The 8 Best Waterproof Running Shoes for Road and Trail

Our Top Picks:

• Best Waterproof Road Shoe: Brooks Ghost 15 GTX
• Best Lightweight Waterproof Road Shoe: Hoka Clifton 9 GTX
• Best Max-Cushion Waterproof Road Shoe: Saucony Triumph 21 Runshield
• Best for Mixed Terrain Running Shoe: Nike Pegasus Trail 4 GORE-TEX
• Best Waterproof Trail Runner: Norda 001
• Best Waterproof Trail Shoe for Everyday: Salomon Sense Ride 5 GORE-TEX
• Best Waterproof Running Shoe for Alpine Ascents: Arc'teryx Vertex Alpine GTX
• Best Waterproof Running Shoe for Winter: Merrell Agility Peak 5 Zero GORE-TEX

What to Know About Waterproof Running Shoes

Waterproofing in footwear comes in a few different forms. The most common is a built-in waterproof membrane liner integrated into the shoe’s construction. Gore-Tex, often denoted in shoe names as "GTX", is one of the more lauded membranes you'll find, with pores about 20,000 times smaller than a raindrop, which prevents water from leaking in but still provides solid breathability. A weatherproof coating, usually made of silicone or acrylic polymers, can also be added to the exterior of the shoe both during manufacturing and aftermarket as the water-resistance wears off over time.

Gore-Tex is a key ingredient in many waterproof running shoes

A downside to waterproofing is that it’s just as good as keeping water in as it is keeping water out. Non-waterproof shoes tend to have vents that increase airflow and let the water pour out more easily (or they use permeable materials like mesh). Runners usually opt for waterproof shoes for running in snow, really cold temperatures, or somewhat wet conditions, not torrential downpours. (In those conditions, you’re going to get wet anyway.) What's more, waterproof tech will only keep you so dry because moisture can still sneak in around your shoe’s collar. A gaiter can help with that though.

Nothing is 100% foolproof. You’ll still want to avoid submerging your feet in puddles. But you don’t have to let a little rain stop you from training. The following waterproof running shoes for roads and trails will keep you dry, warm, and comfortable in wet weather.

The 8 Best Waterproof Running Shoes for Road & Trail

Best Waterproof Road Shoe: Brooks Ghost 15 GTX

Pros: Versatile, works for most people
Cons: Traction isn't great for winter running on snow

The Ghost is a perennial crowd-pleaser, and for good reason. It nails the sweet spot where comfort, fit, and responsiveness overlap, making it ideal for nearly every type of run and every type of runner. This Gore-Tex version adds a layer of waterproofing for everyday runners who want to keep their routine going till springtime without leaving their favorite pair of sneaks in winter storage.

Women's option: Yes
Weight: 10.2 oz
Drop: 12 mm
Price: $170

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Best Lightweight Everyday Waterproof Road Shoe: Hoka Clifton 9 GTX

Pros: Super comfy, very lightweight
Cons: Upper is a little stiffer than regular Clifton

The Clifton is one of Hoka's most popular everyday running shoes (and therefore one of the most popular everyday running shoes, period) so it makes sense that the company would waterproof it for year-round and inclement weather wear. It runs just like the regular version, though Clifton fans will find that the fit is slightly different, thanks to the Gore-Tex membrane that's sandwiched in there. It's a small trade-off for a shoe that's still pretty great—and one of the lightest waterproof road shoes we've tried.

Women's option: Yes
Weight: 9.6 oz
Drop: 5 mm
Price: $160

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Best Max-Cushion Waterproof Road Shoe: Saucony Triumph 21 Runshield

Pros: Comfy right out of the box, soft midsole
Cons: Might be too squishy for some

The waterproof version of Saucony's maximalist trainer excels in all the same ways the non-waterproof version does. Its big PWRRUN+ midsole foam platform is soft and springy on the run, and the upper wraps around your foot to make it feel like it's sitting in a cockpit and ready to run. The squish factor is comfortable enough to use this as a daily driver to walk around in on slushy days, but it can hamper efforts to run at high speed so use this one more for everyday running over training workouts. The shoe fits like a traditional running shoe, so there are no surprises there.

