The Best Winter Running Shoes | Keep on Moving Through Ice and Snow

Winter poses a lot of challenges to runners who enjoy jogging outside. Between the short days, variable weather, and cold temperature, just stepping outside to jog is a problem. Most runners, even the experienced ones, prefer using their treadmills during winter.

However, one of the unique qualities of snow is that it turns paths, roads, and tracks into trails. The snow can also turn many surfaces into mud baths or luge courses. So, the brave runners who forgo climate change and brave the elements have to be prepared.

While mental fortitude can get you outdoors, it won’t keep you dry and warm. So, you must have all your winter running gear, with the most important being your winter running shoes.

However, with several winter running shoes in the market, choosing the right one can be quite tricky. But, I bet you already knew that. What you didn’t know is what is the best option for you. We have prepared a review of some of the best winter running shoes for you.

So, let’s dive right in…

The Best Winter Running Shoes Are:

Product	Details
1. Salomon Speedcross 4	Top Pick	Material: Synthetic Sole: Rubber Size: 6M – 15M (US)	Check Current Price
2. Salomon XA Pro 3d GTX		Sole: Rubber Material: Synthetic Size: 6-15 (US)	Check Current Price
3. Brooks Cascadia 14 GTX		Sole: Rubber Material: Mesh and synthetic Size: 3.5-16 (US)	Check Current Price
4. Adidas Men's NMDxr1 Winter Running Shoes		Material: Leather and textile Sole: Rubber Size: 4-19 (US)	Check Current Price
5. Saucony Peregrine 8 Sneakers		Sole: Rubber Material: Synthetic Size: 3-16 (US)	Check Current Price
6. New Balance 481V3 Running Shoes		Sole: Rubber Material: Leather and textile Size: 4-14 (US)	Check Current Price
7. Yaktrax Run Traction Cleats		Sole: Rubber Material: Synthetic Size: 5-15 (US)	Check Current Price

1. Salomon Speedcross 4 — Best Running Shoes for Ice and Snow

With its sturdy and heavy-duty rubber outsole, Speedcross 4 is engineered for extreme weather conditions. Speedcross 4 is the fourth version of the famous running footwear from Salomon with more improvements and extras. The latest improvement to this shoe is the addition of Contagrip rubber that can help you tackle slippery and wet terrains.

Speedcross 4 is ideal for jogging in rocky places, snow, muddy trails, and soft grounds. Speedcross 4 comes with an extra dense Contagrip rubber sole. Contagrip is a sticker that offers you superior traction when running on wet surfaces. Speedcross 4 is better traction than its predecessor thanks to its unique sole and lugs.

This shoe comes with chevron-shaped lugs that are arranged for multiple directional grips. With this shoe, salmon has used a dual-density EVA with minimum weight. The EVA midsole allows for stability and proper cushioning. The midsole helps with shock absorption and flexibility.

The upper uses the Sensifit technology to provide a comfortable fit and wrapping on the midfoot area. Its unique water-resistant Gore-Tex upper sheds everything thrown at it. Speedcross 4 has some unique overlays that increase the durability of this shoe.

Its unique anti-debris mesh and overall design guarantees that this footwear has a breathable upper. However, it is quite heavy for some users. However, it is not designed for use on a normal road.

Overall Rating – 4.6 out of 5

Conclusion

Speedcross 4 is a great running shoe that is designed to tackle snow and other tough terrains. As one of the best winter trail running shoes, it offers proper traction, breathability, and durability.

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2. Salomon XA Pro 3d GTX — Best Men’s Trail Shoes for Snow

Salomon is one of the world’s top brand names in outdoor shoes with several lines that span from hiking to trail running. And XA Pro 3D, which is in its eighth iteration, is designed for technical trail running. It does work well for light and fast hiking. Thanks to its rubber sole, this pair can withstand all demanding trails. This shoe has a waterproof upper that will keep your feet dry and comfortable.

This footwear comes with a seamed upper. Its upper is made from a softer and thinner material that provides a perfect balance between protection and comfort. This pair comes with a unique 3D chassis that offers the right amount of comfort and stability. Its outsole has a unique tread pattern that keeps you well gripped to the surface.

