I live in central Minnesota and have been running in these shoes all winter. Have ran in temps down to -8 below zero and feet have been warm, whether I've worn cotton or Smartwool socks. I typically run 5-12 miles at 8-9 minute miles on asphalt roads in winter. With these shoes I've found it best to run on at least 1/8 inch of packed snow or 1/2 inch of loose snow, but these shoes are still comfortable on bare asphalt the spikes just make a clicking sound. The spikes work great except on glare ice. The bottoms of these shoes can, like any running shoes, get packed with snow then they can become heavy or feel like you're wearing round bottom shoes and the spikes become less or totally ineffective. The spikes are not sharp. They are blunted on the end and are about 3/32 inch diameter; then after about 1/8 inch they step out to about 5/32 inch diameter. The spikes only extend past the sole about 1/16 to 1/8 inch, depending on how you land. If I ran only on icy trails I would consider putting in 1/4 inch pointed track spikes. The shoes are not Goretex, but are water-resistant and seem completely windproof. The spikes can be removed with an included wrench, which I am considering doing so that I can use these shoes for snowshoe running. The soles are slightly rigid, which they need to be to mount spikes and seem to have about the same cushioning as a pair of Asics Kinseis and less cushioning than a pair of Asics Nimbus 11s. I've been away from Asics for awhile, running on Nikes and Spiras, and the Gel Arctics are more comfortable and have larger toeboxes and wider soles than anything I've worn from those companies lately. On snowy and icy roads I would say that I slip about 80% less than my friends who don't have spiked shoes.
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I live in Montana and want to be in shape for a spring 10K. Without these spiked shoes, I don't think I could make my goal by spring. We have snow and winter conditions from November until the first part of April. The spikes on the bottom of the shoes work great. If you go to the grocery store after your run, you have to walk lightly or you'll sound like a tap dancer. Most people don't notice when I come tapping up behind them in the grocery aisle. The spikes are not too big, but they are there and they work. I'm writing only because I find comments helpful.
