Best Waterproof Trail Running Shoes 2026: 6 GORE-TEX Picks Compared

Quick answer: the best waterproof trail running shoe for most runners is the Nike Pegasus Trail 5 GORE-TEX(opens in a new tab). On a tight budget, go for the Asics Gel-Trabuco 14 GTX(opens in a new tab); for winter mud and snow, the Salomon Speedcross 6 GTX(opens in a new tab); for rocky mountain terrain, the Brooks Cascadia 20 GTX(opens in a new tab). Running through rivers or in heat? Skip the membrane. Details below.

Waterproof trail shoes look like an obvious winter and rain buy, but they hide a debate almost nobody tells you about in the shop: a GORE-TEX membrane keeps the foot dry… until water gets in from the top, and then it becomes a pool that won’t drain. So choosing well isn’t just “does it have GORE-TEX?”, but understanding when a membrane saves you and when it sinks you. This guide compares the best waterproof trail running shoes right now — six GORE-TEX (Gore Tex, GTX) picks for different terrain — and, honestly, two non-membrane alternatives for those who run through real water: one for mud and one for a tight budget. If you’re after a more general shoe, first check the trail shoe guide.

Comparison Table

Amazon links go to the live, up-to-date price.

Almost all of these models come in a women’s (W) fit: same materials and same membrane, but with a narrower heel and midfoot and cushioning tuned for lighter weights. Direct links to the W fit of each model are further down.

Need a women’s fit? We compare the best women’s trail running shoes (Speedgoat 7, Zegama 2, Antora 4 and more), all with a dedicated women’s version.

Quick Answer: Which GORE-TEX Trail Shoe Should You Buy?

• Want one waterproof shoe for everything? Nike Pegasus Trail 5 GORE-TEX.
• Tight budget? Asics Gel-Trabuco 14 GTX.
• Winter mud and snow? Salomon Speedcross 6 GTX (5 mm lugs).
• Rocky mountains, long days? Brooks Cascadia 20 GTX.
• Lightest and fastest on wet rock? Saucony Peregrine 16 GTX (269 g, Vibram Megagrip).
• Hiking, fastpacking, want it to last? Salomon XA Pro 3D GTX.
• River crossings or heat? Skip GORE-TEX: Salomon Speedcross 6 (drains).

What does GTX mean on trail running shoes?

GTX is the abbreviation for GORE-TEX, the waterproof and breathable membrane made by W. L. Gore & Associates. When a trail shoe is sold as “GTX”, “Gore Tex” or “Goretex”, it is the same thing: a membrane bonded inside the upper that blocks water from outside and lets some vapour escape. It does not make the shoe fully waterproof from the top, which is why the next section matters.

GORE-TEX or No GORE-TEX: the Key Question

Before buying, be clear on the rule that separates a good buy from an expensive mistake:

• GORE-TEX YES when you run in cold, light rain, snow or surface mud, and water comes from above or from wet grass. The membrane keeps the foot dry and warm, and in winter that’s hugely welcome.
• GORE-TEX NO when there are river crossings, deep puddles or heat. If water goes above the ankle, it gets in over the collar and the membrane — which keeps it out — also keeps it in: you end up with a soaked foot for hours. And in heat, the membrane breathes worse and you cook.

In short: membrane to keep out a little cold water; no membrane (one that drains fast) for when there’s lots of water or it’s hot. That’s why this guide includes both philosophies.

How to Choose Waterproof Trail Shoes

1. Type of waterproofing: membrane vs drainage

The GORE-TEX membrane seals the foot. It works great with moderate moisture, but retains water if it gets in. The no-membrane + drainage philosophy (meshes that clear fast) assumes you’ll get wet and prioritises drying quickly. Decide based on the water you face: little and cold → membrane; lots or hot → drainage.

2. Breathability and temperature

A membrane always breathes less than an open mesh. In winter that’s an advantage (keeps warmth in); in shoulder season or heat, a drawback (sweats and cooks). If you run mostly in temperate climates, ask whether you really need GORE-TEX year-round or just a few months.

3. Grip for wet terrain

Waterproof doesn’t mean non-slip. In the rain, rock and roots turn treacherous: you need an outsole with good compound and lugs suited to the terrain. For mud, deep lugs (Speedcross). For wet mixed terrain, a balanced outsole does the job.

4. Collar and ankle fit

If you’re going into water or mud, a higher collar and a firm ankle fit reduce water and grit ingress. Pairing a waterproof shoe with gaiters is the ultimate formula for keeping the foot dry in tough conditions.

Individual Analysis

1. Nike Pegasus Trail 5 GORE-TEX — Best Overall Waterproof

The Nike Pegasus Trail 5 GORE-TEX is the best-selling gateway to waterproof trail: immediate comfort, generous cushioning and a very well-executed road-to-trail transition, now with a GORE-TEX membrane for wet days. It’s the perfect shoe for someone starting out, running mixed terrain and wanting to keep the foot dry in light rain without fuss.

Pros: immediate comfort ideal for getting started, waterproof GORE-TEX membrane for wet days, very well-executed road-to-trail transition.

