Review: Saucony ProGrid Razor

By STEPHEN REGENOLD

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.