Buyer’s Guide
How to choose the best shoes for spartan race
Materials
There are different materials used for making these special footwear. You should look at the whole product as well as its different parts. These are different from budget running shoes. You should try to find more information because the material can make all the difference in fit and comfort.
Upper
The upper is the fabric portion that encases your foot. It is either glued or sewn to the mid sole. It is usually made of breathable mesh fabric. Some waterproof models have a layer of Goretex or some other synthetic material.
Mid sole
The mid sole is between the outer sole and upper. Its main job is to give cushioning and support. It is a mix of Ethyl Vinyl Acetate(EVA) and polyurethane. Some sneakers may have gel or encapsulated air.
And stability shoes may have a thermoplastic urethane (TPU) medial post to add extra stability.
Out sole
This is the part which comes under most stress and strain. Most shoes have carbon rubber, blown rubber, or a mix of both. Carbon rubber is tougher and stiffer than blown rubber. The balance between ruggedness and flexibility is crucial. Only toughness will not work on all surfaces. Find a pair that has good, strong lugs for traction. Water dispersal or ability to remain dry in water for the out sole is a good feature.
Support
Earlier, the belief was to correct any deviation a user had. This sometimes compounded the problem. Now, people realize that instead of changing or stopping the natural motion, good footwear should support the foot, ankle, lower leg, in fact, the whole body. If you have flat feet, then find the top running shoes for flat feet.
Traction
For walking on roads, you may not need much traction, but for these obstacle races, the grip is essential. There could be mud, dirt, rocks, wet surfaces. There are lugs which provide traction. They can be large, multi-directional, as well as have sticky rubber compounds to make it easy on a variety of surfaces.
Stability
Stability, along with comfort, is crucial. Some footwear has extra features like a foam to provide support to the arch. When you are running on rugged and uneven surfaces, you need to feel the stability. Different shoes have this dense foam in different positions and shape to give stability. You will feel less tired if you have stability.
Comfort
This is the first thing you think of when buying any shoe. You should give any new pair some time to become comfortable. Keep in mind points like where you are going to use it, surface, weather, correct size, material, cushioning, etc. You will achieve comfort only when you take care of these points.
Best Shoes for Spartan Race types
Spartan Sprint:
This is a 3 mile race with 20 or more obstacles. The obstacles may vary from race to race. You should wear a lightweight shoes. These are mainly for beginners and the difficulty level is the least.
Spartan Super:
This race has 8 miles with 25 plus obstacles. Wear shoes which have good lugs and give you a good grip. Here speed will matter a lot.
Spartan Beast:
As the name suggests, it is a beast of a race. A runner has to run 13 miles with 30 or more obstacles. Your shoes should be heavy duty. The out sole should be rugged enough to last the full race. You need good cushioning and comfort as well. There could be mud obstacles as well. Water-resistant shoes would be better.
Spartan Ultra:
This is the ultimate test of your endurance as well as your shoes. Wear only tried and tested shoes. You should look into all the components of your shoe; outsole, midsole, insole, laces, cushion, stability, and of course comfort. Wear a shoe which will perform well in wet and muddy conditions.
Our Recommendation for 2019
When you take part in a tough event like this, which will test your physical limits, it is good to have the best Spartan race gear. We have given you a comprehensive list of the best shoes for Spartan Race 2019. You can also go through gym-expert. Based on research, trials, and surveys, we find that Merrell Men’s Trail Glove 4 Runner is the best footwear. It uses the best materials to give you very high comfort levels. It is stylish, sturdy, stable, strong, and supports your feet well. Select these to reach your goals without any difficulty.