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There’s a saying out there that “there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad gear.” When it comes to running in the rain and cold, some runners might opt to run inside or not at all. But, when the bad weather keeps coming (or when your only option is to run outdoors), then you suit up and head outside. In the right gear, running in the rain can be both a memorable and enjoyable experience.
Fortunately, there are some great running shoe options to keep every step dry and protected, so you can ignore the weather and enjoy the run.
The best Gore-Tex running shoes are waterproof, breathable versions of a brand’s bestselling styles, offering runners the familiarity of their preferred style but in a waterproof format. Not only are Gore-Tex running shoes waterproof, but the treatment also adds a layer of protection allowing them to be hard-wearing versions of the style. This is especially useful for the trail and gravel versions so you can take to the most aggressive trails year-round with a hard-wearing upper ready for action.
How we tested weather-proof running shoes
During the late months of fall, I vetted and tested this year’s offerings in a variety of Colorado terrains and winter conditions to find the best of the bunch and compared them to what I and a small fleet of testers landed on as the best of last season. I then made sure the good ones from last year are still available. (Sadly, some are not – I’m hanging on to my discontinued carbide-spiked La Sportiva Blizzards for life.) Here are our favorites in four categories. We also listed several other available models in each category that may work better for you, especially if you are a fan of the non-waterproof version of the shoe.
There are now a whole range of waterproof shoes available. Here’s our list of the latest waterproof running shoes available in 2025 so far (pro tip: lots of brands have previous-season Gore-Tex shoes on sale as well).
Best Gore-Tex Running Shoes
Saucony Triumph 22 GTX
Weight: 10.6 ounces (men’s), 9.1 ounces (women’s)
Drop: 10 mm
Some Gore-Tex running shoes can feel stiff and uncomfortable, a sacrifice for warm, dry feet. Not these. The Triumph 22 GTX is the most plush, comfortable weatherproof shoe we’ve ever run in. The PWRRUN PB (engineered PEBA) midsole foam feels ample, smooth, and springy. The upper – weatherized via a Gore-Tex Invisible Fit construction that integrates the waterproof material directly into the upper – felt seamless.
Hoka Clifton 9 GTX
Weight: 9.6 ounces (men’s), 8.3 ounces (women’s)
Drop: 5 mm drop
This is the lightweight, smooth-running, highly cushioned Clifton you know and love – but with a fully waterproof upper constructed with comfortable Gore-Tex Invisible Fit and an outsole built for winter conditions. What Hoka is calling “Traction Pods” on the Durabrasion rubber outsole create more ground contact and extrude a tad (not as much as trail shoe lugs), doing a decent job of gripping on snow. This is a good choice for roadies needing a little extra traction through winter, without going the full trail running shoe route.
Nike Trail Pegasus 5 Gore-Tex
Weight: 10.5 ounces (men’s), 8.9 ounces (women’s)
Drop: 9.5mm drop
This winterized version of the Trail Pegasus 5, with its lively ReactX foam midsole that delivers a versatile ride on road or trail, features a Gore-Tex-lined upper, high-ankle cuff, and reflective detailing. We wore this shoe on sloppy gravel roads four days after a snowstorm and loved it for its comfort both underfoot and around the foot. The waterproof upper flexes easily with the foot while protecting from cold, snow, and general muck.
Merrell Morphlite Gore-Tex
Weight: 9 ounces (men’s), 7.6 ounces (women’s)
Drop: 6.5mm drop
One hundred and fifty dollars is a great price for a pair of Gore-Tex shoes, and the fact that the Morphlite Gore-Tex can transition between road and trail makes it even more of a value. We found that the wide outsole of this shoe paired with concave sections underfoot made us feel stable and successfully “morphed” over obstacles like small tree roots in the Maryland woods. The midsole foam felt a bit firm, especially under the forefoot, which made us lean more trail than road in this shoe. Still, it’s capable of both, well waterproofed, and lightweight, to boot.
On Cloudsurfer Trail Waterproof
Weight: 11.3 ounces (men’s), 9.2 ounces (women’s)
Drop: 7mm drop
On’s CloudTec Phase midsole technology runs soft and smooth on roads yet isn’t too mushy on light trails, making this a versatile shoe. The outsole’s rubber compound and tread design gripped a smooth gravel road with occasional patches of ice and provided sure footing on a road-to-trail route. The upper delivered enough support for rocky singletrack while flexing enough to run comfortably on roads, even with its waterproofing layer (seam-sealed Cosmo Hydroguard).