Our verdict
- Our top pick in best running spikes
- Our top pick in nike Academy air max 90 black orange volt cv9643 001 release date info
Pros
- Pebax plate enhances toe-off
- Highly breathable
- Premium notched laces
- Affordable price point
- Roomy toecap area
- Suitable for hurdles
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- Slightly cushioned
- Impressive durability
Cons
- Noticeable weight
- Possibly too flexible
Audience verdict
Comparison
The most similar running spikes compared
+ + Add a shoe | |||||
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Audience score | 86 Good! | 77 Good! | 91 Great! | 87 Great! | |
Price | $75 | $180 | $150 | $70 | |
Weight lab | 6.1 oz / 174g | 6 nike Academy Miler Running Gloves | 5.5 oz / 156g | 6.2 Michael Phelps right in nike Academy with his Team USA teammates | |
Breathability | Breathable | Moderate | Breathable | Warm | |
Use | Sprints | HurdlesSprints | HurdlesSprints | Sprints | |
Removable spikes | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Toebox width at the widest part | Narrow | Medium | Narrow | Medium | |
Toebox width at the big toe | Wide | Wide | Medium | Medium | |
Drop lab | 3.3 mm | -0.9 mm | 0.0 mm | 1.8 mm | |
Midsole softness | Balanced | Balanced | - | - | |
Tongue padding | Thin | Average | Thin | Very thick | |
Stiffness | Flexible | Stiff | Moderate | Flexible | |
Torsional rigidity | Moderate | Stiff | Moderate | Moderate | |
Heel counter stiffness | Flexible | Moderate | Flexible | Flexible | |
Outsole thickness | Average | Thin | Very thick | Average | |
Outsole hardness | - | - | - | Very hard | |
Heel tab | None | None | Finger loop | None | |
Heel stack lab | 13.3 mm | 15.9 mm | 12.3 mm | 10.4 mm | |
Forefoot | 10.0 mm | 16.8 mm | 12.3 mm | 8.6 mm | |
Insole thickness | Thin | Average | Average | Average | |
Midsole width in the forefoot | Narrow | Average | Very narrow | Average | |
nike Academy Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG Dark Marina Blue EU 45 | Wide | Average | Very narrow | Very narrow | |
Ranking | #5 Bottom 37% | #8 Bottom 1% | #2 Top 25% | #4 Top 50% | |
Popularity | #5 Bottom 37% | #1 Top 13% | #2 Top 25% | #6 Bottom 25% |
Who should buy
We think the Rival Sprint from nike Academy is an excellent choice for:
- The Air Max 270 is one of Nike's best-selling models on the.
- nike Academy Λάστιχο Γυμναστικής Light 203cm.
- nike Academy Air Griffey Max 1 Varsity Royal 2021 Blue Volt Men S.
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We think the Rival Sprint may not be the best choice for advanced runners due to its high weight. If this is a critical factor for you and budget allows, we recommend considering the nike Academy Air Zoom Maxfly for an incredibly light and propulsive experience. Alternatively, if you're watching your wallet, the nike Academy Ja Fly 4 is also a good option.
Additionally, we believe that runners planning to exceed 800 metres might find the Rival Sprint less suitable. For those distances, the nike Academy Zoom Rival D 10 offers an affordable solution, while the nike Academy ZoomX Dragonfly, though pricier, provides a premium running experience.
Breathability
While breathability may not be essential for a sprint spike, it is certainly beneficial, particularly for runners who prefer to go sockless (yes!) and rely on good airflow.
We were thrilled to discover that the Rival Sprint offers exceptional breathability, earning a perfect 5/5 from us in this area.
the new nike Academy acg air terra antarktik boot is adventure ready Nike incorporated some clever engineering, opting for thinner materials in areas requiring enhanced air flow, including strategically placed vents in the midfoot and an razor-thin, highly ventilated tongue.
Upon inspecting the mesh under a microscope, we identified a simple engineered mesh that is reinforced with a protective TPU overlay, which helps prevent premature tearing of the upper.
In our hands-on evaluation, the upper felt incredibly comfortable, perfectly suited for sockless use.
However, we were quite surprised by the substantial protection offered by the toe cap—almost akin to what you'd find in some nike Academy Air Huarache Rainbow!
