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Your heel always touches the ground. Trust me.

Since this issue is only slightly related to "the best spike for beginning pole vaulters...", I created a new thread in the Intermediate Technique forum. Let's discuss it there.

Kirk

if you have a nike outlet or anything similar to that near you go there.. i got my 400 hurdle spikes for 10 bucks

Funny story:

I was recently approached by a HS vaulter who asked me why I wore relatively cheap asics spikes instead of the PVII. He said that Nikes make you jump higher. I proceeded down the runway and cleared a 16' soft bar on a 4 left, went back and told him i'd stick with the asics.

Moral of the story: It's not the shoes a vaulter wears, it's how high you jump while you're wearing them.

Besides, you beginning high schoolers should all be doing other events like the sprints and horizontal jumps anyway. You can sprint in jump spikes just fine, but it is harder to jump in sprint spikes.

My brother was a polevaulter borfore me for he highschool career and i actully used his spikes this year, luckly we're about the same size=) It actully saved me money so i can buy good ones next year

How do you guys rate these as a pole vault spike??

[urlhttp://www.sweatshop.co.uk/details.cfm?ProdId=6951][/url]

[urlhttp://www.onlineshoes.com/womens-asics-prima-diva-sprint-white-hot-pink-lime-p_id130808][/url]

http://barefootrunningshoes.org/sale/asics-hyper-rocketgirl-xc-spikes-stormhot-pinkwhite/

I am about to buy my first pair of spikes for years ... im stuck between these 3.

Can anyone recommend an inexpensive spike with more support? or enough room to put insoles in? I get shin splints easily because i have low arches so i need more supportive shoes/ insoles in shoes. My spikes now are too narrow to fit insoles in. They are mid-distant spikes. Any suggestions?

Nike Zoom Rival MD 6 - $30 at First to the Finish. Nice, inexpensive spike for the beginner.

I love Mizuno's I know this is a beginner forum and all kids I coach are forbidden from spikes until they no longer straight pole inorder to preserve the pole from getting knicks. That's my 2 cents.

Ok, I love getting sprint spikes for comp because of the very large and stiff forefoot to midfoot plate that helps with running on the toes The majority of training each day you don't need to be in spikes. Moreover, jumping 2-3 days in sprinters spikes (including comp days) won't beat your shins up if you do the needed base (calf raises 4x20, stretching, running).

With that said I am a huge fan of Mizuno for more advanced vaulters 12ft+. I like their spike pattern and the cushioning in the heel.

I used to get the pole vault spikes and I guess they aren't makeing them for the us market this year and I can't find any in my size. I am looking at getting the long jump spikes and was wondering if anyone has any experience in them such as is there a difference in the toe box? Do I still need to order a .5 of a size larger? eq a 9 would order a 9.5. and I know the website has them looking exactly the same but I know from experience that the PV spike has the heel rise up in the back where the long jump ends flat.

Any feedback would be helpful.
Matt

chasing6 wrote:Funny story:

I was recently approached by a HS vaulter who asked me why I wore relatively cheap asics spikes instead of the PVII. He said that Nikes make you jump higher. I proceeded down the runway and cleared a 16' soft bar on a 4 left, went back and told him i'd stick with the asics.

Moral of the story: It's not the shoes a vaulter wears, it's how high you jump while you're wearing them.

I agree.

I've seen Bob Seagren jump that height in flats.

A beginning vaulter needs to spend their money on a fitted quality training flats. They do not need spikes. This last season at our girls sectional meet, the bar was at 7'6". A girl cleared the bar on her last attempt and caught a spike on the top mat which caused her to blown our her knee. Had to stop the meet and wait for paramedics to take her to the hospital. If she had been wearing flats, she would not have had this happen.
My rule of thumb is until a vaulter is opening at 9', they do not need spikes. A good pair of training flats will help avoid injuries like shin splints and other leg injuries.