7 Best Winter Running Shoes in 2024

Pegasus Trail 4 GTX is an all-around performer that thrives in diverse settings, handling icy paths to muddy trails effortlessly. It’s our top winter running shoe because it carries us through cold and slick surfaces with its reliable traction, homey feel, snappy cushion, and protective upper.

Safety should always be a priority, especially in icy conditions. We felt secure in this pair since its grippy outsole had sticky, rubbery 3.5-mm lugs. This Peg proves its adhesive power on our encounters with frozen and slippery surfaces.

With a Gore-Tex membrane and several TPU protective layers in the upper, airflow is almost completely blocked — ideal for winter runs. Our feet remain dry and toasty, leaving us with no excuses to skip our training. The upper is incredibly dense, which explains its remarkable 4/5 score in our rigorous Dremel test.

Its 18.6 HA cloud-like cushion feels protective underfoot as it absorbs the impact of repeated landings. It’s delightfully decadent even in sub-zero conditions. Even after our 20-minute freezer, the cushion remains 20.2% softer than the average at room temperature. The React foam is not only comfortable but also incredibly energetic as it keeps up with our faster pace.

We believe this shoe is more suitable for heel strikers as mid-to-forefoot runners may find the 12.8 mm drop too excessive.

In our test runs, Hoka Clifton 9 GTX shows consistent performance even as the weather transitions to sub-zero temperatures. It remains light and comfortable, protecting our feet all around. Our lab results prove it's the ideal winter running shoe for the road. 

Even with its cushioning and extra waterproofing, it's a mere 9.6 oz (271g). Feeling natural on foot, it barely put up a fight with our movements. Our lab shows it’s as flexible as the average, needing 29.4N of force to bend to 90 degrees, making it versatile for walks and other activities.

The plush cushioning provides gentle impact for long runs, boasting a substantial stack height of 37.2/28.6 mm to minimize ground feel. Despite its generous padding, the Clifton 9 GTX stabilizes landings effortlessly, thanks to its balanced cushioning and wide midsole. With a durometer reading of 23.9 HA, it aligns closely with the average. It even offers an extra 7.4/6.9 mm of space in the forefoot and heel for surefootedness.

This shoe remains reliable in winter conditions, with a modest 16.1% increase in foam firmness compared to the 25.5% average. Additionally, it maintains flexibility better than average in the cold, enhancing overall comfort.

However, while effective in waterproofing, ice-cold air still cuts through the surprisingly breathable upper. We recommend wearing thick socks to stay warm.

We confirmed through lab tests and actual runs that Hoka’s Challenger 7 GTX is the best road-to-trail winter running shoe. With a winter-proof build and maximum cushion, our feet feel at home even during long runs and sub-zero temperatures.

We cut the shoe open and found the outsole is made of Durabrasion rubber. Our durometer shows an 81.0 HC reading, indicating it has a good balance of grip and durability. To enhance traction, it’s lined with 3.8 mm lugs that do the job when we run through icy paths and trails.

Under our microscope lens, we discovered Challenger’s robust upper composed of multiple layers and a Gore-Tex membrane. This explains why we remain warm and toasty. To further lock our body heat in, the tongue is fully gusseted.

Challenger 7 offers exceptional cushioning from landing impact. Our caliper shows a substantial 39.2/28.1 mm stack. The ride feels balanced and we like how it’s not mushy underfoot. What’s even better is it practically stays the same in the cold! While most foams harden by 28.3%, this one only toughens up by 9.7%. Its measurement in the cold is even 18.0% softer than the average at room temperature.

Unfortunately, this already rigid shoe becomes even stiffer in the cold. We recommend those who want more agility in the trails to look elsewhere.

We ran with our winter running shoes through the snowy season, cut them open in the lab, and discovered the best cushioning in Hoka’s Speedgoat 5 GTX. We found it to be a balanced trail shoe that ensures no off-season as it delivers the comfort, support, and grip we need for frosted paths.

Our runs feel cushioned and supported no matter where we strike our feet. Our caliper shows an above-average 34.6/27.6 mm stack, enabling us to go for longer runs with much comfort. It’s bouncy on foot, which makes the ride more enjoyable. Our durometer registers 19.4 HA, 26.8% softer than average.

