Winter running shoes have come a long way from the heavy, clunky, almost boot-like waterproof kicks offered a decade ago, and most shoe companies are now creating one or more weather-defying models.
Earlier this winter, a small fleet of runners and I tested this year’s offerings in Boulder, Colorado to find the best of the bunch. (Many of last year’s models are still available, as well.) This season’s top picks range from relatively lightweight (for a waterproof shoe) and agile runners with traction that works on both roads and trails, to a wider array of toothy snow hogs with moisture-blocking gaiters. Some are even equipped with spikes to make quick work of otherwise impossibly slick icy surfaces.
Why Winter Running Shoes?
All winterized shoes help keep feet warm as they block wind and cold, given their thicker, less-breathable uppers—a benefit even in dry cold-weather conditions. The good ones breathe just enough to not get clammy inside, but most runners find their feet get hot in winterized shoes in temps higher than about 30–35 degrees.
Waterproof shoes also keep feet dry by blocking out snow, rain, splashes, and slop. Water-resistant shoes add warmth and usually breathe fairly well, but don’t keep feet as dry as shoes with uppers that are fully lined with waterproof membranes and sealed at every seam. Besides reducing cold and wetness, all winterized uppers keep your shoes and socks from soaking up water and gaining weight. (We’re all for winter strength training, but lugging around waterlogged footwear isn’t the way to do it.)
If you live where it rains hard enough, or run through snow or puddles deep enough, waterproofing becomes rather moot due to that big hole in the top of the shoe—you know, where your foot goes in. In these conditions, a high-top, built-in gaiter will make a world of difference in keeping you dry and comfortable.
Waterproof or water-resistant road running shoes make sense for keeping feet warm in winter temps without adding the extra weight, traction, and protection of trail shoes, and can work on wet roads or packed snow. Many weatherized trail running shoes can also keep you solid on snowy, sloppy roads, with their traction adding necessary grip, but, with their luggier soles and agile rides, shine when they are digging into frozen mud or dancing over snow-covered rocks.
Here are the 14 best road and trail shoes for the colder months, when your feet need a little extra protection and you need fewer excuses to get out the door.
Winter Trail Running Shoe Reviews
HOKA Speedgoat 5 GTX ($170)
(Photo: Courtesy Hoka)
With 30 millimeters of cushioning under the heel and 26 millimeters under the forefoot (for the women’s model; 32/28mm for the men’s), the Speedgoat 5 GTX has the largest overall stack heights of all trail shoes in this round-up—they are Hokas, after all. I found a new appreciation for the height: I could step in icy puddles and my feet stayed well above the waterline—and therefore, warm and dry. The cushioning was welcome on both hard, frozen dirt and rocky trails (as long as the terrain wasn’t too tippy). Waterproofing comes from a Gore-Tex “Leaf” membrane (made with recycled components) beneath a double-layer jacquard-engineered mesh upper. The combo makes for a protective, yet soft, flexible, and comfortable upper. Five-millimeter Vibram Megagrip lugs provide great traction. 11.5 ounces (men’s), 9.6 ounces (women’s); 4mm drop
La Sportiva Blizzard GTX ($245)
(Photo: Courtesy La Sportiva)
Tungsten alloy spikes that protrude ever-so-slightly from the lugs of these shoes turn slick, icy conditions into regular trail. Six spikes under the forefoot grip going uphill and four under the heel offer braking on descents. The set-up works: I’ve worn these on mountain runs in mixed snow and ice and felt sure-footed the entire route. The single-cord lacing system effectively pulls the upper—a nylon mesh/Gore-Tex membrane combo with durable and protective TPU overlays—securely around my narrow feet for an added feeling of control. And the four-way stretch, water-resistant Dyneema scree guard that extends around the ankle moves comfortably with me while keeping trail gunk from sneaking in and irritating my feet. 13.3 ounces (unisex sizing), 6mm drop
Merrell Agility Peak 5 Zero Gore-Tex Waterproof ($200)
(Photo: Courtesy Merrell)
This is one protective shoe, above and below the foot. A full Gore-Tex bootie encases an interior shoe and closes easily and securely via zipper and Velcro around the ankle. A rockplate, sandwiched within the ample (31–25mm), compressed-EVA midsole cushioning, protects against sharp jabs from obstacles not seen under the snow and also increases the sole’s torsional rigidity. A toe cap made of TPU adds to the overall protection. The shoe within the bootie has one-pull laces that secure the fit far easier than trying to tighten traditional laces in the snug space. We found the noticeable arch comfortable and supportive. “My foot felt like it was being held in a warm, soft, comfy hug,” said a tester who ran in these on a wet, muddy adventure in Belgium. 12.5 ounces (men’s), 10.4 ounces (women’s); 6mm offset