Rival Sprint | 5 |
Average | 3.6 |
Durability
Toebox durability
With such robust protection in the toe cap, we were optimistic about our toebox durability test. Eager to see the results, we quickly set up the Dremel here in the lab.
We were pleased to find that the TPU overlay effectively shielded the upper from damage, leading us to award the Rival Sprint an impressive 4/5.
![nike Academy Rival Sprint Toebox durability](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/40325/nike-rival-sprint-toebox-durability-21595228-main.jpg)
Rival Sprint | 4 |
Average | 2.9 |
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Buoyed by our positive results from the previous test, we proceeded to evaluate the heel counter, mindful that some shoes perform differently in these distinct challenges.
Yet, the Rival Sprint impressed us once again, scoring a perfect 5 out of 5. If you're in the market for a durable and cheap track spike, look no further—this is it.
![nike Academy rival sprint heel padding durability 21595229 main](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/40325/nike-rival-sprint-heel-padding-durability-21595229-main.jpg)
Rival Sprint | 5 |
Average | 4 |
Outsole thickness
The Rival Sprint features a tough, 2.8-mm rubber outsole paired with a vibrant yellow Pebax plate in the forefoot that extends through the midfoot.
We found that this dual configuration provides durability in the heel and adds stiffness to the forefoot.
![nike Academy rival sprint outsole thickness 21595230 main](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/40325/nike-rival-sprint-outsole-thickness-21595230-main.jpg)
Rival Sprint | 2.8 mm |
Average | 3.1 mm |
Michael Phelps right in nike Academy with his Team USA teammates | Cushioning
Heel stack
Unlike other budget-friendly spikes, the Rival Sprint uniquely includes some foam, with a notably thicker layer in the heel (13.3 mm). Nonetheless, is well below the World Athletics' 20-mm limit.
The foam utilised by nike Academy is understandably not top-tier, given the modest £80 price tag. Instead, we identified Phylon—a commonly used EVA that offers good durability and satisfactory energy return.
![nike Academy Rival Sprint Heel stack](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/40325/nike-rival-sprint-heel-stack-21595232-main.jpg)
Rival Sprint | 13.3 mm |
Average | 13.9 mm |
Forefoot stack
The forefoot features only a very thin layer of foam, sandwiched between the Pebax plate and the insole, totaling just 10.0 mm—or 1 centimeter.
![nike Academy rival sprint forefoot stack 21595231 main](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/40325/nike-rival-sprint-forefoot-stack-21595231-main.jpg)
Rival Sprint | 10.0 mm |
Average | 13.2 mm |
Drop
With a bit more foam in the heel than we expected, we discovered that this spike boasts a surprisingly high 3.3 mm drop.
This is ideal for those whose calves and tendons need extra support beyond what is typical with sprint spikes.
![nike Academy rival sprint drop 21595233 main](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/40325/nike-rival-sprint-drop-21595233-main.jpg)
Rival Sprint | 3.3 mm |
Average | 0.7 mm |
Michael Phelps right in nike Academy with his Team USA teammates | Midsole softness
The Phylon EVA foam definitely delivers a firm feel underfoot, which we appreciated because it isn't mushy by any means.
Using our Shore A durometer, we measured a 29.3 HA reading—typical for a spike, yet on the firmer side compared to a road running shoe.
![nike Academy Rival Sprint Midsole softness](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/40325/nike-rival-sprint-midsole-softness-21595234-main.jpg)
Rival Sprint | 29.3 HA |
Average | 26.7 HA |
Insole thickness
In line with what's typical for track spikes, the Rival Sprint maintains a lightweight approach with its 2.8 mm insole.
![nike Academy Rival Sprint Insole thickness](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/40325/nike-rival-sprint-insole-thickness-21595235-main.jpg)
Rival Sprint | 2.5 mm |
Average | 3.0 mm |
Removable pins
The Rival Sprint features 6 removable pins. We also noted that it has fewer pins than the typical nike Academy sprint spikes, which usually feature 7 or even 8-pin setups.
