Gear

The Best Running Shoes of Winter 2018

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1. Freedom Iso by Saucony

Saucony’s Freedom Iso offers plush cushioning with neutral support to keep your landings pillowy but not overly corrected or controlled. We like that the midsole cushioning runs all throughout the shoe for better, more continuous energy return. Plus, the upper uniquely adapts to the shape of your foot at rest and in motion. If you need a marathon training shoe that’ll keep up with your treadmill workouts and outdoor jaunts, this is it. ($160, saucony.com)

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2. Ultraboost All Terrain Shoes by Adidas

When roads are slick and slushy, you need superior grip—but you also want a buffer to keep grime and ice from finding their way into your shoe. With Adidas’ Ultraboost All Terrain Shoes, the water-repellent knit collar gives added coverage and warmth, connecting seamlessly to the foot-hugging upper. It’s supportive but not constricting, letting your toes splay. The midsole has Adidas’ prominent boost technology (a conglomerate of tiny foam pellets) that gives your runs some added bounce for an energized feel. ($220, adidas.com)

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3. Meraki by 361 Degrees

Dependable, durable, and dynamically cushioned, the Meraki by 361 Degrees is a no-fuss trainer that thrives on distance runs. It’s a neutral shoe, meaning it won’t overcorrect pronation or underpronation. There’s a unique midfoot overlay that holds you more securely in the shoe, reducing slippage and adding support. The forefoot is also quite flexible, providing better toe-off to dig into accelerations and lending the shoe a more natural, uninhibited feel. ($121.95, 361usa.com)

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4. Men’s Lone Peak 3.0 NeoShell Low by Altra

Even if you’re not going off-roading, it’s never a bad idea to wear a technical shoe for slick conditions. Altra’s Lone Peak 3.0 NeoShell Low is meant for winter running (cold temps, wet conditions), but it’s also optimized for trail running, hiking, and fastpacking. The weather-resistant upper is a safeguard against muddy puddles, while sandwiched materials around the toe shield against rocks, branches, and anything else that can crush your toes. The bottom is also optimized to grip the ground on uphill and downhill slopes. ($140, altrarunning.com)

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5. Adrenaline GTS 18 by Brooks

Soft but supportive, Brooks’ Adrenaline GTS 18 is a shoo-in for any marathoner. The progressive diagonal rollbar embedded in the shoe helps align your legs to maximize efficiency and comfort. Plus, a crash pad can help correct your foot landing for a consistent heel-to-toe transition, even if your strike is a little off-kilter. This is a great option if you require a little more stability underfoot and don’t like minimalist shoes. ($120, brooksrunning.com)

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6. Gel-Nimbus 20 by Asics

Training for a marathon or looking for a reliable shoe for any and all road runs? Try the Gel-Nimbus 20 by Asics. The shoe’s exoskeletal heel counter locks in your foot so there’s no slipping or chafing along the Achilles. The upper is crafted from a gradient jacquard-mesh that flexes to accomodate your whole foot, whether you’re digging into the ground and putting your weight in the forefoot for sprints, moving laterally for warmup drills, or trucking downhill. Just note: While you get all the shock-absorbing, high-quality cushioning you expect from Asics, the toe box is a bit narrow for some, compared to previous Gel-Nimbus iterations. ($160, asics.com)

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7. Challenger ATR 4 by Hoka

For a little extra oomph underfoot, opt for Hoka’s Challenger ATR 4, which has an all-terrain design to help you float over pavement and transition seamlessly onto snow (or even patches of ice). Its multi-lugged outsole is made for a smooth stride; the lugs are more spread out toward the forefoot for greater grip on slick conditions. The upper is also reinforced at the toe to give you longer-lasting wear and durability when your running route and weather are unforgiving. ($130, hokaoneone.com)

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8. Roclite 290 by Inov-8

Scale mountains or sprint between skyscrapers when the terrain gets messy thanks to the the claw-shaped cleats under the Roclite 290. An energetic midsole absorbs impact, and the rock plate underfoot guards your feet from sharp rocks, roots, and chunks of ice. Reserve these for hard-packed trails or parks and messy road runs. ($120, inov-8.com)

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9. Pytho 4 BuGrip by Icebug

You won’t have to hesitate along wet trails, icy roads, or snowy parks in the Pytho 4 BuGrip, which incorporates Icebug’s superior traction in its outsole. This shoe has the comfort and cushioning of a more traditional running shoe, but the durability, ridigidty, and ground control of a trail runner. The upper is also water-repellent. ($189.95, icebug.com)

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10. Fresh Foam Vongo v2 by New Balance

The bootie-like construction of this shoe’s no-sew synthetic mesh upper makes the New Balance Fresh Foam Vongo v2 ideal for enjoying relatively obstacle-free runs. Also working in its favor: the sleek, streamlined look for style-minded runners. ($134.99, newbalance.com)

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11. Wave Inspire 14 by Mizuno

For dry, frigid run days, lace up in the Wave Inspire 14 by Mizuno, which will support you through long, hard miles. The shoe has a wave-shaped support plate, which is designed to boost stability and propulsion—making each stride just a bit easier. An interior ventilation system also expels excess heat and moisture to keep your feet comfortable for the long haul. ($130 mizunousa.com)

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12. Distance Elite by Newton

The name says it all. This run shoe was designed for elite distance athletes. The dense rubber outsole has four large lugs designed to propel you forward without weighing you down (one shoe weighs 7.5oz). Its breathability and lightness lends itself to sprints, interval work, and endurance training. If you’re looking for a speedy racing shoe, you’re already confident in your running biomechanics, and you don’t mind trying out Newton’s signature lugged design, try the Newton Distance Elite. ($155, newtonrunning.com)

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13. Air Zoom Pegasus 34 Shield by Nike

In the throes of winter’s unpredictable weather—”bomb cyclone,” monsoon, sub-zero temps—the Air Zoom Pegasus 34 Shield is your sidekick. The outer mesh is boosted with a water-repellent finish, while tacky rubber under the forefoot helps grip the ground, adding traction on slippery surfaces. Reflective elements cover the shoe to keep you illuminated in early-morning and late-afternoon runs. The signature Pegasus cushioning and support remain the same, only now there are Zoom Air pods (pressurized air) in the heel and forefoot for some added spring. ($125, nike.com)

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14. Floatride 6000 by Reebok

Speed through quick runs on cold, clear days in Reebok’s Floatride 6000. The speedy trainer’s knit upper is fairly forgiving, so it allows toe splay while locking down your midfoot. As the name implies, this shoe is designed for lots of cushioning, which makes it ideal for pounding the treadmill, but probably less than perfect for doing drills that require fast cuts or lots of lateral movement. ($130, reebok.com)

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15. S/Lab XA Alpine by Salomon

Salomon’s S/Lab XA Alpine is anything but an average running shoe, and that’s exactly the point: A combination of materials—anti-debris mesh, a ripstop fabric, and a water-resistant textile—blocks moisture, maintains breathability, and protects your feet from all but the worst slush puddles. The shoe’s chassis provides greater leverage and lateral stability on snowy patches without inhibiting your mobility, while an internal foot sleeve fits snugly to give that locked-in feel. ($250, salomon.com)

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16. Charged Reactor Run by Under Armour

Wear Under Armour’s Charged Reactor Run to keep you zooming through bone-numbing temperatures and icy sidewalks. The shoe packs adaptive insulation that keeps your dogs toasty in the negatives, and cools down if you start steaming. The midsole takes advantage of compressed foam for cushioning that feels substantial and durable, so you stay fresh. ($139.99, underarmour.com)

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