The Adizero Distancestar is a track distance spike built to cover everything from the 1500m up to the 10,000m, which makes it one of the more versatile racing spikes you can buy. It sits below the specialist end of the Adizero range, so if you want a single spike for a whole season of track efforts rather than one event, this is the honest pick. A glassfibre plate underfoot gives you a firm, snappy platform without the aggressive geometry of a pure middle distance spike, so it stays comfortable across longer reps. At £90 it is one of the more accessible spikes on the market, which matters if you are a club runner buying your own kit. If you want something sharper for pure 1500m to 3000m work, the Adizero Avanti is the more aggressive sibling. For most distance track athletes, though, the Distancestar does the lot.
Like most track spikes, the Distancestar fits snug and race ready, and you should expect it to feel tighter than your everyday trainers. We would order your true running size for a locked in fit, and only size up half if you race in socks and like a little room at the toes. The upper wraps the midfoot closely with very little dead space, which is what you want when you are driving hard into a bend. The toe box is low and tapered in the way spikes tend to be, so if you have a wide forefoot you may find it firm across the top. Heel hold is secure once the laces are set. This is a race day fit, not a comfort fit, so try them on before a key race rather than debuting them cold. If you are between sizes and race the longer track events, lean to the larger size.
On the track the Distancestar feels firm, direct and quick, which is exactly the brief for a distance spike. The glassfibre plate gives you a clean, snappy toe off without the exaggerated rocker of a road super shoe, so the transition feels natural and you stay in control on the bends. There is enough shoe here to hold form over 5000m and 10,000m reps, yet it is light and low enough to feel sharp over shorter efforts. Hold your race pace and it comes alive. Jog in them and they feel stiff and purposeful, which is the point. This is a tool for fast running, not for warming up.
Do not expect plush. This is a track spike, so the stack underfoot is minimal by design and the ride is firm and close to the ground. That is a feature, not a fault, because it keeps you connected to the track and helps you feel your foot strike at speed. Over 1500m and 3000m the firmness is a non issue. Across a 10,000m it asks a little more of your legs than a padded road racer would, so it rewards runners with reasonable track mileage in their legs. If you want cushioning for longer road racing, a plated road shoe is the better home. For track distance work, the firm platform is the right call.
Spikes are inherently low to the ground, and that low platform is what gives the Distancestar its stability at pace. There is no medial post or stability structure here, because a track spike does not need one, and the firm plated midsole resists twisting when you lean into a bend. The snug upper plays a big part too, holding your foot square over the plate so nothing shifts under load. This is neutral footwear built for a smooth, controlled track surface, so the usual caveats about uneven ground do not apply. On the track it feels planted and predictable, which is all you can ask of a racing spike.
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| Category | Race |
| Surface | Track |
| Drop | 1mm |
| Heel Stack | 19mm |
| Forefoot Stack | 18mm |
| Weight | 177g |
Versatile distance spike with glassfibre plate
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The upper is thin, light and built for lockdown rather than lounging. It wraps close around the midfoot with minimal padding, which keeps weight down and holds your foot firmly over the plate. Breathability is good, as you would expect from a race spike, so your feet will not cook over a hard session. There is not much cushioning around the collar or tongue, so most athletes race these in thin socks, and you should break them in over a couple of sessions before a target race. It is a functional, no frills upper that does its job without drawing attention to itself, which is exactly what you want when your focus is the finish line.
| Carbon Plated | No |
| Stability | No |