Nike Pegasus Trail 4 Gore-Tex ($160)
(Photo: Courtesy Nike)
Like the non-Gore-Tex Nike Pegasus Trail, this shoe has the comfort and flexibility of a road running shoe, but with teeth (rubber lugs) underfoot and a more durable upper. The outsole isn’t made of a super sticky, rock-clinging trail rubber, but the tread provides adequate traction on snow and soft trails. The outsole lugs are also low-profile and even enough to run smoothly, even speedily on dirt or paved roads, making this a versatile choice for winter. Nike’s React foam feels light and responsive underfoot, not overly squishy or bouncy. The new Gore-Tex Invisible Fit upper is thinner, lighter, and more breathable than previous Gore-Tex constructions, and, combined with the all-new, flexible gaiter around the ankle, keeps snow and debris out of the shoe, while still allowing the shoe to blend in for casual wear. Pull loops on the heel and tongue aid easy entry into the bootie, and once in, I’ve felt ready to tackle any conditions in a relatively lightweight, comfortable shoe. (I’d likely reach for a different shoe for super rugged, mountainous terrain as the foot hold isn’t as secure as some others.) 8.0 ounces (women’s), 10.2 ounces (men’s), 8.5mm offset
The North Face Vectiv Infinite 2 Futurelight ($189)
(Photo: Courtesy The North Face)
Waterproofing on the Vective Infinite 2 Futurelight comes from a proprietary membrane that testers said was impermeable in a range of snowy, wintry conditions—without building up moisture inside. The high ankle cuff also proved so comfortable that we tended to forget about it, except to marvel at how it was keeping snow from sneaking into the shoe and soaking our socks. The rockered midsole/outsole seemed to promote a smooth stride, even in rugged conditions, and traction from five-millimeter lugs did the job on rocks, roots, and snow alike. Cushioning also ranks high here, with a six-millimeter Pebax foam insert in the forefoot layered on top of the high-rebound performance EVA found in the Summit Vectiv Sky and other TNF models. This shoe was a favorite among testers who prioritize comfort and stability. 12.8 ounces (men’s), 10.6 ounces (women’s); 6mm offset
Salomon Thundercross Gore-Tex ($160)
(Photo: Courtesy Salomon)
Stepping into the Thundercross Gore-Tex, pulling the Kevlar laces tight, and tucking them into the lace garage made us feel locked, loaded, and ready for winter running. The Gore-Tex bootie is waterproof and fairly breathable, keeping our feet dry and comfortable. Toothy, five-millimeter lugs did a good job of grabbing hold of multiple surfaces including ice and snow, and the EVA-Olefin cushioning (31–27mm) feels equally soft and responsive underfoot. That cush also makes the shoes capable on hard sections or roads, though the luggy outsole prefers snow and dirt. Off-road, like its non-Gore-Tex counterpart, the Thundercross can nimbly, securely, and comfortably handle a variety of terrain. 10.6g (men’s), 9.3g ounces (women’s); 4mm offset
Salomon Speedcross 6 GTX ($160)
(Photo: Courtesy Salomon)
The Speedcross 6 GTX’s five-millimeter lugs may be the same depth as those on other shoes in this roundup, but they feel far more aggressive. Due to their broad spacing, sharp edges, and multidirectional arrow shapes, it’s like you’re wearing microspikes or crampons for traction on soft snow and slop. Like the non-Gore Speedcross 6, this shoe has a narrow profile and Kevlar quick laces for a snug, secure fit, which combine with the traction for an overall nimble feel. A Gore-Tex membrane and anti-debris mesh upper made of durable Ripstop nylon add to the ready-for-anything feeling of these shoes. (They’re also great easy step-in shoes for ski resort parking lots.) Bonus: They’re made from recycled material. 11.6 ounces (men’s), 9.8 ounces (women’s); 10mm drop
Saucony Peregrine 13 GTX ($160)
(Photo: 101 Degrees West)
This Gore-Tex-lined shoe kept my feet warm and dry on a four-mile trail run in six inches of fresh snow. It kept me upright on a mountain run with a slushy, snowy ascent and rocky descent, and was warm, comfortable, and capable on neighborhood runs where the streets had become snow-covered “trails.” One of the Outside shoe testers gushed, “These things are burly AF.” Yet, at 9 ounces (women’s), they’re rugged without weighing you down. Like the non-Gore-Tex Peregrine 13, the GTX version is low-to-the-ground (28mm/14mm) and nimble, with confidence-inspiring traction and just the right amount of cush. 10.1 ounces (men), 9 ounces (women); 4mm drop
Scarpa Ribelle Run Kalibra G ($240)
(Photo: Courtesy Scarpa)
