The best waterproof running shoes to help you stay dry (as possible) whether you’re heading out in the rain, snow or a trail adventure with water crossings.

Best Waterproof Running Shoes

Back in the day, slipping on a pair of waterproof running shoes often meant your feet were in for a sweaty, sauna-like experience. Breathability wasn’t part of the design.

Thankfully, technology has come a long way, and today’s waterproof shoes are lighter, more comfortable, and way better at keeping moisture out without trapping heat in.

There are plenty of trail and even road running shoes with GTX tagged onto the end of their name. That’s your sign; the upper is made with materials like Gore-Tex technology, which is a big win for keeping your feet dry.

But here’s the thing: not every shoe is truly waterproof. Some are just water-resistant, and there’s a big difference when you’re splashing through puddles or braving a downpour.

Let’s break it down so you can find the right pair to keep in your closet for those rainy days.

10 Best Waterproof Running Shoes

I’ve logged my share of miles in the rain and snow, but for this list, I also chatted with two of our testing team trail experts to share what they look for in a great waterproof running shoe.

As always you’ll find we try to do a good mix of brands, so you have options that best work for your feet. We also included both road and trail shoes because there are so many different reasons you might be looking for that extra coverage.

Best Road Daily Trainer – Brooks Ghost 17 GTX

We know that the rain isn’t going to stop some of you from getting out there, so here’s a road shoe that you’ll find on almost all of our best of lists. And with the recent upgrades to the 17, it feels super nice underfoot.

If you’re looking for a cushioned neutral shoe to use for running, run/walk intervals, or trying to get those daily 10k steps, the Ghost 17 is a shoe we can’t recommend enough.

One of the biggest changes to the 17 was the 10mm heel drop. We love this for reducing knee pressure.brooks ghost 17 gtx

The only difference between the Ghost and the Ghost GTX is the added waterproof Gore-Tex layer to the upper mesh.

Don’t worry about sliding on wet pavements; the updated outsole of the 17 was designed to grip slick, wet surfaces to keep you standing upright.

Otherwise, you’re still going to get the same smooth, comfortable ride you know and love from a pair of Brooks.

Best Stability Shoe – On Cloudrunner Waterproof

We were pretty excited to see this one offered as a waterproof option.

The Cloudrunner 2 is a classic, comfortable stability shoe that borders on being a neutral shoe, so it’s something that will work for a lot of people. We think they’ll even be good to grab if you’re spending a lot of time walking around.

Unlike the other shoes on this list, the Cloudrunner is designed with a high-performance waterproof membrane to keep your feet dry the entire run. The entire mesh is designed with this waterproof shield so that the water practically rolls off as you’re moving.

on cloudrunner waterproof

It’s a pretty versatile shoe, so if you’re out running errands or even on vacation and get caught in a rainstorm, you’re feet will remain dry and happy…even after the storm has passed!

Best for Technical Trails – North Face Offtrail TR Gore-Tex

If you regularly run on the trails but live somewhere where the winters are super snowy and the spring is never-ending rain showers, this is the shoe for you.

This trail shoe from North Face is a great option to have in the lineup for when the conditions get wet and you still need to get in your miles. It will likely last quite a bit longer than your daily trainer, as these are more of a niche shoe and won’t be worn on a regular basis.  The North Face Offtrail OutsoleFrom our tester Conni- I reach for my North Face Offtrail TC GTX which I did a review for earlier this year. I actually took that shoe on a 9-mile run last week during the rain on a super technical trail.

My feet stayed dry and I didn’t slip on the rocks and roots despite the water coming down the trail. It worked great!

Best for Narrow Feet- Craft Pure Trail X

We love these for a variety of trail conditions, especially when there’s snow or rain.

Our tester Aimee took these out for a few snowy runs here in Colorado and reported back that they kept her feet dry while on the trails.

Craft reinforced these with a recycled polyester ripstop upper to help prolong the life of these shoes, especially if you’re taking them out on rocky trails often. This even adds to the waterproofness of this shoe!narrow trail running shoes

If you tend to do better with narrow shoes, these are going to be for you! The fit is a little slim, so try going up a half to full size if you give them a go on rainy or snowy runs.

Best Road to Trail Shoe – Hoka Challenger GTX

The HOKA Challenger is a popular all-terrain running shoe that is designed for both road and trail running. It has a well-cushioned midsole that provides a comfortable and stable ride, and a Vibram outsole that delivers excellent traction on a variety of surfaces.

For the GTX model, HOKA added Gore-Tex Invisible Fit with recycled content product technology to keep your feet dry whether in bad weather or messy trails. The breathable upper mesh is going to keep your feet cool and prevent blisters from happening. Hoka Challenger GTX 7 review

The way the outsole is designed will give you the traction you need on both wet roads and muddy trails. The lugs aren’t too big that you’re going to notice them if you’re running on the roads, which is sometimes the case with trail shoes.

  • Weight: 7.7 oz women’s, 8.9 oz men’s
  • Heel Drop: 5 mm
  • Stack height: 31 mm
  • Not available in wide
  • Available in 2 colors
  • Available from Hoka.com for $160 

Best for a Wider Fit- Brooks Cascadia 19 GTX

The Cascadia continues to be a favorite in our group of trail runners. The updates to the 19 kept it a lightweight shoe, while also giving enough stability, structure, cushioning, and flexibility to manage various terrains.

Bonus points for a trail shoe that really handles wet conditions well. Sometimes when we get wet, the shoe suddenly feels heavy and holds water, but this drains and allows us to keep plugging along.

Brooks designed this shoe with Gore-Tex invisible fit technology as a part of the upper material to help provide a lighter, more flexible fit. Finally, it’s a lightweight and breathable waterproof shoe!!Brooks Cascadia 19 wide

The GTX version is even better at keeping you dry overall, so grab those if you want to use them for winter runs or lots of mornings with wet trails.

