New Balance Vazee Sigma V3

The outsole of this racing spike is made up of a durable and lightweight rubber that is built for speed. The rubber is thinner than a typical running shoe and runs the length of the sneaker. The forefoot of the shoe features a waffle-like design and hard rubber cleats that run around the outsole of the forefoot. This waffle pattern continues through the midfoot and resolves to a smoother heel section with an embossed NB logo. For some added traction, the heel section also contains very small rubber nubs to keep you secure in your footing while not racing. The most important area of this shoe is obviously found in the forefoot section. This section contains the eight asymmetrical spikes that will help to grip the ground during sprinting. There are four spikes running across the metatarsal area of the foot and two spikes on both the lateral and medial sides of the toe area. According to many reviewers, these spikes are placed exactly where they need to be in order to provide excellent grip during a race.

Obviously, racing spikes are not made to have tons of cushioning because they are meant to deliver excellent racing performance during 60m to 400m events. However, the midsole of these racing spikes includes a full-length Pebax plate that delivers the right amount of flexibility and traction for speedy performance. This TPU plate is designed to limit the amount of resistance the shoe can withstand before deforming. In other words, the torsional rigidity offered through the Pebax plate will help the sneaker to withstand pressure and high speeds without changing shape. All the while, this TPU plate delivers great flexibility that is needed during sprinting.

It is very important to have racing spikes that fit like a glove so your feet do not move around while moving at high speeds. For this reason, New Balance engineered the Vazee Sigma V3 to be extremely close to your foot with zero wiggle room. The synthetic leather upper does not have a lot of give to it so if you have fuller feet, these might be a little too snug for you. This glove-like fit is made using a no-sew construction so you won’t feel any irritation when your foot is in the shoe. The Vazee Sigma V3 also has a bootie-like construction which allows you to slip into the shoe easily and wraps snugly and securely around your foot. Another impressive feature of the upper is the BOA lacing system. This closure system allows you to quickly and efficiently tighten the spike to your foot, giving you a tight and secure feel. The BOA system also integrates with a heel wrap that tightens along with the lacing system, securing the spike quickly and easily. The midfoot wrap that integrates into the BOA system also hugs the shoe to your foot securely and delivers great support.

These are unisex racing spikes and are designed to be lightweight in order to not weigh you down during a race. These sneakers weigh in at a mere 7.1 ounces which is very lightweight.

When it comes to racing spikes, airflow is not necessarily something that is focused on much when engineering them. This is because they are only worn for a short period of time during a race. These spikes are specifically designed to be worn in races that are 60m to 400m in length meaning that they will only be expected to perform for a matter of minutes at a time. The synthetic leather upper does not allow for a great amount of airflow into and out of the foot chamber so you may feel your feet get warm if you wear these for an extended amount of time.

These racing spikes are designed to have a glove-like and tight fit and do not have cushioning in the midsole, which is the nature of most racing spikes. The sock-like opening is soft and hugs your ankles securely without causing irritation, so that part will feel soft and comfortably snug. The synthetic leather upper is more constricting than a mesh-like upper so they will feel a lot more snug than if they were constructed using a more flexible fabric in the upper. Several consumers said it took a little time to break in these sneakers because they are rather snug and have to form to your foot shape but after they do so, they will feel like a second-skin. The upper utilizes a no-sew construction so you will not feel any irritation from seams. It should be noted that some reviewers said these spikes were just too narrow and not forgiving so if you have wider feet, they might not suit your needs.

As far as racing spikes go, these are great looking shoes according to a large number of reviewers. The no-sew synthetic upper is sleek and stylish and comes in some eye-catching colorways. There is no bulkiness at all when it comes to these shoes and they look great straight out of the box. The medial side of the heel boasts the classic “N” logo while the entire forefoot area features the “NB” swipe logo along with the words new balance on the midfoot wrap. These lightweight racing spikes will deliver fast performance in an aesthetically pleasing package.

Racing spikes are not built to last through hundreds of miles. Rather, they are engineered to perform at top speeds for short intervals. The rubber outsole and spikes system will carry you through fast-paced racing and training with ease and should last for a decent amount of time. There has been some concern over the BOA lacing system wires and it was questioned as to how long they will last. With that said, one reviewer said they the lacing system can be repaired and replaced easily. One reviewer also stated that if you like to drag your toes out of the starting blocks, you may experience some wear on the toes faster than if you do not drag your toes.

