The Best Winter Running Shoes for Braving Cold, Snow, and Slop

Winter running shoes are everywhere this year. Maybe it’s because more runners want to head outside in all sorts of weather instead of settling for indoor workouts. Or maybe it’s because innovations in weatherproofing shoe uppers and underfoot traction have improved the experience of winter running. Whatever the reason, virtually every running shoe brand now offers not one, but multiple snow-, cold-, and water-shedding models, many of which are simply “winter” versions of your favorite road and trail shoes.

The season’s best winter running shoes range from comfortable, cushy neutral road runners lined with protective Gore-Tex, to super burly, toothy, waterproof snow hogs with carbide spikes and built-in ankle gaiters. This year, we made the editorial decision not to include any models that were merely water-resistant. Instead, we focused on the many available fully waterproof road and trail shoes, which do a better job at protecting feet from wintry elements.

Here are our favorites among the models tested, plus a comprehensive list of what’s available. As you scan the list, look for running shoes you like in their non-waterproof road or trail models; the ride tends to be similar in the winter version, with a slightly stiffer upper (but far lighter and more flexible than with waterproof membranes of the past).

Best Winter Running Shoes: At a Glance

Winter Road Running Shoes

• Hoka Clifton 9 GTX ($165)
• Topo Athletic Phantom 4 WP ($150)

Winter Road to Trail Shoes

• Nike Trail Pegasus 5 Gore-Tex ($180)
• Salomon Aero Blaze 3 Gravel Gore-Tex ($160)

Winter Trail Running Shoes

• Topo Athletic Terraventure 4 WP ($155)
• Icebug Arcus 2 BUGrip GTX ($220)

Running Shoes for Deep Snow

• Scarpa Ribelle Run Kalibra G ($256)
• La Sportiva Cyklon Cross GTX ($270)
• Arc’teryx Nivalis ($250)

Winter Road Running Shoes

Roadies who get after it no matter the weather have more options than ever to help keep their feet from turning into painful blocks of ice.

Hoka Clifton 9 GTX

Weight: 9.6 oz (men’s), 8.3 oz (women’s)
Stack Height: 38–33mm
Drop: 5 mm

$165 at REI (Women’s)

$165 at REI (Men’s)

This winter running shoe 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 calls“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.

Topo Athletic Phantom 4 WP

Weight: 10.3 oz (men’s), 8.3 oz (women’s)
Stack Height: 35–30mm
Drop: 5 mm

$150 at REI (Women’s)

$150 at REI (Men’s)

The well-cushioned Phantom 4 WP is just as comfortable as its non-waterproof brother, with a secure fit at the arch giving way to a wide toebox; 35 millimeters of forgiving, responsive foam under the heel; and a plush 30 millimeters under the forefoot thanks to the low drop. Waterproofing comes from the eVent stormST membrane, a plant-based technology that effectively kept our feet dry through wet snow while breathing relatively well.

Other Winter Road Running Shoes Available this Season

• Adidas Supernova Rise Gore-Tex ($160)
• Brooks Ghost 17 Gore-Tex ($170)
• Brooks Adrenaline GTS 24 GTX ($170)
• New Balance Fresh Foam 880 v14 Gore-Tex ($175)
• New Balance Fresh Foam Arishi v4 Gore-Tex ($95)
• Nike Pegasus 41 GTX ($170)
• Nike Vomero 18 GTX ($180)
• ON Cloudrunner 2 Waterproof ($170)
• Saucony Triumph 23 GTX ($190)

Winter Road-To-Trail Running Shoes

For messy roads or minimally technical trails, these winter running shoes provide secure footing and smooth rides while keeping feet comfortable and protected from the elements.

Nike Trail Pegasus 5 Gore-Tex

Weight: 10.5 oz (men’s), 8.9 oz (women’s)
Stack Height: 37-27.5mm
Drop: 9.5 mm

$180 at REI (Women’s)

$180 at REI (Men’s)

The winter version of the versatile Trail Pegasus 5, one of our favorite road-to-trail running shoes, features its signature lively ReactX foam midsole, 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 with the foot easilywhile protecting from cold, snow, and general muck.

