Hiring remote: Content writer / review specialist in 6 Best Winter Walking Shoes in 2025
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In this guide, we’re covering shoes that can help you stay on top of those daily 10K steps even when the weather is less than ideal for walking.
We have picked out warm and waterproof shoes that can keep you surefooted in rain, slush, and snow. Some of these shoes are better at cushioning, others have a toothier grip for mud.
To accommodate different preferences, we selected winter walking shoes in several categories.
How we test walking shoes
We don’t recommend shoes just because we like them personally. It is our goal to provide the most objective information so that you make an informed decision yourself. That’s why our testing process includes the following steps:
- Purchasing all shoes with our own money. No brand sponsorships.
- Wear testing each walking shoe in wet and chilly conditions to get a feel for them ourselves.
- Meticulously testing shoes in our lab. This includes pumping smoke through their uppers to check airtightness, putting shoes in the freezer to check how their midsole softness and stiffness changes in low temperatures, ,easuring the depth of the lugs with a calliper, among dozens of other tests.
Once that’s all done, we present an in-depth review with comparable measurements for each shoe and pick out the best-performing options for this guide.
Best winter walking shoes overall
What makes it the best?
Our search for the ultimate winter walking shoe ended when we found the Hoka Transport GTX. Its cushion offers endless comfort while our lab analysis proves its sturdy construction and Vibram outsole serve as our defence against harsh winter conditions.
We could walk miles and miles in the Transport GTX because it features a well-cushioned 34.8/25.1 mm stack that’s 21.1% softer than the average walking shoe based on our durometer. Even in sub-zero temperatures, the foam remains at 24.8 HA, softer than the 26.1 HA average at room temperature.
The upper features the tough Cordura upper, further enhanced by the Gore-Tex membrane’s effective waterproofing. It didn’t allow any smoke to escape in our smoke test and earned the lowest 1/5 breathability rating, explaining how it kept us warm during our walks. It also proved to be wear-resistant when it scored a remarkable 4/5 durability score in our Dremel test.
Underfoot, the Vibram outsole offers undeniable grip on slippery or wet city streets. We felt in control during our strolls, which is a must for reliable winter shoes.
However, all the comfort and protection come at the expense of weight. At 11.6 oz (330g), Transport GTX is 16.6% heavier than average, which may be a deal-breaker for those who prefer light shoes.
Pros
- Top-class waterproofing
- Cushioned and supportive for all-day wear
- Smooth strides thanks to rockered shape
- Very stable platform
- Highly durable construction
- Good grip on wet city streets
- Quick and easy lacing system (regular laces included in the box as well)
- Reflective elements all throughout the upper
- Sustainable materials in almost every shoe part
Cons
- A bit heavier than average
- Major stack and drop discrepancy with official specs
- Not for wide feet
Winter walking shoes with the best cushioning
What makes it the best?
The Hoka Challenger 7 GTX offers all-day comfort and effective impact absorption through its plush midsole, offering the best cushioning among winter walking shoes. Our lab tests prove it’s ready for snow with its protective upper offering a warm embrace and its reliable outsole keeping us steady.
Our calliper validates the substantial stack of this Hoka at 39.2/28.1 mm, both figures above the average. Not only is it thick, but it feels gentle underneath, as proven by our durometer with a low 19.5 HA reading.
The upper, lined with a Gore-Tex membrane, shows its winter-ready nature by keeping most of the smoke inside the shoe in our breathability test. With a low 2/5 score, it effectively keeps us dry and warm in the snow.
Featuring Durabrasion rubber in the outsole and lined with 3.8 mm lugs, we gracefully walked through icy streets with control. Its traction was highly effective, and we had no second thoughts about crossing slippery paths.
Unfortunately, this already rigid shoe becomes even stiffer in the cold, which loses the natural feel some people seek in walking shoes.
Pros
- Fully waterproof and winter-ready
- Secure lockdown thanks to the gusseted tongue
- Amazing stability
- Provides a comfortable ride on roads and easy trails
- Ideal for long runs
- Generous CMEVA cushioning underfoot
- Surprisingly lightweight given its stack height
- Just $15 more than the regular version
Cons
- Lacks reflective elements
- Potentially too stiff for hiking for some users
- Higher heel-to-toe drop than anticipated
- Ultra-tapered toebox
Best winter walking shoes for slush and mud
What makes it the best?
As long as we sported the Hoka Speedgoat 6 GTX, we strutted icy streets with confidence thanks to its remarkable grip and control. Our lab confirms it features the stellar Vibram outsole while its upper is highly resistant to wear, cold air, and moisture, making it our top winter walking shoe for slush and mud.
The Vibram rubber proved its bite on both wet and dry surfaces during our walks. Meanwhile, its deep 3.9 mm Traction Lugs offered extra security when we navigated steep or twisty trails.
The midsole features a firm 25.8 HA cushion, stabilising our steps together with the midsole sidewalls. Together with the broad 118.1/95.7 mm base, it felt impossible to lose our balance in this shoe.
