Shoes alone won聮t do it, Thomas. You need a comprehensive approach to keeping your feet warm and dry.
Montrail Hurricane Ridge XCR
Hurricane Ridge XCROf 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聮s 聯ground control system” to help you navigate over rough terrain. Whatever. They聮re a good shoe, really. The only thing I don聮t like is the price. That聮s a lot for a pair of running shoes that you聮ll probably need to replace in six to eight months.
You can get the goodness of XCR for a little less scratch with Montrail聮s Hurricane Ridge XCR ($120; www.montrail.com). Its aggressive treads keep you on the trail/sloppy roads, and Montrail聮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聟I mean, I think you聮ll like them.
XCR also is found in Nike聮s Air Zoom Orizaba ($110; www.nike.com). Nike聮s cushioning technology and overall design have stood the test of time, so I think these are fine shoes. However, they聮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聮d suggest is a pair of light gaiters to wear along with the shoes. They聮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聮ll help keep your feet warm and dry.
Enjoy your runs!
Get more advice from the Gear Guy as he picks this season聮s top gifts in You聮ll probably find a few things to put on your own wish list, too.