Pinless spikes will save track athletes time and energy, ASICS says
Athletic footwear brand ASICS has launched a new development in long-distance track spikes.
Its Metaspeed LD system combines midsole cushioning and outsole grip with a full-length carbon plate.
It will help long-distance track runners to experiences “a more responsive rebound at toe-off”, increase traction, save energy and take longer strides, ASICS said.
The company has given the name Hexa-Claw to the outsole. The spikes are carbon and use no pins so that, rather than piercing the track’s surface, traction comes from claws in different shapes and sizes and positioned at different angles.
This also reduces contact time because, according to ASICS, runners “glide across the track” instead of having spike pins penetrate the track and come back out again. This, in turn, will help them conserve energy between steps, the company said.
“We studied the movement of mainly 5000- and 10000-metre competitons and athletes,” explained Metaspeed LD project leader, Shuhei Takemura. “These competitions require athletes to keep up a high pace for a long period of time, and then show a burst of energy towards the end of the race. We focused on energy saving, so the athletes’ strength can be showcased throughout the race, but also having the energy to showcase their speed at the end of the race.”
Image: ASICS
