What do minimalist/barefoot runners do in the winter when it snows?

yes.

runnerchom wrote:

yes.

Expound.

treadmill

You can't run barefoot on a health club treadmill. They'll kick you the heck out in seconds. And not everyone has a spare grand for a t-mill, which is the most boring piece of exercise equipment invented.

I'm a student at university. It's a good idea but I have no time to run through dorm hallways. Plus the hallway is not continuous but only 50m one way and back. I have no treadmill. I am hoping it won't snow but I cannot control this.

uh, no wrote:

You can't run barefoot on a health club treadmill. They'll kick you the heck out in seconds. And not everyone has a spare grand for a t-mill, which is the most boring piece of exercise equipment invented.

I was just making a suggestion, sorry for offending you.

How about neoprene socks, maybe with a polypropelene liner underneath? The snow should keep the sock from getting too abraded.

I've never run in snow, but my good friend, LaWoof (native to Boulder) has said that XC shoes work well.

of course, the colder the temperature, the more difficult it is.

i run on the road and not on grass, so it's easier during the winter. also, here in TN it doesn't get that cold, maybe about 30-35-40 degrees F.

the best thing is to warm up a bit indoors and then as soon as you're out, you start running so the cold won't be much of a factor because you're gonna get warm quickly.

that's about it.

runnerchom wrote:

the best thing is to warm up a bit indoors and then as soon as you're out, you start running so the cold won't be much of a factor because you're gonna get warm quickly.

that's about it.

Obviously you've never done this or you would know how ridiculous this idea is. You have to bring your body temp up in the environment you will be running in or you will end up getting sick. I know!

Bob Saxton's barefoot wiki doesn't have much help (http://www.livingresource.net/rbwiki/index.php/Snow).

My recent experience with bare feet and low-50's wet grass was that my feet got numb and I was afraid I'd step on an acorn and not feel it - causing a bruise or something worse. Luckily I didn't have a problem.

I've read about using aqua-socks in cold weather but I can't imagine anything would work if your feet are wet and it's in the 30's or 40's.

SealSkinz socks and Teva Protons

Matias,

who told you i've not done it? maybe i have. i'll remember to ask you about other things that i can do.

also, can't you warm up in place by jumping up and down a little? that's what i do and it works for me. sorry, that's all i have. i was only trying to help.

thanks Chief!....I had thinking about Moc's

The moccasin should not have a hard sole.Use a single piece of soft leather for each moc.The fit and flexibility should be like a sock.For extra hard surfaces add shoe inserts.

XCfan&runner wrote:

thanks Chief!....I had thinking about Moc's

With all due respect, it's clear that a lot of people making these suggestions have never lived in North Dakota or Wisconsin or Illinois or, worst of all, New England.

If there is snow on the ground during that annual 30 day stretch in New England where the daily high MIGHT be in the double digits, you can choose between running with shoes or scheduling an amputation. Your call. I'm sure 30 degrees Fahrenheit is traumatic for some, but in NE, 30 degrees is a heat wave in the winter.

The shoe to use: La Bamba by Puma. It's a new shoe and only available via the Puma website or stores. I tried a pair on in Chicago. I plan on using it during the winter (instead of the H Streets) when I want to work on foot/ankle stenghtening runs. The La Bamba is based on a track warmpup shoe but is basically a spikeless x-c shoe.

Good shoe, but no better than the H Street, and nothing replaces barefoot running. I share the concerns of losing accumulated strength in not being able to run barefoot for 2-3 months or more. Winter's a tough little ----