Winter running shoes – complete guide and overview
Have you jumped into winter tights, a hat and gloves? Then it might be time to consider whether you have the right winter running shoes – for the cold and dark winters out in the Danish countryside. The forests and trails are truly beautiful in winter, but also unforgiving. That’s why it’s important to have good winter running shoes. In this article, I will try to guide you through the choice of new winter running shoes and help you find out what technologies and features to look for.
These 3 brands make good winter running shoes
What should you consider when buying winter running shoes?
Running sites rarely have a category called winter running shoes. But as running has become more and more popular in recent years, it has also become necessary to have a category of running shoes for those who want to run no matter how cold, icy and snowy the landscape is outside. In the article below, I will try to give you some guidelines on what to look for when buying winter running shoes.
Guidelines for buying winter running shoes
Winter running shoes are a further development of trail running shoes, But where trail running shoes are typically designed for the best days, winter running shoes are designed to keep you running when the weather is worst. To find the optimal running shoes for winter use, I would recommend you look at, and consider, the following parameters:
- GORE-TEX upper (Including a warmer and water-repellent upper)
- Road grip (Replaceable or dynamic studs)
- Fit
GORE-TEX upper
When running in the winter, it may not be essential, but it is a huge advantage to have a pair of waterproof and windproof running shoes with a warmer upper. I typically recommend a GORE-TEX upper, which is a guarantee of quality in terms of water and water-repellent properties and is not a technology and feature usually found in running shoes. With a water-repellent shoe, you will avoid getting wet and cold feet when you run in snow or ice. Once you have wet feet on a long winter run, there is no going back and you will have to deal with wet feet for the rest of the training session. You can also consider choosing a model with a warmer, thicker and more durable upper, which is not necessarily as breathable as the upper you use for summer training. There is a greater demands on the durability of winter running shoes compared to regular running shoes.
A good example of a waterproof winter running shoes are Asics GT 2000 GTX (GORE-TEX).
Road grip
The risk of slipping is many times higher in winter than in summer. It is therefore incredibly important that you find a winter running shoe with a non-slip sole. If you are going to run on snow and ice, I would recommend that you go as far as getting spikes on the outsole. This ensures you have a safe and firm grip no matter where you run. There are several different options for spikes on your winter running shoes. I will go over them further down. First of all, the sole should be rough and the profiling aggressive to give you the best possible grip.
The chunky Inov8 Oroc 280 is a good choice for a running shoe with a sure grip..
Dynamic spikes in running shoes
Some running shoes have dynamic spikes, which means they retract when used on harder surfaces like asphalt. This means you can use a pair of running shoes for both running on icy and snowy trails and for light asphalt. I still wouldn’t recommend running too much on asphalt with dynamic spikes, as it still wears down the spikes a lot and can provide a less secure grip when you get out into the snow or ice.
Mountable spikes
It is possible to buy spikes that can be pulled over your running shoes. This allows you to use your regular running shoes to also run in snow and ice. However, be careful that the actual setup that is pulled over the shoe does not break, as you will then be in trouble out in the middle of the snow.
You can see and buy spikes for running shoes here
If you run a lot in the winter, it is important that you maintain and clean your running shoes..
Fit
As with all your running shoes, it is important to find running shoes that fit your foot well. Compared to summer, you should be aware that you will typically be running with thicker socks and cold feet, so it may be a good idea to choose a shoe with a little more room for your foot.
3 good deals on winter running shoes
A collection of the running shoes that have been recommended here in the article and that I would recommend for running in the winter. They will all protect you from the elements and give you a non-slip running experience. By following the link you can read my complete review of the individual winter running shoes.
Ready to run in the winter cold?
Do you feel ready for the winter cold? A good pair of running shoes can help you stay motivated throughout. It can be a very long run if your feet are cold and wet to begin with. You can avoid that with good winter running shoes. And there is no reason to deviate from your training program just because it’s winter.
Do you also run a lot in the winter? Then I would really like to hear your opinion about winter running shoes in the comments section below!