Winter Running Resources and YakTrax Pro Giveaway
November 19, 2010 by Bryon Powell · 170 Comments
Brrr! The temperatures have plummeted, the wind is howling, and snow has fallen eight of the past nine days at our Utah headquarters. I guess that means winter is on its way, if it’s not already here. With that in mind, we’re going to take this opportunity to highlight some of the winter running resources that can be found here on iRunFar.com. As a bonus, we gave away five pairs of YakTrax Pro, our favorite winter running traction device.
Winter Running Resources
If you stop by iRF looking for our latest winter-related articles, click on the Winter Running tab at the top of every page or bookmark our winter running tag URL. If you’re looking for some more specific winter running advice, below are some examples.
Gear Resources
Two winters ago, we pulled together a series of winter running traction device reviews. The series, which focuses on over-the-shoe devices, includes separate reviews of Kahtoola MICROspikes, Kako Ice Trekkers Ultra (discontinued), STABILicers SPORT, and YakTrax Pro – our top pick in the lot. Stay tuned for an overview of additional winter running traction methods this winter.
We’ve also reviewed some shoes that are particularly suited for winter, such as the Inov-8 Roclite 312 GTX, the Asics Gel-Arctic WR 2, the Inov-8 Mudclaw 330, the Saucony ProGrid Razor, and the La Sportiva Crosslite.
If you’re looking for ways to stay warm, take a look at our reviews of Moeben Arm Sleeves, the Original Buff, and the Merino Wool Buff. There are also multi-review articles on transition weather running apparel as well as running gloves and mittens.
Alternative Activities
Runners in snowy areas often engage in additional winter sports to maintain their endurance through the winter. Last year, we published articles on snowshoe running basics and snowshoe racing as well as my own 3-day snowshoe trek around Yosemite National Park. Look for more on snowshoe running articles this winter as well as information on other winter endurance sports.
Articles and Entertainment
We’ve also got a couple winter articles that you might enjoy. First off, there’s one discussing the merits (or lack thereof) of snowshoe running. Then there’s Kevin Sullivan’s highly entertaining Why I Hate/Love Winter Running. If you enjoy Kevin’s winter running article, check out his poignant Will Running on the Treadmill Make You Insane? Away from iRunFar, check out iRF writer Meghan Hicks’s Postholing Memories story. If you’re a fan of cross country running, consider whether it should be part of the winter olympics.
YakTrax Pro Giveaway!
We’re sure that you haven’t forgotten about about the YakTrax Pro giveaway and neither have we! [Unfortauntely for you, the contest has already closed.]
Stay Up to Date with iRunFar
If you want to read the latest iRunFar story about winter running or anything else, you can subscribe to iRunFar via RSS or via email.
Related articles:
- Winter Running Prep With winter on the way, brush up on iRunFar's winter running resources. While you're at it, you could win one of five winter survival packages, which each include a pair...
- YakTrax Pro Giveway Winners! The winners of iRunFar's Winter Survival Package with YakTrax Pro giveaway....
- Endless Autumn: Running Through the Winter That Never Was A discussion piece about trail running during this Winter that Wasn't....
Filed under Contests, Discussion ·
Bryon Powell is the Editor-in-Chief of iRunFar.com, which he founded five years ago. Also the author of Relentless Forward Progress: A Guide to Running Ultramarathons and a contributing editor at Trail Runner magazine, he's quickly approaching 10 years as an ultrarunner and 20 years as a trail runner. These days he calls Park City, Utah and its trails home.
All posts by Bryon Powell
I’m looking forward to another winter of running! After some fun thanksgiving and Christmas themed runs, I’ll start my spring marathon training!
Yaks would be great to keep running on the prairie path during the winter!
MJ
SLC, UT
My New Year’s Resolution for the last 4 years: NOT ONE STEP ON A TREADMILL. Winter, summer, rain or snow… all trails all the time!
Now that I’m running again, I’m hoping for another snowy winter like we had last year. My goal will be to see the cobwebs accumulate on our treadmill. Hoping to maybe try out some snowshoes … and Yaks!
Larry
Great Falls, VA
Was running shirtless at 7,800 feet yesterday. Will winter arrive this year?
Not only do I plan to tackle a midnight snowshoe race, but I’m also planning to train my most loyal running partner, my Siberian Husky to pull a sled that I can put my daughter in and I can run alongside. Fun for the whole family!
I don’t plan on stopping during the winter. My group hits up the Iowa winters til it hits 0 or ice and then we think about coming inside.
