2009 Cross Country Shoe Review

Cross Country Shoes

by Cregg Weinmann

For our annual Cross Country Shoe Review, we’ve examined and tested eight new or updated models. Despite their lowprofile design, cross country shoes provide protective cushioning and traction on varying terrain. The subtle differences in fit from one brand or model to the next allow most runners to find a racing shoe best suited for their particular foot type.

Two factors should influence your selection of a cross country racing shoe: how well it fits you and how it feels when you run in it. Cross country racing shoes are more alike than they are different, but we can’t emphasize enough that the differences in fit and cushioning are crucial to individual comfort and performance. Discovering mid-race that model X doesn’t quite work for you is not a positive experience. Spend a little time in your racing shoes before the actual race, since the low profile of the shoe coupled with the intense effort of racing can be tough on your soft tissue if you haven’t prepared well.

Fit issues being equal, choose between spikes or spikeless models based on the racing surfaces you’ll encounter over the course of your season. Cross country spikes are slightly better than spikeless shoes at gripping muddy or soggy ground, but they are limited to use on all-natural courses and are not allowed for high school use in California. In the muck, spikeless models work almost as well as spikes and they also manage pavement, sidewalks, and rocky surfaces. In addition, they work well on indoor or outdoor tracks.

adidas adiZero Belligerence

ASICS Dirt Dog/Diva 3

The original Belligerence had a bit of an “old school” appearance, looking a bit like an adidas model from a generation ago.

This season’s update takes its design cue from the Japanese character “Kizuna” which is on the sole of the shoe and denotes a blending of family-like unity and teamwork. Like the original, the upper opens only on the lateral side without a traditional tongue, lending more medial support than a standard opening. An elastic strap inside the midfoot enhances the fit and adds to the support provided by the HF-welded overlays. The midsole and six-spike outersole have been retained from last season, and its rubbery lugs are highly effective on natural surfaces.

The successful Dirt Dog and Dirt Diva have been updated with some minor touches that leave their strengths perfectly in place. The secondround version tried to straddle the spike/spikeless question by including flower-shaped, rubbery, screw-in lugs. The Dog/Diva 3 uses a more traditional, metal-spiked platform aimed more to the cross country traditionalist and all-natural courses. The full-length DuraSponge outersole and CM-EVA midsole are the same as before with 6 spike wells to optimize traction. The upper continues to rely on the thin mesh layer for drainage in wet or sloppy conditions, while keeping the shoe light.

“Very snug fit, conformed to my foot perfectly. Never any slippage or problems with traction at all. Just enough cush for cross country, and they were also great on the track.” $90 SPIKE Weight: Men 7.4 oz. (size 11) w/ 6 spikes Fit: snug heel, glove-like toe box

“Good, secure fit. Great traction with plenty of cushion.” $75 SPIKE Weight: Men 7.6 oz. (size 11) w/ 6 spikes; Women 6.2 oz. (size 8) w/ 6 spikes Fit: snug heel, supported, open toe box

Brooks Mach 11

Mizuno Wave Kaze 5

Though not really capable of traveling faster than 8,000 miles per hour, the Mach 11 is certainly capable of a fleet 8,000 meters. The midsole and outersole continue with the proven, effective design that has worked so well for five rounds of Brooks cross country shoes. As with recent models, the upper is well supported by HF-welded midfoot overlays, but leaves a little room in the forefoot for the toes to spread a bit. The combination of good support from the upper, generous cushioning underfoot, and traction on the bottom make the Mach 11 a good value.

The primary changes in each of the previous four Kaze updates have come in the upper. The outersole and Wave plate have been consistent and unique elements in each model, providing good cushioning, traction, and flexibility. The Kaze 5 features the same level of ventilation with open airmesh. The overlays have been repositioned with a little less in the heel and toe, a little more in the midfoot, slightly improving support, but at a tiny weight increase. The net result is a shoe that offers good traction, a supportive upper, and cushioning suited to the changing surfaces of cross country racing.

