Discussion: Shoes for Sprints

What shoes do elite orienteers use for Sprints?

I wear icebugs

which icebugs?

I don't pretend to be an elite, but I've found that Inov8 X-Talon 190 or 212 are far superior to road running shoes. Very versatile shoes as they are mostly used for forest O, but the grip is great on wet grass and wet paving that you frequently find in sprints if it's been raining or there'a a heavy dew.

Recently I've acquired a pair of Inov8 Parkclaw, so might try these out at my next sprint race.

Photos of all the runners in the 2018 WOC Sprint Final, so you could check them out to see what shoes the runners are wearing.

Based on those photos the answer seems to be D, all of the above.

Purely urban I would use Inov8 f-lite 195s. If there is any risk of steep slopes or wet terrain then Inov8 X-talons.

As Cristina said it is very much personal preference. It also becomes a mental thing because you could think that the weight of the shoe really makes a difference, even when the terrain should play far more of a role in shoe choice.

I like VJ Irocks - they've got pretty good grip on wet tarmac and cobbles as well as on grass for park sections

If you mean "fastest possible shoe and to hell with the consequences"... I have a pair of Inov-8 Trailroc 150. Good grip even on wet terrain, very light and very fast. And you get to experience every lump the ground for that authentic post-race sore-feet experience.

https://runrepeat.com/inov-8-trailroc-150

NVii are launching their sprint-specific shoes in a few months' time: https://o-store.ca/repository/content/file/Annes%2... Really lightweight and grip halfway between a racing flat and a forest shoe

Looks like every one of those NVii shoes is fitted for narrow feet :(

100% hard surfaces: Asics Piranha
Mixed surfaces/Wet: Inov8 x-talon

For sprint races ( paving/grass/tarmac/slopes ) we recommend these 3 shoes, as they are very light, have superior grip on all mentioned surfaces even in wet conditions, are durable:
1. https://www.all4o.com/shoes/without-steel-studs/in... (the lightest ones)
2. https://www.all4o.com/shoes/without-steel-studs/in...
3. https://www.all4o.com/shoes/without-steel-studs/in...

Thanks all,
Just ordered for a gift 2 pair of shoes:
X-TALON 210
and'
Altra EScalante
https://runrepeat.com/altra-escalante-racer

They both seems well rated and loved by runners!
I have talons 210 and I loved them for orienteering in the forest without rocky grounds!