Pro 3D GTX comes with a quick lace system that provides precise and fast lacing. Therefore, your feet will be stable, and you can easily adjust your shoes. To adjust the fit, you just pull your lace and slide the buckle-tab, and you are good to go. For weather protection, this shoe features a waterproof Gore-Tex membrane. Therefore, you can forget about the weather and focus on the trail. However, it is quite heavy.

Overall Rating – 4.4 out of 5

Conclusion

Pro 3D GTX is a unique shoe that can thrive in every terrain, weather, and distance.

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3. Brooks Cascadia 14 GTX — Best Shoes for Cold Weather

Brooks has produced some of the best shoes in the market, and Brooks Cascadia 14 GTX is no exception. Cascadia 14 is more flexible and lighter than its predecessor. Brooks added the Gore-Tex membrane to Cascadia 14 to make it more water-resistant.

Other than having a waterproof breathable upper, this footwear has a lugged patterned sole for better traction. This shoe comes with a lace-up guard that helps keep your feet locked in even when it gets wet. Weighing about 10 pounds, this trail footwear is lightweight, and this helps with reducing fatigue.

This shoe is ideal for runners with higher to mild arches. Cascadia 14 has a pivot-post system that allows your feet to level during fall-offs and push-offs on uneven or rocky terrains. To provide the midsole with needed dynamic cushioning, Brooks added the BioMoGo DNA.

Cascadia 14 has a rubber sole with a TrailTack technology and a lugged pattern base for better traction. And just like Cascadia 13, this shoe comes with a lockdown system that prevents slippage. Brook added a mudguard to keep the dirt away. However, Cascadia 14’s plush cushioning adds more weight to this shoe.

Overall Rating – 4.6 out of 5

Conclusion

Cascadia 14 is a comfortable and durable shoe with a mudguard to keep the dirt away.

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4. Adidas Men’s NMDxr1 Winter Running Shoes

The best winter running footwear doesn’t have to be fancy. It just needs a basic design that will keep your feet comfortable and warm while preventing injuries. NMDxr1 from Adidas comes with an OrthoLite sockliner that is quite comfortable for running during winter.

Another feature that makes this footwear stand out is it’s responsive cushioning. NMDxr1 comes with a unique cushioning that responds perfectly to pressure. The comfort you get when wearing NMDxr1 is proportional to the amount of energy you exerted when running. Together with its rubber sole, this shoe is a perfect lightweight winter running shoe.

The rubber sole gives this footwear a durable construction. The upper part of this shoe is made from leather and textile. With a welded high-cut collar, this footwear provides your feet with the ultimate protection. Its lining is less irritating, and it protects your feet against the chilly winter cold. However, it has a less durable upper and sole.

Overall Rating – 4.1 out of 5

Conclusion

NMDxr1 is lightweight and comfortable footwear that can help you run safely on snow. It has proper cushioning and a warm upper.

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5. Saucony Peregrine 8 Sneakers

Saucony Peregrine 8 is designed to keep your feet pain free when jogging on the snow. Being a redesigned and upgraded version of Peregrine 7, this shoe is engineered to handle a wide range of terrains.

This shoe has a more responsive midsole, softer outsole, and a more open mesh upper. Peregrine 8 has a Vibran arctic grip sole to provide the needed traction when jogging on rocky terrain. It also features the Runshield waterproof technology that will keep you dry when running.

Peregrine 8 comes with a full-length EVERUN midsole that provides responsiveness and cushioning. To prevent its mesh upper from creasing, this shoe uses an ISOFIT technology. ISOFIT technology uses a floating-support cage to prevent this problem.

The floating support cage also prevents blisters. This shoe has a unique rubber sole that provides the needed grip on various surfaces. Its outsole is designed to offer the needed grip when descending or ascending slopes and hills. However, it is not ideal for people with wide feet.

Overall Rating – 4.4 out of 5

Conclusion

Saucony Peregrine 8 is breathable footwear that can handle a wide range of terrains. It is a comfortable pair that can provide the needed grip when descending or ascending a hill.

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6. New Balance 481V3 Running Shoes

New Balance 481V3 is a comfortable low-arch running shoe that was designed for tackling tough terrains. It comes with a sturdy rubber sole that can handle the harsh wet condition. It comes with a CUSH plus midsole that offers ultra-soft cushioning and comfort.