The upper proved its solid construction when smoke struggled to escape the shoe in our smoke test, earning the lowest 1/5 breathability score. This explains why our feet remained warm and dry even as we sloshed through snow. Our Dremel barely affected the upper, proving its durability with a 5/5 score.
However, we warn that it features a moderate 5.0 mm drop which makes the lower leg muscles work harder. Those who prefer a higher drop for a more ergonomic position should check elsewhere.
Pros
- Built-to-last durability
- Reliable Vibram traction
- Winter-ready waterproof protection
- Lightweight Gore-Tex membrane
- Smooth rockered ride
- Cushioned for long runs
- Stability improvements
- Secure lockdown
- Fair price jump for waterproof upgrade
Cons
- Zero breathability
- Tapered toebox
- Probably too stiff
- Not ideal for heel strikers
Best winter walking shoes with a high collar
What makes it the best?
The Nike Pegasus Trail 5 GTX's ankle gaiter and waterproof membrane keep us safe from cold, dirt, and water. It easily became our top high-collared winter walking shoe because of its protective upper, comfortable yet bouncy midsole, and reliable traction. Our lab results show its agile ride, making our strolls feel effortless.
The built-in ankle gaiter complements the tightly woven mesh upper in securing our feet. In the lab, we pumped smoke into the shoe and airflow was non-existent, confirming its resistance to cold wind and water with its 1/5 breathability rating.
The ReactX cushioning offers a soft yet responsive experience. Our durometer confirms it’s 22.9% softer than average, while its light 9.9 oz (281g) build and flexible design make it easy to manoeuvre. All these contribute to all-day comfort.
Underfoot, the All Terrain Compound outsole has 3.6 mm lugs that deliver secure traction. We didn’t have any issues while walking through snow-covered sidewalks. However, this shoe will feel less stable for wide-footed folks because of its narrow midsole. We recommend that these people find a more accommodating shoe.
Pros
- High-quality Gore-Tex membrane
- Lighter than the Pegasus Trail 5!
- Fantastic for midfoot strikers
- Doubles as a hiking and walking shoe
- Good ReactX midsole
- Amazing for winter
- Can handle all-day adventures
- Reasonable price hike
Cons
- Ankle instability for heel strikers
- Upper lacks padding
- Limited breathability
- Grip falls short on technical terrain
Best lightweight winter walking shoes
What makes it the best?
The Hoka Clifton 9 GTX stands out as the best lightweight winter walking shoe because of the comfort and stability it offered in our strolls despite its lean figure. In the lab, we found its thick cushion to offer remarkable impact protection and comfort, while its balanced feel, broad base, and effective traction stabilised the ride.
It blows our minds how this shoe only weighs 9.6 oz (271g) despite having above-average measurements. It feels easy on the feet, helping prevent the early onset of fatigue.
It feels exceptionally well-cushioned, and our calliper agrees with a tall 37.2/28.6 mm stack. We felt like we could walk endlessly in this pair, especially since its balanced 23.9 HA cushion kept us confidently planted. We also discovered the base is wider than average at 120.9/97.2 mm.
We found that the outsole works well in slick conditions, giving us the grip we need to walk through snow and frozen sidewalks.
We were so surprised to find a GTX shoe receiving a 3/5 breathability score since most of them tend to get the lowest rating. Therefore, we recommend wearing thick socks for freezing temperatures since the upper leaves some room for cold air to enter the shoe.
Pros
- Exceptionally cushioned
- Comfortable and long-lasting upper
- Ideal for winter conditions
- Only $15 more expensive than the non-waterproof Clifton
- Still remarkably lightweight even with Gore-Tex
- Excellent for easy and moderate-paced runs
- Incredibly stable for neutral runners
- Ultra-durable Durabrasion outsole
Cons
- May be too narrow for many
- Heel-to-toe drop significantly differs from Hoka's claims
- Really stiff heel counter for being a daily trainer
Most comfortable winter walking shoes
What makes it the best?
We graced snowy streets with warmth and ease thanks to the Nike Pegasus 41 GTX. Among winter walking shoes we tested on foot and in the lab, this Peg emerged as our best comfortable pick because of its plush and bouncy midsole, flexible build, and warm embrace.
Combining a homey yet vibrant energy is the soft 19.5 HA foam, which has Air zoom units in the heel and forefoot for more responsiveness. It felt effortless to keep walking because the cushioning was so comfortable and the generous 36.4 mm heel erased landing impact.
The loose build also enhances comfort for prolonged wear. Our bend test confirms it takes 17.4% less effort than average to bend this shoe to 90 degrees. This means we don’t have to fight much resistance to bend our feet while walking.
The upper is made of a tightly woven material with a Gore-Tex membrane that shields us from cold and moisture. As the snow melted on our feet, we remained warm and dry, evidenced by its low 1/5 breathability score in our smoke test.
Unfortunately, this shoe feels like a boot with its heavy 11.1 oz (315g) build. Those seeking a weightless ride should check alternatives.
