Recommended Gear

Recommended Throwing Gear

 

Javelins

Please enjoy our javelin reviews and recommendations.

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Our reviews of these javelins are weight specific. Just because the 600 gram feels great doesn’t mean the 800 gram version of the same javelin will feel the same.

Polanik Sky Challenger 600 g

I love both the 500 gram and 600 gram 60m rated javelins in this model. They just nailed it when they made this implement.

The sky challenger is probably the best high school and track club javelin I’ve come across for beginner javelins. Javelins below this price point may feel too soft or fly poorly.

Vibration: The vibration is resilient. Some of the softer javelins at these entry levels have a bit more of a dead feel. In other words, when you push on them, they don’t bounce back very much.

Tip Down: This category discusses if the javelin dives out of the air or has a tendency to glide and hold angle for longer periods. Some javelins tip down really quickly. Though this may sound like a good thing to make the javelin “stick in the ground”, it’s at the detriment of distance.

I find the Sky Challenger to be right in the middle. I’d consider it a balanced javelin. It glides well and doesn’t tip down too early.

Grip: This javelin has a standard grip with soft cord. The cord is a tiny bit bigger than other brands and this helps you feel like you can get a good grip on it versus a really tight and thin cord.

You can find these javelins online:  Grab one here on Amazon

Nemeth Club 70 600 g

This is a great javelin for competitive throwers. It feels much more balanced than the 60m Nemeth on harder throws and yet it has some forgiveness. If you’re looking for a great overall javelin that flies far and doesn’t have to be hit perfectly, this is a great option.

Vibration: For this level of javelin, the Club 70 is a touch on the softer side but it doesn’t seem to take away distance. It’s not as jumpy or stiff as other javelins of this caliber but it also doesn’t feel dead.

Tip Down: The tip doesn’t dive on this javelin. It has some hang time for sure. It may be a touch harder to get it to stick in if you generally have flat throws but if this isn’t a big issue, this may be the perfect javelin for you.

Grip: Nemeth javelins have great grips. I’d say the grip is right in the middle. There isn’t a huge notch to pick up if you’re an index thrower but the cord isn’t too tight or small. As mentioned, the grip is right in the middle and should suit most throwers.

Please note the link is to the Nemeth Club 75 (we reviewed the club 70).

Grab one here on Amazon

Nordic Viking 700 g

We’ve enjoyed the Viking more than the entry level Nordic javelins below it (comet) as a good work horse javelin. It’s a great price point and flies well overall. I don’t think it would be a pick as a competitive javelin for more serious throwers but, it could stand in if necessary.

Vibration: The vibration is normal. Doesn’t vibrate too much unless you’re sending it out over really big distances. Even then, it holds it’s own.

Tip Down: This javelin tips down fairly easily. It’s more likely to stick in for you. It’s not a glider or a real distance finder because of this. It feels a little tip heavy in my hand. Nothing that bothers me when throwing but I do feel the tip more on this javelin than on others.

Grip: The grip is a tight cord. Similar to other Nordic javelins. Slightly trimmer than a Nemeth grip and a bit harder cord. I like this kind of grip so this would probably come down to personal taste.

Nordic Master 700 g

We throw the Nordic Master 700 gram and it floats forever. This is definitely a step up on the Viking and a full on competitive javelin. Very impressive spear especially for this price point. I think any masters javelin thrower would really enjoy this javelin.

Vibration: The vibration is pretty tight on this javelin. It vibrates less than the Nordic Viking and much lesser still than say a Polanik 700. That being said, I still wouldn’t call this a stiff javelin. it has some good feel to it.

Tip Down: This thing floats forever! We were laughing the first time we threw it. It flies through the air like a bullet and even at 60-80 meters, it lands with just enough angle to catch the ground. This is of course partly our throwing styles but none the less, this javelin certainly goes for distance.

Grip: The grip is a bit thicker and softer cord than the more entry level Nordic javelins.

We reviewed the 700 gram Nordic Master, link is to the 600 gram.

You can find these javelins online:  Grab one here on Amazon  (600 gram)

Nordic Valhalla Medium Hybrid Carbon NXB Tip 800 g

The new Valhalla javelins have just come out and we’ve had a few throws with the model listed above. This is a precision javelin. If you’ve thrown the Orbit, I would say it’s just a tiny bit softer than that.

It certainly hangs in the air and doesn’t dive. I’m always amazed that even on high throws, it doesn’t tip over much at all.

Vibration: This is a pretty stiff javelin as expected but it’s not ultra stiff. I’d say the Orbit feels stiffer and the OTE Composite FX feels a bit softer. This seems apparent in flight too. Each javelin flexes respectively in order of stiffness.

Tip Down: the tip definitely doesn’t dive on this javelin. It holds angle well and tends to stick in very consistently with the tail 2-3 feet off the ground. I’m amazed when we see it fly out to 70-75 how it lands the same as it does when Vetter throws it.

Grip: The grip is fine but my only tiny thought was that the notch was a hair small on the binding. Nothing I would ever really care about because of how fantastic the overall spear is but, it’s something I mildly noticed.

There’s quite a selection of this series on Amazon. You’ll have to pick which weight and combo you’d like most.

View The Nordic Valhalla Series on Amazon

Throwing Balls

The first question we get is whether Nocken balls or regular weighted throwing balls are better.
In reality, this comes down to personal preference. If you prefer the nob on a Nocken ball, go with that. If you prefer a rounded ball, that’s fine too.

Whichever type of throwing ball you choose, it’s probably a good idea to throw some tape around it if you’re throwing it into a wall or cage.

The wear and tear from impact can damage the ball and have it split prematurely while you’re training with it.

We often use hockey tape. It’s a quick and easy option that helps strengthen the ball and stop the rubber from splitting.

If you’re just throwing the balls into an open grass field, you should be ok without taping them.

Nocken Balls

Nocken balls have a small notch on them to help seat them in your hand between your middle and index finger.

Some throwers like this option because it gives them more control over the ball when gripping it.

Available in 400g, 600g & 1kg weights.

Pick one up on Amazon

Javee Javelin Tool

This is a really great tool for javelin throwers.

The Javee has 3 levels of resistance and we often change them based on the type of trianing we’re doing.

If I want to se an athlete move through a full pump, I often use the lightest resistance to avoid straining their arm.

If we’re working on the initiation of a throw, we typically use all three bands.

We also often change the angle of attack with the bungee. Sometimes we secure it at arm height to help the thrower feel the pull over the body.

Other times, I set it up much lower because I’m trying to teach the athlete the throwing angle and where the torso should apply force to it.

Overall, this is a great tool for javelin throwers.

Pick one up on Amazon