Small sizes are where most families get stuck. If you need youth track spikes in sizes 1 to 4, Fitness Sports keeps those sizes on the shelf on purpose, because they are the hardest ones to find. We carry youth sizes 1 through 7 and make a point of stocking size 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5 and 4, so a junior high athlete can be fitted properly instead of squeezing into whatever the team has left over. You can see what is in stock in our track spike collection or come in and try pairs on.
Why sizes 1 to 4 are so hard to find
Most stores that carry spikes at all start at adult sizes. Manufacturers make fewer pairs in the small end of the range, and what does get made tends to sell out early in the season. That leaves a lot of seventh and eighth graders, and plenty of small footed high schoolers, wearing a spike that is a size too big and hoping the laces do the rest.
A spike that is too long lets the foot slide forward on turns, which is uncomfortable and slow. We stock the small sizes deliberately so young athletes get the same fit quality as the varsity runners, and so parents do not have to order three pairs online and return two.
Brands we carry in youth track spikes
We stock leading brands in youth sizing, with options for different events and foot shapes:
- Nike: the most popular choice in youth track spikes and the brand we keep the most inventory in, with options for sprints, distance and jumps.
- New Balance: a good pick for athletes who need a little more room through the midfoot.
- Saucony: known for comfortable spikes that suit runners who find racing shoes tight across the forefoot.
If your athlete does more than one event, we will talk through what they actually compete in before recommending anything. A sprinter and a distance runner want different shoes, and a middle schooler who does a bit of everything usually wants something versatile rather than specialized.
How to size a growing foot
The most useful thing you can do before coming in is look at the shoes your child wears every day. If those are already snug with little room at the end, plan on going up half a size in a spike. Nearly all of our youth spike returns are because the shoe was too small, not too big, so when it is close we lean toward the extra half size.
Track spikes fit snugger than running shoes by design, since a secure foot is faster on the track. Snug should never mean painful, though. Toes should lie flat rather than curl, the heel should stay put without slipping, and nothing should leave a red mark after a few minutes.
Our free in-store fitting measures foot length, width and arch height and includes a gait check, and no appointment is needed. It takes a few minutes and it settles the sizing question properly. If you are also wondering about everyday shoes for a growing athlete, our post on whether your kids are in the correct size shoes is a useful companion read.
Where to buy youth track spikes in Iowa
Fitness Sports has seven stores across the state, and all of them can help with youth spikes:
- Ames at 410 5th St
- Ankeny at 604 SW 3rd St
- Clive at 8810 Swanson Blvd
- Coralville at 103 5th St, serving Iowa City
- Des Moines at 2915 Ingersoll Ave
- Marion at 1026 7th Ave, serving Cedar Rapids
- North Liberty at 555 Hwy 965 B
Hours are Monday to Friday 10 to 6, Saturday 10 to 5 and Sunday 1 to 5. You can also order online and pick up at any store, normally ready within an hour, which helps when practice starts tomorrow. Standard shipping is free on orders over $70 if you would rather have them sent to the house.
Three ways to order
- Come into a store. Your athlete tries on several pairs, we measure both feet, and you leave knowing the fit is right.
- Shop online. Browse available sizes and styles and order from home, with pickup or shipping.
- Call us. If you are not sure what your athlete needs, call the nearest store and we will talk you through the options and check stock in their size.
Questions we get asked
What size youth track spikes should I buy?
Start with the shoes your child already wears daily. If those feel snug with little space past the longest toe, go up half a size in a spike. Spikes fit closer than street shoes, so the size on the box is not always the size that fits. The safest route is to bring your athlete in and let us measure both feet, since young feet often differ from one to the other.
Do you really carry size 1 and 1.5?
Yes. Sizes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5 and 4 are the hardest to find anywhere and we stock them on purpose. We carry the widest selection of youth track spikes in Iowa, and those small sizes are a big part of the reason. Stock does move during the season, so if you need a specific size in a specific model, call ahead and we will check the shelf for you.
Will my child grow out of these in one season?
Some do, which is why sizing with a little room at the end matters more for young athletes than for adults. If your child is in a growth spurt, we will talk about that when we fit them. It is better to have a shoe that fits well now and gets replaced next season than one bought two sizes big that never fits properly at all.
What if the spikes do not work out?
Bring them back within 30 days with your receipt and we will refit, exchange or refund. That covers the case where a shoe felt fine in the store and less fine after the first practice. Our fitting promise applies to youth spikes the same as anything else we sell, so you are not stuck with a pair that turned out wrong.
Can younger kids wear track spikes at all?
Track spikes are made for competition, so they suit kids who are actually racing rather than kids who just enjoy running around. If your child is on a junior high team and competing at meets, spikes are appropriate. For everyday running and gym class, a supportive youth running shoe is the better buy, and we can fit that in the same visit.
Come into any Fitness Sports store for a free fitting and let us get your athlete into the right pair, or shop the full range online and pick up at the store nearest you. Bring your child along if you can, since twenty minutes in the store beats three rounds of ordering and returning.