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From cutting-edge training methods to diverse recovery products, elite athletes leave no stone unturned in the hopeful pursuit of winning an Olympic medal. No piece of gear has a greater impact on performance than their footwear, especially in the era of super spikes.
Not to mention, footwear is one of the few pieces of gear that athletes can select from outside of their national Olympic committee-issued kit. (In other words, they can wear footwear made by any shoe company, regardless of which brand is sponsoring their national Olympic team.) So it’s worth paying attention to their choices.
Long gone are the days of boring, thin-soled track spikes. From ultra high-rebound foams to rockered carbon fiber plates, today’s Olympic track spikes are packed with enough tech to help you propel yourself forward faster and with greater ease.
We asked each brand which spikes their top athletes rely on for the most important competition of their careers. Here’s what they said.
[Editor’s Note: We gathered this information before the Olympics based on details provided by each brand. The actual spikes worn by athletes may vary. For brands that couldn’t supply spike details, our selections are based on their current top models designed for those events. When you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.]Â
Sprint Track Spikes of the Olympics
Adidas Adizero Prime SP 3 Strung Paris EditionÂ
Designed for sprints up to 200 meters, the Adidas Adizero Prime SP 3 combines a stiff, full-length, embedded midsole plate with a thin layer of ultra-responsive, TPEE-based Lightstrike Pro foam for exceptional propulsion. The glass fiber-infused six-pin spike plate ensures superior traction, while the seamless, strategically reinforced upper provides a lightweight, locked-in fit.
Worn by:
Noah Lyles, U.S. (100 meters, 200 meters): 2023 100-meter and 200-meter world champion
Grant Holloway, U.S. (110-meter hurdles): 2020 Tokyo Olympic silver medalist and three-time world champion in the 110-meter hurdles, and the second-fastest man in history in the event
Zharnel Hughes, Great Britain (100 meters): British 100-meter and 200-meter record holder, 2023 world championships 100-meter bronze medalist
McKenzie Long, U.S. (200 meters): 2024 NCAA 100- and 200-meter champion, placed third in the 200 meters at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials
Puma evoSpeed FortePro Nitro Elite
Engineered for unbeatable speed and power in sprints up to 400 meters, the PUMA FortePro Nitro Elite combines NITRO Elite foam (gas-infused aliphatic TPU) and an embedded carbon fiber plate for explosive propulsion. The Pebax outsole adds a layer of stiffness, while the eight removable spikes and a special heel pad ensure exceptional grip for maintaining high turnover. A lightweight upper with carbon fiber threads makes for a secure fit.
Worn by:
Marcell Jacobs, Italy (100 meters): 2020 Tokyo Olympics 100-meter gold medalist
Shericka Jackson, Jamaica (200 meters): 2023 200-meter world champion, 2020 Tokyo Olympics 100-meter bronze medalist
Nike Maxfly 2
$205 at Nike $205 at Running Warehouse
Designed for events ranging from 100 to 400 meters, the Nike Maxfly 2 offers an aggressive rocker profile paired with an Air Zoom unit (a chamber of pressurized air and tightly stretched fibers) in the forefoot for unmatched explosiveness. Updates include a wider base and more secure-fitting upper that is targeted to maximize the Air Zoom unit’s efficiency, delivering outstanding stability and control through the curves and on the straights.
Worn by:
Kishane Thompson, Jamaica (100 meters): Current world leader in 100 meters (9.77 seconds)
Sha’Carri Richardson, U.S. (100 meters): Current world leader in 100 meters (10.71 seconds), 2023 100-meter world champion
Fred Kerley, U.S. (100 meters): 2020 Tokyo Olympics 100-meter silver medalist
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp MD-X v3
Design details not yet released by New Balance
Worn by:
Gabby Thomas, U.S. (200 meters): Current world leader in 200 meters (21.78 seconds), 2020 Tokyo Olympics 200-meter bronze medalist, 2023 200-meter world championships silver medalist
Middle-Distance Track Spikes of the Olympics
Adidas Adizero Ambition Paris Edition
The Adizero Ambition is designed for ultimate power for mid-distance events (800 to 1500 meters) and the 3,000-meter steeplechase. A glass fiber-infused spike plate provides rigidity for powerful push-offs while the gas-infused TPEE-based Lightstrike Pro midsole offers runners a touch of responsive cushioning and energy return.
Worn by:
Quincy Hall, U.S. (400 meters): Holds second fastest 400-meter time in 2024, 2023 world championships 400-meter bronze medalist
Marco Arop, Canada (800 meters): 2023 800-meter world champion
Bryce Hoppel, U.S. (800 meters): 2024 800-meter indoor world champion, 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials 800-meter champion
Emmanuel Wanyonyi, Keyna (800 meters): 2024 Kenyan Olympic trials winner, holder of the third fastest 800-meter time ever (1:41.58)
Nike Zoom Victory 2
$205 at Running Warehouse $205 at Nike
As Nike’s premier middle-distance track spike, the second edition Victory 2 features an embedded carbon fiber plate, two pressurized gas and tensioned-fiber Air Zoom units, and ultra-responsive gas-infused PEBAX-based ZoomX midsole for record-breaking propulsion and speed. Improved stability in both the turns and straights comes from a slightly wider flat area under the ball of the foot, the removal of two spikes (for a four-spike configuration), and a new knit upper with midfoot containment cables.
