7 Best Waterproof Trail Running Shoes in 2024

Protective upper, versatile traction, lasting comfort, and energy return—these are just some of the qualities we saw in the lab and experienced in our runs. The outstanding agility and protection of the Nike Pegasus Trail 5 GTX made it our top waterproof trail running shoe.

With its compact mesh and Gore-Tex membrane, the upper surely blocked water and cold air out. It proved itself airtight in the lab when it scored a 1/5 breathability score in our smoke test. Outdoors, our feet stayed warm and dry even as we encountered rain.

We ran on wet grass, uneven terrains, and even snow to test the outsole’s traction. We’re ultimately impressed with the shoe’s grip as we remained in control the whole time thanks to its variety of 3.6 mm lugs.

The Pegasus Trail 5 GTX has a brilliant midsole that feels comfy and energetic underfoot. The foam measures 23.4% softer than average. Plus, it weighs merely 9.9 oz (281g), ensuring each stride feels effortless and light. To say that our feet enjoyed the ride is an understatement.

However, with only 23.9 mm of cushioning in the forefoot, runners who repeatedly strike in this area will need more protection for long runs.

Our test runs and lab analysis show that Speedcross 6 GTX offers the best grip among trail waterproof running shoes. It’s built for action and technical terrains — ensuring we’re in control with its deep lugs, protective upper, and supportive platform.

We felt steady on loose gravel, muddy terrains, and wet paths thanks to the reliable traction of the 5.0 mm lugs. Our caliper measurement shows it’s 1.5 mm deeper than average, giving that extra bite on softer ground. The lugs are cleverly spaced to shed off mud and are chevron-shaped to act as brakes on hills and sharp turns. 

Speedcross ensures our feet remain dry on rainy days and below-the-ankle river crossings. Under our microscope, we noticed one of the densest uppers we’ve seen. It leaves no room for air to pass through, and all the more water! It scored the lowest 1/5 on our lab breathability test.

The platform blends rigid and fluid elements for support and comfort. The foam provides enough cushion for relief yet feels firm for stability. Our durometer confirms it’s 21.3% harder than average. Speedcross allows for longitudinal flexibility yet it's hard to twist, earning the highest 5/5 on our torsional rigidity test. Together with the stiff heel, we remain steady even on challenging terrains.

Unfortunately, its 11.5 oz (325g) weight is hard to ignore and feels quite heavy on foot.

The Hoka Speedgoat 6 GTX offers a stable and protective ride, making it our best-cushioned trail waterproof running shoe. Our lab results confirm the sure footing we felt through its broad base, firm cushion, and grippy Vibram outsole. During our unplanned wet encounters, our feet remained warm and dry.

Our durometer shows the foam is 13.7% firmer than average, confirming the well-planted sensation we experienced in our runs. It’s the perfect level to sustain long mileage and protect our feet from underfoot debris. Our caliper also shows a thick 32.9/27.9 mm cushion beneath us.

Besides the firm base, it also runs wide at 118.1/95.7 mm. Together with its midsole sidewalls, it felt almost impossible to lose our balance in the Speedgoat 6 GTX. Traversing through wet and slippery trails felt like a breeze because the Vibram outsole and 3.9 mm lugs gripped the ground firmly.

With airflow nonexistent in our smoke test, we awarded it with the lowest 1/5 breathability score. The Gore-Tex membrane could block air and even more so water out, keeping our feet dry as we encounter puddles or rain.

This trail shoe features a moderate 5.0 mm drop that suits mid and forefoot strikers. We recommend heel strikers to find another shoe that suits their biomechanics.

We tested Hoka’s Challenger 7 GTX on our wet excursions and against intensive lab tests and it proves its versatility in any weather and terrain. It serves the grip, protection, and cushion we need to run securely from the roads to the trails, making it our best hybrid shoe in the trail waterproof running category.

We pushed our durometer against the outsole and the Durabrasion rubber measures a balanced 81.0 HC, ensuring traction without sacrificing durability. We found the shoe suitable enough for moderate trails thanks to the 3.8 mm lugs. Thankfully, they didn’t feel intrusive on hard concrete and asphalt.

