Minimalist running shoes for wet wintry weather?

November 1, 2015 12:09 PM

I'm looking for as minimalist of a running shoe as possible for wet, cold winter weather. I love the Xeroshoes I have, but I'm afraid of the <40 degree Fahrenheit days we get here in Portland over winter with exposed toes, ankles and lower legs.

DIY solutions are very welcome. Other creative solutions to work with my huaraches are also very welcome. My budget is very limited - I'd like a solution that's less than 100$, if at all possible, and the cheaper the better.

posted by thebotanyofsouls to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (9 answers total)

Best answer: I have Merrell's Trail Running Shoe. This is from a couple seasons ago, and I think they have a newer model; I paid much less than 100 dollars looking around online. I love these shoes, and use them for running through all Portland weather, and they are also a great minimal, lightweight hiking shoe, really good grip over slick, wet surfaces.

They aren't super warm, but my feet don't get cold as long as my head and hands are warm. (They have a similar shoe in men's sizes.)
posted by nanook at 12:24 PM on November 1, 2015 [2 favorites]

Best answer: Softstar shoes are the obvious suggestion here. I don't think 40 degrees is too cold for Xeros, but of course YMMV. Your ankles don't have to be exposed. Cheapo solution - I'd just get wool socks from eg Target and cut off the 'shoe' part and use those little leggings to warm your ankles.
(I'm a Xero runner currently in NorCal, have used them in colder climates, though, and going down to freezing. Depends on how long you run, obviously)
posted by The Toad at 12:55 PM on November 1, 2015 [1 favorite]

+1 for Merrells
posted by crocomancer at 1:30 PM on November 1, 2015 [1 favorite]

Just FWIW, New Balance does or did make some of their Minimus minimal trail shoes in WR (winter) versions, although I'm not sure which are current. They're a bit warmer and waterproofer. Soles are extremely flat and were too slappy for me, but certainly not more so than huaraches!
posted by ftm at 1:34 PM on November 1, 2015

Another vote for Merrell's Trail Glove. I've got a 3 year old pair that have held up really well.
posted by Jon Mitchell at 2:46 PM on November 1, 2015 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I wear minimalist—although not that minimalist—shoes for running and don't feel the need to change the shoes themselves for summer versus winter. Instead I switch to warmer and warmer socks, eventually using medium-weight hiking socks made of wool. I have to let out the laces a bit but that works for me down to -40°, although I also add gaiters when the snow gets deep.

Wet feet are like death and taxes, I think, but that's why we raise sheep.
posted by traveler_ at 4:33 PM on November 1, 2015 [1 favorite]

Best answer: +1 for Merrells as well, and if you have a car and can make it down to the Woodburn Outlet Mall (about 20 miles south of Portland on I-5, if you're unfamiliar), there's a Merrell outlet store there that sometimes has _great_ prices on last year's shoes...
posted by genehack at 6:49 PM on November 1, 2015 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I've actually been doing some similar investigations myself. I haven't settled on my solution for this winter, but you should probably check out birthdayshoes, a big repository of reviews of minimalist shoes. (Including lots of running shoes, and some winter shoes!)

One interesting (and off the beaten path) suggestion was to use neoprene surf booties. Waterproof, insulated, and they have the added benefit of being very cheap-$25-$30! Here is the link for the article about the guy who runs in the surf booties.

And honestly, if you find something cheap that you love, will you tell me what you got? :)
posted by HighTechUnderpants at 7:31 PM on November 1, 2015 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: I'm going to try booties for wet days and wool ankle warmers for dryer days. I'll let you know how it goes HighTechUnderpants.

Thanks everyone!
posted by thebotanyofsouls at 8:57 PM on November 1, 2015