Our feet were warm and toasty throughout our runs thanks to the double-layer jacquard mesh and the Gore-Tex membrane that blocks off water. Surprisingly, it doesn’t feel too stuffy inside since the tongue offers a good amount of ventilation.

Speedgoat delivered the steady ride we’re looking for to confidently tackle icy paths. It features a wider-than-average midsole that ensures safe and sound landings. Meanwhile, underfoot, the Vibram Megagrip outsole lined with 3.5 mm lugs gives us the control we need on slippery surfaces.

We discovered that the cushion hardens noticeably in low temperatures. Our durometer confirms it firms up by a whipping 56.2% in our 20-minute freezer test.

We tested the best winter running shoes through snowy runs and lab examinations and found that Speedcross 6 GTX offers the best grip. With robust lugs, a warm and protective upper, and a supportive platform, we felt agile and confident on icy paths. 

Whether we speed through frozen or fresh snow, Speedcross displays excellent traction with robust 5.0 mm lugs. These are 1.5 mm deeper than average for extra grip on softer ground and are intentionally spaced to shed off snow easily. They’re chevron-shaped to enhance control on hilly terrains and sharp turns.

The full Gore-Tex upper keeps our feet warm and dry even in the coldest and wettest conditions. Under our microscope, we saw one of the most tightly-knit mesh uppers. It scored a low 1/5 on our breathability test — effectively keeping cold air out and blocking off water particles even more.

The midsole balances support and comfort through its stable platform and flexible build. The ride feels firm with the EnergyCell foam and our durometer confirms it’s 21.3% harder than average. Together with the rigid heel, these elements enhance our stability for fast-paced cornering. Balancing all the stiffness is an adaptive midsole that bends with a force that’s 20.5% lighter than average.

Those seeking a more cushioned ride may feel Speedcross is too harsh underfoot. We recommend exploring other options for better comfort.

With its airtight upper, firm midsole, and stiff 3D chassis, the Salomon XA Pro 3D v9 GTX feels like armor. This shoe proved its defense against unwanted elements in our runs and lab tests, making it hands-down the most durable winter running shoe. 

In our permeability test, the Gore-Tex membrane effectively kept smoke and light out, earning the lowest 1/5 score. While this doesn’t sound ideal, it’s actually perfect for winter since it blocks snow and cold winds out and traps our body heat in. 

Moving to the middle layer of defense, we have the firm midsole, which our durometer reveals is 23.6% denser than average. It doesn’t feel too harsh underfoot. Rather, it offered some rebound in our runs and remarkable stability. The 3D chassis also maintains our balance on uneven terrains by resisting any form of twists and ankle rolls. Our manual assessment also shows a high torsional rigidity of 5/5.

We find that the Contagrip outsole, with 2.8 mm lugs, is a healthy mix of grip and durability. This is confirmed by our steadiness on icy paths and the minimal amount of wear we observed after extensive testing.

The toebox tapers quite aggressively to the front, leaving little room for natural toe splay for those with wide feet or thick socks. For reference, it’s at 75.7 mm vs. the 78.1 mm average.

Nike’s Juniper Trail 2 GTX leaves us with no excuses to skip winter training because it offers stability and warmth at an accessible $130 price, making it our best-budget winter running shoe. For reference, the average waterproof runner in our lab costs $161.

Our feet felt cozy and safe throughout our runs in sub-zero temperatures. Even if ice melts on top of our shoe, our feet remain completely dry thanks to the Gore-Tex membrane and tightly knit upper. Our lab backs up our experience with a 2/5 breathability score. We’re also embraced with padding that keeps us comfy and protected. To our amazement, the upper put up a fight with our Dremel, earning a rare 5/5 rating in durability.

This trainer delivers generous cushioning underfoot for protection against repetitive impact, which our caliper confirms with a 34.5/24.3 mm stack. The platform feels firm, clocking in at 30.3 HA, which instills confidence and steadiness in our strides. On top of this, the wide and hard-to-twist midsole boosts stability by subtly guiding our alignment. To ensure our comfort, the midsole retains a high level of flexibility longitudinally, emerging 20.3% more adaptive than average in our bend test.

Unfortunately, the outsole’s focus on durability missed out on grip. We recommend avoiding icy and slippery paths for safer runs.