Women's option: Yes
Weight: 10.25 oz
Drop: 10 mm
Price: $170

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Best for Mixed Terrain: Nike Pegasus Trail 4 GORE-TEX

Pros: Versatile, built-in gaiter keeps out debris
Cons: A little firm underfoot

If you’re lucky enough to live near trails, the sidewalk to dirt transition can be abrupt. Nike created the versatile Pegasus Trail 4 to handle all types of terrain without changing the feel underfoot. Minimizing the rubber and stretching the midsole across the full length of the foot creates a balanced and stable ride, and the higher and tighter collar acts as a gaiter for when the skies inevitably open up in autumn and winter.

Women’s option: Yes
Weight: 10.2 oz
Drop: 9.5 mm
Price: $160

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Best Waterproof Trail Runner: Norda 001

Pros: Very versatile, super durable, comfy
Cons: Expensive

This niche Canadian running brand by lifelong shoe industry veterans makes one of the lightest trail running shoes to ever hit the market, the Norda 001, made with ultra-strong bio-based Dyneema no less—a material Dyneema is 15x stronger than steel that also happens to have a decent degree of water-resistance if not all-out waterproofing. For traction and comfort purposes, Norda worked with Vibram direct to create a proprietary, supportive midsole intended to conserve energy reinforced by five-millimeter Vibram Megagrip lugs across the custom outsole.

Women's option: Yes
Weight: 9.45 oz
Drop: 5 mm
Price: $285

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Best Waterproof Trail Shoe for Everyday: Salomon Sense Ride 5 GORE-TEX

Pros: Great all-purpose trail shoe, good for light hiking too
Cons: Not ideal for very technical trails

Completely redesigned from its predecessor, Salomon’s Sense Ride 5 now has the gold standard in waterproofing—Gore-Tex—as well as a few new anticipated updates. Key features include a mesh upper with durability overlays, a just-right amount of midsole cushioning that'll provide impact resistance and ground feel, and Salomon's quick-lace system. This trail shoe has grippy 3.5mm lugs that'll keep you slipping on a variety of surfaces (but if you want to go bigger, there's always the classic Salomon Speedcross).

Women's option: Yes
Weight: 10.86 oz
Drop: 8 mm
Price: $160

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Best Waterproof Running Shoe for Alpine Ascents: Arc'teryx Vertex Alpine GTX

Pros: Durable, versatile, good for hiking too
Cons: Overkill for light trails, expensive

The new Vertex exists in its own category. Made for climbers and inspired by runners, the shoe came from the belief among Arc'teryx designers and athletes that mountain footwear is out of alignment with new approaches to high-peak exploration. To oversimplify things, think of the Vertex as a fast-paced approach shoe. It has a touch more stability than most trail running shoes, a TPU shank, extra toe protection, and a climbing edge, plus a stickier Vibram XS Flash 2 outsole. But the Vertex wears like a running shoe too, thanks to a sock liner, and it's much lighter and more flexible than approach shoes. And it has a Gore-Tex liner for all-conditions use.

Women's option: Yes
Weight: 12 oz
Drop: 8 mm
Price: $250

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Best Waterproof Running Shoe for Winter: Merrell Agility Peak 5 Zero GORE-TEX

Pros: Comfy adjustable gaiter, great for deep snow and slush
Cons: Gaiter can be overkill

For most people, any of the waterproof running shoes on this list will be perfectly suitable for winter running in snow and slush. But if it tends to get frequently deep where you live, the extra protection of Merrell's Agility Peak 5 will keep the miles going until mud season. The shoe is outfitted with Gore-Tex, but it also has a built-in gaiter with a zip closure and Velcro adjustment. We've tested a handful of shoes with this design and like Merrell's the best—it's comfy and does its job of weather-sealing your foot. The rest of the shoe's feature set is in keeping with Merrell's continuously impressive trail running standards and includes a Vibram MegaGrip outsole, a built-in rock plate, and a big, comfy foam midsole. (If you don't want the gaiter, this shoe is also available as a traditional waterproof trail running shoe.)

Women's option: Yes
Weight: 12.52 oz
Drop: 6 mm
Price: $200

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