6 Best Waterproof Trail Running Shoes, 60+ Shoes Tested in 2023
It’s known to many - the trails aren’t the friendliest. Apart from jagged rocks and roots, there are also some stream crossings and other wet conditions you have to endure.
And when faced with these, your trusty go-tos are waterproof trail running shoes. They keep your feet dry and protected. So much so, they can even be your pair of winter running shoes.
How we test trail running shoes
It’s easy to get lost, given the number of waterproof trail running shoes from athlete-trusted brands like Adidas and Saucony. But fret not, we have tested and selected the best of the best through our own RunRepeat shoe testing lab.
Before we come up with our list, we make sure to buy each pair with our own money. We then examine each shoe from top to bottom using the following steps:
- Run in each waterproof running shoe model for at least 30 to 50 miles
- Cut them open to see what’s inside
- Measure each aspect of the shoe via parameters like weight, cushion, flexibility, etc.
To give you a clear, data-driven background on these running shoes, we also generate their CoreScore. It’s a rating from 0-100 that’s based on thousands of expert and user comments.
Best waterproof trail running shoes overall
CoreScore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
- Top 18% in trail running shoes
- Top 16% in Nike running shoes
- Top 4% most popular running shoes
Pros
- Fantastic waterproofing
- Grips on everything dry and wet
- Great for road-to-trail transitions
- Also for hiking
- Responsive
- Stable on rocky terrain
- Supports moderately flat feet
- Straight-out-the-box comfort
- Lighter than other GTX shoes
- Locked-in heel
- Worth every penny
Cons
- Lacks durability
- Not for summer runs
Verdict
Best neutral trail waterproof running shoes
CoreScore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
This shoe has a 10% penalty on its expert reviews because it has fewer than 5 reviews. This is to avoid that shoes with few reviews unjustly receives high scores.
Learn more- Top 26% in trail running shoes
- Top 18% in waterproof running shoes
- Top 27% most popular running shoes
Pros
- Superb protection
- All-day comfort
- Smooth, pleasant ride
- Waterproof, yet breathable
- Roomy toe-box
- Secure fit
- Grippy even on wet rocks
- Extremely stable
- Sturdy and durable
- No breaking-in needed
- Doubles as a hiker
Cons
- Could be lighter
- Too firm underfoot for some
- Not particularly responsive
Verdict
Best Adidas trail waterproof running shoes
CoreScore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
This shoe has a 10% penalty on its expert reviews because it has fewer than 5 reviews. This is to avoid that shoes with few reviews unjustly receives high scores.
Learn morePros
- Comfortable fit
- Stylish
- Versatile
- Precise fit
- Lightweight
Cons
- Stiff
- Expensive
Verdict
Best stability trail waterproof running shoes
CoreScore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
- Top 19% in marathon running shoes
- Top 17% in running shoes for overpronation
Pros
- All-weather design
- Extremely grippy
- Protective
- Supportive
- Easy lockdown
Cons
- Lacks protection
- Expensive
Verdict
Best value waterproof trail running shoes
CoreScore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
This shoe has a 10% penalty on its expert reviews because it has fewer than 5 reviews. This is to avoid that shoes with few reviews unjustly receives high scores.
Learn morePros
- Comfortable cushioning
- Waterproof
- Versatile responsivemess
- Delivers warmth
- Grippy outsole
- Roomy toebox
- No heel slip
- Relieves pain
Cons
- Not for rocky surfaces
- Not for narrow feet
Verdict
Most popular waterproof trail running shoes
CoreScore
The Corescore is a score from 0-100 that summarizes opinions from users and experts. Below shows the distribution of scores for all running shoes.
This shoe has a 10% penalty on its expert reviews because it has fewer than 5 reviews. This is to avoid that shoes with few reviews unjustly receives high scores.
Learn more- Top 22% in waterproof running shoes
- Top 17% in winter running shoes
- Top 13% most popular running shoes
Pros
- True to size
- Aggressive outsole
- Waterproof
- Quicklace system
- High-quality build
- Responsive ride
- Highly durable
Cons
- Narrow fit
- Break-in period needed
- Stiff sole
- Not very breathable