Salomon Aero Blaze 3 GRVL Gore-Tex

Weight: 10 oz (men’s), 8 oz (women’s)
Stack Height: 35–27mm
Drop: 8 mm

$160 at REI (Women’s)

$160 at REI (Men’s)

We’re big fans of the Salomon Aero Blaze 3 road shoe, and the Aero Blaze 3 GRVL Gore-Tex has the same lightweight, lively midsole foam and smooth ride. The GRVL Gore-Tex version also has an outsole armed with 2.5mm lugs in a chevron pattern that made us feel confidently surefooted on slushy roads and messy dirt paths after a snowstorm. Up top, a waterproof Gore-Tex membrane makes the shoe a tad stiffer than its non-Gore-Tex counterpart, a small price for its moisture-shedding protection.

Other Winter Road to Trail Running Shoes Available this Season

• Adidas Terrex Soulstride Flow Gore-Tex ($160)
• Arc’teryx Sylan GTX ($230)
• Arc’teryx Novan LD 4 GTX ($200)
• HOKA Challenger 8 GTX ($165; coming soon)
• Merrell Agility Peak 5 BOA GTX ($200)
• Merrell Antora 4 Waterproof ($160)
• Merrell Nova 4 Waterproof ($160)
• ON Cloudsurfer Trail 2 Waterproof ($190)
• ON Cloudvista 2 Waterproof ($170)

Winter Trail Running Shoes

These trail running shoes are designed for wet muck, packed snow, and sloppy terrain, with their traction adding necessary grip and rugged uppers to protect from punctures and penetrating cold and moisture.

Topo Athletic Terraventure 4 WP

Weight: 12 oz (men’s), 10.1 oz (women’s)
Stack Height: 25–22mm
Drop: 3 mm

$155 at Fleet Feet (Women’s)

$155 at Fleet Feet (Men’s)

The Terraventure 4 WP has stellar traction, thanks to its tacky, rock-grabbing Vibram Megagrip outsole. Four-and-a-half-millimeter lugs take hold in snow, mud, and sand, and the somewhat firm ride, low stack height, and wide forefoot base (a design feature of all Topos) add stability on all surfaces. A full bootie construction made out of eVent is designed to be both fully waterproof and breathable; I found the upper to effectively block out snow and moisture but my feet felt a little clammy at times. Still, I’ll be reaching for this versatile, protective winter running shoe often this winter.

Icebug Arcus 2 BUGrip GTX

Weight: 12.9 oz (men’s), 10.3 oz (women’s)
Stack Height: 38–33mm
Drop: 5 mm

$220 at Backcountry (Women’s)

$220 at Backcountry (Men’s)

From $155 at Icebug (Women’s)

From $155 at Icebug (Men’s)

Icebug running shoes are in a class of their own thanks to their unique carbide-spiked outsoles. These spikes provide aggressive grip on ice but dynamically retract when you hit something hard, like a rock. The grip on the Arcus 2 GTX allowed us to tackle the slickest of surfaces, even a north-facing, ice-covered singletrack that doesn’t see the sun all winter (a trail we happily had to ourselves). They also performed nicely on the slippery road to and from the trail. This shoe’s Gore-Tex Invisible fit upper proved comfortable around the foot, and the cushioning is ample. One ding: Our 125-pound tester found it rode a bit stiff and wished it flexed more. Heavier runners may have more luck with this winter running shoe.

Other Winter Trail Running Shoes Available this Season

• Adidas Terrex Agravic Gore-Tex ($165)
• Altra Timp 6 Gore-Tex ($185)
• Altra Lone Peak 9+ Gore-Tex ($180)
• Brooks Cascadia 19 GTX ($180)
• Hoka Speedgoat 6 GTX ($170)
• Inov8 Trailtalon GTX ($113)
• La Sportiva Bushido 3 GTX ($185)
• New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro v9 Gore-Tex ($179)
• Salomon Genesis Gore-Tex ($170)
• Saucony Peregrine 16 GTX ($180)
• Scarpa Ribelle Run 2 GTX ($219)

Winter Running Shoes for Deep Snow

With protective booties that seal out moisture and major traction that grips even in unstable terrain, these shoes are ready for winter fun.

