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Evolution of Track Spikes

By trinitymayss

  • The beginning

    The beginning
    First sold in late 1800's by a man named Joseph Williams Foster (began the company Reebox). Shoes looked like men's dress shoes and, were4 dull, heavy, and hot. Made with cow hides and then kangaroo leather for its lighter weight.
    Source: https://www.freelapusa.com/the-history-of-track-spikes/

  • Olympic Trials

    Olympic Trials
    Adi Dassler took note of the Olympic Trials performances of an American by the name of Jesse Owens. With Owens winning four gold medals wearing Dassler’s spikes, he cpught the attention of athletes around the globe and put Adidas on the map as a frontrunner in athletic footwear.
    Source: http://blog.runningwarehouse.com/gear/rs/photo-history-of-track-spikes/

  • Wilma Rudolph

    Wilma Rudolph
    American sprinter Wilma Rudolph, heralded as the fastest woman in the world, wore spikes featuring a midfoot shank and a nylon spike plate. Structure was provided by a heel cup and adidas’ iconic 3-stripes logo (purchased from Finnish brand Karhu Sports for about $200 and two bottles of whiskey in 1949).
    Source: when American sprinter Wilma Rudolph, heralded as the fastest woman in the world, wore spikes featuring a midfoot shank and a nylon spike plate. Structure was provided by a heel cup and

  • Distance

    Distance
    Decathlete Willi Holdorf took home the gold in the 1964 Olympic Games donning spikes featuring a raised heel and a full length midsole. Designed by Adi Dassler (Adidas) to keep runners on their toes during longer distances, Holdorf’s shoes take the shape of the first modern distance spike.
    Source: http://blog.runningwarehouse.com/gear/rs/photo-history-of-track-spikes/

  • Modernized

    Modernized
    The spikes worn by Alberto Juantorena in the 1976 Olympic Games were among the first to feature a modern removable spike system, allowing for the customization of the spike configuration for track surface and personal preference.
    Source: http://blog.runningwarehouse.com/gear/rs/photo-history-of-track-spikes/

  • Gold

    Gold
    Made of Zytel – a lightweight combination of nylon and fiberglass, these spikes tipped the scale at a meager 90g (less than 3.2 oz) and were designed to last through a single use.
    Source: http://blog.runningwarehouse.com/gear/rs/photo-history-of-track-spikes/

  • Zoom

    Zoom
    The Nike Zoom Victory Elite features a dynamic lacing system to adapt to the changing shape of the foot through the gait cycle, as well as a carbon fiber spike plate for responsiveness. Wheighting at about 100g, the Victory Elite is one of the highest performing middle distance spikes currently available.
    Source: http://blog.runningwarehouse.com/gear/rs/photo-history-of-track-spikes/