They’ll trap more sweat, sure, but these shoes will also keep out most moisture.
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There’s no source of discomfort in running that’s unsettling in quite the way that water breaching your shoe is. Even in warm months, that unwanted moisture can feel frigid, leaves your socks damp, and cause chafing. If you want to avoid that abhorrent sensation, you have options, the most reliable being to invest in a pair of waterproof running shoes.
Depending where you live, waterproofing might be a necessity for one season or the entire year—Summer isn’t always hot and dry either. For rain and mud (and even stream crossings), a good pair of waterproof running shoes helps eliminate weather-related excuses for skipping a big training run. In terms of comfort, performance, and actual waterproofing quality, the models we’ve rounded up below are the best.
Just like you would when picking any other running shoe, you want to ensure the waterproof models you’re reaching for actually meet your other needs, such as having ample cushioning for long runs or grippy lugs for technical trails. On top of that, it’s critical to try shoes before you buy them whenever possible to ensure the upper fits the way you like—you don’t want to drop 100 bucks on a shoe that rubs funny on your heel or cramps your toes a far-too-small space.
Waterproof running shoes have a membrane sandwiched between the outer fabric and the liner, similar to a three-layer rain jacket. Gore-Tex, which you’ll see as “GTX” in many model names, is the most popular waterproofing material. Its ePTFE (expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, if you’re nerdy) membrane has microscopic pores that are big enough for water vapor to evaporate through while small enough to keep liquid droplets out. Every shoe we currently recommend has this tech save for the On Cloudrunner 2 Waterproof, which uses a similar but proprietary membrane, and the Altra Lone Peak ALL-WTHR Low 2, which relies on an eVent waterproof barrier.
This membrane is technically both waterproof and breathable, though it’s not a perfect system, and the shoes get sweaty once you heat up or the temps rise above 65 degrees. For this reason we suggest wearing non-waterproof models on warmer wet days and leaving these shoes for cold or rainy runs.
Waterproof shoes aren’t the only recourse for runners looking for protection against wet conditions or stream crossings. Waterproof socks from brands like SealSkinz, DexShell, and Showers Pass work well in rain and on wet trails. We pair these with a set of trail-running gaiters that covers the tops of our shoes so we can run through a creek without water or debris getting in from above.
Both methods will keep you cozy and dry for longer, particularly when combined with waterproof shoes. Just keep in mind that both waterproof socks and gaiters suffer from the same breathability issues as shoes. In warm weather, it’s often better to have airflow to help with evaporation than sweat-soaked feet without drainage or ventilation.
Author Caitlin Giddings wrote the initial version of this guide. She spent eight years living and running in Portland, Oregon—a part of the country known for consistently rainy weather. In subsequent updates, Maggie Slepian tested more shoes on the wet trails and winter snow and slush in Montana, where she lives.
In addition to that field testing, we also relied on input from Runner’s World editors and testers who trained and ran in these shoes and others like them. The RW test team lives and runs in some rainy, snowy corners of the Northeast and elsewhere, and we test the limits of every shoe that comes through our door.
For this most recent update, I leaned on the expertise of our other two authors to find updated versions of the models they recommend, and I consulted our test team’s library of reviews and testing notes to ensure those new iterations are up to snuff. (We have longer reviews of the non-waterproof versions of a couple of these shoes, so I linked to those below.) All of these shoes have an excellent combination of comfort, performance, durability, and weather protection for everything from rainy road runs to slushy trails to unpredictable conditions on your next ultra. And while some of them are tough to find in stock, they’re still worth hunting down for the assurance they offer on a rainy day.
The Peregrine has been an enduring favorite with trail runners on our test team, thanks to the shoe’s traction and Saucony’s springy Pwrrun midsole. That midsole is slightly stiffer than the ones in other shoes we recommend here to maintain that extra responsiveness, so if you’re used to having a cushy barrier between your foot and the ground, this might take some getting used to. But for runners who appreciate having a greater feel for the trail, the firm platform and secure fit have made the Peregrine line a tester go-to for multiple years in a row.
You’ll see a theme throughout these listings where we mention the shoes feeling hot once you get going and your body temperature increases. That just goes with the territory. Like others here, the Peregrine GTX will feel warm because of its impermeable upper. But the waterproof protection will keep your foot dryer, toastier, and more comfortable through rain and puddles.
We’ve recommended the Brooks Ghost for long-distance training year after year because it’s such a good shoe for a variety of runners. This model is no exception, featuring the brand’s new and improved DNA Loft V2 midsole, which offers a prime combination of soft cushioning and a lighter step without losing the firmness we appreciate for fast turnover and responsive feel. That said, there could be more cushioning under the toes.
This shoe promotes a smooth ride and provides enough support for long training runs. Plus, the durability through the upper and outsole can’t be beat. The latest iteration builds in a more spacious upper with additional room at the forefoot, plus the Gore-Tex membrane that helps protect against slush and snow without adding bulk.
Buy Women’s Read Full Ghost 15 Review
Though the Cloudrunner 2 isn’t explicitly a stability shoe, its wide outsole and foot-cradling insole will keep your strides in line through the longest of runs. Alongside those support features, On stacked this shoe atop the brand’s trademark open tubes in the outsole rubber, which compress on impact for immediate cushioning but provide a firmer platform for liftoff.
The waterproof upper here isn’t Gore-Tex like it is in the majority of shoes on this list. Rather, it’s a proprietary membrane developed in-house in Switzerland. It’s not quite as watertight, but the mesh in the upper helps the Cloudrunner feel a little less swampy when you’re several hours into a run.