Slipping, sliding and snow shoeing is how I usually train in winter. A pair of Yak Trax would certainly help reduce the element of danger. Happy Holidays…
Here is Missouri we get ice or if it snows it melts and turns into ice. Our solution has been to put screws in our shoes. These Yak Trax look like it would be much easier and not ruin our shoes.
Mark
KC Trail Nerds
yaktrax rock… don’t have my pair for this winter yet… :)
kristin
eugene, or
would like a sweet pair of yaktrax yo
Jamie H
Lewisville, NC
I refuse to run on the Dreadmill! I’m going to be running outside! I could really use a pair of Yak Trax Pros!
Thanks for the winter articles, the index and the give away! They are all much appreciated!
I’m excited for my first winter out of Utah/Colorado. While I didn’t mind the snow, it will be nice to not have to wear tights and warm hat/gloves all the time.
Oh yeah- Jon, Greenville SC
I really enjoy winter running although I tend to overdress
I got my 1st tracks in snow last week and unfortunately my shoe print did not show yaktrack markings, all my friends who were with me did have the yaktracks on. It made the 4k vertical descent in 2.5 miles quite slippery. I could have used the yaktracks then and I’m sure there will plenty more opportunities this winter when I’m sure I would wish that I had a pair.
I just moved to Tacoma, WA, within striking distance of Mount Rainier and a bunch of other great running/snowshoeing areas in the Cascades and Olympics. I want to start snowshoeing right about now but don’t have the cash to buy gear, so it would be super fresh if you could hook me up.
Thanks, Bryon, you’re the dandiest.
I ran in the winter for the first time last year. I live in Wisconsin, and we were fortunate to not have too much snow (at least not on the roads by the time I could run on them) and there were only a couple days I had to miss my run due to weather. I’m always looking for ideas on good winter running gear. Thanks for the article!
Running in the winter is quite the experience. Especially when going downhill and you begin to almost skate ski. But I suppose that is one of the benefits of trail running as you never know what the trail will be like on any given day.
It’s been winter here for one month. Using the old studs on the feet and really needing them. Glare ice the last week with temps hanging around 10 degrees for early mornings. But the full moon was out this morning and it was really beautiful. Gotta watch out for those wolves, though.
Living in Maine I find it fun to run the snowmobile trails once they are packed down. Sometimes I hit the trails in running snowshoes and other times I run in my usual running shoes with thick socks. HATE TO RUN INSIDE!
Steve, I, too, hate running inside. There aren’t any snowmobile trails right where I live, but I might start grooming some running trails with a snowmobile in the near future.
A wicked cold snap last July kept me from what I hoped would be a 2-3 day through-run of western Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands Trail. Ideally, this would be done in snowshoes, but PA weather is fickle and, sadly, sometimes completely devoid of snow. Wish me luck and consider me interested in putting a pair of those YakTrax Pro to the test. Thanks, Bryon!
I thought you were a Kahtoola man, Leon? ;-)
Looking forward to a milder Denver winter compared to last winter in Leadville. Hoping to spend lots of time exploring the trails of the Front Range. YakTrax would make it much more enjoyable (and safer!).
Thanks,
Brenden
Denver, CO
Around 6 years ago, i had a nasty case of frsotbite on both feet that put my into a whirlwind of physical therapy, debriding and biofeedback to try to save my feet (mostly intact with a couple toe pieces that were sacrificed to the snow gods…)
SO, as I return to rmy former running form (well amost), I invested in some Icebugs to brave the elements. Felt like I was wearing concrete blocks on my feet-though the Gortex uppers did make my remaining foot parts feel snug, but the extra weight and not feeling the ground threw my already trashed proprioception even more off kilter. Tried screw shoes, but hate the sliding feeling that I have when transitioning back onto concrete from the trails.
This winter, I have to (gulp) brave the elements, as I coach HS XC, indoor and outdoor track and need to look as tough as my runners and not wuss out on the cold, icey days. (Though we raced up a canyon today –30 degrees at 5764 feet–and at the 7220 ft summit it was almost 60 degrees-took 2nd overall, first female BTW!!)
Plan to do many a snow-bound race this winter to help keep the kiddies motivated, so the YakTrax will work wonders in this part of Colorado.
Enjoy your winter running everyone!!
Karen, Morrison CO
Last year I stayed mostly on the roads, but am planning a lot more trail running for this winter!
I have used YakTrax Pro for a few tears now. While training for the ARROWHEAD 135 I found that it was not simple to pull a pulk while running on ice. I live in Wisconsin so in order to not let the weather control my running passion I must have gear that works well. The YakTrax Pro work good for traction and also help me hold down some home made gaitors.
