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Question:

are there specific shoes that may be better for running in the winter (wet and cold climate, ie: snow)?

Response:

are there specific shoes that may be better for running in the winter (wet and cold climate, ie: snow)?

Depending upon how cold and wet you’re talking about, you may be able to run in your normal running shoes. However, some shoes, usually trail shoes, have a little more leather or rubber for some protection. Sometimes just a little bit makes a really big difference, at least for cold-footed me (as in the Saucony Grid Stabil 2000 having more protection than the Grid Stabil 3 – 1st hand experience). Most important thing is to wear some synthetic or wool sock – possibly 2 layers if your shoes allow. I used my regular shoes last winter down to about -18F (banana belt of Alaska). Do NOT use cotton socks – or anything cotton, for that matter, in winter. As long as you’re running and don’t have any problems, you should be ok with regular shoes and socks. If you are out for a few hours and have a problem, everything seems to go wrong simultaneously – according to Murphy’s law. So use your judgement as to what you need. (Compared to most people here, I tend to run conservatively and reasonably prepared for conditions. Nobody’s going to come rescue me.) I met the guy that ran from Big Lake (near Anchorage) to Nome (1100 miles) last winter, and I asked him what shoes he wore (we were in REI’s shoe department at the time), and he pointed to the ones he had on – which looked like any running shoe, but I didn’t recognize the brand or model. I figure if that worked for 1100 miles of Alaskan winter, it should work for most, except those that have habitually cold feet. There are some neoprene options that I’ve used for biking at 0F, but that’s a *lot* colder than running at those temperatures. SealSkinz weren’t too bad in wet conditions, but I haven’t used them for running yet since haven’t needed them yet. Goretex socks didn’t work for me and got sent back. But assuming you’re not dealing with subzero F temps or running through overflow, your standard synthetic running socks should do fine. Good luck and enjoy. Dot considering planting bananas if this weather holds, but I’m not complaining

Response:

that was a lot of help thanks! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – are there specific shoes that may be better for running in the winter (wet and cold climate, ie: snow)? Depending upon how cold and wet you’re talking about, you may be able to run in your normal running shoes. However, some shoes, usually trail shoes, have a little more leather or rubber for some protection. Sometimes just a little bit makes a really big difference, at least for cold-footed me (as in the Saucony Grid Stabil 2000 having more protection than the Grid Stabil 3 – 1st hand experience). Most important thing is to wear some synthetic or wool sock – possibly 2 layers if your shoes allow. I used my regular shoes last winter down to about -18F (banana belt of Alaska). Do NOT use cotton socks – or anything cotton, for that matter, in winter. As long as you’re running and don’t have any problems, you should be ok with regular shoes and socks. If you are out for a few hours and have a problem, everything seems to go wrong simultaneously – according to Murphy’s law. So use your judgement as to what you need. (Compared to most people here, I tend to run conservatively and reasonably prepared for conditions. Nobody’s going to come rescue me.) I met the guy that ran from Big Lake (near Anchorage) to Nome (1100 miles) last winter, and I asked him what shoes he wore (we were in REI’s shoe department at the time), and he pointed to the ones he had on – which looked like any running shoe, but I didn’t recognize the brand or model. I figure if that worked for 1100 miles of Alaskan winter, it should work for most, except those that have habitually cold feet. There are some neoprene options that I’ve used for biking at 0F, but that’s a *lot* colder than running at those temperatures. SealSkinz weren’t too bad in wet conditions, but I haven’t used them for running yet since haven’t needed them yet. Goretex socks didn’t work for me and got sent back. But assuming you’re not dealing with subzero F temps or running through overflow, your standard synthetic running socks should do fine. Good luck and enjoy. Dot considering planting bananas if this weather holds, but I’m not complaining

Response:

Most important thing is to wear some synthetic or wool sock – possibly 2 layers if your shoes allow. I used my regular shoes last winter down to about -18F (banana belt of Alaska). Do NOT use cotton socks – or anything cotton, for that matter, in winter.

They grow bananas in Alaska?

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studded shoes ? www.icebug.se might look at some next time i’m over there ed

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – are there specific shoes that may be better for running in the winter (wet and cold climate, ie: snow)?

Response:

Most important thing is to wear some synthetic or wool sock – possibly 2 layers if your shoes allow. I used my regular shoes last winter down to about -18F (banana belt of Alaska). Do NOT use cotton socks – or anything cotton, for that matter, in winter. They grow bananas in Alaska?

only in the grocery store usually with a Dole or DelMonte sticker attached Actually, I just had a thought that it might be neat to put bonzai banana trees in a snow globe to emphasize both sides of our weather. I better go run. Dot sorry, strange week punctuated by mini-earthquake a few minutes ago

Response:

They grow bananas in Alaska? only in the grocery store usually with a Dole or DelMonte sticker attached Actually, I just had a thought that it might be neat to put bonzai banana trees in a snow globe to emphasize both sides of our weather. I better go run. Dot sorry, strange week punctuated by mini-earthquake a few minutes ago

Watch out for those tidal waves. Will ruin a good Alaskan banana crop

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – They grow bananas in Alaska? only in the grocery store usually with a Dole or DelMonte sticker attached Actually, I just had a thought that it might be neat to put bonzai banana trees in a snow globe to emphasize both sides of our weather. I better go run. Dot sorry, strange week punctuated by mini-earthquake a few minutes ago Watch out for those tidal waves. Will ruin a good Alaskan banana crop

LOL. Actually, the Tsunami Warning center is about 2 miles from my house. You know, now that I think about it, we really should grow bananas here for the next time the west coast shippers go on strike. Dot

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They grow bananas in Alaska? sorry, strange week punctuated by mini-earthquake a few minutes ago Watch out for those tidal waves. Will ruin a good Alaskan banana crop LOL. Actually, the Tsunami Warning center is about 2 miles from my house.

