Editor’s Note: We reviewed these shoe selections on November 11, 2022 and updated our recommendations to reflect our most recent round of testing. In addition, we have replaced any pairs that are out of stock or no longer available.
Just because it’s cold, snowy, rainy, or a downright blizzard outside doesn’t mean the treadmill is your only option. There are plenty of winter running shoes that boast weatherproof features and can keep you on your favorite outdoor routes all season. Whether you’re hitting slushy sidewalks, roads slicked with black ice, or frozen singletrack piled with snow and mud, there’s a shoe that offers the grip and protection you’ll need.
The Best Winter Running Shoes
Cold Temps, Hot Features
One thing to keep in mind when shopping for winter running shoes is preventing soggy socks before they lead to frozen feet. Many brands create “GTX” versions of their most popular shoes—like Brooks’s Ghost or Nike’s Pegasus—with a Gore-Tex waterproof membrane on the upper so that the trainer can withstand rain, snow, and sludge. Another feature to seek out when choosing winter running footwear is a reliable outsole with grippy lugs. When slogging through whatever weathered terrain Mother Nature has laid out for you, outsoles with pronounced lugs will guard against slipping and sliding.
Finally, of course, you want your winter running shoes to keep your feet warm. Shoes with an integrated knit sock, plus a durable upper mesh with overlays, will provide warmth as well as extra protection. Many of the shoes below even offer integrated gaiter attachments (because no one likes getting snow in their shoes). If you know you’ll be running through stretches of deep snow, opt for a “mid” style of your favorite running shoe or fast hiker, if it’s available. The higher cut will keep you covered past the ankle.
How We Chose These Shoes
Every shoe on this list has been vetted or tested by our editors here at Runner’s World or by members of our capable wear-test team. In addition to our own research, we’ve spoken with product engineers, consulted user feedback and reviews, and utilized our own extensive experience in the running shoe industry. We also analyze data from our RW Shoe Lab and mechanical tests, where we’ve checked and re-checked each shoe’s energy return, measured its midsole softness and flexibility, and assessed its stability features. We’ve handpicked each of the 12 pairs below based on value, test impressions, expert recommendations, and how the shoe performs overall in cold temperatures and wintry conditions.
Brooks Divide 3
Pros
- TrailTack outsole has excellent grip over dry and wet surfaces
- New engineered mesh upper improves breathability
- Resilient overlays and drainage ports for harsh, wet weather
Cons
- Slightly heavier than other Brooks models
- Ride feels less flexible and responsive
As its name implies, the Divide is for runners who split their workouts between the road and trail. Like its predecessor, it still comes at a bargain price for mixed-terrain newbies venturing off smoother surfaces. A rock plate in the forefoot shields your foot from whatever obstacles await you on a less-groomed path. Though its tread pattern is less aggressive compared to the brand’s other offerings—like the Caldera and Cascadia—the Divide’s sticky lugs and wide, stable heel made it feel surprisingly grippy and secure to our testers. “This shoe had great traction without feeling cumbersome,” one said. “Transitions from road to trail felt seamless, and it performed well on both wet and dry terrain.”
Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 RunShield
Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 RunShield
Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 RunShield
Pros
- Weather-resistant upper
- Smooth and responsive ride
Cons
- Toebox has a narrow fit
Marrying a waterproof upper with a nylon-plated midsole, Saucony’s Endorphin Speed delivers a mix of weather-resistance, cushioning, and propulsion. Though not pillowy soft, the cushioning still feels forgiving thanks to ample PwrrunPB foam underfoot, a superlight and bouncy material that’s found on the brand’s premium racers. Now with durable XT-900 rubber on the outsole and a reshaped midsole plate, the shoe improves its grip on snowy road shoulders and better supports the foot through toeoff. “The Endorphin Speed 3’s ride is up there with the best tempo shoes I’ve worn—you get a quick turnover and springy liftoff that still feels stable,” said one tester.
