Any good recommendations? Last year I chose the treadmill over running with snow on the ground but don’t want to do that again.
Obviously trail shoes would be in improvement over regular trainers but I feel like something waterproof would be good although the selection is small.
Perhaps what I’m looking for doesn’t exist: warm, lightweight, water resistant. I’m currently putting most of my miles in the Wave Sayonara but have looked at the PI EM Trail N1 since I like my Tri N1s.
Haven’t run much in the snow, but I know Brooks makes some of their Ghosts with Gore-tex (http://www.brooksrunning.com/Ghost-6-GTX/1101491D562.080,default,pd.html?start=3&q=Ghost%20GTX) . Waterproof and all that jazz. You need to get the Yak Trax or some similar chain/tread attachment to prevent slipping on the ice and probably some gaiters to prevent snow from going in the shoe at the ankle.
PI EM Trail N1 since I like my Tri N1s.
I really like my PI EM Trail N1. Tread is really good, and I think it will hold up really well in the snow. I’ve been running trails in mine, but look forward to running outside this winter in them. Don’t have any complaints on them so far.
I don’t own the Tri N1’s so I can’t compare the two for you, but I’ve liked the Trail N1’s.
I run year round on Long Island. Although we don’t get a lot of snow compared to some areas, we get enough and it ends up being a very sloppy slippery mess very quickly. I wear normal (old) running shoes and socks and understand that my feet will be wet (sometimes soaked) before I am done with my evening run. Even with temperatures in the low 30’s my wet feet will do fine for the 40 minutes I’m out there.
When I need extra traction, which is rare but it has happened a few times, I have a pair of “screw shoes” that I use. They work very well on ice and packed snow and can be worn on the here and there dry pavement.
The problem with water proof shoes (especially running shoes) is that once the water goes over the top or wicks down the sock it is in the shoe and can’t get out. It might sound strange, but those kind of shoes will actually fill with water, where a running shoe will get soaking wet but there will be no free liquid.
This may sound strange, but I am trying to find a pair of the new Skechers Go Bionic Trail All Weather in my size. I’ve moved to a lower drop shoe and, based on what I read on line, these seem like a great alternative for colder, wetter weather. Of course, I live in a fairly dry climate, so our snow is typically not wet and sloppy, so I think a goretex shoe would be overkill for me.
drn92
Salomon Speedcross CS
http://www.salomon.com/...speedcross-3-cs.html
I loved those, freaking element proof and very comfy. After a short winter of running with them ( I was just beginning so about 80-100km for the pair of shoes during the winter) I tried minimalist shoes and never looked back so they have too much of a drop for me now. It’s really sad.
However I got the New balance MT110 W, just 4mm of drop and they seem to be really waterproof at the moment, can’t wait to try them in the snow.
http://www.skialper.it/images/photoalbum/album_2011/1357306852.jpg
^these will have to go through a real winter soon so they better be awesome lol. ( They actually are almost the exact same thing as my MR00 but with a thicker sole and 4mm of drop so the fit was perfect for me)
I run outside, all winter long, in upstate NY, in the exact same shoes I wear in the summer.
I wear regular running shoes 1/2 size larger than normal, and thick wool over-the-calf socks worn over thin cycling socks. Feet get wet, but never cold. Snow packs around the collar, but no big deal. Don’t need gaiters. I don’t usually run in snow over mid-fibula. Like the other guy up there, I have screw shoes also for particularly icy or other slippery days on the trails.
Instead of running on icy/snowy pavement, try out the grass next to the pavement. Your traction will be a lot better, you won’t need new shoes, and your shoes won’t get as wet. Come back home, stuff them with newspaper, and they’re good to go in the morning. If you’re a moderately-dedicated runner, you may average 45 minutes a day every day…chances are your shoes won’t be unbelievably soaked or your feet numb on the average day. On a longer day, you can tough it out. You’ll be fine.
I wear my normal shoes and a pair of water proof socks. The socks do not breath and have kept my feet warm in single digit weather while running through thigh deep snow.
Traction on solid ice is a problem but I don’t like running with metal on my shoes. 99% I’m either on pavement or snow and don’t need spikes, I keep an alert eye for ice and try to step lightly as I run across it. Meaning I run over like I’m in a car, let off the gas and don’t try to turn or break.
Edited to add:
These are what I use. http://www.rei.com/product/729120/seirus-hyperlite-stormsocks-waterproof-socks
I don’t think that will work where I am. I am in Wisconsin and most of the roads by me either have a ditch next to them or are piled with snow from December to April.
I will probably average 40 mpw or so, and I want to make sure I’m equipped well. Last winter I usually ran outside when the roads were clear, but that meant most runs were done inside.
We got almost 110" of snow last year. I didn’t change my shoes or socks compared to summer. Just aim for pavement. If you stick to the street or the sidewalk, I never have a problem with wet feet nor lacking traction.
If you’re planning on running through banks, shoes won’t help. Get some racing snowshoes.
Rather than risking messing with your shoe model, I’d consider using strategically placed sheet metal screws on the heel and forefoot of an old pair of your current model. If you pre-drill the rubber of the sole, the screws are quite easy to thread. I live in Bend, OR, where’s there snow and ice on the ground most years from Halloween to May, and it works like a charm (and costs less than $2/shoe).
I run outside, all winter long, in upstate NY, in the exact same shoes I wear in the summer.
+1 I live in MA. I just run a little slower when it is icy. I can’t stand running in Yak Trax. Also tried the screws through the soles of shoes http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?post=2112766;search_string=snow%20leopards;#2112766 which work well until you hit a dry patch of pavement. I never run on unplowed roads though.
I live in Minnesota, and my running store has just told me to put duct tape on a pair of shoes and that’ll help keep the heat in and the snow out. I’ve been too wimpy to run outside in the winter here, but I may try it this winter.
Some shoe manufactures have gt modells in their line. I used asics trabuco get. But switched after a while to the regular Fuji trainer which did A good job last winter. I keep icebug spikes in my pocket if it’s really icy some passages. Put em on in seconds.
yak traks on my regular shoes or my trail shoes
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Any good recommendations?
Try the Saucony Kinvara 4 GTX.
I dont know if Icebugs are sold in the US but my and me wife use them on icy and snowy roads and they are the best. I have a pair and they outstanding on ice and snow but not so good on pavement (I get a little sore in my knees but I dont know if its becuse of the sole).
For trail I like the Salmon speedcross an Salmon S Lab but not on ice!
