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Saucony ProGrid Outlaw

The Outlaw’s high-wrapping upper serves as a snow-and-debris gaiter and adds ankle stability on fast and nasty downhills. Even better, the height drops down in the back, allowing for greater movement around the Achilles. Factor in its surprisingly light weight and great traction and you’ve got our favorite foul-weather shoe, despite the somewhat stiff and slower forefoot. 10.1 oz

TAGS: MOUNTAINS, MUD

Pearl Izumi SyncroFuel II

One word: plush! The thickly cushioned SyncroFuel II is as smooth as a heel-striking high-mileage trainer can get, with an impressively quick turnover, a firm and high-energy forefoot, and a touch of stability in the soft heel for light pronators. Bonus: the tight mesh sidewalls on that seamless upper boost both warmth and splash resistance. 9.2 oz

TAGS: HEEL STRIKERS, STABILITY

Salomon Speedcross 3CS

Waterproof, fast, and extremely nimble, the Speedcross 3 CS is a lot like one of our other favorite aggressive mountain running shoes, the La Sportiva Crosslite 2 (page 92). Except it’s winterized: the forefoot’s water-shunning Climate Shield membrane kept the shoe warm and dry on sloppy days, and the lugs are big enough to bite firm snow without feeling gummy on packed dirt. 9.9 oz

TAGS: WATERPROOF, TRAIL READY

Merrell Lithe Glove

An ultraminimalist for winter. The Lithe is Merrell’s take on a barefoot-like running shoe but with a soft-shell upper for a bit of protection from water and cold weather. The Vibram sole is thin but felt just sturdy enough to beat back sharp pebbles. “Even though it’s a minimalist shoe, it provides a good amount of protection,” one converted tester crooned. 6.5 oz

TAGS: BAREFOOT-INSPIRED, SOFT SHELL

Scott eRide Support

Meet rockered running shoes. The curved midsole means there’s less heel to get in the way for midfoot strikers, and heel pounders roll quickly out of the cushy backseat. Testers split into two camps—those who loved the smooth, forward-rolling feeling, and those who found it distracting. Either way, it’s a light, secure, slightly faster-than-average stability trainer with support for midrange over-pronators. 8.6 oz

TAGS: ROCKERED, FAST

Mizuno Wave Enigma

Like an Iowa glad-hander, the Enigma works hard to please everyone. It’s not too fat in the heel for midfoot strikers, not too firm for hard-landers. It’s also just thick enough in the forefoot to neutralize impact without seeming to sap your energy. Although it feels a touch slower than most Mizunos we’ve tested, this versatile shoe hits a very sweet spot for the vast majority of high-mileage neutral runners. 9.6 oz

TAGS: MARATHONS, VERSATILE