Investing in the best shoes is very thoughtful when running cross country. Shoes good for cross country are designed to keep you balanced when walking on tough terrain. Running cross country is a different ball game; it is not the same as sprinting on a track. It is a type of team sport that is mostly practiced in college and high school.

What are the best shoes for cross country?

The best shoes for cross country include the following:

• Saucony Men’s Kilkenny Shoes
• La Sportiva Wildcat 2.0 Shoe
• Adidas Performance Men’s XCS Shoe
• New Balance Women’s 700v5 Shoe
• Pearl Izumi Peak 2 Shoes
• New Balance Men’ 900v4 Removable Spike Shoes Good for Cross Country
• Brooks Mach 17 Track & Field Women’s Shoes

Best Shoes

You need a pair of shoe that provides balance, support, and comfort when running cross country. As a cross country runner, you will always find an ideal cross country running shoe available for you. You can do well to check our review for the best shoes for running cross country.

Quick Picks

7 Best Shoes for Cross Country with Reviews

Saucony Men’s Kilkenny Shoes Good for Cross Country

It is no doubt that a cross country runner needs a pair of shoe that offers enough protection and stability. The Saucony Men’s Kilkenny Shoes Good for Cross Country is a high profile shoe that offers these features. Saucony has built its reputation by designing high-quality shoes that make cross country running easy.

Stability

This shoe features a synthetic sole that ensures stability and great traction. It comes with a synthetic upper that is very breathable. This brightly designed shoe has minimal cushioning that offers enough protection to the feet. This shoe is nice is narrow fitting, making it ideal for cross country running.

Pros

• It comes at an affordable price
• Features synthetic sole
• Offers enough protection

Cons

• The arch area is a bit tight
• It has no toe bumper

La Sportiva Wildcat 2.0 Shoes Good for Cross Country

The La Sportiva Wildcat 2.0 Shoes Good for Cross Country offers features like durability, proper traction, and comfort.  With this pair of shoes, you can run on rough terrains. The outsole of this shoe is made with materials that ensure a good amount of traction. This shoe comes with a durable mesh around the upper, TPU heel cage, GTX lining, and a mesh on the tongue.

Good for Cold

It is made to perform well in colder climates. The heel area comes with a TPU overlay wrap that offers enough protection and stability. The GTX material ensures that water doesn’t get in the shoe, keeping your feet dry all the time. This shoe also offers enough breathability as it regulates the temperature and also allows some airflow.

Pros

• Available in different sizes
• Made of high-quality materials
• It fits the foot perfectly

Cons

• It is quite expensive
• Not suitable for warm climates

Adidas Performance Men’s XCS Shoes Good for Cross Country

This lightweight shoe is all you need for your cross country tour. The Adidas Performance Men’s XCS Shoes Good for Cross Country is made to give you lasting support when running on rough terrain. It features a synthetic sole and air mesh upper for enough breathability. The fastening system ensures that the shoe secures your foot properly.

Improved Stability

The adaptive Traxion provides a good amount of traction on rough and hard surfaces. It has an allover rubberized print that protects you against mud and dirt. This shoe comes with an EVA midsole that offers enough cushioning. The inner bootee of this shoe is designed to offer your barefoot a comfortable feel.

Pros

• It features a litestrike EVA midsole
• Comes with adaptive Traxion sole
• Features air mesh uppers

Cons

• It is not too durable
• It isn’t spiked

New Balance Women’s 700v5 Shoes Good for Cross Country

New Balance is known for producing high profile shoes, this brand has continued to gain its popularity in the shoemaking industry. The New Balance Women’s 700v5 Shoes Good for Cross Country is designed to fit women’s foot perfectly and as well provide comfort. The upper of this shoe is made from synthetic and mesh materials that help to provide enough breathability.

Best Fit

When the shoe is worn, your foot remains cool and dry all the time. The insole is very comfortable and the revlite midsole provides you the best fit. Its synthetic sole comes with a 6 spike configuration that enables you to have a good grip on any kind of surface.  The stylish laces are made to keep you comfortable and secure the shoe to your foot properly.

Pros

• Comes with removable spikes
• Has a synthetic sole
• It is made of synthetic and textile

Cons

• It isn’t available in different colors

Pearl Izumi Peak 2 Shoes Good for Cross Country

Shoes designed with breathable materials provide the foot with enough airflow when worn, that is what the Pearl Izumi Peak 2 Shoes Good for Cross Country does. This shoe makes off-road running very easy, it features a TPU toe cap that ensures enough durability and protection. Featuring a synthetic sole and ortholite sock liner, this shoe provides a good amount of cushioning.

Shock Absorption

The heel of this shoe is supported in a way that it absorbs shocks and provides good traction to runners. This cross country shoe is very lightweight and as such, isn’t a burden to the runner.  This shoe is reasonably priced making it a perfect choice for cross country runners. In addition, this comfortable shoe comes in various simple color options.

Pros

• Features a carbon rubber outsole
• Very comfortable and breathable
• Features TPU toe cap

Cons

• Sock liner not too comfortable for everyone

New Balance Men’ 900v4 Removable Spike Shoes Good for Cross Country

It is obvious that the New balance has the interest of both men and women at heart. The New Balance Men’ 900v4 Removable Spike Shoes Good for Cross Country is ideal for trail running and road running since it features removable spikes. This pair of shoes is extremely flexible, which makes it the perfect choice when running on any type of terrain.

