With fall right around the corner, it’s time to put your summer cross country training program to the test. Here to get your adrenaline pumping is our review of the latest and best racing shoes available for your upcoming cross country season. We feature six updated shoes for your consideration. In finding the brand that best fits your foot, your first stop should be at a specialty running store. As we’ve said for almost two decades, remember to ease into wearing them before your first cross country meet, adapting to them gradually by wearing them for some of your speed work in the last couple weeks before you begin racing. Look for updated information and additional reviews at runningproductreviews.com, on Facebook at Running Product Reviews and Twitter @shoes2run.
adidas XCS 6 – $65
The updated XCS 6 is sweet because, as with each previous round, it’s focused squarely on high performance. Essentially a brawnier version of the adidas distance spikes, Round 6 throws in a few new features to keep the shoe up-to-date. The close-fitting upper uses a cross-hatch of printed overlays called Sprintweb to support the mesh while smoothing the interior and allowing good flexibility to the upper. The low-profile, molded EVA midsole carries over to this round as it’s proven effective for cushioning. The lugged Traxion® outersole grips well in both spikeless and spiked versions, where a six-spike setup adds extra grip. The fit, low pro file, and traction of the XCS 6 deserve serious consideration.
- Sizes: Men 6.5–13,14,15; Women 5–12
- Weight: Men’s 6.3 oz./6.5 oz. (size 11, spikeless/with 6 spikes); Women’s 5.0 oz./5.2 oz. (size 8, spikeless/with 6 spikes)
- Fit: Snug throughout
ASICS Cross Freak 2 – $85
The Cross Freak, introduced last season and aimed at elite athletes, has been completely revised from top to bottom. The upper is closed, ripstop mesh with laminated no-sew overlays to support the shoe and shed mud when the conditions get sloppy. The new sueded tongue adds comfort to the t, along with the seam-free interior. The midsole is single-density EVA with co-molded medial and lateral shank supports that meet beneath the outersole. The redesigned outersole is aggressively lugged, with a 5-spike setup to handle the muddiest of conditions. The fit, protection, and traction result in a successfully updated racer.
- Sizes: Men 4–13,14; Women 5–10,11
- Weight: Men’s 6.9 oz. (size 11, with 5 spikes); Women’s 5.6 oz. (size 8, with 5 spikes)
- Fit: Snug heel, close forefoot
Brooks Mach 17 – $100
The Mach series has displayed Brooks’ commitment to top-level competition footwear. Round 17 is a complete overhaul, so only the name and purpose remain. It’s now available only in a spiked version, but takes a jump up in design and execution. The upper is a closed mesh, sleekly designed to hug the foot securely, with a small partial cage of thermoplastic anchoring the heel. The reshaped midsole is a slender wedge of foam that cushions the foot while keeping the shoe light. The carbon rubber outersole sports small, diamond-shaped lugs down the center of the forefoot and a horseshoe-shaped four-spike plate at the perimeter. A small sharkskin patch in the heel completes the setup. The Mach 17 is, in a word, legit for cross country. In fact, it’s so legit, it won our award for Best Cross Country Shoe.
- Sizes: Men 6–13,14,15; Women 6–12
- Weight: Men’s 5.4 oz. (size 11, with 4 spikes); Women’s 4.3 oz. (size 8, with 4 spikes)
- Fit: Snug heel, very close forefoot
New Balance 700 v3 – $70/$65
New Balance offers its cross country shoes in three tiers, all of which provide outstanding performance at three budget levels. The entry-level 700 receives some update attention, continuing to narrow the gap among the three tiers. The upper is a closed, stretch mesh with traditional overlays at heel and toe. The remaining support derives from no-sew overlays that make for a smooth, barefoot-friendly interior. The midsole has geometry similar to the v2, but with a bit more refinement and the performance to go with it. The outersole is thin solid rubber, lugged with triangle-shaped molding in the midfoot and heel. The forefoot features chisel points and four spikes in the spiked version ($70), or round nibs in the spikeless version ($65). The result is a well-done cross country racer.
- Sizes: Men 7–12, 13,14; Women 5–10,11
- Weight: Men’s 5.2 oz./5.4 oz. (size 11, spikeless/with 4 spikes); Women’s 4.1 oz./ 4.3 oz. (size 8, spikeless/with 4 spikes)
- Fit: Snug heel, close forefoot
Nike Zoom Rival – $65/$50
The Rival is Nike’s entry-level cross country offering, available in spiked (XC, $65) and spikeless (Waffle, $50) versions. The second round nudges this shoe closer to its top-end sibling, the Victory XC, even adopting some of its componentry. The upper is a closed mesh, and as in the Victory, it uses Nike Grind welded overlays to support the shoe while upcycling. The midsole is unchanged: a low-profile layer of Phylon for a measure of protection. The outersole carries over as well, mini waffles and either four spikes or four rounded nibs, which are equally successful on natural surfaces and tracks. The fit is unchanged, close and snug for the racing foot. While aimed at the high school runner, the Zoom Rival is a rock solid cross country racer.
- Sizes: Men 4–13,14,15; Women 5–12
- Weight: Men’s 7.5 oz./7.7 oz. (size 11, spikeless, wtih 4 spikes); Women’s 6.0 oz./6.2 oz. (size 8, spikeless/with 4 spikes)
- Fit: Snug heel, close forefoot
Saucony Carrera – $110
The Carrera is targeted at elite cross country performers, as it’s the best in Saucony’s good-better-best offerings. The upper receives significant attention, with improved fit from the ISO fit system, wrapping the foot securely. Here it’s more effectively integrated with the mesh than in other iterations of the technology, which were more cage-like. The midsole is the same single-density EVA, thin and flexible. The outersole continues with the same minimal, full-length plate from Round 1 and a six-spike layout with excellent traction. Round 2 emerges as an effective cross country shoe that has taken a step up in fit and performance.
- Sizes: Men 7–13,14; Women 5–11,12
- Weight: Men’s 4.9 oz. (size 11, with 6 spikes); Women’s 4.0 oz. (size 8, with 6 spikes)
- Fit: Snug heel, close forefoot
Tips for Selecting Cross Country Shoes
- While cross country racing shoes are more alike than they are different, we can’t emphasize enough that the differences in fit and cushioning are crucial to individual comfort and performance.
- Try on shoes from a variety of shoe companies. Differences in fit from one brand (or model) to the next allow most runners to find a racing shoe best suited for their particular foot type.
- Two factors should influence your selection of a cross country racing shoe: how well it fits you and how it feels when you run in it.
- Wear your racing shoes before the actual race, since the low pro file of the shoe coupled with the intense effort of racing can be tough on your so tissue if you haven’t prepared well.
- Choosing between spiked and spikeless models should be based on the racing surfaces you’ll encounter during your season.
- Cross country spikes are slightly better than spikeless shoes at gripping muddy or soggy ground, but they are limited to use on all-natural courses. In California, they aren’t allowed for cross country at the high school level; however, they are permitted during track season.
- Spikeless models work almost as well as traditional spiked shoes in the mud. In addition, they can manage pavement, sidewalks, and rocky surfaces as well as indoor and outdoor tracks.