are good ones to look at

What about courses with a fair amount of pavement/gravel?

the mambas were great for 800-3200, but idk about cross country. i loved them in the 1600 though

I have heard mambas work well for cross

I've loved the Saucony Kilkenny's but really it's about preference. There's not really much else you can say about racing shoes haha.

I had the dirt dog 2, and the dirt dog 3s the past two years and liked them a lot. the 4s come out soon

Jacob, if they are anything like the dirt dog 2's go for them. I used those and loved them. very durable and fairly light for xc spike.

what about the new dirt dogs?

victories or matumbos are going to get trashed unless they are on a well kept grass course.

Kennedy XC's were always my favorites. But I have not used the Victory XCs before.

Obviously it's personal preference. I'd go with the victories, or even better... teh nangs.

So what do you guys think is best for an 8k xc on grass, victorys? matumbos? victory xcs?