Winter running shoes are everywhere this year. Maybe it’s because more runners want to head outside in all sorts of weather instead of settling for indoor workouts. Or maybe it’s because innovations in weatherproofing shoe uppers and underfoot traction have improved the experience of winter running. Whatever the reason, virtually every running shoe brand now offers not one, but multiple snow-, cold-, and water-shedding models, many of which are simply “winter” versions of your favorite road and trail shoes.
The season’s best winter running shoes range from comfortable, cushy neutral road runners lined with protective Gore-Tex, to super burly, toothy, waterproof snow hogs with carbide spikes and built-in ankle gaiters. This year, we made the editorial decision not to include any models that were merely water-resistant. Instead, we focused on the many available fully waterproof road and trail shoes, which do a better job at protecting feet from wintry elements.
Here are our favorites among the models tested, plus a comprehensive list of what’s available. As you scan the list, look for running shoes you like in their non-waterproof road or trail models; the ride tends to be similar in the winter version, with a slightly stiffer upper (but far lighter and more flexible than with waterproof membranes of the past).
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