Winter Shoe Review
New models and updates for your winter running needs
This review covers road and trail shoes, for the simple reason that even if you’re a dyed-in-the-wool road runner, a trail shoe can be a great choice for snowy conditions; it all depends on what constitutes typical winter weather in your area.
A note about Gore-Tex shoes: It’s very much a matter of personal preference, and we strongly recommend experimenting to see what works best for you. However, while most reviewers like Gore-Tex for hiking, dog-walking and errand-running in winter weather, some opt for a non-Gore-Tex shoe for hardcore winter running, because they are lighter (Gore-Tex adds about 28 grams to a shoe’s weight) and because running generates more foot sweat than walking, hiking or getting in and out of the car. Shoes with a weather-resistant coating, such as those from Under Armour, Merrell, On and Saucony, below, may offer the perfect compromise. Speedcross is a high-performance shoe whose features (i.e., the Contagrip outsole, with large, widely-spaced lugs and soft rubber for unsurpassed traction on sloppy surfaces, as well as the foolproof QuickLace system) are best suited to steep, technical mountain running, extremely muddy conditions or snow-covered trails—it can even handle wet slab. The previous version of the shoe was made slightly wider through the forefoot and narrower through the arch, to the relief of many runners who loved the shoe’s traction but found the fit confining. Fit, stability and comfort are also aided by the seamless upper (which offers plenty of protection at the front and along the sides) and the rigid heel counter.
This shoe will be most useful for training and racing in cold, wet, muddy conditions. (And might we add that it’s a great-looking shoe?)