While a lot of Brooks shoes have a pretty substantial heel drop of 12mm, these come in at only 6mm, so a nice middle ground between zero drop and your typical Brooks running shoe.

Best Everyday Trail Shoe- Saucony Peregrine GTX

This has been a trail running shoe that I and other testers have loved for years. They had a few misses around model 10, but since then, we’ve gotten back on track!

The GTX version is designed with Gore-Tex invisible fit technology to keep water out of your shoes, but still allowing your feet to breathe. This technology has really come a long way, and you can see brands are taking advantage of it!

I always feel confident in the traction of this shoe, and I like the light guard just above the cushion to keep my toes from being wet in the grass or light snow.Saucony Peregrine 15 Review

For me, I appreciate that it’s not one of the overbuilt trail shoes and the traction is fabulous. They have also taken some weight out of the updated models!

BONUS: This is a lower stack height than so many of the current shoe trends, and many prefer that on the trails to feel more stable.

Best Hiking Shoe – Merrell Moab Speed 2

Hiking shoes tend to be super stiff and bulky, but that is not the case for the Merrell Moab Speed 2.

Coach Laura wore these for her adventure up Mt. Whitney, where she encountered a few creek crossings, rain, and snow.

The shoes performed exceptionally well on wet rock surfaces, and the Gore-Tex kept her socks and feet dry during creek crossings. After 15 hours on the trail, the lugs showed little to no wear, maintaining their like-new condition.

The FloatPro Foam midsole protected her feet from the rocky conditions, keeping them comfortable and supported, even after a long challenging day on the trails.

If you are not familiar with Mt. Whitney, it’s an out-and-back trail packed with rocky switchbacks, flowing waterfalls, and even patches of snow….so perfect for these shoes!

Best Zero Drop Shoe – Altra Timp 5 GTX

If you’re a fan of zero-drop running shoes, this is our pick for those runs when you know your feet are going to get wet.

The Altra Timp 5’s upper is designed with Gore-Tex, making these shoes waterproof, windproof, and breathable, which is exactly what you want if you’re an ultra runner!

The combo of the Gore-Tex, Megagrip, and ALtra EGO Max cushion, you know these are going to be comfortable and safe on trails that can range from dry dirt to slick muddy paths and even water crossings. Altra Timp 5 GTX Review

One thing you may not think about is the kind of laces and how they’ll handle being wet. We’re happy to report that Altra laces have a texture that helps them to stay tied even when wet or caked in mud.

Most Stylish Waterproof Shoe – Arc’teryx Norvan LD 4

As you’ve noticed, a lot of these shoes look very technical…as they should be since they’re designed to keep your feet from getting beat up.

These shoes from Arc’teryx are super stylish, but I probably wouldn’t wear them every day because of the lugs underfoot, but when you’re out in the elements, they’re going to keep your feet dry while looking sleek.

The bonus perk is that the waterproof upper feels surprisingly breathable, so your feet don’t overheat like they used to in older designs.

That means you’re less likely to end your run with unwanted blisters all over your feet.Arc'teryx Norvan 4 lacing

You’re not going to slip on any wet surfaces with these, but the lugs are strategically placed to give you a solid grip on just about anything—mud, gravel, wet rock, you name it.

What to Look for in Waterproof Running Shoes

When you’re on the hunt for a pair of waterproof running shoes, remember that your needs are going to shift depending on whether you’re running on the roads or tackling trails.

But no matter where you run, these three things should always stay non-negotiable:

1. Waterproof vs. Water-resistant

Just like with any other running gear, if you want your feet to stay dry as possible, look for shoes that are waterproof. This usually means the upper is a bit thicker than your normal running shoe and often comes with an added layer like Gore-Tex.

Some brands, like what we saw with the Arc’teryx and Craft, will even use their own waterproof materials, so you might see a few different names out there.

On the other hand, water-resistant shoes only have a thin barrier to slow water down, and it’s only a matter of time before you’re sloshing your way through the rest of your run.

Looking for what to wear running in the rain? Check out our rain gear guide here.

2. Traction

Wet sidewalks, snowy trails, water crossings, even a patch of mud, without the right shoes, any of these can send you sliding mid-run. To keep your footing on the roads and trails, you want to look at the shoe’s sole.

Two things to consider when looking at waterproof running shoes:

Type of rubber: Look at the outsole of the shoe for a matte or textured rubber. That’s how you know you’re going to get good traction. If the rubber outsole is shiny or hard like the Saucony Speed, you risk sliding around.

Tread Pattern– Think about the size and depth of the lugs for trail shoes, and how the grooves or cutouts are shaped for road shoes.Saucony Peregrine 15 Traction

You may want to think twice about wearing some of the carbon-plated shoes on a rainy race day. Many of them have slick outsoles that just aren’t built for slippery terrain.

Instead of cruising to a new PR, you could end up twisting an ankle or face planting, leaving some unwanted scars. So, if the weather forecast calls for lots of rain, maybe leave your Alphaflys or Endorphins at home.

3. Breathability

To truly be waterproof, a shoe needs more than a thin layer to keep moisture out. That’s why runners often complain that waterproof gear, shoes, jackets, and other items can feel warm and a little less breathable.

gore-tex explained

The good news is that technology is improving. Brands like Gore-Tex are finding ways to make waterproof materials lighter and more breathable than ever.

Still, trapped heat can lead to blisters, so it’s worth making a few swaps before you head out. Try moisture-wicking socks and even anti-chafe to give your feet a better shot at staying happy, especially if you plan to be out there for a long time.

Ok, there you have our picks for the best waterproof running shoes. As our team continues to test different shoes, we hope to add more.

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