The regulations regarding the Athletic Shoe only apply to “Applicable Competitions” as defined by World Athletics. In essence, “Applicable Competitions” mean those competitions at which World Ranking Points are obtained.
Bare Foot
An Athlete is allowed to compete with any number of shoes or no shoes at all.
When shoes are used, their primary purposes are to give protection and stability to the feet and a grip on the ground.
New Shoes
All New Shoes before being worn by an Athlete for the first time in an Applicable Competition must be approved by World Athletics.
Customised Shoes
Any proposal to customise a shoe needs to be submitted to World Athletics for approval.
Development Shoes
A Development Shoe cannot be worn by an Athlete in an Applicable Competition without prior approval by World Athletics. If approved, they can only be worn for 12 months.
Development Shoes are not allowed to be worn at the World Athletics Series Events and the Olympic Games.
Bespoke Shoes
Bespoke Shoes are not permitted.
Compliance
Athletes may be subject to Shoe Control at any time before, during or after an Applicable Competition.
When an Athlete achieves a World Record, they will be subject to Shoe Control.
Athletes must always keep their shoes in their possession in the Warm-up Area, Call Room and Field of Play, and must not give their shoes to any Athlete Support Personnel or throw their Athletic Shoes into the crowd at any time.
If the Referee has reason to believe that an Athletic Shoe or specific technology may not comply with these regulations, they may permit the Athlete to compete, but after competing the Athletic Shoe must be given to the Referee for further examination and investigation.
Breaches and Sanctions
If an Athlete does not comply with these regulations, they may be disqualified. In certain cases, additional measures or sanctions may be imposed.
Technical Requirements
The shoe must not contain more than one rigid structure (e.g. plate, blade etc.). It may be in more than one part, but those parts must be contained in the same plane.
The shoe may contain one additional rigid structure only where used to attach spikes. It cannot be a continuation of the previously mentioned rigid structure.
The shoe must not contain any embedded ‘sensing or intelligent’ technology.
Sole
The sole of the shoe may have grooves, ridges, indentations or protuberances, provided they are constructed of the same or similar material to the rest of the sole.
The thickness of the sole will be measured at the centre of the forefoot (at 75% of the internal shoe length) and the centre heel (at 12% of the internal shoe length) of the Athletic Shoe.
Maximum Sole Thickness
| Field Events (except Triple Jump) | 20 mm The sole at the forefoot must not be higher than at the heel. |
| Triple Jump | 25 mm* The sole at the forefoot must not be higher than at the heel. *From 1 November 2024, the maximum thickness will be 20 mm |
| Track Events (up to 799 m) | 20 mm |
| Track Events (from 800 m) | 25 mm* *From 1 November 2024, the maximum thickness will be 20 mm |
| Cross-Country | 25 mm for spike shoes* 40 mm for non-spike shoes *From 1 November 2024, the maximum thickness will be 20 mm |
| Road and Race Walking Events | 40 mm |
| Mountain and Trail Races | Any Thickness |
Spikes
Any number of spikes up to 11 may be used, but the number of spike positions must not exceed 11.
Maximum Spike Length
That part of each spike which projects from the sole or the heel will not exceed:
| Outdoor | 9 mm |
| Indoor | 6 mm |
| High Jump and Javelin Throw | 12 mm |
| Cross-Country | 9 mm (May be increased by the specific regulations or the Technical Delegates) |
The track manufacturer or the stadium operator may require a lesser maximum.
