The Spartan Obstacle Race offers races of varying distances and difficulty ranging from 1 mile (1.6 km) to marathon distances: the Spartan Sprint (5+ km of obstacle racing), the Super Spartan (13+ km), the Spartan Beast (19+ km), and the Ultra Beast (42+ km – one of two marathon obstacle courses along with Mudderthon). Spartan Race also has a time-trial obstacle course race that is one mile in length, and has a military series in which obstacles are designed by the United States military.
Spartan Race’s parent company, Peak Races, hosts the Spartan Death Race, 48+ hour extreme test of endurance and resilience. In a Spartan Race event, “participants will confront obstacles ranging from extreme to absurd that gain their inspiration from sources as varied as Spartan training, Navy SEAL training and American Gladiators”. ESPN describes the Spartan Race as “a true test of will.
It’s important to have the right shoes so you can be prepared for this demanding race. You’ll have maximum grip in these extremely light shoes!
The freedom and sensation of barefoot running but the grip of an all conquering off trail shoe. Incredibly light and responsive, the bare-grip™ 200 simply screams “SPRINT ME, RACE ME” when you lace it up…and boy, does it deliver! Uniquely the ZERO Arrow Shoc-Zone™ bare-grip™ 200 does not have a midsole, so all the natural power and speed of the foot is transferred directly through the shoe. The closest you can get to barefoot running in a harsh off road trail environment.
Weight 200g / 7oz (UK8)
2. X-Talon 190
This shoe will redefine expectations for elite runners looking for the highest levels of proprioception and the most natural foot position. Featuring a 3mm differential between the forefoot and heel and a 3mm footbed, the X-Talon™ 190 ensures that your foot remains closer to the ground in its most stable position.
Weight 190g / 6.7oz (UK8)
More World Championship wins than any other shoe in off road running. The optimum combination of minimal weight, stability and grip as well as a durable and protective upper.
A lightweight and versatile trail shoe designed for maximum performance in both races and training. The reinforced toe box protects the foot and shoe upper from any unexpected terrain.
5. Vibram Fivefingers Spyridon
The Spyridon with its 3.5mm Vibram rubber sole allows a better grip in the trail. It has an aggressive tread design for solid grip and the midsole has a nylon mesh that spreads the impact from a rock over a wider area, offering a better protection from rocks, roots and any other trail objects you may encounter without sacrificing the barefoot experience.
6. Vibram Fivefingers Trek Sport
The FiveFingers TrekSport is designed with rugged, high-performance materials to help maximize your outdoor experience. With abrasion-resistant Coconut Active Carbon in the upper for natural breathability, 4mm EVA in the midsole for plating protection, and a lightly cleated 4mm Vibram® performance rubber outsole for extra traction on a variety of terrain.
