Like the sport鈥檚 competitors, good OCR shoes must be tough, versatile, and able to withstand everything sadistic race organizers throw at them. They also better feel good on your feet.
That mix isn鈥檛 always easy to find in a sneaker, so I called on 国产吃瓜黑料‘s obstacle-course racing expert Erin Beresini to answer this question. The early OCR adopter, Buyer鈥檚 Guide tester, and fitness columnist wrote the book on obstacle-course racing鈥攍iterally. Beresini鈥檚 is a definitive history of the young and fast-growing sport, and will be available October 14.
So when it comes to buying the right OCR shoes, the three-time Ironman finisher knows of what she speaks. Here are her suggestions:
Look to Inov-8
A lot of racers favor Inov-8 shoes because they have large, grippy lugs on the bottom, which allows for great traction on technical terrain. They won鈥檛 slide on either the uphill or the downhill, even if it鈥檚 muddy, says Beresini.
Inov-8 makes shoes that range from super minimalist to fully cushioned, and Beresini suggests selecting the amount of support based on your own needs and preferences. “I have flat feet, so I need more support than the really minimalist shoes. But if you can get away with minimalist shoes, do it because they drain really fast and they鈥檙e lightweight,” Beresini said.
Go for the lightest, most minimal shoe you can handle so it doesn鈥檛 bog you down during the water obstacles. The is a good choice for minimalists. If you need a bit more support, Beresini suggests the .听
Test Reebok鈥檚 Spartan-Specific Line
Reebok released its specifically for Spartan Races, and according to Beresini, the company nailed it with its new shoes. The All Terrain Supers were designed specifically for the Super Spartan course鈥攁n eight-mile race with more than 20 obstacles. “The outsole has really tiny teeth that help you when you鈥檙e rope climbing,” says Beresini. “They’re also designed to drain really well because the designers knew you were going to get your feet soaked.”聽
Choose Your Socks Wisely
After you鈥檝e picked out the right pair of shoes, make sure you protect your feet鈥攁nd calves鈥攚ith the right socks. Beresini uses compression socks when she competes in obstacle-course races. They prevent dirt and rocks from getting into the socks, and they鈥檙e made from quick-dry synthetic fibers so they don鈥檛 hold water.