14 Best Cross Country Shoes (Review) In 2020
1. Salomon Men’s Speedcross 4 Cross County Shoes
2. Saucony Men’s Kilkenny XC5 Spike-M Cross County Shoes
3. Saucony Women’s Kilkenny XC5 Spike-W Cross County Shoes
4. La Sportiva Men’s Wildcat
5. Pearl iZUMi Women’s Peak II Running Shoe
6. Adidas Performance Men’s Supernova Riot M Trail Runner
7. New Balance Men’s 900v4 Removable Spike
8. New Balance Women’s 700V5 Removable Spike Track-Shoes
9. Nike Women’s Zoom Rival XC Running Shoes
10. Adidas Performance Women’s Xcs W Cross-Country Shoes
11. Saucony Men’s Carrera XC 3 Flat Track Shoe
12. Adidas Men’s XCS Running Shoe
13. Brooks Mach 17 Track & Field Women’s Shoes
14. Brooks Men’s Mach 18 Track and Field Shoes
Cross Country Shoes Buying Guide & FAQ
If you’re new to the world of cross country shoes, then it can be quite daunting to find a pair that will suit your needs. And if you’re more experienced, you could be missing out on some of the key benefits and additional features of the best cross country shoe, improving your race, and creating that personal best. Below, we’ve outlined how we selected this range of cross country sneakers, as well as the most important features to look out for, and frequently asked questions by our readers.
How We Chose Our Selection Оf Cross Country Shoes
Shoes and trainers are a vital element when it comes to cross country as a sport, particularly because the terrain can be tough and rugged, leaving your feet sore, as well as the rest of your body. We chose our selection of cross country running shoes to ensure you have a great mix of styles and types to choose from. We collated this list by taking into consideration three things; reviews, brands, and price point. Customer reviews are important as they can give you a honest perception of the shoe and how it performs under pressure. Remember though, not all customer reviews are created equal i.e. they could be fake or written by biased reviewers. Brand is another key point to look at. We all have our favourites when it comes to sporting gear, but ensure you do your research and focus on brands that have developed and created cross country shoes with cross country runners in mind. Lastly, price will be a factor when purchasing your sneakers, but remember that a high price point doesn’t always mean the best quality.
Features To Look For In Cross Country Shoes
Grip – good traction and grip is one of the most important elements when it comes to purchasing a good cross country shoe. Without this, you’ll find yourself slipping all over the place and putting yourself at risk when it comes to manoeuvring those tricky sections. A great all-rounder will have brilliant rubber soles, that although you to grip firmly on both pavements and grass or mud.
Spikes - one key point when purchasing cross country shoes is whether or not you require xc spikes. Some cross country runners prefer a spike over a high grip rubber sole, as you get more traction into the ground, and are less likely to slip on wet surfaces, which can be important during trail runs. However, spikes also mean that you can’t go on asphalt surfaces, such as pavements, which could be a hinderance during some tracks. It’s not a necessity that you have spiked running shoes, but just down to personal preference and running style.
Material – trail runs can be wet and muddy, but your feet also need to breathe. Although cross country trainers need to be durable, the upper should be constructed of mesh material or something similar, so that although your feet might get wet from running through a puddle, they will be able to dry out and breathe, reducing your risk of athlete’s foot.
Lacing System – the lacing system of your cross country shoe needs to be flexible, but also keep your sneaker firmly on your foot. Ensure you find something that isn’t over-complicated or a lacing system that is rigid against the shoe, as this can be detrimental to your overall running performance. Your laces also need to be durable, to last against the elements.
Comfort - cross country running generally means long, arduous distances in rough terrain. If your feet aren’t comfortable, then you’ll have a miserable run and your feet won’t thank you for it at the end of the day. Ensure your cross country shoes are comfortable, with a great fit, so that your toes aren’t screaming in pain and your midsole is thick enough to support your foot, but not so thick that you can make a decent impact on the ground. Think about size too – most runners like to go a size up on trainers, so try them on for size and see what you think.
Durability – spending a little more money than you planned might be worth it in the long run (geddit?) when it comes to cross country shoes. Durability is a massive factor when it comes to running those hard and long races, so investing in something that has higher quality materials is important.
Cross Country Shoes FAQ
Below are some frequently asked questions to guide you on your way to buying your next pair of cross country running shoes.
Q: Do you need special shoes for cross country?
A: Yes. Without reinforced grip and traction on your sneakers, you’ll find cross country running incredibly difficult and strenuous on your entire body. Ensure you have the right style and preference for you, whether that’s metal spikes or rubber spikes, or no spikes at all – however you choose your cross country trainers, ensure that they have been created for that purpose.
Q: Can track shoes be used for cross country?
A: You can certainly use track shoes for cross country, but it isn’t advised. Specialised shoes work much better for this type of running, simply because the traction is increased, giving you that grip you require for those wet or muddy surfaces. You might find if you’ve been running with track shoes initially for cross country, that your performance will increase dramatically, once you invest in some proper cross country shoes.
Q: Should you wear socks with cross country running shoes?
A: Yes, but you can get specialist technical thin socks, so that your feet can still breathe and your shoes won’t be too tight. Cross country shoes by nature, tend to sit close to the foot, so that they’re lightweight and easier to run in. This means a thicker sock will make your foot sweat, but going completely sockless has the potential to cause horrendous blisters. Again, like spikes, it’s runner’s preference.