Sooner or later you’re bound to get one. So instead of bonzai bananas I’d get the full sized ones that will stick above the water — unless it’s a really *big* tsunami, then you’re screwed. You know, now that I think about it, we really should grow bananas here for the next time the west coast shippers go on strike.

Or falls into the sea from their own quake. Hey — Barrow’s beach front property could go up in value. This is getting strange… Tom Phillips

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Sooner or later you’re bound to get one.

Where we are, we initiate them. So instead of bonzai bananas I’d get the full sized ones that will stick above the water — unless it’s a really *big* tsunami, then you’re screwed. You know, now that I think about it, we really should grow bananas here for the next time the west coast shippers go on strike. Or falls into the sea from their own quake. Hey — Barrow’s beach front property could go up in value. This is getting strange… Tom Phillips

This week is getting weirder. The quake we had yesterday was about 3.4. Just kinda hold your breath and hope that’s all, usually several of them a year, and a reminder of where we live. About 3:27am this morning, there was a 6.7 near Denali that reportedly knocked things off shelves, etc; supposedly felt from Anchorage to Fairbanks. (I apparently slept through it.) People were glad it hit where it did and not near Anchorage. Ironically, Anchorage is doing earthquake preparedness drills this week. And the temperatures are still in the 50s in the day. And it was beautiful running in short sleeves this evening. I’ll take it. Dot

Response:

Sooner or later you’re bound to get one. Where we are, we initiate them.

Is that legal? This week is getting weirder. The quake we had yesterday was about 3.4. Just kinda hold your breath and hope that’s all, usually several of them a year,

Nobody thinks of Alaska as quake country. S. CA gets all the press. They forget about that one back in the fifties that literally sucked the ocean in then spat it back out. and a reminder of where we live. About 3:27am this morning, there was a 6.7 near Denali

Good thing climbing season is over. that reportedly knocked things off shelves, etc; supposedly felt from Anchorage to Fairbanks. (I apparently slept through it.) People were glad it hit where it did and not near Anchorage. Ironically, Anchorage is doing earthquake preparedness drills this week. And the temperatures are still in the 50s in the day. And it was beautiful running in short sleeves this evening. I’ll take it.

High today here was 29, but mostly dry so it’s not bad running weather. Now at midnight the Front Range and Barrow are the same temp (25) and you’re still 58.

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Nobody thinks of Alaska as quake country. S. CA gets all the press. They forget about that one back in the fifties that literally sucked the ocean in then spat it back out.

Assuming you meant the 1964 quake, yep, the tsunami that killed people in Oregon originated here. Let’s face it, how many people routinely remember that AK is part of US If we got more quake press, it might keep our population under control a little better. High today here was 29, but mostly dry so it’s not bad running weather. Now at midnight the Front Range and Barrow are the same temp (25) and you’re still 58.

Speaking of beachfront property, http://www.news-miner.com/Stories/0,1413,113%257E7246%257E941981,00.h… and my "pesky" glacier might be beach front property with all the rain and flooding they’re having down there in the last 2 days. Probably be more surprises when I get down there in May – really glad I got my samples when I did. We did cool off today. Dot

Response:

are there specific shoes that may be better for running in the winter (wet and cold climate, ie: snow)?

As long as it’s not too warm (preferrably under 20F or -7C), I just use ordinary running shoes.  The snow’s not going to do anything at those temperatures.

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Assuming you meant the 1964 quake, yep, the tsunami that killed people in Oregon originated here. Let’s face it, how many people routinely remember that AK is part of US If we got more quake press, it might keep our population under control a little better.

That’s the one. For me everything happend in the 50’s cause I can’t remember the 60’s  :-)   Kennedy and the Beatles on Sullivan and and Apollo 8, but that’s about it. Speaking of beachfront property, http://www.news

miner.com/Stories/0,1413,113%257E7246%257E941981,00.html?search=filter Yeah, I’ve been hearing about lack of pack ice affecting polar bears. We have something similar down here caused by drought. Bears are wandering into areas not normal to their territory in search of food. Last year one caused a stir by hanging out in my neighborhood for a week. Lions too, on occasion. Polar bears, though *will* eat people. and my "pesky" glacier might be beach front property with all the rain and flooding they’re having down there in the last 2 days. Probably be more surprises when I get down there in May – really glad I got my samples when I did. We did cool off today.

And we warmed up to 56. Last night too. Ran at 30F with fog and hoarfrost, but otherwise dry and crunchy (leaves.)

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