With the bones of a low-volume, mountain-capable Scarpa Ribelle Run trail shoe underneath a winterized outer softshell, this shoe can handle all kinds of winter adventure. A twist of the BOA Li2 dial on the outside secures the hidden Dyneema laces across your foot, eliminating the hassle of opening and digging under the outer wrap to tie or adjust traditional laces on the inner shoe. The softshell gaiter—a Polartec Windbloc—is not fully waterproof, but we found it cuts biting winds and sheds moisture with aplomb. The outsole’s sticky rubber grips rocky sections of trail for confident maneuvering, and a band of TPU rubber wraps around the entire shoe to both enhance durability and allow you to “smear” (climber talk for pressing rubber against rock for traction). 13 ounces (unisex sizing); 4mm drop
Topo Athletic Terraventure 4 WP ($150)
(Photo: Courtesy Topo Athletic)
I love this shoe for a ridiculous reason: It’s gray. In an era where trail running shoes tend to scream with oranges and purples and bright blues—which are fun, if you’re in the mood—a muted gray is, maybe ironically, refreshing when you’re not looking to make a splash. Looks aside, the Terraventure 4 WP has stellar traction thanks to its entire, full-coverage outsole made out of tacky, rock-grabbing Vibram Megagrip. The six-millimeter lugs take hold in snow, and the somewhat firm cushioning, low stack height (25–22mm), and wide forefoot base (a feature of all Topos) add stability on all surfaces. The shoe features a full bootie construction made out of eVent, meant to be both fully waterproof and breathable. I found the upper to effectively block out snow and moisture—they’re very protective—but my feet felt a little clammy at times. Still, I’ll be reaching for this versatile gray shoe—that we named one of the year’s best trail models—often this winter. 12 ounces (men’s) 10.1 ounces (women’s); 3mm offset
Winter Road Running Shoes
Brooks Ghost 15 GTX ($170)
(Photo: Courtesy Brooks)
Known for its comfort and cushioning, the Brooks Ghost 15 got an even more comfortable, more cushy midsole compound in Brooks’ nitrogen-infused DNA LOFT v2. The foam is lighter than before, bringing down the weight of the overall shoe. This Gore-Tex Invisible Fit version gains a little of that weight back in the thin membrane bonded to the upper, but adds weather protection for cold, rain, and snow. It’s still a road running shoe, with smooth transitions, a flexible ride, and an outsole that features the same segmented crash pad and rubber of the non-GTX Ghost 15. “I liked that this shoe isn’t too bulky, but still has a great amount of protection from cold and weather,” said a tester. “It felt good on a mix of road, gravel, ice, and packed snow.” 10.2 ounces (men’s), 9.2 ounces (women’s); 12mm offset
Hoka Clifton 9 GTX ($160)
(Photo: Courtesy Hoka)
This is the lightweight, smooth-running, highly cushioned (38–33mm men’s; 36–31 mm women’s) Clifton you may know and love, but with a fully waterproof Gore-Tex Invisible Fit upper and an outsole built for winter road conditions. On the bottom, what Hoka calls “Traction Pods” extrude a tad from the outsole (not as much as trail shoe lugs, but more than the road shoe version) to create more ground grip. Testers found they ran on snow-covered tarmac with minimal sliding, making the shoe a good choice for roadies looking for a little extra traction through winter, without getting the extra weight and clunky lugs of a full trail running shoe. 9.6 ounces (men’s), 8.3 ounces (women’s), 5mm offset
Nike InfinityRN 4 Gore-Tex ($180)
(Photo: Courtesy Nike)
With a midsole made of Nike’s ReactX foam, this winterized shoe delivers a smooth, lively, copiously cushioned (39–30mm), and very comfortable ride. Like the non-Gore-Tex InfinityRN 4, this shoe is meant to work for a range of runners, from those with neutral strides to runners needing support. The geometry is wide at the base, which feels naturally supportive, with sculpted support and cushioning zones adding to the forgiving ride. A full Gore-Tex Invisible Fit upper keeps feet warm and dry, and a grippy outsole does a good job on wet, slick surfaces. Still, this is a smooth-running road shoe more than it’s a snow hog. 12.5 ounces (men’s), 9.9 ounces (women’s); 9mm offset
Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 Runshield ($180)
(Photo: Courtesy Saucony)
Winter doesn’t necessarily mean long, slow base miles for everyone. (Spring marathon, anyone?) I found the Endorphin Speed 3 Runshield a peppy, lightweight trainer that encouraged uptempo runs. Its responsiveness stems from the S-curved, winged nylon plate sandwiched between thick layers of lightweight, springy foam (PWRRUNPB) that has made the non-winterized Endorphin Speed perennially popular. The water-resistant Runshield kept my feet warm on runs down to 25 degrees, even in thin socks, while breathing plenty well enough to vent sweat. This isn’t a completely waterproof shoe, but the water-resistant upper was sufficient for most mild winter road miles, and any sloppier conditions would call for trail shoes with better traction. 8.1 ounces (men’s), 7.2 ounces (women’s); 8mm drop
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