Ringor Diamond Star Spikes
Ringor Diamond Star Spikes provide some of the highest levels of traction and performance in womens softball. The shoes' genuine leather, highly breathable uppers (besides looking pretty sweet) offer longetivity and comfort. The real leather is well worth the cost of a little added weight. RINGOR's patented Ring-Grip Spike Pattern combined with its proprietary Flex-Point Technology provides softball specific agility while allowing only healthy foot movements in the shoe. The removable insoles sitting on top of an EVA fabricated midsole combines with Ringors F.A.S.T. Arches to set the industry standard in comfortable firmness. Additionally, and unlike their rubber cleats, the Star Metals feature a Shock Sock between the outsole and midsole to provide superior spike pressure dispersion. Pitchers can opt for the Pro-Tec-Toes to help let their cleats last longer. The Ringor Diamond Stars are no longer Ringor's premium line, in 2008 they came out with the Diamond Gems. We aren't sure the Gems aren't so much "better" than "different" than these excellent spikes. We see some marginal enhanced performance in the new CXT tongues and the bit of weight the Gems shed (though we are not sure how much) by mixing some mesh into the otherwise leather uppers. But the remainder of the upgrades are either cosmetic or rather peripheral, in our book. The Gems are two tone, and look really super. The
3M Scotchgaurd
addition helps preserve these great looks. But you can DIY scotch your Stars too.
While R-Tec feature found in the Gems helps keep the foot dry in your rare, wet conditions, we think this "pro v con" is probably more applicable to the football or soccer pitch, not so much to a softball spike. We aren't sure that we aren't in the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" mode, if you are already happy with your Diamond Stars. We ARE certain, that if you have a wide foot, you should definitely choose the Stars over the Gems- as the Stars are one of the few spikes that have a wide variant, and the Gems do not. Also, you can get a mid-cut version of the Diamond Stars. We like this from an injury prevention standpoint, and the Diamond Gems come in only a low cut variety. The Stars are a little cheaper too, but Ringors are expensive enough that the $10 differential in price shouldn't weigh too heavily in the Gem v Star decision. Either way you go, you will be getting a superior spike, in our opinion.
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