The New Balance Vazee Sigma V3 will help protect your feet on the racetrack by allowing you to grip the surface easily through the asymmetrical spike system. One thing you definitely need protection from while sprinting is slipping and these will keep you upright for certain. The heel wrap that integrates with the BOA lacing system will securely hold on to the heel of your foot and keep you from slipping out of the foot chamber. The midfoot wrap also works with the BOA system and allows the shoe to maintain an even closer glove-like feel that will protect you from rubbing, irritation, and blisters.

The midsole of this shoe is mostly made up of a TPU plate that acts as a springboard to push you forward. Unlike traditional running shoes with a cushioned midsole, the Vazee Sigma is firm in feel. The full-length TPU Pebax plate delivers just the right amount of flexibility and works with the forefoot spike system to help drive you forward on your sprints. The overall fit of the shoe is designed to fit like a glove and helps to form to your foot without movement. In turn, the sneaker will respond to your foot movements by moving with you.

The Vazee Sigma V3 will support your feet by not allowing them to move around within the foot chamber of the shoe. The heel wrap that works with the BOA lacing system tightens on your heel as you turn the BOA wheel and locks the upper to your foot securely and efficiently. The midfoot wrap, which also works with the BOA system, tightens more on your foot as you tighten the BOA wheel, giving the shoe more of a glove-like fit. There is not a lot of material to this racing spike so the upper fitting like a glove will move and flex with your foot, allowing the shoe to support you by acting like a second skin.

Obviously, you won’t want to wear racing spikes indoors or on the trail. These shoes are designed to be worn on turf or the track for shorter distances. The asymmetrical spike system will grip either of these surfaces with ease but shouldn’t be worn on solid surfaces like asphalt because the spikes could get ruined.

Currently, these high-quality racing spikes can be purchased for anywhere between $135 and $150. This may seem like a hefty price tag for a sneaker that may only be worn for certain events, but these shoes will help you perform at a top-notch level so the price may just be worth it.

If these racing spikes are worn on the appropriate surfaces for the correct purposes, they will deliver excellent traction. The asymmetrical eight-spike configuration that is placed on the forefoot of these shoes will help push you forward without slipping. The rubber lugs that are placed along the outside of the forefoot will also help to grip the ground, even without the spikes in. The heel portion of the outsole features only tiny nubs of rubber, but they are enough to keep you from slipping as you walk to your starting blocks.

The New Balance Vazee Sigma V3 is an extremely lightweight shoe that fits like a glove. The upper is made of synthetic leather that is relatively flexible that will move and shift with you as you run. The fit of the upper is so slim and snug that your feet will feel like they have socks on, only a little stiffer. The TPU Pebax plate that runs the length of the shoe is engineered to provide just the right amount of flexibility so you can sprint efficiently and effectively. This TPU plate works as a springboard and bends to propel you forward.

By no means are these shoes stability running sneakers. Just like any other racing spikes on the market, these sneakers are not designed to provide stabilized support as you run. The lightweight design will keep you supported and will prevent moving within the shoe, but they will not correct your gait or stabilize your run.

By nature, racing spikes do not offer a whole lot in terms of a drop. The drop of a shoe is the difference between your heel height and your forefoot height and with these sneakers, your feet are almost flush with the ground. These specialty shoes are designed to be used for sprinting and hurdles so you don’t need a whole lot of cushion underfoot.

- Full-length Pebax TPU plate delivers just the right amount of flexibility needed to feel light and fast on your feet
- Asymmetrical eight spike system is designed specifically for sprinting events
- BOA lacing system works with the midfoot wrap and the heel wrap to create an extremely snug and second-skin-like fit
- Sock-like ankle collar is flexible and comfortable and allows you to get into and out of the shoe easily

It is obvious to state that racing spikes are not built for everyone; they are specialized shoes designed for a purpose. The New Balance Vazee Sigma V3 is ideally suited for people with regular to narrow feet who are looking for a racing spike that fits like a glove and provides excellent flexible response and traction. These shoes have been given great ratings by many reviewers who say that they not only perform well, but they also look great. However, these shoes are a tad pricey and might not work for people with wider feet. In the end, if you are looking for a reliable racing spike, you should put these on your list of options.