Worn by:
Jakob Ingebrigtsen, Norway (1500 meters): Current world leader for 1500 meters (3:26.73), 2020 Tokyo Olympic 1500-meter gold medalist, 1500-meter indoor world record holder, 2022, 2023 1500-meter world championships silver medalist
Cole Hocker, U.S. (1500 meters): Four-time US 1500 meter National Champion, 2024 1500 meter indoor World Championships silver medalist
Djamel Sedjati, Algeria (800 meters): Third fastest 800-meter runner in history (1:41.46), 2022 800-meter world championships silver medalist
Keely Hodgkinson, Great Britain (800 meters): Current world leader in 800 meters (1:54.61), 2020 Tokyo Olympic 1500-meter silver medalist
Faith Kipyegon, Kenya (1500 meters):1500-meter world record holder, 2016 and 2020 Olympic 1500-meter gold medalist
Brooks Hyperion Elite LD
$150 at Brooks $150 at Road Runner Sports
Designed for longer distance events from 1500 meters to 10,000 meters, the lightweight Hyperion Elite LD features Brooks newest nitrogen-infused midsole, DNA Flash v2. Embedded in the responsive midsole is a semi-stiff, full-length carbon composite plate to provide a powerful toe-off. A six-spike pin plate further increases stiffness, while offering unmatched grip and performance through the curves. See our full review of the Hyperion Elite LD.
Worn by:
Josh Kerr, Great Britain (1500 meters): 2023 1500-meter world champion, 2024 3,000-meter indoor world champion, 2020 Tokyo Olympic 1500-meter bronze medalist
On Cloudspike Citius
$170 at Running Warehouse $170 at On
Suited best for mid-distance events from 800 meters to the mile, the On Cloudspike Citius features 23mm of On’s gas-infused PEBA-based Helion Hyperfoam in the forefoot combined with a forefoot Speedboard for a balanced energy return with the aggressive propulsion needed for mid-distance races. The shoe is finished with a one-piece engineered upper that delivers a lightweight yet supportive fit.
Worn by:
Yared Nuguse, U.S. (1500 meters): American record holder for 1500 meters and the mile, fourth fastest outdoor miler in history, 2024 indoor world championships 3,000-meter silver medalist
Distance Track Spikes of the Olympics
Nike Dragonfly 2 Elite
With only 100 pairs being released to the public, the Dragonfly 2 Elite improves on the success of the Dragonfly 2 with several upgrades. As Nike’s top-tier long-distance track spike, it differs from the Dragonfly 2 by featuring a full-length embedded carbon fiber plate instead of a PEBA-based plate. This upgrade provides increased stiffness to support even more propulsive toe-offs. Further improvements include four non-removable spikes that cut down on the shoes overall weight. The midsole, geometry and upper all remain the same as the Dragonfly 2.
Worn by:
Grant Fisher, U.S. (5,000 meters, 10,000 meters):Â 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters winner, placed fifth in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics 10,000 meters, placed fourth in the 2022 world championships 10,000 meters
Selemon Barega, Ethiopia (10,000 meters):Â 2020 Tokyo Olympics 10,000-meter gold medalist
Joshua Cheptegei, Uganda (5000 meters, 10,000 meters):Â 2019, 2022, 2023 10,000-meter world champion, world record holder for the 5,000 meters (12:35.36) and the 10,000 meters (26:11.00)
Beatrice Chebet, Kenya (10,000 meters): Current world leader and world record holder in the 10,000 meters (28:54.14)
Gudaf Tsegay, Ethiopia (1500 meters, 5,000 meters, 10,000 meters): World record holder for 5,000 meters (14:00.21), 2023 10,000-meter world champion
Sifan Hassan, Netherlands (5,000 meters, 10,000 meters):Â 2020 Tokyo Olympics 5,000-meter and 10,000-meter gold medalist
On Cloudspike Amplius
$170 at On $170 at Running Warehouse
Designed for races from 1500 meters to 10,000 meters, the On Cloudspike Amplius offers the perfect blend of cushioning and responsiveness for long-distance performance. Featuring On’s top-tier PEBA-based foam, Helion HF, and a rigid midfoot Speedboard, it ensures stability and arch support while delivering a smooth ride throughout extended events. The upper, crafted from recycled polyester, enhances breathability and lightness.
Worn by:
Tsigie Gebreselama, Ethiopia (5,000 meters): Current world leader in the 5,000 meters (14:18.76)
Adidas Adizero Avanti 24
Featuring a full-length glass fiber-infused spike plate embedded in a zig-zag pattern through the responsive, TPEE-based Lightstrike Pro midsole, the Adizero Avanti 24 provides unmatched cushioning and energy return for long distance events. An increased stack height compared to its predecessor provides additional underfoot cushioning, enhancing comfort during long track races. An extremely lightweight and breathable upper delivers a secure, yet comfortable hold.
Worn by:
Hagos Gebrhiwet, Ethiopia, (5,000 meters): Current world leader in the 5,000 meters (12:36.73), former world junior record holder in the 5,000 meters
Under Armour Shakedown Elite 3 Long Distance
Ideal for 5,000 to 10,000 meters, the midsole design helps you get up on your toes faster for increased momentum and quicker turnover, while the increased midsole foam in the forefoot compresses and springs back for additional lift and energy return. A full-length, embedded plate adds rigidity and provides a powerful platform for energized toe-offs. Meanwhile, the breathable, semi-translucent woven upper secures your feet firmly in the spike while keeping them cool.
Worn by:
Weini Kelati, U.S., (10,000 meters): 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials 10,000-meter champion, 2024 U.S. cross country champion, 2024 World Cross Country Championships 15th-place finisher