So...this running in the snow thing...how do I do it? (Read 2615 times)

I'm confused.

 

I thought the whole point of Gore-Tex was that it wouldn't let water in, but it would let water vapor out.

I'm confused.

 

I thought the whole point of Gore-Tex was that it wouldn't let water in, but it would let water vapor out.

 

Snow, slush, overflow, puddles, stream crossings, etc, not to mention sweat,  over the top can all let water in. 

 

 

I haven't asked any of the winter ultra runners up here what they wear on their feet, but when I checked a few years ago (I was considering the adventure, but haven't and likely won't on the present course), many just wore their regular shoes and socks - or maybe double layers.  Some of the gore-tex / neoprene socks may have improved in breathability, but not sure.

 

 

What a person can do on a short run in other conditions might be very different. I'm sure some people use the gore-tex or other weather-resistant shoes, esp. if just on roads or shallow, dry snow with no underlying slush. (wet snow and sometimes deep slush - well over shoe tops - isn't unheard of up here)  (I use neoprene socks in windy or wet snow conditions, but beyond 3-4 hrs, my feet, which seldom sweat, may sweat. The foot issue - and not liking flat, straight courses - are why I haven't done a winter ultra.)

 

 

Let the stream or snow down in your shoe and your toes will likely be frostbitten or at least sloshing before the water vapor escapes. Your thinking about Gortex jackets. If you can guarantee that water/show/etc  will not get inside, then maybe.  A good wicking sock or two to pull the moisture outward and a non-gortex shoe should work just fine.

 

Yeah, I don't like Gore-tex shoes.  The uppers are heavy and stiff...and just one deep, slushy puddle and I will have wet feet for the rest of my run.  Adding insult to injury, the one pair of GT trail shoes I bought to wear specifically in the Winter are absolutely horrible in snow.  They are slippery as hell on the packed stuff and if it's at all sticky, the snow will clump-up horribly under my midfoot.  I'm going to put screws in them and see how they are as screw shoes.

  I thought gaiters were like turtleneck thingies ( I LOOOOVE mine!).  What are foot gaiters?

 

 

See http://www.snewsnet.com/cgi-bin/snews/06602.html

anybody mention screw shoes?  cheap and easy to make.

http://www.skyrunner.com/screwshoe.htm

In the rust belt, they get the roads salted (job security for the UAW in the old days...) and scraped down like a Zamboni went over it so it's kind of a choppy pace.  I can't use studs or yaktraks because there is so much exposed pavement.

+1 on the non-Gore-tex shoes.  I've never gotten cold feet when they got wet, the bulk of the water drains and the rest wicks out.

TC

I think it depends on the brand and quality of the gore-tex shoe.  I have on more than one occasion accidentally stepped into a puddle of slush and gotten the inside of the gore-tex XCR shoe soaked, halfway through a 18 miler and haven't had problems with drainage.  On the other hand, I have a pair of gore-tex hiking boots, that do exactly what you described, I stepped in ice-water up to my calf, and had water sloshing around until I took the boot off...

 

 

Careful of gore-tex shoes. While they may keep out some external water,  if any gets inside, it can't readily get out.  If your feet sweat a lot this is another problem.  if you only going to use them for a few miles they may be ok.

 

Gaiters do a nice job of keeping "stuff" from getting in you shoes. I'm assuming you mean on trails as they are of no value on roads. Personally I don't like gaiters because they slow ventilation and make my feet sweat. Wet feet even with good socks can turn into blisters. OTOH,  If your feet do not perspire, they can be very helpful. Dirt Girl is a popular brand.