I bought these shoes for my wife (one size smaller than men's size according to Salomon and they fit) after using my own pair on steep hiking trails near my home in the mountains where snow was ramming became. too hard ice in shady places. This isn't everywhere on the trails but creates "impassable" sections. These shoes have amazing traction in icy areas that are downright dangerous in a regular running or training shoe. And the rest of the way, namely mud, rocks, mud, etc., they work great.