Topo Athletic MTN Racer 2
Topo Athletic MTN Racer 2
Topo Athletic MTN Racer 2
Pros
- Has drainage ports and gaiter compatibility
- Spacious, anatomically-shaped toe box
- Secure heel fit
Cons
- Slightly heavier than first version
- Some testers wanted a forefoot rock plate
The second MTN Racer shares the same Vibram rubber outsole that earned the shoe’s debut model high praise for its excellent traction. “I ran on all imaginable East Coast trail surfaces—runnable flats, wicked climbs, technical downs, muddy spots,” said a tester. “The shoe responded perfectly to each and every one of them. The grip of the shoe is perhaps its best feature.” But this update is better suited for whatever Jack Frost might dish out this winter. A sturdy TPU heel counter lends more support over icy patches, and a new midsole foam feels softer and more responsive underfoot. (It’s also less likely to firm up and deaden, as some EVA-based materials can when the temperatures plunge below freezing.) Though the MTN Racer doesn’t have a rock plate, testers found there’s just enough cushioning to protect your feet on all but the rockiest terrain.
Merrell Moab Flight
Pros
- Durable Vibram rubber outsole
- 3mm stepped lugs deliver excellent traction
- TPU stitching boosts upper durability
Cons
- Upper runs hot, but we don’t mind it in cooler temps
- Not much water resistance
Over the years, Merrell’s Moab—short for “Mother Of All Boots”—has become the most popular and most sold hiking boot in the world. The Flight is a recent evolution of the best-selling hiker that’s been pared-down and lightened-up to give trail runners a taste of the Moab action. A taller drop and stout build preserve some of that “fast hiker” feel, but also make the Flight more accessible to runners coming from high-offset road trainers like Brooks’s Ghost or Asics’s Kayano. The Flight uses none of the dense EVA foam found on the original Moab, and instead recruits Merrell’s new FloatPro midsole. This material feels lighter and softer, and relies on its thickness rather than a rock plate to add protection underfoot. It results in a burlier ride, but offers a seriously appealing amount of cush per dollar. “I run on gravelly and muddy bridle paths, dirt roads and pavement, and general trail slop both up hills and down. These Merrells were grippy, supportive, and crazy durable,” one tester said.
Brooks Ghost 14 GTX
Brooks Ghost 14 GTX
Pros
- New full-length DNA Loft midsole provides even softer ride
- Improved, roomier fit in the forefoot
- Fully waterproof
Cons
- Less arch support for flat-footed runners
Brooks removed the BioMoGo DNA portion of the Ghost 14’s midsole, so now the shoe uses entirely DNA Loft underfoot. (You’ll find the same construction on the Ghost’s plusher sibling, the Glycerin.) As the brand’s softest foam, Loft gives the 14th version of this shoe a forgiving ride over long distances, but doesn’t feel slow or mushy. Our testers didn’t detect any loss of energy return with the new midsole foam adjustment. “The Ghost had a nice balance of cushioning and firmness during turnover,” said a tester, adding that the shoe felt more responsive than the Glycerin and Adrenaline GTS. “I personally won’t use these for speedwork or short-distance races, but it was faster than I expected.” Heel and midfoot strikers described the cushioning as not too soft, yet appreciated how fresh their legs felt as they ran high mileage on hard surfaces. The GTX version preserves the smooth ride of the standard model, but keeps out slush while you’re dodging snowbanks and splashing through puddles.
