New to these forums, though had been looking around them for a while.
I’m mainly a 400m sprinter (like the title suggests) and occasionally I’ll do a 200m. I’m 15 yrs old, and my P.B.s are 100m: 11.81; 200m: 24.88, 400m: 54.88.
My current pair of spikes are some Adidas Nova’s (I think). My feet have high arches on something, and so I wear prosthetics in my normal shoes and school shoes (same insole just swap them around). Recently my left knee has been jarring when I’m on the track (probably because I don’t have my prosthetics in my spikes), to a point where I can’t run anymore, and so in need of some new spikes. I’d be purchasing these off Eastbay.com (assuming they can send to New Zealand).
So my question is, which would be the better shoe for me? From what I’ve read, the Maxcat appears to be better for the 400m (plus Jeremy Wariner wore it in Athens , but I need enough room for the prosthetics, and quite like the look of the powercats (that green one is mint, and the shoe does not look as narrow). But I’d just like to clarify what you guys think.
I’m more a 60/100/200 type (but occasionally a 400) and use both the Superfly g5 and JSC, which are basically the same thing (the two you mentioned are slight updates of these). What it comes down to is acceleration versus turns. The G5/Powercat lets you develop more power in acceleration out of blocks, so the 60 & 100 is a little faster, but not as good in the turns. The Maxcat/JSC is lighter, handles the turn better, and many people run a little faster in flying sprints in these because of the weight.
If I was PRIMARILY a 400/200 type–without other issues–I would go for the maxcat. BTW Francis Obikwelu races the 100 in the maxcat, but is not a particularly strong starter (comes on later in the race), so it depends somewhat on what style of sprinter you are.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the G5/Powercat plate is (intentionally) somewhat stiffer, and the maxcat is VERY flexible. This may be an issue with prosthetics. The JSC/maxcat also was designed to feel like running barefoot (it does) but because of this, it fits rather snugly. You might have an easier time with the Powercats/G5, especially if you order 1/2 size larger.
I went to Athletes Foot today (shoe store) and had them check my feet (run/stand/walk over this pad) and discovered I have NO arch or a VERY HIGH arch, and that my feet are neutral. Would this affect which shoe I should get? The guy said definitely wear prosthetics in all my shoes, especially spikes (got a new pair of prosthetics too).
It’s looking like US 10.5 Powercats right now (I’m US 10 in all my shoes), but spikes are tighter and I need room for the prosthetics
It appears that your decision will be determined by the prosthetics. I am a neutral runner and can wear maxcat or powercat, so you shouldn’t have a problem with either, but what you won’t have a feel for until you’ve actually run in them is just how snugly the JSC/Maxcat fits. It feels like sprinting in a sock, and there is NO room in there for anything but your foot. You might get an arch support in there, but that’s about it.
So, If you need the prosthetics, your decision is probably already made for you. I bought my G5s 1/2 size larger to take advantage of a sale at Eastbay. The larger size doesn’t cause a problem with sprinting, but I think there probably would be room for a prosthetic under your foot. The strap on the upper of the G5/Powercat above the balls of the feet might also allow you to tie the shoe a little looses then use the strap for contact with the plate. Again, you might not quite get this until/unless you’ve actually run in them.
I hate to hijack the thread but it looks like the question was resolved. But anyways I’m looking for some new spikes and I’ve narrowed it down to either the Zoom Powercats or the Superfly G5s.
I’d be leaning towards the Powercats at the moment except that I heard one testimonial of someone saying they were tight on the sides of his feet and my feet are a bit wider then average.
If anyone can offer any input into this or into the spikes in general so I’m better educated to make a decision it’d be great.
I also use the Brooks F1s right now so if you could tell me how the plats are in comparison to it, it’d be great.
The Powercat is a slight updating of the G5, the main difference being the use of a lighter upper to save a few tenths of an ounce of weight. It also fits a little more snug than the G5 but not like the Maxcat. The main thing, though, is that the spike plate, which has been used in winning a whole bunch of Olympic medals, is the same.
For me, the real tradeoff was not between the Powercat and the G5 but between the G5 and the Asics Japan Lite-ning. I decided to defer–as I almost always do–to what Charlie said about the injury risk from a firm, unflexible plate, which is what Asics claims for the Lite-ning. In particular I was scared about what Charlie said about Mo getting his achilles injured one day or one week (I forget which) after training in his new Adidas signature spike, and I decided to stick with the safe choice.
You can also buy G5s at a discount.
If anyone out there has worn the Lite-ning for a minimum or 15 races and/or training sessions, I’d be curious to know what the results were (injury and performance).
whats better for the 100m, maxcats or Celar 2(only 2 in my size) ?
also, does anybody know how different in size Asics shoes are ? im 13 in nike does it mean im 13 in asics ? thanks !
Some people might say the Celars are better for the 100M, but I like minimalistic spikes better. If it were me, I’d go with the Maxcats, but you really can’t go wrong with either.
Aword of caution about sizing the maxcat/powercat upper: I take a 10.5-11 is regular Nike running shoes (and 10 in Adidas power sprint spikes), but had to go down to an 8.5 in both the powercat and the maxcat.
Also, the leather tends to stretch. My spikes seemed a bit too tight when i first got them, but after about 3-4 workouts they fit perfectly.
If you have the opportunity to try on the spikes before you purchase them i would suggest you do that.
My powercats are great for the 100, but i don’t wear them for corners anymore. I ripped the seams (actually blew out the seams) around the turn on a flat 200m track, so i’ve switched to maxcats for tight turns and powercats for 60/100.
I got the Powercats in the mail today. They fit so much better than my older ones did when I first got them. I race tomorow and can’t wait to give them a try (meaningless race, might as well use em).
I don’t get this. I wear Adidas size 12 training shoes, size 12 JSCs fit like a glove, and size 12.5 G5’s are slightly loose (no problem for racing).
My powercats are great for the 100, but i don’t wear them for corners anymore. I ripped the seams (actually blew out the seams) around the turn on a flat 200m track, so i’ve switched to maxcats for tight turns and powercats for 60/100.
I use G5’s for 60/100, but I believe all 3 men’s medals in the 200 in Athens were won in G5s. I use the JSC (Maxcat) for 200 races and even for workout 150’s as they handle the turns better. Never had anything rip in a turn.
, but I need enough room for the prosthetics, and quite like the look of the powercats (that green one is mint, and the shoe does not look as narrow). But I’d just like to clarify what you guys think.