Our testers loved this max-cushioned hybrid shoe, which feels equally snappy and responsive on pavement and dirt, thanks to a dense React foam midsole with less rubber along the outsole that helps it transition without losing grip. The Pegasus has long enjoyed its status as an excellent all-around shoe, and the added protection of the GTX membrane makes this model even more appropriate for crummy conditions.
This is the most versatile of Nike’s full road and trail line, and even in the most drudgery-inducing conditions, the shoe feels light, springy, and nimble. The lugs are short and stubby, digging into mud without feeling like they’re bogging you down. And they don’t push up into your foot much on pavement because of that. This shoe also has built-in gaiters at the collar to keep water and debris from sneaking in.
Buy Women’s Read Full Review
Shedding more than an ounce over its predecessor, the Challenger 7 GTX is a shoe that feels as at home on the trail as it does on the road. In line with the majority of Hoka models, it has a cushioned (but still lightweight) midsole, with a whopping 31mm stack height at the heel and 26mm at the forefoot. The cushioning is relatively firm, with just enough give to handle long trail runs but softness for pavement pounding during road days.
While Hoka might have narrower models, runners with wide feet, rejoice: The Challenger 7 has a spacious toe box and a generous fit that will keep your toes relaxed and able to splay for balance and comfort. This shoe is built with a similar Gore-Tex membrane as others here, keeping rain and puddles from splashing in while allowing a decent amount of breathability.
Formerly called “RSM” (for Rain / Snow / Mud), Altra’s weatherproof line is now named ALL-WTHR, featuring several models with an eVent membrane—another ePTFE liner similar to Gore-Tex. The Lone Peak is a fan-favorite trail runner and hiking shoe for people who appreciate a zero-drop design and wide toe box.
The entire construction of the Lone Peak is made for protection and traction on trail, from the toe cap to the upper overlays to the deep, diagonal lugs that kept testers stable on everything from steep muddy slopes to slippery rocks. This updated version has a taller cushion with a 25mm stack, while previous Lone Peaks oscillated back and forth between varying heights based on the generation.
La Sportiva’s dedication to all-terrain performance—no matter how adverse the conditions—comes through in this sleek-yet-rugged trail shoe. The Bushido II GTX features a protective Gore-Tex Invisible Fit membrane that doesn’t inhibit the flexion of the upper. And like La Sportiva’s comparable trail shoes, the upper wraps your foot securely for stability on off-camber sections of trail.
The dual-compound rubber on the outsole provides grip and traction on wet and dry ground. With a sturdy rock plate and a protective toe cap, the Bushido II GTX can handle the worst conditions.
Buy Women’s Read Full Bushido II Review
RW: When is a waterproof shoe the most useful?
MS: A waterproof shoe will be comfortable and useful in any conditions from light drizzle to soggy trails to winter snow and slush. We love our waterproof shoes for colder runs—think chilly rain, trail runs where you don’t want wet feet after stream crossings, or shoulder-season runs on slushy roads.
While the waterproofing membranes listed here are technically breathable (we’re not trying to put your feet into plastic bags), the fact is that a waterproof membrane will make the shoe hotter and less breathable than a standard upper. So if the forecast calls for warm rain, or you’re going on a summer trail run with some stream crossings, feel free to wear your standard running shoes.
RW: Can you use a waterproofing surface spray on regular shoes?
MS: Sure, if you want to. A silicone or acrylic polymer spray si the best option for waterproofing your standard running shoes, and Nikwax makes one of our favorites. This is an easy way to add a layer of protection, but it won’t be as effective as a built-in membrane.
Additionally, a waterproofing spray can add a stiffness to the upper that will impact comfort and performance, so you might find a waterproofing spray is best left to your casual shoes and investing in a waterproof pair of running shoes is a better bet.
RW: How can you tell which models of shoes are waterproof?
MS: Most manufacturers will note if a shoe design is waterproof in the name, though they might not do so using the word “waterproof.” Gore-Tex is one of the most popular membranes used by a range of brands across the industry, and many brands tack on “GTX” to a model name to highlight that. Other brands with proprietary membranes will create a waterproof product series, such as Altra’s “ALL-WTHR” line. If you aren’t sure if a shoe is waterproof, check the listing on the brand's website or chat with an expert at your local specialty running store.
Adam Schram is an Assistant Editor of Commerce at Runner's World, though you might see his byline on Bicycling and Popular Mechanics, too. A lover of all things outdoors, Adam's writing career comes after six years as a bike mechanic in his hometown of State College, PA. His journalism experience is steeped in cycling and running gear reviews, and he's also a published creative nonfiction and satire author. When he's not writing, riding, or running, you can catch Adam at home mixing cocktails, watching Star Wars, or trying in vain to do the Sunday crossword. You can check out his latest work below.
Maggie Slepian is a full-time freelance writer in the outdoor industry and has tested gear professionally for almost ten years—she is an avid backpacker, trail runner, bikepacker, and horseback rider and has thru-hiked thousands of miles on the Appalachian, Colorado, and Ouachita trails, along with backcountry travel on terrain including coastal trails, the desert, and high alpine peaks. Maggie has written for New York Magazine, Huffington Post, REI, and Outside. She is a columnist with Backpacker Magazine and is the co-founder of BackpackingRoutes.com. Contact her at MaggieSlepian.com.
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