“Extremely snug around the heel, but the toe box feels roomier. Handled every type of terrain I came across. Good grip up and down hills, race after race.” $60 SPIKELESS/$65 SPIKE Weight: Men 7.4 oz. (size 11) spikeless, 7.9 oz. (size 11) w/ 6 spikes; Women 6.1 oz. (size 8) spikeless, 6.5 oz. (size 8) w/ 6 spikes Fit: snug heel and midfoot, close-fitting, open toe box

“The fit was great. I liked how they hugged the foot well but didn’t pinch my toes. They have a bouncy feel, good flexibility, and great grip, which I like.” $80 SPIKELESS/SPIKE Weight: Men 9.2 oz. (size 11) spikeless, 9.9 oz. (size 11) w/ 6 spikes; Women 7.5 oz. (size 8) spikeless, 8.0 oz. (size 8) w/ 6 spikes Fit: snug heel and midfoot; close-fitting, open toe box

Cross Country Shoes

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New Balance RX506

Nike Zoom Forever XC 2

The new RX506 is designed to provide great traction, responsiveness, and enough cushioning to protect the racing foot. Built on the same last as the RX505, it diverges from previous New Balance cross country models in its top flight elements. The upper is airmesh with minimized overlays that wrap the arch for support and work with the N-lock webbing to secure the foot, and the interior has a nice, barefoot feel. The midsole is a responsive layer of CM-EVA, with a 3/4-length thermoplastic spikeplate and four spike wells. The outersole is rubber with an assortment of ridges and lugs to improve traction. Overall, the RX506 is an excellent value.

The Zoom Forever XC updates the spiked version of Nike’s ultra lightweight cross country racer. The most technical aspects of the shoe in the midsole and outersole— Zoom Air bag, CM-EVA, Pebax spikeplate, fulllength TPU protective plate, and a matrix of rubber lugs—have been retained. The upper now features a minimal mesh with few overlays, offering great drainage. It fits well and has a good barefoot feel inside, thanks to the sueded arch and tongue. The low profile, lug shape and placement, and flexibility of the TPU plate make for a nimble shoe.

“They are very snug and fit like a glove, so good you feel like you are not wearing any shoes at all. Good cushioning, but excellent traction, after all, they are spikes.” $55 SPIKE Weight: Men 8.2 oz. (size 11) w/ 4 spikes; Women 6.6 oz. (size 8) w/ 4 spikes Fit: snug heel and midfoot; close-fitting, open toe box

“Great fit! Hugs my foot like a loving mother. For so light a shoe, it offers good protection and cushioning —and great traction!”

$90 SPIKE Weight: Men 6.3 oz. (size 11) w/ 4 spikes Fit: snug heel, glove-like toe box

Puma Complete Ngong III

Saucony Kilkenny 3

The Ngong, named for hills of the Rift Valley outside Nairobi, Kenya, has represented the best in Puma cross country shoes. This update merges the Ngong spike with the Cortlandt spike/spikeless models.

The midsole and outersole from the Cortlandt have been employed here for its combination of traction and cushioning which work well on a variety of surfaces. The spikeless version even does a good job on the roads. The new upper is airmesh with overlays to support the midfoot. Inside, you’ll find the plushest barefoot feel of all the shoes in this review.

Named in a nod to Irish enthusiasm for the sport of cross country, the updated Kilkenny continues to provide quality performance. Its fit and low profile give the shoe a slipper-like quality. The upper is a blend of closed but still breathable mesh and minimal overlays, with a sueded interior for a comfortable feel even if you race without socks. The midsole is the same low-profile, responsive CM-EVA as before, as is the effectively lugged outersole. The flexibility, fit, cushioning, and traction make the Kilkenny 3 an excellent choice for all cross country courses.

“Super fit and very comfortable, even barefoot. Worked great on trail, road, grass, you name it.” $60 SPIKELESS/$65 SPIKE Weight: Men 8.4 oz. (size 11) spikeless, 8.9 oz. (size 11) w/ 6 spikes; Women 6.9 oz. (size 8) spikeless, 7.3 oz. (size 8) w/ 6 spikes Fit: snug heel and midfoot, glove-like toe box

“These shoes were the perfect size and were really snug. It was great on any kind of terrain. I think the weight was the best part about the shoe: it was perfect for a [racing] flat.” $60 SPIKELESS/$65 SPIKE Weight: Men 7.2 oz (size 11) spikeless, 7.6 oz. (size 11) w/ 6 spikes; Women 5.9 oz. (size 8) spikeless, 6.3 oz. (size 8) w/ 6 spikes Fit: snug heel and midfoot, glove-like toe box

CREGG WEINMANN is the Running Network LLC’s footwear reviewer. He has coached cross country for over 25 years at the age group, high school, and university levels and beyond. He can be reached via e-mail at shuz2run@lightspeed.net.

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