This is going to be my first winter running outisde through a cold, wet Chicago winter. Any recommendations for footwear?
These might work for you, depending on the terrain you’re running on…
Nike makes a few models with a Clima-fit upper that is waterproof (although my feet seem to still get wet in rainy conditions). Overall I still think they are nice and do a good job of keeping my feet warm and dry in snow.
Dave from VA
You can find “winterized” versions of the most popular models from Saucony, Brooks, & Asics. Often these are labelled with a “TR”, so for example the Omni 4 TR and the 1090 and 2090 TR. For Brooks, it’s the Adrenaline ASR. These shoes tend to have a less meshy upper to help keep out the breeze and ward off water, but they’re not wind- or waterproof. Nike, Adidas, and Salomon make several models of shoe with Gore Tex which are waterproof, but they’re also very heavy. The Nike Air Teocali is a popular one, look for anything from Adidas or Salomon that ends in XCR.
Practically speaking, most people just run in the same shoes summer and winter. Maybe you wear thicker socks in the winter, but I personally use my ultrathin wigwams all year long. My feet just don’t get cold. If you keep your core and your legs warm, and wear a hat when it’s really cold, chances are your feet will be fine.
Lee Silverman
JackRabbit Sports
Park Slope, Brooklyn
I have run year 'round in Chicagoland in regular running shoes (Asics Kayano) with no problems. The only change I make in the winter is to use over the ankle socks. I recently bought a pair of Saucony trail shoes and will try them this year. But, to temperatures down to -10F I have never had a problem with the old Asics.