Waterproof Trail Shoe: Saucony ProGrid Razor
September 08, 2009
The ProGrid Razor shoes are a high-end winter trail-runner with integrated gaiters and a lightweight Vibram outsole touted to provide “exceptional traction and grip.” An eVent lining adds waterproof protection to the upper for puddles or slushy days on the trail.
I have run more than 100 miles this winter in the ProGrid Razors. The $135 shoes fit well and run fine on packed snow, wet pavement, plowed city sidewalks, and winter trails. Grip is good on snow, though the rubber still slips on ice.
The shoe’s cited weight is 13.8 ounces (men’s size 9) or 12.5 ounces for a women’s size 8. This is reasonably light for a winterized trail-runner.
In my test this winter, from training runs to competitive footraces, the shoes have been warm to temps down around 10 degrees Fahrenheit. They excel for wintertime road running. On the trail, there is some give and take.
Namely, Saucony’s gaiter system is lacking. The zip-up gaiters go ankle high and keep the snow out for packed snowy trails. But the gaiters don’t cinch tight around the ankles, which I find somewhat annoying. You cannot run through deep snow and expect to keep your feet dry.
On a recent orienteering event, where I ran on and off trail, snow had packed inside the gaiters by the end of the 1.5-hour race.
To be sure, the shoes were fast. And my feet felt warm enough the whole race. But when I took my shoes off in a warming hut at the finish line, snow clogged the area between the gaiters and the laces.
Overall, the ProGrid Razors are solid. I use them multiple times a week for training runs in the city on plowed paths. Add a better gaiter for deep snow and off-trail runs and the ProGrid Razors would be one of my favorite new shoes this year.
—Stephen Regenold is founder and editor of www.gearjunkie.com.
I got this shoe; it’s very comfortable, and cool- looking. It’s pretty warm, too. It is NOT NOT NOT waterproof. It cannot hold up to a light drizzle, even. I’m not talking about crossing steams! (It is, however, very good at keeping the water in your shoe and not letting it flow back out.) The pull cord, zip, and velcro tabs are wimpy and I doubt they will last, also there is exposed stitching on the toe that doesn’t look real sturdy, especially if we’re talking snowshoe bindings. Also not sure the soles would be stiff enough.
I love this shoe. Just did 10k thru 2’ of snow and full-on slush (gotta love CO in Oct!) with mini gators on top of these and my feet were comfy the whole way. Don’t know about the rain, but these are fantastic for snow & slop. gonna get another pair before they disappear!
I ran in these shoes this past weekend. They were perfect. The trail was muddy, rocky, w/ climbs and descents.
The shoes worked great. They are warm, so I wouldn’t use them in the summer.
The best thing about the shoe….they clean up perfectly. All the mud was gone in a couple minutes of scrubbing in the sink w/ a brush and water. Any other trail shoe would have been trashed.
I was a little worried when I got them. Love’m after the first run.
David
I love them…. I am buying another pair for a race in Antarctica, and will make some modifications to extend the gaiter higher (for deeper snow)… They are plenty warm for snow, and have a nice sturdy sole for sharper ice and rocks… Like Jon, I will get more before they disappear.
My quick review. . . These are great shoes. Thumbs up. And I don’t say that about a lot of shoes. They grip ok on snow/ice. They are warm enough to 10 degrees or so (if you’re running), and the gaiters keep most snow out. But the gaiters don’t cinch very tight around the ankles, which I find somewhat annoying. You cannot run through deep snow and expect to keep the snow out, but they are good for winter road running and on packed snow trails.
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A cool idea. It’ll be interesting to see how you like them once you test them with snowshoes, like the MSRs in this same issue. (i.e., will they be warm enough, will they keep the snow out, will the snowshoes’ bindings fit comfortably?)