Scarpa Ribelle Run Kalibra G

Weight: 13 oz (unisex)
Stack Height: 26.5–22.5mm
Drop: 4 mm

$259 at Backcountry

$259 at Scarpa

Underneath a winterized outer softshell hides a low-volume, mountain-capable Scarpa Ribelle Run trail shoe, enabling this shoe to handle all kinds of winter adventures. Testers appreciated the ability to secure the inner shoe without having to dig inside the shell, thanks to an external BOA dial that tightens and loosens with precise clicks, and found the water-resistant softshell gaiter cut cold, biting winds and shed moisture. The interior shoe is lined with a waterproof membrane to ensure nothing sneaks in to freeze your toes. The outsole’s sticky rubber grips rocky sections of trail for confident maneuvering, and a band of rubber-like TPU wraps the shoe’s perimeter both for durability and to allow you to “smear” (climber talk for pressing rubber against rock for traction) should the need arise.

La Sportiva Cyklon Cross GTX

Weight: 12.5 oz (men’s), 10.5 oz (women’s)
Stack Height: 28–20mm
Drop: 8 mm

$270 at Backcountry (Women’s)

$270 at Backcountry (Men’s)

Like the Scarpa Ribelle Run Kalibra G, the Cyklon Cross GTX features a stretchy, breathable softshell gaiter that extends past the ankle bone for charging through deep snow and slop. Underneath sits the La Sportiva Cyklon running shoe which was built for speedy mountain scrambles. The shoe’s BOA lacing, accessible from outside the shell, effectively secured our feet on off-camber terrain and slippery trails. The Cyklon Cross GTX has a 28-20mm offset for a slightly more cushioned ride, while the Ribelle Run GTX sits at a svelte 26.5-22.5. Another difference: The Scarpa’s gaiter has a Velcro-adjustable closure around the ankle above the angled zipper, while the La Sportiva’s zipper at the front of the ankle goes all the way to the top (and some find the fit too tight for their lower leg). Both shoes proved capable in burly winter running conditions.

Arc’teryx Norvan 4 Nivalis GTX

Weight: 11 oz (men’s), 9 oz (women’s)
Stack Height: 25–19mm
Drop: 6 mm

$250 at Arc’teryx (Women’s)

$250 at Arc’teryx (Men’s)

With a waterproof Gore-Tex softshell wrapping around a Norvan trail shoe, and one-pull speed laces tucked away inconspicuously within the upper, the Norvan 4 Nivalis GTX is the coolest-looking winter running shoe on the trail. The snug and secure cuff around the high ankle proved comfortable and effective at keeping our feet and ankles dry on runs through slushy snow. The midsole feels somewhat firm underfoot for a connected, stable ride. Featuring a tacky Vibram Megagrip Litebase outsole, this shoe is built for rugged adventures in all kinds of slop. Shockingly, it also remains the lightest winter shoe on the market to offer a full-on protective ankle gaiter.

What Makes a “Winter” Running Shoe?

Unlike most running shoes that are designed to cool active feet, winter-specific shoes help keep feet warm as they block wind and cold with their thicker, less-breathable uppers—a benefit even in dry cold-weather conditions. The best winter running shoes also vent just enough not to get clammy inside, and don’t feel stiff or buckle at the toe flexion point due to waterproof layers or treatments. (That’s the worst.) Despite improved, somewhat breathable materials, however, most runners find their feet overheat in winterized shoes in temperatures higher than about 30 degrees, so these shoes can’t be worn comfortably year-round.

Waterproof shoes also keep feet dry by blocking out snow, rain, splashes, and slop, reducing cold and wetness inside, and preventing the shoes from gaining weight from absorbed water. Granted, if you run in heavy rain, or through puddles or deep enough snow, waterproofing becomes rather moot due to that big hole in the top of the shoe—you know, the one your foot steps into. In these conditions, a high-top, built-in gaiter makes a world of difference in keeping you dry and comfortable.

How We Tested Winter Running Shoes

During the late months of fall, I vetted this year’s offerings and compared them to what I and a small fleet of testers had landed on as the best winter running shoes in each category in seasons past. I then made sure the good ones are still available while testing some of the most exciting new offerings in the wet, snowy, often icy conditions of the Colorado foothill and mountain roads and trails.

Meet Our Lead Tester

Boulder, Colorado-based Lisa Jhung has been running for 35 years, and testing and writing about gear for 25 years. She heads out the door in all conditions and loves the peace, beauty, and adventure of running in a gnarly snowstorm. Lisa co-manages our road and trail shoe guides, handles our women’s running apparel, sports bra, and running hydration pack guides, and writes a twice-monthly gear column covering gear for all kinds of outdoor sports.