Cons: lugs not aggressive enough for mud or technical rock, the membrane reduces breathability in the heat.

Best for: the mixed-terrain and road-to-trail runner who wants to keep the foot dry in autumn-winter light rain without complications. The most comfortable and versatile of the group.

View Nike Pegasus Trail 5 GORE-TEX on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)

2. Asics Gel-Trabuco 14 GTX — Best Value Waterproof

The Asics Gel-Trabuco 14 GTX is a best-selling beginner shoe with hard-to-beat value: comfortable GEL cushioning, good stability and a waterproof GORE-TEX membrane. It’s the reliable option for training on mixed terrain in any weather without overspending.

Pros: comfortable GEL cushioning for beginners, waterproof GORE-TEX membrane, very good value for money.

Cons: moderate lugs, just adequate in deep mud; the membrane reduces breathability in the heat.

Best for: anyone wanting a solid, versatile waterproof shoe to train year-round without paying premium. The sensible buy if you prioritise reliability and price.

View Asics Gel-Trabuco 14 GTX on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)

3. Salomon Speedcross 6 GTX — Best GORE-TEX for Mud & Snow

The Salomon Speedcross 6 GTX is the mud benchmark with a GORE-TEX membrane added: the same aggressive 5 mm lugs that bite into soft ground, now sealed against cold water, wet grass and snow. It’s the pick for winter trails where the ground is muddy but you’re not wading through rivers.

Pros: 5 mm lugs with benchmark grip in mud, GORE-TEX membrane for cold, rain and snow, Quicklace system that’s quick to adjust with gloves on.

Cons: narrow fit; less stable on hard rock and tarmac.

Best for: winter and snow running on soft, muddy trails. If the water gets above the ankle, go for the non-membrane Speedcross 6 below instead.

View Salomon Speedcross 6 GTX on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)

4. Brooks Cascadia 20 GTX — Best GORE-TEX for Rocky Mountain Terrain

The Brooks Cascadia 20 GTX puts a GORE-TEX membrane on one of the most stable, protective mountain shoes around. It’s built for rocky, technical ground and long days out, when you want a secure platform and a dry foot in cold rain.

Pros: very stable on rocky, technical terrain, GORE-TEX membrane for rain and cold, robust protection for long runs.

Cons: heavier than a non-membrane shoe; moderate lugs for deep mud.

Best for: mountain runners and hikers on rocky, wet terrain in autumn and winter who put stability and protection ahead of lightness.

View Brooks Cascadia 20 GTX on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)

5. Saucony Peregrine 16 GTX — Best Lightweight GORE-TEX

The Saucony Peregrine 16 GTX is the pick if you want a waterproof shoe that still feels like a race shoe: 269 g, a low 4 mm drop and a Vibram Megagrip outsole, the compound that holds best on wet rock and roots. The GORE-TEX Invisible Fit membrane is bonded to the upper, so there’s less bulk and less of the “boot” feeling most waterproof shoes have.

Pros: light for a GORE-TEX shoe, Vibram Megagrip grip on wet rock, low 4 mm drop and a close, precise fit.

Cons: 4 mm lugs are moderate for deep mud; less cushioning than the Cascadia for very long days.

Best for: the faster runner on technical, wet mountain terrain who wants a dry foot without giving up agility.

View Saucony Peregrine 16 GTX on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)

6. Salomon XA Pro 3D GTX — Most Durable GORE-TEX

The Salomon XA Pro 3D GTX is the classic tank of the category: firm, stable, with a protective chassis and a GORE-TEX membrane. At around 360 g and an 11 mm drop it isn’t a racing shoe, but for hiking, fastpacking, winter walks-plus-runs and anyone who wants a single waterproof shoe that lasts for years, it’s a safe buy.

Pros: very stable and protective, durable build, GORE-TEX membrane, Quicklace system.

Cons: heavy and firm for running, shallow 3.5 mm lugs for deep mud, high drop.

Best for: hikers, fastpackers and occasional runners who value durability and stability over weight.

View Salomon XA Pro 3D GTX on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)

7. Salomon Speedcross 6 — Best Non-Membrane Alternative

Sometimes the best “waterproof” shoe is the one that isn’t. The Salomon Speedcross 6 assumes you’ll get wet and prioritises two things: brutal grip on mud and soft ground (5 mm lugs) and efficient drainage that clears water fast rather than retaining it. For crossings, deep puddles, soaked grass and muddy winter races, it drains what a membrane would trap.

Pros: exceptional grip on mud and soft ground, efficient drainage that clears water, reinforced toe protection, fast Quicklace.

Cons: not waterproof (won’t keep the foot dry in light rain), high 10 mm drop, average durability on asphalt.

Best for: the runner facing real water (crossings, deep mud, soaked grass) who prefers the water to get out rather than stay in. The honest alternative when GORE-TEX would be counterproductive.

