Here in MI, winter starts in Nov 1 and runs through April 24th (we got three feet this day in 2005 -son’s birthday, what a memory). So, given the snowflakes will start falling soon and I am tempted to cut my own throat after 30 minutes on a treadmill, I plan to run more outside this winter. Problem is that I don’t want to ruin a good pair of running shoes. Does anyone have good luck with a certain type of all terrain shoe for running outside in the winter? Thanks.
Any trail running shoe of your preference - add some Yak Traks for grip on ice/snow and you’re good to go!
I use Nike Crested Buttes (Gore-Tex) or Salomon XC Gore-Tex with my snowshoes (Tubbs Catalysts – they are designed for running). In the ice/snow, I run on trails in a pair of Mizuno XC spikes. Get long spikes and you’ll dig right in… Gore Tex is great. Combine with Sugoi Bosu Socks or Sealskinz and you’ll be a-ok!
I’m in Minnesnowta…never have used anything but my normal running shoes. If its more than 3" of fresh snow, I’ll put plastic bags over my socks, but tucked into the tights. Around “The Lakes”, they are pretty fast brushing off the snow, but it’s usually just hardpack…
But, don’t do that if you’re a Pose runner! ;o)
I’ll second what rroof said. Trail running shoes work well in the snow (I’m in Ontario, Canada so I’ve done a lot of running in the snow and this is typically what I use).
I lived in Ontario Canada for a number of years and ran virtually regardless of the sno conditions (In deep snow, I was usually too tired from shovelling to head out for a run afterwards, but you get the idea. I used to run roads and trails in winter.
My trick was to screw in 15 1/4 inch self tapping hex head sheet metal screws into the sole of each shoe. I would put 14 about 1/8" in from the outer edge of the sole and 1 in teh middle of the sole, careful to miss any gel inserts etc.
On snow and ice they would act like mini crampons and give awesome grip. I found on fresh freezing rain I was only 30-60 seconds slower than in the dry, over a 5km run. On pavement, the sole was flexible enough that 90% of the rubber sole touched the ground and the screw heads just bent up the edges of the sole slightly
I even used to do some pretty dangerous ice climbing up some near vertical steps on a cliff about 80 feet high, to get from a trail at the bottom of the cliff, to the trail at the top of the cliff. It was kinda scary, but kind of a buzz too. That was at Tews/Webstes Falls in Dundas. Great views from the top of the cliff and several times I surprised hikers of XC skiers when I’d pop over the lip of the cliff in running shoes. Awesome looks and comments 
That is one thing I miss about Canada. Running in snow and ice was fun.
My trick was to screw in 15 1/4 inch self tapping hex head sheet metal screws into the sole of each shoe. I would put 14 about 1/8" in from the outer edge of the sole and 1 in teh middle of the sole, careful to miss any gel inserts etc.
That sounds like a A LOT of work! 30 screws? I may as well run in my golf shoes! ;>) Great idea though. Something about necessity being the mother of invention. I think snow is a ‘mother’ of some kind.
Do you have a link to Nike Crested Buttes? I looked at Nike’s site, but all I found were these. Perhaps discontinued?
http://www.nike.com/nikerunning/usa/home.jhtml?ref=www.nike.com#footwear_men
Looks like discontinued they discontinued it… But some places still have it available. Just Google it and click the Froogle tab to find it. Only $59 most places now, down from $99.
The Salomon XA Pro Gore-Tex is really, really nice. I prefer it to the Nike.
Hardly any work at all. I used to use a socket on a screwdriver handle and it worked a treat. I could do 2 shoes in about 20 minutes in early winter then once again in mid winter and it was all go. If figure the 40 minutes of screwing saved several hours of struggling while running. It’s a time saver instead of a time waster.
Here is a link to how the “pro’s” do it a step by step guide to better traction in nasty weather it is by Matt Carpenter for thoses that know. Take a slighly old pair of shoes or some brand new ones and letter rip. I have read some where that using carbide screws (I think) will last longer but are much more expensive.
http://www.skyrunner.com/screwshoe.htm
Branden