VJ Spark
Pros
- Good durability and ground feel
- Very stable and secure fit
- Excellent traction on wet surfaces
Cons
- Cushioning is not super bouncy
- Sizing runs a half-size short
- Toebox feels a bit snug
“I ran up in the Adirondacks with a friend who was wearing the Spark just before its official release. We had 5,000 feet of vert over the first seven miles and a 3,000-foot descent over the final three miles, and he was stuck to the wet rocks on Giant Mountain like a gecko the whole time,” Jeff Dengate said, recalling his first encounter with VJ’s Spark. When we got our test samples, we experienced it ourselves. Credit that excellent grip to VJ’s butyl rubber outsole. The 5mm lugs aren’t super long, and they’re not sharp like a set of YakTrax, but they’re tacky and flexible to grip slick terrain. The Spark is designed to be super lightweight and fast, so while you won’t get cushioning for an ultra, the foam is ample for snowy trail runs and obstacle races. That said, the fairly standard and dense EVA isn’t on par with the latest bouncy nitrogen-injected TPU offerings out there. Expect it to firm up a bit if you’re headed out in temps below freezing.
Inov-8 TrailFly G 270
Pros
- Excellent traction on slippery surfaces
- New midsole foam improves shock absorption
- Versatile for road and trail
Cons
- Transition gradually to zero-drop platform
- Overpronators may want more support
A thin layer of Inov-8’s Graphene-infused outsole rubber and water-dispersing 4mm lugs let the TrailFly tackle all the frozen slop you’ll hit on the streets post-snowstorm. Though the upper’s exterior doesn’t incorporate rugged ballistic nylon—the same material used in the construction of bulletproof vests—like that of the brand’s X-Talon G 235, it doesn’t lack durability. Its slick rubber overlays quickly shed any splattered slush that might weigh you down, and its lighter AdapterFit mesh with a widened toe box allows for a more comfortable fit over longer distances. You’ll also find a 3mm-thicker stack of softer PowerFlow Max foam underfoot, which feels bouncier on unforgiving frosted dirt and gravel. “This shoe offers the perfect marriage of a hiking boot’s grip and the smooth, firmly cushioned ride of a road shoe,” one tester said.
Note: Inov-8 changed this shoe’s original name from the TerraUltra G 27o. Some online retailers may still use the older reference.
Full Review Buy Men’s Buy Women’s
Salomon Speedcross 6
Pros
- Lighter than the Speedcross 5
- Quicklace system makes it easy to adjust fit with cold hands
Cons
- Less suited for hard and rocky terrain
Prime your legs for mud-splattering, because that’s the kind of terrain Salomon’s Speedcross was made for. The outsole’s toothy 5mm lugs ensure a stronghold on gloppy paths, but don’t feel especially comfortable on hard terrain. You’ll want to save this shoe for off-road treks where you’ll be hitting portions of deep snow on the trail rather than sheets of ice on the sidewalk. The entire upper is cloaked in a protective ripstop mesh that’s outfitted with quick lacing. (To secure the shoe, just cinch the skinny bungee cords and stow them inside the tongue—there’s no fiddling with frozen bunny ears.) Its snug but not restrictive fit gave our testers confidence on soupy trails post-snowmelt. “I’ve been running in versions of the Speedcross forever—I love the fact they brought back a wider forefoot in this model,” he said. “It improves the fit and also makes the shoe feel more stable.”
La Sportiva Karacal
Pros
- Very stable, sturdy feel on uneven terrain
- Wider toebox than La Sportiva’s typical offerings
- Good grip in wet conditions
Cons
- Cushioning is ample, but not especially bouncy
- Sizing runs slightly short
With many of the same features and even similar-sounding names, the Jackal and the Karacal are mountain-running kin. But, the newer Karacal takes some important learnings from its older sibling by dropping a bit of weight and adding a touch of breathability. Its lightened web of overlays still shield against snags and offer stability through the midfoot and heel. Both shoes use 3mm impact-braking lugs with rectangular shapes, split into two opposing triangles, to increase the treads’ ground contact area. This staggered design helps the outsoles absorb shock and also boost traction; each lug bites into uphills like a tooth chomping into an apple, and brakes like a car on the downhills so you don’t slide in ice and snow. However, the Karacal uses a harder rubber that trades some of the Jackal’s tacky grip for increased durability—a fair swap for runners who want a shoe that will last through long and brutal winters.