For extra comfort, it features an NB Soft Comfort Insert that supports all your strides. This midsole serves as a unique shock absorber that will keep your feet safe. The breathable nature of this shoes’ unique upper makes it one of the best options for hikers and runners.

It has a comfortable and ultra-soft insert. This shoe will protect your feet from unnecessary pressure when running. New Balance 481V3 comes with durable leather and textile upper that delivers the lightweight feel and fit. It is one of the best shoes for cold weather. However, this shoe comes with seemingly cheap shoelaces.

Overall Rating – 4.4 out of 5

Conclusion

New Balance 481V3 is comfortable footwear that features a sturdy rubber sole that can tackle any terrain.

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7. Yaktrax Run Traction Cleats

With Yaktrax Run traction cleat, you don’t have a reason to stop jogging just because there is snow outside. Yaktrax Cleats is designed for running on ice. This footwear comes with a sturdy rubber frame and straps on top of your feet and toes.

Therefore, you will never have to worry about your feet slipping inside your footwear when running. And thanks to the reflective material on this shoe, the rescue team can find you easily in case of an accident.

For proper traction, this shoe comes with several carbide steel spikes that dig deeper into the snow. Yaktrax cleats come with a stainless steel coil that provides the needed bounce when running. Therefore you will never have to worry about your feet getting stuck.

This pair provides you with 360 degrees traction. This is the best shoe to use in the harshest environmental conditions. However, the wire coils can break when jogging in the harshest environment. But you can replace the wire coils and continue jogging.

Overall Rating – 4.4 out of 5

Conclusion

Yaktrax traction cleat is designed for running in the harshest weather condition. This pair will provide the needed comfort and stability when jogging on snow.

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Factors To Consider When Buying The Best Winter Running Shoes

Running outdoors during winter can be quite challenging and dangerous if not well prepared. And that is the main reason why most runners prefer using their treadmills during the cold months. However, some brave runners love defying the cold weather and want to work out even in harsh conditions.

But, working out outdoors in winter requires the right winter gear, and this includes reliable running shoes. To thrive in the snow, you need the right running shoes that will provide you with the needed traction and support. So, here are some key factors to consider when buying the right winter running footwear.

Traction

The ground is usually slippery during winter, so the first thing to consider when buying running shoes is traction. The right pair should be able to grip the ground well. Remember, the warmest, most supportive, and driest footwear won’t help if it can’t stand the harsh winter conditions.

Therefore before you even invest in a pair of running shoes, you should make sure that it has great traction. Proper traction means a pair has an excellent outsole. The sole should have deep grooves and lines for proper traction. With this kind of sole, you can jog on snow with ease.

Stability

Running on snow can be quite dangerous since you could either roll your foot or slip. Therefore, you need a pair that can provide the needed stability. Stability is ideal for people with a normal arch who want to prevent pronation.

The right pair should reinforce your arch and provide your feet with the needed support. People with pronation issues need shoes with high stability levels that are referred to as motion-control shoes. Motion-control shoes are not flexible, but they provide the need for support.

Support

Other than stability, the right winter running footwear must provide the needed support. A pair that provides excellent support will protect your feet from injuries and give you a comfortable ride. It will prevent your ankle from twisting.

Insulation

Since you will be running on ice, you should look for a pair that can keep your feet warm. You need a pair that protects you from the cold. Instead of purchasing a pair that is lined with wool or fleece, you should look for one to keep your feet from freezing.

WaterProof

Even though you won’t be jogging through feet of ice and snow, it’s always advisable to get weather and waterproof footwear. You won’t have fun if your feet get wet, so look for a pair to keep the moisture outside.

Remember, a waterproof shoe offers more protection than a water-resistant pair when running on snow. Look for a pair that uses the Gore-tex membrane to keep the moisture out.

Final Thoughts

An experienced runner can confirm that running outdoors is not the same as using your treadmill. So, if you love outdoor running, don’t let the winter push you to the treadmill. But, before heading out, make sure you are well prepared for the cold and harsh terrain outside. And this means getting the right running shoes that can keep you safe and protected.

The best winter running shoe incorporates numerous properties that help keep you safe. However, the critical feature to look out for is proper traction. So, we have prepared the above reviews of some of the best winter footwear for you.

From our research, we have concluded that Salomon Speedcross 4 running shoe is the best option. Salomon Speedcross 4 has a unique Contagrip rubber sole that provides proper traction.