View Salomon Speedcross 6 on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)

8. Nike React Pegasus Trail 4 — Best Budget (Non-Membrane)

It’s the previous-generation Pegasus Trail, membrane-free and with years of discounts on it: often found well under €100 when in stock. For anyone who mostly runs in light rain and would rather water get in and out than stay trapped, it’s the cheapest way into mixed terrain: draining mesh, comfortable React cushioning and a very easy road-to-trail transition. It’s not a mud or technical-rock shoe, but for trails and fire roads in changeable weather it’s more than enough.

Pros: membrane-free mesh that drains and dries fast, comfortable React cushioning for easy runs, clearance price and a women’s (W) fit available.

Cons: not waterproof (the foot gets wet in light rain or wet grass), lugs not aggressive enough for mud, patchy size and colour stock as it’s being discontinued.

Best for: the mixed-terrain runner on a tight budget who accepts getting wet and wants the shoe to drain. The logical buy if GORE-TEX is out of your price range.

View Nike React Pegasus Trail 4 on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)

Women’s Waterproof Trail Shoes

Most GORE-TEX shoes in this guide are made in a women’s (W) fit, and there are two women-specific models worth knowing. It’s not a colour swap: the W fit has a narrower heel and midfoot to cut slippage, a lower instep volume and cushioning tuned for lighter weights, so the plate and foam respond just like the unisex version. Membrane, lugs and drop are the same; what changes is the fit.

Sizing tip: with a waterproof shoe, don’t go tight. The membrane doesn’t give like an open mesh, and with a winter sock or a foot swollen at the end of a long run, half a size up prevents rubbing and lost toenails.

• Asics Gel-Trabuco 14 GTX (women’s): view on Amazon → — the value pick, GEL cushioning and stability for training year-round.
• Nike Pegasus Trail 5 GORE-TEX (women’s): view on Amazon → — the most comfortable and versatile, road-to-trail with a dry foot in light rain.
• Merrell Agility Peak 5 BOA GTX (women’s): view on Amazon →(opens in a new tab) — BOA dial closure, 5 mm lugs and GORE-TEX: the grippiest women’s pick for mud and technical ground.
• Saucony Peregrine 13 GTX (women’s): view on Amazon →(opens in a new tab) — previous-generation Peregrine, 230 g with 5 mm lugs; a lighter, cheaper route into a waterproof women’s shoe.
• Nike React Pegasus Trail 4 (women’s): view on Amazon →(opens in a new tab) — membrane-free and on clearance, for those who’d rather the water drain and not overspend.

View women’s Asics Gel-Trabuco 14 GTX on Amazon →

5 Common Mistakes When Buying Waterproof Shoes

1. Buying GORE-TEX for crossings or heat. If water gets in from the top, the membrane traps it: soaked foot for hours. And in heat, you cook. For that, drainage is better.

2. Thinking waterproof = non-slip. They’re different things. In the rain, what saves you from slipping is the outsole’s compound and lugs, not the membrane.

3. Using GORE-TEX year-round. In shoulder season and summer, a breathable mesh is more comfortable. Save the membrane for cold and damp.

4. Not pairing with gaiters. To truly keep the foot dry in mud and snow, waterproof shoe + gaiters stops water and grit getting in over the collar.

5. Forgetting about drying. A shoe with a wet-inside membrane takes much longer to dry. Pull the insole and stuff with paper; never near a direct heat source.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is GORE-TEX worth it in trail shoes?

It depends on the water. For cold, light rain, snow and surface mud, yes: it keeps the foot dry and warm. For crossings, deep puddles or heat, no: it traps water and breathes worse. It’s not universally “better”, it’s for specific conditions.

What happens if water gets into a GORE-TEX shoe?

It stays in. The membrane blocks both entry and exit, so if water goes over the collar, you end up with a waterlogged foot for a long time. In those cases, a fast-draining shoe is better.

Are waterproof shoes good for summer?

Better avoided. The membrane breathes worse and the foot sweats and overheats. For summer and dry climates, an open, breathable mesh is more comfortable. Save the waterproof one for the cold, wet months.

Waterproof or draining for mountain running?

If the terrain is rain and wet grass with little water, waterproof. If there are rivers, deep puddles or ankle-deep mud, one that drains fast will give you fewer problems. Many mountain runners own both and choose by the day.

Final Verdict

• Best overall waterproof: Nike Pegasus Trail 5 GORE-TEX(opens in a new tab)
• Best value waterproof: Asics Gel-Trabuco 14 GTX(opens in a new tab)
• Best GORE-TEX for mud & snow: Salomon Speedcross 6 GTX(opens in a new tab)
• Best GORE-TEX for rocky mountain terrain: Brooks Cascadia 20 GTX(opens in a new tab)
• Best lightweight GORE-TEX: Saucony Peregrine 16 GTX(opens in a new tab)
• Most durable GORE-TEX: Salomon XA Pro 3D GTX(opens in a new tab)
• Best non-membrane alternative (drains): Salomon Speedcross 6(opens in a new tab)
• Best budget (non-membrane): Nike React Pegasus Trail 4(opens in a new tab)

The best shoe for water isn’t always the one with a membrane: it’s the one that fits the kind of water you face. Membrane to keep out a little cold water; drainage for when there’s lots of water or it’s hot. Define that first and you’ll get it right.