All I want for Christmas and everyday before and after is to be able to walk in the Toronto winter (and later spring, summer and fall too) in my brand new Prio shoes made by XeroShoes.

It is late evening and -8 deg C outside as I write this. Earlier during the day the temperatures were a not-too-bad -4 or so. I had gone out and might have been out walking on the snow covered side-walks for no longer than 15 to 20 minutes. I was on my feet for about an hour or so walking inside a mall. I enjoyed being in my Prios the whole time that I was in them.

I got the Prio about a week or so back by Canada Post. My biggest worry was if I would be able to wear them outside in the early Canadian winter temperatures. I am happy to note that I can enjoy walking in the Prio in the winter and snow.

Okay, may be I am celebrating too early. This is still early winter and colder months of January and February are still ahead of me. May be I will not be able to handle the colder temperatures of -20 deg C or -40 deg C in these shoes.

There was a day last week where I had to walk for about 40 minutes or so in 4 inch deep snow. I was wearing my Prio shoes and a not so thick socks. The first 15 minutes were ok, I did not feel any discomfort but at about 20 minutes I felt pin prick of pain at the tips of my toes. The pain continued all the way back until I was back home. That is the first time ever in my life that I experienced that so I am assuming that it was because my feet got too cold for comfort.

The next day I went out and bought a pair of thick thermal socks from a Canadian Tire store. They day I wore the Prio with the thick thermal socks my feet felt fine. And then another day I was out walking in over side walks covered in about an inch of snow wearing two pairs of socks inside my Prio. I felt no discomfort being out in the cold for more than 30 minutes.

I am happy to make a note to self that I can continue to enjoy walking in minimalist footwear during the Canadian winter and not be worrying about a frostbite. But like I said, it may be too early to conclude this and I will write another note in a month or two.

Sort of Unrelated Trivia: In the month or so that I have been in Canada I have not come across anyone wearing a Prio.