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If you plan to participate in cross country running events, using a regular road running shoe won’t be a good idea.
You need a pair of shoes that can provide protection, comfort, and grip to help you get through the most challenging terrains.
Altra Men's Golden Spike is currently one of the most highly in-demand running shoes in the market.
It is made specifically for cross country running, and its features are all focused on providing a fantastic performance on the course.
This Altra Golden Spike review will help you determine if this running shoe fits your style and preference.
Altra Golden Spike Review
Altra Running is a company based in Utah known for its long-distance trail shoes made specifically for road and trail runs.
The Altra Golden Spike running shoe is focused mainly on sprint and track events and cross country running, which is a bit different from what the company is offering.
This shoe is made as a tribute to the sport and history of XC running. Its name comes from the transcontinental railroad landmark located in Northern Utah.
Although Altra is not known for its cross-country running shoes, this Golden Spikes shoes is one of the best running shoes that you can have for almost any type of terrain.
Who Is This Product For?
If you are an athlete and you want to participate in track and field events and cross country running, this is the perfect shoe that you can use.
It is also a perfect choice for individuals who join cross country running events. The shoe is pretty stylish, so you can also wear it on regular days if you want.
What’s Included?
The package includes the Altra Men's Golden Spike running shoe.
Overview of the Features
Altra became popular because of its foot-shaped toe box, which is also wider than usual.
This provides better air circulation on your feet and more room for your toe to move around.
The Golden Spike model is also a zero-drop shoe, which means that it offers a more natural stride.
Here are some of the other important features of Altra Golden Spike:
- Balanced Cushioning
The Altra Golden Spike running shoe is a perfect choice for cushioning. It offers a more balanced comfort throughout the shoe.
It will place your forefoot and heel at the same distance from the ground to provide a more low-impact form when running.
- Innerflex
For better speed and performance, Altra Golden Spike features Innerflex.
These are grid-like grooves found in the midsole that would enable your foot to flex properly.
This would reduce the pressure on your feet when you are running on different terrains.
- A-Bound Cushioning
The energy-return compound, along with its super lightweight EVA foam, can protect your feet during impact. It does so by providing a spring to each step.
This is another layer of protection to reduce the risk of injuries when running on rocky terrains.
- Golden Running Spikes
There are five spikes located off the sole that provide more grip on every stride. It will be noticeable when you are running on grassy or muddy terrains.
How to Maintain Your XC Running Shoe
Because of the changing courses, your running shoes would naturally be extremely dirty. Ideally, you’d want to clean it right away.
Make sure you get rid of every bit of mud and dirt as soon as you’re done with the race.
Here are a few more maintenance tips that you can do to make your running shoes last longer.
1. Buy More Than One Pair
If you have the money to buy one more pair of running shoes, it would be a big help to prolong the life of your running shoes.
If you keep using just the one pair every race, it would eventually wear out even if you are using a branded XC shoe.
2. Clean Them Immediately
After your race, make sure that you clean your shoe immediately.
If you are too tired to clean it thoroughly, at least remove all of the dirt and mud from the shoe before you rest.
You have to remember that cleaning the mud would be very difficult if you leave it on the shoe for more than 24 hours.
The best thing to do is to rinse the shoe and remove the mud and let it dry. You can clean the shoe completely after resting.
3. Use the Shoes For Their Intended Purpose
If you buy the Altra Golden Spike running shoe, use it for track and field and cross-country running events only.
It is not advisable for trail running or hiking because it doesn’t have enough protection and grip for more technical terrains.
Alternative
There's no denying in this Altra Golden Spike review that this pair is one of the best not just for XC running but also for track and field events.
However, if you prefer a regular road running shoe, the Altra Men's Torin 3 Athletic Shoe is worth checking out.
The Altra Men’s Torin 3 is made to improve toe splay, comfort, and natural foot positioning.
Like the Golden Spike, it is also a zero-drop shoe with a foot-shaped toe box to provide more room for your toes to move around.
The upper has a quick-dry air mesh for better comfort and breathability. The midsole features Innerflex and EVA with an A-Bound top layer.
The Altra Men’s Torin 3 is perfect for any running event held on concrete or asphalt grounds. On the other hand, Altra Golden Spikes can be used for natural courses.
Conclusion
Altra Golden Spike is definitely one of the best choices in the market in terms of comfort, weight, and durability.
It is very lightweight for faster strides, better comfort to help remove the pressure when running, and amazing durability to withstand the changing terrain on the course.
Whether it is track and field or cross-country running events, the Altra Golden Spike can help you reach your full potential and bring your skills to the next level.