“There are no bad conditions, there are only bad clothes.” The adage also applies to shoes. Winter shouldn’t stop you from continuing to run, on frozen asphalt or on snow-covered trails. Here are some tips and options to help you find the right shoe for you, even during the cold season.
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How to choose good winter running shoes?
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Here are some essential elements to keep in mind when making your choice:
- Protection against the cold. Obvious, but it must be remembered. These shoes should keep your feet warm.
- A barrier against humidity. You want to prevent socks from getting soggy before they lead to frozen feet. Winter shoes have a waterproof membrane (Gore-Tex or others) to resist rain, snow and mud.
- Adhesion. In winter, the playground can sometimes resemble an ice rink. To prevent slipping, you need a reliable outsole with grippy lugs.
Here are the 7 best winter running shoes on the market this season:
1. Salomon XA Pro 3D GTX
Durability and longevity are the masters of this shoe, popular for several years, which will certainly follow you for several winters and years, on very varied playing fields. It is ultra-resistant thanks in particular to a very robust reinforced stone guard (the tip of the foot) and a very rigid and very stable 3D chassis.
2. Hoka Speedgoat 5 GTX Spike
It is a high-performance trail running shoe with undeniable qualities: great traction from the Vibram Megagrip sole, very good cushioning, a thick and soft midsole which absorbs the hazards of the ground, waterproofing from the Gore- Very efficient Tex Leaf.
3. Brooks Cascadia 18 GTX
The Cascadia 18 promises versatility on any trail. This goes for winter with rough and difficult paths on which it will be up to the task. With a stiffer, stability-focused design and grippy chevron-shaped lugs in the forefoot and midfoot, the shoe is built to withstand hits from rocks and roots while biting into a variety of surfaces. The Gore-Tex Invisible Fit membrane prevents water or slush from freezing on the socks.
4. Saucony Peregrine 13 ST
The Peregrine 13 ST is a shoe specially designed for slippery surfaces with 6.5 millimeter deep lugs and a relatively high sole thickness to prevent you from slipping and ending up on your butt. A built-in ankle gaiter keeps snow from seeping in, while a quick-lace system lets you adjust depending on the conditions.
5. Merrell Agility Peak 5 GTX
A shoe that does not go unnoticed. It’s the colorful version of one of the brand’s most popular running shoes, lighter and with a thicker Vibram sole, designed to increase grip and evacuate external elements with each stride. Its Gore-Tex exterior coating offers excellent breathability and waterproofing. Finally, its outer heel is sculpted to provide better comfort to the foot and less slipping.
Also read – Merrell sports shoes in the colors of a very popular fantasy series
6. Asics GEL-Kayano 30
Shoes designed and designed to offer great stability and optimal cushioning thanks to the new 4D Guidance System. The midsole (the one between two sole layers) is wider with a flared sole under the forefoot and softer foam under the arch. This “helps create a cloud-like softness with each stride,” assures the brand. Another interesting feature: at least 75% of the main fabric of the shoe is made from recycled materials.
7. On Running Cloud 5 Waterproof
Originally from the Alps, On Running is a Swiss brand launched in 2010. No wonder the brand’s models resist the elements and appear in this list of winter shoes. Designed with 90% recycled polyester, the Cloud 5 model is waterproof, breathable, but blocks moisture and has advanced cushioning. It also has reflective elements to be visible even in the dark.
Some tips for winter running
- Dress lightly.
- Remember to hydrate well.
- Shorten your stride.
- Watch for signs of hypothermia or frostbite.
- Make sure you are visible, night falls quickly in winter.
For even more advice, we recommend reading the article “Running in winter: 8 pro tips” by Joan Roch.
To build this list, we consulted the recommendations of several specialized sites to select the most frequent and highest rated, including Outside, RunRepeat, Backpacker, GearJunkie and Footwear News.
