La Sportiva - Blizzard GTX

In spring I'll do some Cascade runs across multiple peaks and glaciers. Peak bagging stuff, but fast and light. I use the La Sportiva Blizzard GTX. Not sure how they do at -20, but I cruise on ice and packed snow.

Those Salomon are trash, instead of the best of both worlds they are the worst of both. Better to get something like the La Sportiva Blizzard GTX or really just a running micro spikes if that is your goal. Any real steep terrain you will need something more than a trail runner. Unless you are a badass going for summit fkt's then trail runners will not be enough, strong ankles or not. I'll do trail runners in the spring in the Cascades of the PNW to cross smaller glaciers and snow with running micro spikes, but when I start hitting actual summits I ditch those for my boots and crampons.

I've owned a pair of Blizzards for a few years, and I just bought a pair of Cyklon GTX to replace them. The main trail I walk during the winter is pure ice, but the studs didn't seem to help a whole lot. At least not enough to justify the price for a shoe that can only be worn in a very specific setting, and possibly only for a stretch of that specific setting. If you include getting to the trail, the need for them becomes an even smaller stretch of that specific setting. You can't wear them in your house, car, a gas station, ect. You have to swap shoes in your car before and after the hike. Which is tougher when wearing winter gear. You also don't want to wear them on a paved or rocky stretch, but you're committed to that once they are on your feet. On the other hand the Cyklon GTXs can be worn in any situation through three seasons. Unless you are ultralight hiking in endless icy snow, just carry some microspikes and use them when needed. Also I watched a video of a guy pulling the spikes out of his Blizzards. He used pliers and said it was a tough job, but can be done. The spike is attached to a flat plate that you have to pull through a thick, narrow hole. He only had one pulled out, so I said screw that and bought the Cyklons. The regular Cyklons are my all time favorite trail runners. When they first came out I was hoping that they would make a GTX version of the same design. The only downside is they get wet super easy. I live in a wet region in the spring and fall, and hate having cold, wet feet after walking through some grass. But whatever. I'm covered through four seasons now.