| Running in the winter can be a challenge because you | | | | keeping your feet warm so that they don't go numb. |
| need need to stay warm, dry and visible. Your | | | | Will you be spending a lot of time on trails, or sticking |
| footing is very important in the Winter because slick | | | | mostly to roads? How technical are the trails, and are |
| conditions and numb feet can quickly lead to slipping | | | | you going to want an aggressive tread on your |
| and hurting yourself. There are three basic | | | | shoes to be able to keep you from slipping on rocks |
| considerations in the Winter regarding your feet: | | | | and roots? |
| | | | Find a pair of shoes that is comfortable for you and |
| 1. Socks | | | | then see how they hold up. If they work out well |
| 2. Shoes | | | | then keep buying them, if they aren't the right pair |
| 3. Attachments | | | | then don't be afraid to look for a new style. |
| Socks | | | | Attachments |
| Unless you are going for a short run on a relatively | | | | If you are running in icy conditions you are going to |
| dry day, you don't want to wear cotton socks. | | | | want to have a good grip on the road. Popular |
| Cotton collects moisture and pools it all in one place | | | | options for improving your grip in slippery conditions is |
| rather than spreading it out over the surface of the | | | | to buy a product such as Stabilicers or Yak Trax and |
| fabric and wicking it away from your skin where it | | | | wear them on your feet around your shoes. |
| can evaporate. It is worth spending the extra money | | | | Yak Trax are a spikeless coil that wrap around the |
| on a few good pairs of running socks, which will keep | | | | bottom of your feet and are good for traveling in |
| your feet warm, dry and blister free. | | | | loose snow. Stabilicers are plastic sheathes for the |
| There is a surprising amount of variety available in | | | | bottom of your shoes with cleats for biting into the |
| running socks. Experiment with different cuts, | | | | ice as you run. |
| breathability, fabrics, and thicknesses to find what | | | | What I prefer to do, however, is to put sheet metal |
| works best for you in different conditions. | | | | screws directly into the sole of my sneakers. Sheet |
| Shoes | | | | metal screws are much lighter than both Stabilicers |
| My first suggestion when choosing a pair of shoes is | | | | and Yak Trax, are much cheaper, and in my |
| always to visit a local specialty running store and | | | | experience are a lot more effective. and it's a lot |
| have an expert help you choose. Gait analysis and | | | | more effective. They don't come off of your feet as |
| years of experience are a great aid in finding that | | | | easily as either of the other products, they aren't as |
| perfect pair. | | | | likely to break as Yak Trax, and they don't collect a |
| Consider the types of conditions you'll be running | | | | layer of snow like the Stabilicers. |
| through. If you are going to be running through snow | | | | All three methods will give you a better grip against |
| or brooks or in a lot of rain and puddles, then you | | | | the road than what you'll find that you have without |
| are going to want lighter shoes that drain water | | | | them. If you ever run in icy conditions then it is |
| pretty well. If you live in an arid area, then a heavier | | | | worth investing in at least one of the solutions in |
| or more waterproof shoe might do a better job of | | | | order to keep your feet and find traction as you run. |