World Athletics Rule Update: Permited Sole Thickness

A shoe whose sole is greater than the maximum thickness set out in the table below is no longer approved and cannot be worn in Applicable Competitions.

As of November 1, 2024, the maximum thickness for the soles of shoes worn by competitors in track and field events will be 20 millimeters. This rule applies to all events except road races, which can have shoes with soles up to 40 millimeters thick. 

World Athletics introduced this rule to limit the advancement of technology and to protect the integrity of the sport. The governing body also wants to strike a balance between innovation and fairness for athletes. 

Event	Maximum Sole Thickness	Further Requirement/Note
Track Events including hurdle and steeplechase events	20mm spike shoe or non-spike shoe	For relays, the rule applies to the distance of the leg being run by each athlete. For Track Race Walking Events, the maximum thickness of the sole is the same as that for Road Events.
Field Events	20mm spike shoe or non-spike shoe	For all Jumping Events, the sole at the centre of the athlete’s forefoot must not be higher than the sole at centre of the athlete’s heel referred to at Regulations 10.3 and 10.4 (i.e. at centre point of the shoe at 12% and 75% of the shoe's internal length).
Road Events	40mm
Cross-Country	20mm spike shoes or 40mm non-spike shoes	Athletes may wear spikes or non-spike shoes (i.e. road shoes). If wearing spike shoes the maximum thickness of the sole must not exceed 20mm. If wearing non-spike shoes the maximum thickness of the sole must not exceed 40mm.
Mountain and Trail Races	Any thickness
Important notice: Pursuant to Regulation 5.3, from 1 November 2024 an Existing Shoe whose sole is greater than the maximum thicknesses set out in the above table is no longer approved and cannot be worn in Applicable Competitions.