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Montrail Hurricane Ridge XCR
Hurricane Ridge XCR

Which running shoe will keep my feet dry and warm in winter?

I’m an avid runner who must contend with about six months of snow, slush, and cold temperatures if I to pursue this sport year-round. Can you suggest a running shoe for winter excursions? Standard running shoes are no match for a Quebec winter. Thomas Westmount, Quebec

Published:  Updated: 
Douglas Gantenbein
Montrail Hurricane Ridge XCR

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Shoes alone won’t do it, Thomas. You need a comprehensive approach to keeping your feet warm and dry.

Montrail Hurricane Ridge XCR

Montrail Hurricane Ridge XCR Hurricane Ridge XCR

Of course, the right shoes are certainly important. And it seems that trail-running shoes would serve you well. You might, for instance, take a look at the Salomon GCS XCR ($149; www.salomonoutdoor.com), well-designed trail-runners that have a Gore-Tex XCR liner for excellent waterproofness and good breathability. Toe and heel caps help protect your feet, and the shoes have Salomon’s “ground control system” to help you navigate over rough terrain. Whatever. They’re a good shoe, really. The only thing I don’t like is the price. That’s a lot for a pair of running shoes that you’ll probably need to replace in six to eight months.

You can get the goodness of XCR for a little less scratch with Montrail’s Hurricane Ridge XCR ($120; www.montrail.com). Its aggressive treads keep you on the trail/sloppy roads, and Montrail’s combination of support and cushioning is one of the best around. These shoes are designed for nutty winter runners, and I think you qualif…I mean, I think you’ll like them.

XCR also is found in Nike’s Air Zoom Orizaba ($110; www.nike.com). Nike’s cushioning technology and overall design have stood the test of time, so I think these are fine shoes. However, they’re more of a beefed-up running shoe, rather than a trimmed-down hiking shoe, as the Salomon and Montrails are. So durability might not be quite on par, although I think performance would be.

The other thing I’d suggest is a pair of light gaiters to wear along with the shoes. They’ll help keep snow and slush from overtopping these low-cut shoes. The North Face makes a short, Gore-Tex gaiter specifically designed for trail running, called the Winter Gaiter GTX ($20; www.thenorthface.com).

Lastly, good socks will help a lot. SmartWool (www.smartwool.com) makes a three-quarter-height sock called the Light Three-Quarter Crew for $15. They’ll help keep your feet warm and dry.

Enjoy your runs!

Get more advice from the Gear Guy as he picks this season’s top gifts in You’ll probably find a few things to put on your own wish list, too.

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