![nike Academy Rival Sprint Removable pins](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/40325/nike-rival-sprint-removable-pins-21595264-main.jpg)
Flexibility
Stiffness
We discovered that the Rival Sprint, despite featuring a Pebax plate in the forefoot and midfoot, is one of the most flexible sprint spikes we've tested—perfect for those looking to strengthen their feet during short intervals.
In our 90-degree bend test, it registered a low score of 17.5N.
Rival Sprint | 17.5N |
Average | 29.1N |
Stability
Torsional rigidity
We also evaluated the nike Academy Rival Sprint torsional rigidity and assigned it an average score of 3/5, placing it squarely in the middle of the pack.
Rival Sprint | 3 |
Average | 2.8 |
Heel counter stiffness
In another manual test, we evaluated the stiffness of the heel counter. We rated it a 2/5, noting that it's way more padded than lighter models, which may actually be more suitable for an amateur-focused on comfort.
Rival Sprint | 2 |
Average | 1.7 |
Midsole width in the forefoot
Our manual assessments concluded, and we returned to our digital callipers to measure the midsole width. Starting with the forefoot, we recorded 89.3 mm.
![nike Academy Rival Sprint Midsole width in the forefoot](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/40325/nike-rival-sprint-midsole-width-in-the-forefoot-21595239-main.jpg)
Rival Sprint | 89.3 mm |
Average | 92.8 mm |
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In the heel, we measured 64.0 mm, which, although appearing ultra-narrow, is actually a bit wide for a sprint spike. This indicates that nike Academy is also targeting this shoe at rookies and weekend warriors.
![nike Academy rival sprint midsole width in the heel 21595240 main](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/40325/nike-rival-sprint-midsole-width-in-the-heel-21595240-main.jpg)
Rival Sprint | 64.0 mm |
Average | 59.7 mm |
Size and fit
Toebox width at the widest part
Shifting focus to the upper of the Rival Sprint, the toebox's maximum width of 82.7 mm confirms its design is optimised for high-performance in sprints ranging from 60 to 400 metres. However, this narrow fit might not be the best match for athletes with broader feet.
We also advise against expecting much vertical room for the toes in this spike—after all, it's designed for propulsion and to fit tightly like a sock, and it certainly delivers on that promise.
![nike Academy Rival Sprint Toebox width at the widest part](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/40325/nike-rival-sprint-toebox-width-at-the-widest-part-21595241-main.jpg)
Rival Sprint | 82.7 mm |
Average | 87.9 mm |
Toebox width at the big toe
Although the Rival Sprint is designed for performance and a sock-like fit, the big toe area offers a surprisingly roomy width of 75.3 mm.
This is a less constrictive taper compared to most other sprint spikes in the market.
![nike Academy Rival Sprint Toebox width at the big toe](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/40325/nike-rival-sprint-toebox-width-at-the-big-toe-21595242-main.jpg)
Rival Sprint | 75.3 mm |
Average | 73.1 mm |
Comfort
Tongue padding
Being a spike designed for super-short efforts and 100-400 intervals, any reduction in weight is crucial. Therefore, the 1.2-mm thick tongue is a good choice despite lacking comfort.
We also discovered that the Rival Sprint includes the notched laces found on Nike's top-tier supershoes like the Vaporfly 3—a significant bonus for such an affordable spike.
![nike Academy Rival Sprint Tongue padding](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/40325/nike-rival-sprint-tongue-padding-21595245-main.jpg)
Rival Sprint | 1.2 mm |
Average | 3.0 mm |
Heel tab
We noticed the Rival Sprint lacks a heel tab, which makes sense since it closely mirrors the design of the Air Zoom Maxfly.
![nike Academy Rival Sprint Heel tab](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/40325/nike-rival-sprint-heel-tab-21595246-main.jpg)
Rival Sprint | None |
Weight
At a noticeable 6.1 oz (174g), the Rival Sprint certainly isn't a featherweight spike.
Based on our extensive experience, miracles are scarce in the running shoe industry. The modest £80 price tag often indicates major compromises, and this is one of them.
![nike Academy Rival Sprint Weight](https://cdn.runrepeat.com/storage/gallery/product_content/40325/nike-rival-sprint-weight-21595248-main.jpg)
Rival Sprint | 6.14 oz (174g) |
Average | 5.57 oz (158g) |