Insights·Gear · Antarctica
Gear · Antarctica

Antarctic Running: Do You Need Crampons?

*The racecourse is not pure ice, but rather snow-covered glacier, and this detail determines your equipment choice.*

Author
Oliver Wang
🇺🇸 United States
Pursuit
Shared
July 1, 2026
Translated to English by Qestr AI

Regarding whether you need crampons when running on the Antarctic racecourse with running shoes, based on my experience, the racecourse in Antarctica is not a pure ice racecourse, but rather a snow-covered racecourse, meaning snow covering on top of the glacier.

01

Racecourse Conditions and Equipment Selection

When running, we're actually treading on soft snow. Some areas are softer, some are more compact, but basically there's no slipping, because there's almost no exposed ice. So the conclusion is that you don't need crampons. Of course, road running shoes definitely won't work either, because they don't have enough grip.

The best choice is trail running shoes with very strong grip. You don't need those trail running shoes with metal studs. Regular trail running shoes are the most suitable.

Wang Qi
02

Simulation Training Suggestions

This involves a common question: it's difficult to find terrain similar to Antarctica for simulation training. However, doing some long-distance slow running on the beach is helpful, because running on sand has a soft feel with some energy loss, and this is very similar to the effect of running on snow-covered glacier in Antarctica.

Key Takeaways
  • 01The Antarctic racecourse is snow-covered glacier, not exposed ice, and basically won't slip.
  • 02Crampons are not needed on the Antarctic racecourse, and bringing them is just unnecessary burden.
  • 03Road running shoes are not suitable for Antarctic snowy terrain. Regular trail running shoes with strong grip are the most suitable choice, and you don't need the ones with metal studs.
  • 04Long-distance slow running on the beach is currently the closest simulation training method to the Antarctic snowy terrain feel, with the soft, energy-losing foot sensation being very similar.
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