Merrel Tough gloves for cold running?

[Rick]

I run in Bikilas almost every day - near Chicago in the USA.  I have been lucky to have had only a few snowy days this year when I could not wear my VFFs. 

If the weather is below freezing (32F or 0C) I wear Injinji socks with them.  I actually tried wearing two pair when it was 10F but that is just way too cold I think and having two pair on did not help. Next cold snap I am afraid that I will be running in my old clunky trail shoes.

I have Merrell tough gloves that I wear as casual work shoes. Should I try them out in the cold? I am worried that they will get too trashed to wear as casual shoes if they get sweat, salt, and snow on them from running.

These cost $120 a pair.  What do you girls (and guys) think?

[acc]

Re: tough gloves
I've gotten salt + snow on them and wore 2 pairs of Injinjis (one over the other) in them before. There's a bit slippery on ice and wet slick surfaces but fine on asphalt and pavement or anything that isn't oiled.

I'd get gaiters (or pants that cinch) and thick socks though.

I'd also advise stretching out the toebox at the cobbler like I did with mine.

[Horse Rider]

If your options include getting an other pair, the Evo II stays really impeccable in slush/snow/salt.

[UpNorth]

I've been wearing tough gloves and mono-toed smart wool socks for all my runs this winter.  The temps have consistently been below zero F and they have been great. We've also had about eight feet of snow.  During other seasons, I wear them casually.  I don't see that they look beat up or anything, but there is very little use of salt or chemicals up here.  ( the main products don't work very well at the low temps we've been having.)  

If you are in a salty/high chemical zone, you might try wiping down your shoes with a slightly damp cloth after each run.

[Rick]

Thanks for the input everyone.  I will be giving them a shot maybe as early as Sunday. We are expecting some light snow tonight and flurries tomorrow.  I am betting that the snow won't be all gone by Sunday and I am scheduled for at least 7 miles!  Whoo hoo!!   

[Rick]

Well I ran 8 miles Sunday, but I wore my old Nike Trail shoes.    It was 31F and really snowing right as my wife and I were heading out. I didn't want to risk slipping in a new shoe (new for running anyway) 4 miles from home in a snowstorm. I know I am a big chicken. The snow stopped soon after we started out and was not a problem after all. I may have been able to get away with running in my Bikilas but I was thinking that some snow might get on top of my foot and melt and then it would be very chilly until I got back home. This week it is supposed to be pretty dry, so I will be running in the VFF every day most likely.