Winter can be a challenge for fast-paced adventurers – plummeting temperatures, snow, ice and mud can make for some pretty unfriendly surfaces, whether you’re hitting the tarmac or the soft stuff. But did you know that it could actually be your footwear that’s uncongenial, and with the right shoes you could discover the joys of winter running through frozen wonderlands? Yes, it’s true that the ground can be more slick and uneven during the winter months, but you might have noticed (with envy) other runners getting outside and picking up the pace anyway. If you’re keen to avoid the tedium of the treadmill and looking at your footwear options, you might be wondering what can keep you moving underfoot this winter. Can you wear road running shoes in winter? Are trail running shoes good for winter? We do the legwork on these common questions so you can find the perfect shoe to fit the conditions ahead.
Can you wear road running shoes in winter?
This all depends a bit on the running shoes and the severity of the winter, but assuming you’re talking about a lightweight pair of road running shoes, if it’s just cold weather and perhaps a bit of rain you’re looking at, you can probably just keep wearing the same shoes as you wore all summer. Your feet might feel a little cold for the first half mile or so, but as soon as you warm up they’ll recover. However, the chances are that the soles won’t provide enough grip for surfaces that are slick with slush, ice and snow.
In very wet conditions, however, road running shoes could quickly become saturated and your soggy running socks could start to rub, causing blisters. Ugh. To help with this, you could reinforce your shoes with some winter running gaiters that fit over your ankles to prevent water from entering. Another possibility is to wear waterproof running socks, which means your shoes can get as wet as they want while you’re splashing through puddles, but your feet stay dry.
If you want to run in your wet shoes again the following day, make sure to stuff them with newspaper when you get home and leave them out to air dry so they’re not totally waterlogged. Don’t put them on the radiator as this can destroy the adhesives over time and cause them to deteriorate faster.
Are trail running shoes good for winter?
Let’s say, however, that you’re looking at a winter with close to or sub-zero temps, snow and ice. In that case, your road running shoes aren’t going to cut it. Unless you want to hit the hamster wheel, you’re going to want to invest in a pair of the best trail running shoes – and that’s even if you have no intention of getting anywhere near a trail and plan to stick to urban routes only.
The main reason trail running shoes make the best running footwear for winter is that they feature more aggressive tread meant for tackling uneven terrain. On slick surfaces, this translates into better grip, lessening your chances of nasty slips and falls. How deep you want your lugs to be depends on what you’re going to be running on, but if it’s snowy trails, think 5mm lugs, whereas if you’re running on slushy roads or mixed terrain, 3mm should suffice.
Trail running shoes also tend to be a bit burlier than road shoes, with sturdier uppers, reinforced toe boxes and sometimes integrated knit socks that are all in place to protect trail users from sharp rocks – these features can also provide a bit more protection from objects hidden by the snow and cold temperatures in winter.
Trail running shoes can also come in waterproof versions where road shoes don't, which can be a major bonus, since as we already mentioned, wet feet can be a hindrance, especially if you’re running long distances. That said, your feet tend to get very hot when you’re running or you're not planning to run in deep, wet snow then you may want to forego this feature and opt for more breathability. You can again opt to use winter running gaiters, which will also help to keep out snow and grit from the snow plows if you’re on the roads.
Arm yourself with a pair of the best winter running shoes and layer a running jacket over the top and you'll be ready for a winter of fast adventures. If you’re going to be running on very icy or snowy surfaces, you’ll be safer using additional winter traction devices, such Yaktrax or Microspikes, or even running snowshoes for deep snow.
Does snow ruin shoes?
While snow might leave your suede boots and fashion shoes rather the worse for wear, your trail running shoes should withstand snow for as long as you’re going to be running in them (it’s generally suggested that you replace your running shoes every 300 - 500 miles). However, what can degrade your shoes faster than you might want (or at least leave them looking watermarked) is salt, which can be on the ground in abundance at this time of year. So if you’re road running, give your shoes a quick wipe down with a damp cloth when you return home.
