I know plenty of runners who banish themselves to the treadmill once snow and ice take over the roads, sidewalks and trails. But even when Mother Nature isn’t providing ideal conditions, it’s possible to still run outside and be safe.

For the majority of runners, the biggest concern about running on ice or snow is a bruised butt (and ego) from a big wipeout. One way to get more traction and avoid slipping is to use cleats or ice grippers, such as the ASICS GEL-Arctic® 4 WR. These all-terrain shoes provide a water-resistant upper and feature replaceable metal pins that provide a solid grip so you don’t slip or slide.

A safe and fun alternative is snowshoeing. The movements aren’t that different from running, so if you can run, you can snowshoe. Many shops that rent skis also rent snowshoes, so you can try them out and see if you like them before buying your own.

The other issue to worry about when running on snow or ice is, of course, keeping your feet from getting wet and cold. If you plan to do a lot of snow running, you may want to invest in a pair of trail running shoes, which have better traction and are thicker and more water-resistant than regular running shoes. If it’s really cold, I’ll wear two pairs of socks—one thinner (synthetic material) pair with a thicker (wool) pair over them. Before trying this, make sure that your running shoes aren’t too tight with the extra layer. Some runners I know also use disposable hand warmers in their shoes. And just in case, you may also want to throw an extra pair of socks in your bag or pocket so you can change on the fly if your feet do end up getting wet in the slush and snow.

How does running on snow or ice alter your routine?

Tags: running, snow, socks, ice.