Challenger 7 GTX features a robust upper with a fully gusseted tongue to ensure protection from debris. Upon checking our microscope, the thick mesh has several protective layers and a Gore-Tex membrane to shield off water. We can confirm our feet remained dry as we ran through rain and puddles.

This hybrid shoe offers exceptional comfort that lasts all day through its plush platform. Our caliper shows it rises above average, especially its 39.2 mm heel stack. The velvet cushion ensures our legs don’t feel tired during long runs. Our durometer confirms the foam is 25.3% softer than average.

Because of its maximalist nature, we recommend runners who prefer having more ground feel to look elsewhere.

The Salomon XA Pro 3D v9 GTX is a shield like no other, offering defense from top to bottom so we can run confidently in various terrains. It’s built like a tank with its dense upper, firm cushion, and balanced outsole. Our lab results back up our run observation that this trail waterproof running shoe delivers the best foot protection.

We first tested the Gore-Tex upper through our smoke and light test, and it cemented its impermeability by receiving a low 1/5 score. Low doesn’t mean bad because this confirms it’s extremely protective against water, cold weather, and debris.

Moving to the next layer, the cushion has a brick-like feeling, which our durometer confirms is a firm 32.5 HA. We found that it dampens landing impact well and maintains our balance since it doesn’t bottom out. The stiff 3D chassis also serves as an additional stability element and rock plate of the shoe.

Underfoot, this trail monster is supported by a Contagrip outsole with 2.8 mm lugs. We have no issues with its traction on loose sand, snow, and rocks. The shoe also displayed minimal wear after miles of outdoor testing, proving its durability.

Unfortunately, all the extra protection comes at a heavy 12.7 oz (359g), 22.1% heavier than average. Backpackers and hikers might appreciate this shoe more than speedy, agile runners.

The Merrell Agility Peak 5 GTX suits its name very well because we felt so confident and agile with its flexible midsole and protection features. Our lab tests confirm its maneuverability, exceptional grip, and airtight upper, making it our top trail waterproof running shoe for technical terrain.

The AP5 GTX features the world-class Vibram outsole, and it confirms its gold status by showing unwavering traction in our runs on mossy logs, wet rocks, and soft ground. In addition, it has deep 4.4 mm chevron-shaped lugs which are designed to handle muddy conditions effortlessly. We also found a rock plate that further protects our feet from underfoot hazards such as sharp rocks and protruding roots.

The shoe has a lot of give to it, which makes it versatile for hikes and walks. In our bend test, it emerged 5.9% more flexible than average, proving it’s easy to control.

The upper is made of a very dense mesh and secures us further with its Gore-Tex membrane. Not a hint of smoke escaped in our lab test, earning a 1/5 breathability score and confirming its airtight nature. Not a single droplet of water could enter as we ran through rain and puddles.

However, we can't advise broad-footed runners to get this pair. Those who want more room for toe-splaying should find a more accommodating shoe.

Finding a stable and protective waterproof running shoe for the trails doesn’t have to break the bank as seen in our best budget pick: the Nike Juniper Trail 2 GTX. With a non-intimidating $130 price, it's more affordable than the $161 average waterproof running shoe in our lab. 

Our feet remained dry as we encountered wet conditions in the wild. To prove its waterproofing abilities further, we counterchecked with our breathability tests and the 2/5 score aligns with our observations. Its dense upper doesn’t allow liquid particles to enter but still has some room for ventilation, which is a plus! Not only that, the padding greatly resisted our Dremel and proved its durability with a flawless 5/5 rating.

Juniper Trail 2 GTX offers a firm ride, as confirmed by our durometer measurement which is 27.8% denser than average. This delivers surefooted strides, further boosted by its high level of torsional rigidity and vast landing base. Our caliper reveals a generous width to find our footing, with 114.4/94.3 mm in the forefoot and heel. To balance off all the rigidity, the midsole feels easy to maneuver, needing 20.3% less force than average to bend.

However, we recommend sticking to easy to moderate trails with this pair, as it lacks grip for more challenging terrains.