La Sportiva - Blizzard GTX

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.

Definitely between models, La Sportiva usually run way narrow in the toe box for my average width feet. Some models they've made wider, like the Jackal II and the Blizzards which are great for me, nice rounded toe boxes. All La Sportiva run a half to full size short in all models I've tried so far. Love their grip though, some of the best for trailrunners.

I use the La sportiva blizzard gtx for snowy forest service roads

Depends where you are in Canada, if you’re south then any trail runner is fine. I live in the Yukon and I run with either new balance Hierro gtx or la sportiva blizzards (when I need a shoe with extra grip).

I got a pair of La Sportiva Blizzards last winter and they were a total game changer. Studs are sufficient for everything but total ice rinks. Super light with not having the extra weight of microspikes and really warm with the gaiter that keeps snow out. Highly recommend. Don’t wear them much on pavement or rocks or youll rip the studs out.