Track spikes are shoes used at most athletics (track and field) events. They are lightweight shoes with spikes screwed into their bottom, or spike plate, in order to maximize traction (and therefore performance) when running, throwing or jumping.
There are nine basic types of Track Shoes:
Sprint spikes - Made for 100m to 400m sprints. They usually have no heel, very lightweight, and either a flexible, or stiff spike plate.
Hurdling - 100m, 110m, and 400m. Most hurdlers either use a flexible sprint spike or a middle distance spike because they have a small cushioned heel.
Middle Distance - 800m to Mile. These shoes usually have a small cushioned heel and a small forefoot spike plate. They have a smaller footprint than distance spikes.
Distance - 3000m to 10,000m. These spikes usually have fewer spikes in them and smaller spike plates but a full length cushioning. The elite level spikes have very little anything to reduce weight. Steeplechasers also use a distance spike.
Pole Vault/Long Jump/Triple Jump - These spikes have a thin, full length midsole for cusioning and stability when planting. TJ shoes usually have a different heel since they have to handle the 3 plants of a triple jump. Pole vault shoes are generally labeled as either LJ or TJ since they have similar takeoff requirements.
High Jump - These spikes have rearfoot spikes as well as forefoot. They are designed to allow a firm plant for the takeoff foot.
Javelin - Javelin boots are big and heavy. They have the support and both front and rear spikes to handle the approach and plant of a javelin thrower.
Throw - Shotput/Discus - Two types of shoes are made, glide shoes and spin shoes. Some brands just have one choice, some seperate them. Glide shoes usually have a textured bottom for grip. Rotational shoes have a smoother bottom for better spin.
Multi-Purpose - these are low end middle distance spikes that have a full length midsole and a generic spike plate. They are meant for athletes that want an everyday spike to wear in practice. They can be used for almost any event except throws.
Any spike over $70 is not meant for everyday use, just for racing.
info from VS Athletics
