This is my son's first year running cross country. We bought these shoes after his first meet that had multiple hills. The spikes allow him to grip the soil and push up the hill without losing his footing. He nows wears them in ever race, hills or no hills. They are light weight and durable. I would not reccommend them for practice running...only meets because they do not have any support for the constant impact of running. GREAT SHOE just like all the other Saucony's we have owned.