7 Sneakers With The Best Traction in 2025

How we test Sneakers with the traction

We test thoroughly, objectively, and transparently. How do we accomplish that? By buying all the sneakers on our own and not making deals with the brands. We test the sneakers in and outside of the lab. This allows us to combine our personal impressions with the lab data and also to better understand the fit and performance of each sneaker. 

In the lab, all the tests are standardized, which means every sneaker is treated identically. Same conditions, same temperature, same forces applied, durometers used, and so on. This approach allows us and you to compare the sneakers based on how they performed on each test. 

Rocking sneakers around the town (or world) is great until things become slippery. This happens when we’re dealing with wet weather, be it rain, slush, or snow, and when we walk on slick surfaces like wooden floors, boat decks, tiles, or stones. If this often happens to you, you’re in the right place. Sneakers that scored high on our traction test are very grippy even in wet conditions. 

In order to properly test every sneaker and its features, we have to cut it into half, remove its upper, and then cut it into smaller bits. 

4 things to know about sneakers with high traction 

If you plan to get sneakers with outstanding traction, be prepared! 

1. They may squeak when dealing with dry surfaces. Some sneakers perform so well on wet areas that they have to grip and squeak when met with a challenge below the bar. 
2. When you’re walking on dry, rough surfaces, high-traction sneakers may feel as if they are working against you, almost like they are slowing you down. This is a very rare occurrence, but it's better to be prepared. 
3. You can’t tell whether the sneaker has sky-high or low traction just by looking at the outsole. This is because the traction depends not only on the presence of rubber but also on the type of rubber. That’s where RunRepeat enters the scene with all the traction data publicly available. 
4. When wearing sneakers with sky-high traction, you may be the person others grab onto when they are slipping and sliding away.

Getting the lab data on sneaker traction

To comply with the SATRA TM144 protocol, we purchased a machine specifically designed for traction testing. 

This protocol involves: 

1. Pressing the sneaker with a 500N force against the sliding surface at a 7-degree angle. This actually mimics the sneaker use outside the lab. We test the traction at the heel because that’s where we land while walking. 
2. Performing the test on a wet concrete slab (so-called critical conditions). Due to some wear and tear, we regularly make fresh slabs to avoid discrepancies in the test results. 
3. Measuring the so-called dynamic coefficient of friction (CoF). This is a number we get on the display, and the higher it is, the better the traction. 

Sneakers that score 0.45 or higher have high traction. This means they are grippy on dry, wet, and slick surfaces. When the CoF is in the 0.25-0.45 range, we consider traction moderate, which makes the sneakers good for dry weather but may disappoint you on wet surfaces. A CoF lower than 0.25 is a very low result. 

What makes outsoles grippy?

Previously, we tested a hypothesis that softer rubbers stick to the surfaces more and harder rubbers less. This hypothesis turned out to be wrong as we found no strong correlation. So which features have to work together for traction to be excellent?

1. It all depends very much on the type of rubber compound. If only there were an easier answer! We always recommend looking at the lab test results rather than trying to figure it out based on the looks.
2. Even when the outsole is grippy, it can be quite non-durable. Add a thin outsole layer to that and you’re quickly done with it. Because of this, it’s also good to check the thickness of the outsole and the durability of the outsole. 

Looking at the bottom, we can see that outsoles look different and are made of different types of materials. 

Durability and thickness of outsoles in sneakers with high traction

Let’s look at the durability test next. This one is important because the sooner you wear it out, the sooner you’re out of grip! Literally. 

The damage varies and we measure it using the tire tread gauge. It tells us how deep the hole is; shallower hole = more durable outsole. 

What we can see here is how important the outsole thickness also is! Thicker outsoles can withstand more damage before you get to the midsole (or any other layer), which offers no grip.  

Even if the rubber is not that durable, it's best to look for a thicker layer.

Winter sneakers with high traction

It makes sense that you need sneakers that grip well because you actually plan to use them when it’s snowing or raining a lot. To keep your feet warm, we recommend looking for sneakers that scored low on our breathability test. 

When testing the breathability, we pump the smoke into them and then watch how fast the smoke comes out, if at all. We rate this on a scale 1-5, where 1/1 is the least breathable or the warmest 

Sneakers that scored 1/5 or 2/5 on this breathability test and that have a high traction score are a great choice for colder weather. The best selection of those waits for you below. 

Prices of sneakers with the best traction

Traction is surely not the sole feature driving the prices higher lor lower. Many other technologies come into play. On average, sneakers with high traction do cost more than those with low traction, but it’s important to highlight that there are pairs that cost the same and are found in both groups. 

At the moment of writing this guide, the average price of sneakers with high traction sits at $125. 

Looking at the cheapest sneakers with high traction, it’s important to understand that MSRP (manufacturer’s suggested retail price) tells us how much the sneaker cost when it was released. And we are all fans of good discounts, so if you’re looking for those, head over to our Deal page!