Improved Traction

It is designed with a breathable mesh that doesn’t allow the feet to overheat. The collar of this shoe is well-padded to enable comfort when worn. The improved rubber sole ensures a good amount of traction even when the spikes are removed. This flexible and lightweight shoe is reasonably priced, making it a great choice for cross country runners.

Pros

• Very affordable
• Offers great quality
• Ideal for different races
• Very durable and comfortable

Cons

• The shoes can be too snug
• The cushioned collar isn’t comfortable for some
• Not suitable for more intense trails

Brooks Mach 17 Track & Field Women’s Shoes Good for Cross Country

Comfort, flexibility, and durability are the features offered by ideal cross country shoes. The Brooks Mach 17 Track & Field Women’s Shoes Good for Cross Country is well-designed to make you feel good as a runner. It is made of textile and the sole is synthetic. These women running shoes are very versatile as they can be worn for other purposes.

Field and Track

It is available in different sizes, allowing what fits your foot perfectly. This pair of shoe is uniquely designed to look great on you. If you are in need of versatile spiked running shoes that can be worn for both field and track, then this shoe is for you. With this shoe, you can have the best cross country running experience.

Pros

• Has a unique and beautiful design
• Very comfortable
• It is affordable

Cons

• Not durable enough
• Too tight for some runners

Also Read: Best Shoes for Dark Suits

Buying Guide

What are Cross Country Shoes?

Cross country shoes are specifically designed for athletes who partake in cross country races. These shoes are designed to be lightweight, comfortable, and durable. In order to provide extra traction, some country shoes come with track spikes. These shoes are owpen made of lightweight and breathable materials.

Advantages of Cross Country Shoes

 Cross country shoes can withstand any type of terrain and can be worn for both track and field events. These shoes offer great cushioning and traction that helps you to maintain enough balance when dealing with uneven and rocky terrain.

Features to Consider When Purchasing the Best Cross Country Shoes

There are some important features you will need to consider when purchasing the best cross country shoes. These shoes should provide enough traction, comfort, and protection when worn. Here are what you should look out for when purchasing the best shoes for cross country running.

Material

This is a very important feature you must look out for in cross country shoes. These shoes should be made of breathable materials that provide enough airflow to your feet. The upper should be made of mesh material for proper breathability.  Synthetic and mesh materials are ideal for making cross country shoes as they reduce the risk of athlete’s foot.

Traction

The best footwear should provide a good amount of traction. Without this feature, you won’t be able to maintain proper balance while running and this could be very dangerous especially when running on muddy areas or slippery grass. The soles of these shoes should be built with rubber that helps you maintain a firm grip on any type of surfaces.

Protection

As a cross country runner, you will encounter some obstacles like rocks, uneven terrain, and logs, therefore, it is important a shoe that feature sturdy outsoles. Some hoes come with rubber and plate compounds that help to prevent foot bruising.

Lacing system

Go for a lacing system that is very flexible and as well as keep the shoe firm on your foot. A complicated lacing system is not a good choice as this can make running miserable for you. The laces should also be very durable to withstand any type of element.

Size

Going for the right size of shoes is very important. This helps you to enjoy the comfort provided by the shoe. Before buying a pair of footwear, go for the right size. A pair of shoe that is too free or tight will make you feel uncomfortable while running.

Spikes

You need to be sure if you need spikes for your cross country shoe. Some runners prefer shoes that come with a spike since they provide more grip to the ground. However, it is important to know that spikes won’t allow you to run on asphalt surfaces like pavements. The choice of getting spiked shoes depends on your running style and personal preference.

How to Care for Your Cross Country Shoes

It is important you take proper care of your shoe. Proper care and maintenance will increase the life span of your shoe. Regular cleaning will reduce the risk of damage.

Remove excess grass

Awper running with your shoes, ensure you remove the excess grass and mud before keeping them in your bag. This will help to reduce the chances of rusty spikes.

Don’t Machine Wash

Don’t put your shoes in the washing machine as they can damage the spike plates and sole separations when awper a wash cycle.

Do Not Tumble Dry

You should also avoid putting them in the tumble drier as the heat can cause damage to the spikes.

Warm water

Clean your shoes in warm soapy water, you can use a gentle brush to get rid of forts accumulated on the spike plate.

Hard Brush

Use a hard brush to clean the outsole of your shoes. If there is much dirt stuck in the outsole, get a hose, scrub, and rinse thoroughly.

When cleaning the upper, make sure you remove the laces and insoles. Make use of a brush to get rid of dirt and dust from the uppers. Scrub with soap and rinse with clean water.

Related Questions

Are special footwear needed for cross country?

Good traction and reinforced grip are what you need for cross country running, without these features, running will be your worst nightmare. It is not ideal to use a different type of shoe for cross country running as this can be very dangerous to you. When running cross country, you will probably run on grasses or uneven terrain, a pair of shoe that provides enough support, protection, and comfort is all you need.

What is the difference between cross country running and trail running?

These two types of running differ in terrain consistency. Trail running can be done on the trail while cross country running can occur on trails, grass, or paved surfaces.

Conclusion

For cross country running, a good pair of footwear is very necessary. Shoes good for cross country running help you have an enjoyable experience. They are made to offer you protection and help you maintain balance while running cross country. One of the wisest decisions you will make as a cross country runner is investing in the best shoe.

You have options

There are lots of options available for you since there are several brands of cross country shoes. They are designed to withstand any type of terrain and as such a perfect choice for cross country runners. These shoes are very functional and comfortable as they play a significant role in maintaining the physical and mental balance of runners.