“I most liked this shoe’s rock protection for tough, technical mountain training. Anybody who has run a trail in Pennsylvania understands the treachery of our particular geology,” one tester said. “The foot sits deep and snug in the Karacal while the embedded rock plate and reinforced forefoot bumper protect against the inevitable toe buster.”
Saucony Peregrine ICE+ 3
Saucony Peregrine ICE+ 3
Saucony Peregrine ICE+ 3
Pros
- Gaiter compatible
- Cushioning remains responsive in low temps
- Water-resistant upper
Cons
- Some testers wanted more cushioning underfoot
A wide platform and low drop give the Peregrine a stable feel, an upgrade to premium Pwrrun+ topsole cushioning offers more go-fast energy return, and a forefoot rock plate shields against protruding roots and stones. But you’ll also find those features on the standard Peregrine 12 model. What sets the ICE+ apart is its Pwrtrac Ice outsole, made from a special rubber that incorporates bits of glass for grip on frozen pavement. The 3.5mm lugs are widely spaced to shed snow with ease, and extra overlays bolster a water-resistant upper to block seepage. “This Saucony was exceptional across the board,” said one tester, “wonderfully responsive and capable across slippery bridges and loose gravel to snow, with an amazing fit that needed none of my usual lacing tricks.”
Hoka Challenger All Terrain 6
Hoka Challenger All Terrain 6
Pros
- Midsole cushioning feels soft, light, and responsive
- Upper now incorporates recycled materials and lacing
Cons
- Some testers noted early outsole wear
With its sticky 4mm lugs providing traction in snow and mud, the Challenger excels in winter conditions because of its versatility. “On a single trail run, I was moving over rocks, roots, leaves, and then into fields and a long road section,” one tester said. “These shoes did well across all conditions.” Though the upper isn’t waterproof, you can grab a GTX version for both men and women. However, when paired with a thick wool sock, we found even the non-GTX model provided solid warmth and protection in all but frigid temps. The tall, plush midsole feels soft—but not mushy—while keeping your feet far from the cold ground. Runner-in-Chief Jeff Dengate says that’s why it’s his go-to in winter weather. When the roads are especially dicey, he drives screws into the thick soles for even more grip.
The Speedgoat 4 is another Hoka favorite among our testers, but they liked that the Challenger comes in a full ounce lighter.
Buy Men’s Buy Women’s Full Review
Altra Lone Peak 6
Pros
- MaxTrac outsole provides grip with canted lugs
- More secure heel fit than Lone Peak 5
- Forefoot rock plate
Cons
- Midsole cushioning not as supportive for some testers on technical trails
- Transition gradually to zero-drop platform
Though not as light as its speedier sibling, Altra’s Superior, the flexible Lone Peak is nimble on rock-strewn surfaces and provides reliable traction. (It shares the Superior’s grippy MaxTrac outsole with angled TrailClaw lugs for navigating slushy paths.) With its fifth iteration, the shoe received an overhaul of updates, including a new Ego midsole—which was previously dual-layered EVA. (The most notable change for the 6 is a more secure fit with improved upper flexibility.) This switch is a boon for runners who want more cushioning without the extra weight. “The midsole provides many happy miles of running on technical trails,” said a tester, “but it’s not over-cushioned where it adds unnecessary bulk, making the shoe feel heavy or clumsy underfoot.” If you’re expecting especially dicey trail conditions, grab the men’s or women’s Lone Peak All-Wthr Low instead. This version incorporates a more resilient and water-repellant bootie upper that performs better in sleet and mud.
Buy Men’s Buy Women’s Full Review
Jeff is Runner-in-Chief for Runner's World, guiding the brand's shoes and gear coverage. A true shoe dog, he's spent more than a decade testing and reviewing shoes. In 2017, he ran in 285 different pairs of shoes, including a streak of 257 days wearing a different model.
Amanda is a test editor at Runner’s World who has run the Boston Marathon every year since 2013; she's a former professional baker with a master’s in gastronomy and she carb-loads on snickerdoodles.
