Dressing for Running in Snow
Picking Running Shoes and Clothers for Cold or Wet Weather
Feb 16, 2009
Going for a run on a snowy day can be fun, but wearing the wrong gear can put a damper on the experience. When heading out on snowy days, make sure to pick out the right shoes and dress for the weather.
Pick Shoes Made for Snow
Although most standard running shoes have fairly good rubber soles on them, picking a pair of shoes that are made for the snow will give better traction and keep feet much drier. Most shoes that are made for winter running will fall into the general category of “trail running” shoes. However, when choosing a shoe specifically for the snow, look for a shoe that is “water-proof” or “water-resistant.” Look for a shoe that incorporates GoreTex into the upper to help the shoe both breathe and keep water out.
There are some top manufacturers that specialize in just this type of shoe, but they may not be the household names that runners are used to hearing. Check out shoes from brands like Montrail, Inov8, and Salomon as some examples of companies that make great winter weather shoes.
Keep in mind that a trail shoe will not “ride” like a road shoe. These shoes are typically much stiffer and provide less cushion than a regular running shoe. This is by design as the shoe is built to provide more stability on uneven surfaces and keep you from turning ankles in snow, mud or rocky terrain. In addition, the snow or trail surface itself is softer than pavement, so the shoe doesn’t need to provide as much impact protection.
Dress for the Weather
The next major consideration in venturing out into the snow is dressing for the cold. It may initially feel cold when you walk outside, but runners need to dress in a way that will take into account that they will heat up and start sweating shortly into your run. This creates a few issues that some issues that should be planned for when picking clothing:
- Runners should dress in layersers that can be shed as your temperature heats up. A simple rule is to plan for temperatures about 20 degrees warmer than the outside air temperature to compensate for the change in temperature.
- Runners should avoid cotton clothing. As cotton gets wet, it absorbs water, becomes heavy and then becomes abrasive to the skin. Choose clothing made of “technical fabrics” such as Lycra, DriFit, even Polyester to keep dry and avoid chaffing the skin.
- Runners should carry an extra layer around the waist and keep it dry. This can be used in emergencies if the runner ends up walking. The dry layer can be put on next to the skin to help keep warm.
Dress with the weather in mind and running in the snow can be fun and invigorating. Have fun out there.
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