I plan to sign up for the April 17th Trail Animals Don’t Run Boston 50k. Living in NH, I’ll certainly have to train outside on the roads and snow-covered sidewalks.
winter running in SE michigan is horrible. the only possible silver lining is that it makes you mentally tougher than all those guys up in the mountains with their vistas, breath-taking peaks, towering pines and the rest of it…we just get four months of bitter sub-freezing temps, lead grey sky and long flat roads covered in black slush. it’s like living inside a dirty, smoke-filled icebox.
yak-traks? the name is just silly enough to work.
-patrick thurber
la salle, mi
I live in New York, cold and snowy. I have plans of running a spring 100, hopefully Massanutten. I could use the extra help a pair of Yak’s would give to my Winter trail running.
Bill McGovern
Marathon N.Y.
I had my first shivers of fall running prior to the start of the NY marathon this year. I was conflicted – so nice to not sweat (as much) but all those additional layers…
Not to mention the extra laundry!
My goal is to run consistently throughout the winter, unlike years past when I’ve gone into partial hibernation mode.
I’m going to take your tips and reviews and put them into good use.
thank you
Plan on some outings to Mount Rainer, close to my home base in Puyallup, WA.
Thanks!
Bradley
Puyallup, WA
YakTrax are on my wishlist! I live in SF bay area but this winter I am moving for a couple of months to Germany!
My plans for winter running included easing into cold weather barefoot running, but we’ve had three days of -20 F weather that put those plans to a halt. Although my unshod feet are the most waterproof footwear I own, they still struggle at keeping my atop mounds of snow. For those colder, more snow-piled days, a pair of YakTrax could come in handy :-)
I was deployed last winter so I did not get to challenge the elements. I look forward to continuing my training this winter and try out all my new winter gear. It does get cold living near Lake Michigan. YakTrax would definitely help the snowy days, particularly the lake effect snow days.
Tony, Milwaukee, WI
My YakTrax Pro broke 2 years ago. Last year, I just used screws in the shoes, but I sure would like another pair. They’re great for packed powder.
This year, I’ll be training for a 1/2 marathon during the winter! Since running on a treadmill gets old quick, I’ll be outside a lot. Just this last weekend, I picked up some nifty gloves and some tights…now, I welcome winter!
love training in chicago winters-so peaceful!!
ed werner
chicago, il
Would like e extra traction while preparing for my first ultra!
Jeremy D.
Jonesboro, AR
YakTrax Pro are on my christmas list. I run on trails and last winter got hurt trying to run without the proper gear. I have heard nothing but great things about your product from my ultra running friends. I hope to be the first person in my running club with a new pair of YakTraxs to show off :-)
Last year I was doing all treadmill runs during the winter- this year I vowed not to let that happen. First snow came yesterday, so it is just about time to get out there and go!
Randy Ehrhard
Woodland, WA
Kicking off my winter running with The Dirty Bird 15k at French Creek State Park, Birdsboro, PA on Thanksgiving Sunday. Next race, Snowfest in February at RB Winter State Park.
Perry
Harrisburg, PA
Looking forward to winter running here in Maine…can’t believe I’m saying that! Training for some spring Ultra’s and need to log those winter miles…OUTSIDE! The treadmill drives me crazy. YakTrax Pro would help me this winter and be a great Christmas present to me! :)
I am going to continue running up the mountain trails in the open space around Boulder. The trails are in trasition right now with some snow, and a bit of ice. Soon everything will be snow packed and easier to negotiate. The Yak Trax would be excellent for winter conditions here. Thanks.
Kirk Emry
Boulder, CO
Im going to be visiting the grandchildren a lot and they live in snow country. Yak Trax would be awesome for that!
snowing right now in Seattle! La Nina winter. Never tried them, but curious. Sign me up for a pair.
Hoping for a mild winter in Colorado so I can keep my mileage up for next years 100 miler. Some yak trax will come in handy on the snow packed trails!
Chris
I screwed my trail shoes for last winter’s icey runs. They worked greated but left a bit to be desired in the noise department. I’d love to try Yak Trax for my trianing and two late winter Ultras!
I don’t think I could make it through the winter without my Yaktrax! While others are droning along on the dreadmill I am out enjoying the winter air and snow, running through the trails with my pup. Love love love them! Oh, but they do wear out eventually and so I could use a new pair this year, hint hint :)
Almost all time, I love winter in Minnesota. I am planning to get new running shoes and get myself ready for running on frozen lakes.
It’s my favorite time of year for running! Frigid starts, cold breaths…there’s something about winter running that makes you feel alive!
Bobby
Kent, CT