Black Friday - best deals from 50 stores 2 Best Snow Running Shoes in 2024
While other people stop and go home because the weather decides to snow, you continue to brave the elements and keep putting one foot in front of the other to reach your goals. For dedicated runners like you, the grind never stops.
That said, it is wise to exercise caution when running outside during the winter months. Having the proper snow running shoes that provide support and protection from cold and slick surfaces is very important.
To help narrow down your best options, we’ve secured models of snow running shoes available in the market. After that, we tested and analyzed each of them on the road, on the trails, and inside our shoe testing lab to make our top recommendations. In this article, we highlight the snow running shoes that truly wowed us during our testing.
How we test running shoes
As a team of wear-testers and editors here at RunRepeat, we tested and evaluated every model on this list.
To make the final cut, our entire approach includes:
- Purchasing all the shoes we test with our own money to ensure a 100% honest review.
- Performing a battery of mechanical tests inside our lab, which includes cutting the shoes into pieces and analyzing over 30 parameters, from midsole softness, durability, outsole traction, and many others.
- Going for short and long runs in cold temperatures and snowy conditions, averaging 30-40 miles on each model. We record every bit of valuable information we get from our rigorous wear tests.
Best running shoes for snow overall
What makes it the best?
In our extensive trials, Speedcross 6 GTX keeps our winter runs warm, agile, and secure. Our lab confirms its reliability across diverse terrains, boasting adhesive traction and a protective build that instills confidence on icy paths. With this Salomon pair as our top snow running shoe, there is no excuse to skip winter training.
As we navigate corners, melted snow, and hills, we maintain control, all thanks to the shoe's impressive traction. Its 5.0-mm lugs, 1.4 mm deeper than average, provide extra grip, especially on softer ground. With chevron-shaped lugs spaced strategically, it effectively sheds snow underfoot.
The tightly knit upper has a Gore-Tex membrane that feels warm and safe, blocking off moisture and cold air. Our breathability tests confirm its impermeability with the lowest 1/5 score, making it perfect for winter.
With speed in its name, it handles fast paces well with its agile and supportive nature. The midsole combines gentle and rigid elements for a balanced ride. The cushion provides ample protection while increasing its density for stability. Our durometer confirms it’s 23.7% firmer than average. On the other hand, its flexible midsole flows with our feet for a more natural feel. Unfortunately, its heavy weight of 11.5 oz (325g) is hard to ignore, especially during tempo sessions.
Pros
- Fully functional Gore-Tex membrane
- Ample cushioning for long adventures
- Excels in challenging, technical terrain
- Rapidly sheds mud
- Agile and tenacious grip on twisted trails
- Remarkable durability
- Ideal for heel strikers
Cons
- Completely lacks breathability
- Midsole could feel overly firm for some
- Exceptionally heavy
Running shoes for snow with the best cushioning
What makes it the best?
Hoka Challenger 7 GTX has a winter-ready construction, unwavering traction, and abundant cushioning which us feel right at home even during extended runs in sub-zero temperatures. No doubt, it’s our top cushioned snow-running shoe as our lab confirms its supreme comfort and protection for any weather and terrain.
Beneath our feet is an enormous gentle foam that keeps us chasing the miles. Our caliper reveals a mega-stack of 39.2/28.1 mm, delivering excellent impact absorption and bottomless cushioning. The shoe's cloud-like comfort is emphasized by its 19.5 HA reading on our durometer. In cold conditions, it only firms up by 9.7% vs. the 27.0% average increase, maintaining consistent comfort regardless of temperature changes.
The upper effectively shields us from cold winds, falling snow, and debris. Our shoe dissection uncovered multiple protective layers, including a Gore-Tex membrane, contributing to its perfect score on our Dremel test (5/5). With its low ventilation score in our breathability test (2/5), it ensures warmth and waterproofing, ideal for winter running.
This hybrid shoe shines on ice thanks to its 3.8 mm lugs, providing reliable traction for safe snow running. Our durometer reveals the Durabrasion rubber measures 81.0 HC, striking a balance between grip and durability.
Regrettably, this already stiff shoe becomes even more rigid in cold conditions. Runners who prefer more agility and a natural feel should bid this Hoka goodbye.
Pros
- Fully waterproof and winter-ready
- Secure lockdown thanks to the gusseted tongue
- Amazing stability
- Provides a comfortable ride on roads and easy trails
- Ideal for long runs
- Generous CMEVA cushioning underfoot
- Surprisingly lightweight given its stack height
- Just $15 more than the regular version
Cons
- Lacks reflective elements
- Potentially too stiff for hiking for some users
- Higher heel-to-toe drop than anticipated
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