Wet weather / winter running shoe recommendations please

[MostlyGhostly]

I have recently started running again and want to keep it up. I have been thinking about what the barriers are to running in winter and, in addition to my own slovenly personality, it is getting wet feet and not being able to find a comfy, waterproof pair of trainers. I have a bunion and my toenail is a bit prone to falling off. I am currently using New Balance trainers with that stretchy meshy material and they are great - nice comfy sole and don’t aggravate my bunions, but they are not waterproof, in fact they are like sponges.

I have had about three pairs of fell running shoes in the past which have kept my feet dry but tend to be a snug fit which is a killer for the bunion and my toenails fall off after a few months. Please can anyone suggest a solution?

If the fit of New Balance suits you, have a look at their trail shoes. They have a new-ish one that has lots of cushioning.

However, most trail shoes will not be fully waterproof as it makes them very heavy and uncomfortable to run in. It’s just considered inevitable that feet will get wet at some point when trail running. A Gore Tex walking shoe will be waterproof but not good for running.

Two suggestions:

1. Size up in the shoes you have liked in the past!
2. Try a waterproof sock. Water will still get into your shoe but your feet will stay dry.

To be honest. Water proof shoes probably aren’t great for running in. I just suck it up and get wet feet. I have a few pairs I alternate so I don’t have to wear wet shoes the next time and they have time to dry. My feet seem to mainly warm up quite quickly and I’ve never really found them getting wet to be a huge issue.

Road or trail shoes?
I think you just have to suck it up and get wet feet. Waterproof trainers make your feet really hot, I have a pair for casual use and literally only wear them when it’s raining because my feet bake.
i tend to spray new trainers with water resistant spray which helps a bit in the winter.
or you can get waterproof socks but I’ve never tried them to know how hot they make your feet.

I do both road and off road in the same run as I take the dog who needs off lead time or he gets mischievous. Thanks for the advice and suggestions - I don’t mind damp feet but not squelchy so I’d prefer something not like the material of my current running shoe. I guess I need to go to a big, specialized shop and try on some with uppers that are not fully waterproof, but not fabricy, rather than trying to get some quickly on line. I will look at who does half sizes too as I think a full size up might rub. I’ll look at NB but if anyone has any “slightly damp feet but not soaking wet” brands and styles to recommend that would help narrow it down. Thank you

I do an outdoor boot camp all year round and have given up on trying to find comfortable waterproof trainers that last. I now wear normal grippy sole trainers with Sealskins socks in wet weather, feet are cosy and dry….

I have a pair of asics gel trabuco (may not be spelled correctly) that do pretty well at keeping a fair bit of wet out. Until you step into ankle deep mud that it!! They’re trail but I’ve run plenty of road to trail in them with my dog. They’re an old version, 11 I think. I don’t know what the more recent ones are like.

my road shoes are more or less like sponges so I wouldn’t recommend those to you 😂