
Wet, cold feet can ruin a run. A waterproof shoe can be the perfect solution to your freezing toes’ woes. Particularly if you are running in the snow, a waterproof shoe is great because it will keep the cold and moisture outside and your feet toasty warm.
These shoes also offer more protection for your feet with water-resistant materials such as GORE-TEX keeping the water and snow on the ground where it belongs.
Waterproof running shoes are made as both road and trail shoes. For the road shoes, not only are they waterproof, but they can sometimes have the added bonus of extra reflective elements or additional grip to help you log your miles regardless of weather conditions. There are waterproof options for running whether you prefer either a neutral or stability shoe as well. For trail running, waterproof shoes can help with muddy or slick runs as well as keep your feet warm when there is snow on your favorite trail.
There are a couple of tradeoffs when it comes to waterproof shoes. The first is that, although the outside is waterproof, if you are going through creeks that are knee high, they will not prevent the water from getting into your shoes. Then the same great material that keeps water out, will also slow drainage. The second is that they are not as breathable. This can be a benefit for cold winter running, but your feet can get hot if the weather is warmer. Finally, waterproof shoes tend to be heavier than their non-waterproof counterparts. The additional protection on the shoes comes with additional weight.
Whether you are traversing muddy trails or pounding slushy pavement, we’ll help you find the perfect waterproof shoe for you.
What’s It Best For | Shoe Model |
Best Neutral Road Waterproof Shoes | |
Best everyday trainer | |
Best for running in the snow | |
Best for wearing around town | |
Best for running in the dark | |
Best Stability Road Waterproof Shoes | |
Best for cushioned stability | |
Best for light stability | |
Best All-Terrain Waterproof Shoes | |
Best everyday trainer | |
Best lightweight shoe | |
Best Trail Waterproof Shoes | |
Best for mid-distance runs | |
Best for everyday trail runs | |
Best for long distance trail runs | Altra Lone Peak ALL-WTHR Low |
Best fitting trail shoe | |
Best for snowy runs | |
Best for hiking |
[This article is part of the Fleet Feet Buyer's Guide for The Best Running Shoes 2023. Find all the best running shoes from the top brands for all situations.]
Tips for Running in Inclement Weather
Best Neutral Road Waterproof Shoes

Brooks Ghost 14 GTX

Saucony Ride 15 Runshield

On Cloud 5 Waterproof

New Balance Fresh Foam 880 v12 GTX
Best Stability Road Running Waterproof Shoes

On Cloudflyer Waterproof 2.0

ASICS GT-2000 v11 GTX
Best All Terrain Running Shoes

HOKA Challenger ATR 6 GTX
The HOKA Challenger ATR 6 GTX is perfect for running in any weather, on any surface. Go ahead and run the roads to the trails with this all terrain shoe. The GORE-TEX bootie upper will make sure your feet stay warm and dry in the rain, mud and snow.
The early stage Meta-Rocker and EVA cushioning will have you running up and down hills with comfort and ease. The lugs are closer together to give you more grip on uneven or slick terrain so you can run on roads and easy to moderately technical trails in the HOKA Challenger ATR 6 GTX.

Nike Pegasus 4 Trail GTX
Best Trail Waterproof Shoes

On Cloudventure Waterproof 3.0

Brooks Cascadia 16 GTX

KARHU Ikoni Trail WR

Saucony Peregrine ICE+ 3

HOKA Anacapa GTX
How We Picked the Best Waterproof Shoes
We chose the best waterproof running shoes by poring over the details of each model. Through wear testing, interviews with shoe designers and professional athletes, and our own fit id® data, we chose the shoes we think will work best for most runners in most situations.
You can shop with confidence at Fleet Feet: We offer free shipping on all orders over $99, and you have 60 days to return any gear if you don’t like the way it looks, fits or feels. Plus, with our price-match guarantee, you can make sure you never pay too much for a new pair of running shoes.
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