XC Spikes

Just wondering if anyone can point me to a shoe shop which has some sort of range of xc spikes available? Never owned a pair so unfortunately will need to hunt through some models to find something compatible that I might stick with. I'm in Taranaki, and nothing on offer here. I guess I'd get a couple models couriered to try as a best bet.

http://www.eastbay.com

Asics Gel Dirt Dog; Saucony Kilkenny - both about US$19 & airfreight.

Thanks Chris. Gone with some Sauconys, as the dirt dogs are shipped to US addresses only. Was a bit of a mission sifting through models and plenty were US shipped only. Found this on some other US sites too, typically ASIC models. Odd. Went through all the online shops I could find in an old copy of R4YL and not much joy there either. Anyway, something on the way now to play with soon. Cheers.

Running Warehouse tend to have a pretty good range and sometimes cheaper than Eastbay. The shipping is far superior too; with multiple delivery options and tracking.

I think Asics generally restrict retail exportation of their product to potentially protect other geographic markets.

Good link eskay.  It was COACHD who suggested eastbay to me a couple of years ago.  Asics must have tightened things recently 'cos I'm sure i'm sure i got a pair of Gel OHana Racers from Eastbay a couple of years ago.....although it might have been amazon.com

For specialist shoes, online ends up being the only real practical option.  For asics stuff, you can go to a retailer who can ask the distributor who will then do a special order, but you end up with two more players in the food chain and the gear ends up about double the price that you can do it online for and the lead-time is really bad.

Over the past twelve months, there has been a growing trend for US based companies to end their Distribution agreements with NZ Companies and simply go direct - have seen this in a variety of industries - Medical; Automotive.  I wouldn't be surprised if the japanese do the same thing with asics.