Pros
- Waterproof Gore-Tex membrane
- Dual Air Zoom units
- Improved tongue padding
- Durable yet comfy upper
- Rugged toe bumper
- ReactX bouncy foam
- Keeps feet warm
- Reliable grip on wet surfaces
- Amazing for heel strikers
Cons
- Tapered toebox
- Heavy
- Outsole durability concerns
- Maybe a bit pricey
What are good walking shoes for winter?
Let’s make it clear, in this guide, we are looking at shoes for the following use cases:
- walking in a little bit of snow, slush, puddles, and mud in an urban area
- walking a dog, doing groceries, quick commutes, etc in cold months
- walking 1-4 miles daily for general fitness during winter
Unless we’re talking serious winter with deep snow, frost, and strong winds, then bulky winter hiking boots can feel like an overkill for the occasion. Even winter hiking shoes can seem too heavy and technical for casual walks in the cold season.
This is where winterized versions of athletic walking shoes come into play. Essentially, they feel just like your favourite summer kicks but with warmer and weatherproof uppers.
Here is what makes these shoes so comfortable for winter walking:
- Solid waterproofing: Most winter walking shoes are equipped with a Gore-Tex (GTX) membrane. It is the world’s leading waterproofing technology which is used in all kinds of outdoor apparel and footwear, even one for extreme conditions. Aside from keeping the foot dry, GTX also creates an extra warm environment due to its limited ventilation capacity.
- Well-cushioned midsoles: There is at least 30 mm of soft or moderately soft foams packed into the midsoles of these shoes.
- Relatively lightweight: The weight ranges from 9.5 oz to 11.6 oz (270g-330g) as opposed to the average of hiking boots (18.9 oz / 535g) and hiking shoes (15.3 oz / 435g)
- Grippy but versatile lugs: Ranging from 3.0 to 3.8 mm, the lugs on these shoes are deep enough to tackle mild snow/slush/mud but not too toothy to feel uncomfortable on hard pavements and concrete.
Waterproofing in winter walking shoes: pros and cons
Choosing a waterproof walking shoe for winter makes sense if you are dealing with the following conditions:
- Frequent snow, rain, drizzles
- Below-ankle puddles and slush
- Temperatures around 20-40°F (-5 to +5°C)
On the other hand, a low-cut waterproof shoe may NOT be a great option if:
1.Snow, slush, and puddles are deeper than the ankle level
This can lead to water going over the edge of the collar and into the shoe making the interiors wet and nasty. And because waterproof shoes are not breathable at all, the moisture stays there and takes a lot of time to dry.
You can lower the risk of catching water by choosing shoes with taller collars that fit tightly around the collar or ading gaiters on top of the shoes.
This workaround can help with occasional puddles but if you have to wade through wet conditions on a regular basis, we recommend choosing mid-top versions of running shoes like the Hoka Speedgoat Mid, the Altra Lone Peak Mid, among others. These semi-boots are lighter than typical hiking boots and feel a lot like their low-top shoe versions but with more ankle coverage.
2. Dry weather with relatively warm temperatures
In case of mild winter, you don’t even need waterproofing. By investing in warm high-quality socks, you can wear a regular pair of running or walking shoes shoes without a problem. However, it’s better to choose shoes but with less breathable uppers to minimise chilly airflow.
This can help you save up to £20-£30 on a pair because that the usual difference between waterproof and non-waterproof version.
We rate breathability of all shoes in our lab on a 1-5 scale (where 5 is most breathable), based on a several tests. The warmest ones made it to the table below:
Warm shoe (left) vs. breathable shoe (right)
Choose deeper lugs for snow, slush, and mud
If your regular walking route includes non-paved park trails and moderate suburban terrain, a pair of trail running shoes with deeper lugs is your best bet.
The traction pattern on these shoes is also more aggressive and the lugs are strategically spaced out to shed off the mud that sticks to the bottom of the shoe.
For melting snow and soft terrain, we recommend looking for at least 3.5 mm of lug depth on your winter walking shoes.
Consider change in softness and flexibility
Did you know that shoes can get notably firmer and stiffer in cold weather? That’s because synthetic materials like polymers that make up their midsoles react to changes in temperature by shrinking.
Going on a long walk in cold conditions or leaving your shoes overnight in a chilly basement can make the shoe’s midsole firmer anywhere from 10 to 60%!
In our lab, we take every shoe through the freezer test in which we measure its form softness with a Shore A durometer before and after a 20-minute exposure to cold.
The table below shows which shoes firmed up the most compared to their initial softness softness in room temperature:
We found that low temperatures affect the shoe’s flexibility too. Using a force gauge, we check how much force it takes to bend a shoe to a 90-degree angle before and after the freezer test.
Here are the shoes that got notably stiffer than others:
PLEASE NOTE that shoes that got significantly firmer or stiffer are not bad shoes. In fact some people prefer a firmer ride, especially on wet and soggy terrain. But it’s good to be aware of the change if you expect a certain level of softness and flexibility from your future walking shoe.
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