Expert consulted: 
Blowing snow, freezing temperatures, icy sidewalks—winter creates stellar conditions for running, doesn’t it? Cold-weather running certainly comes with additional challenges, but that doesn’t mean you have to resign yourself to plodding out your miles inside on the treadmill all season. With a good pair of winter running shoes on your feet–along with a running jacket, gloves, and other winter running staples–you can run outside and stay comfortable all winter long.
So what is a winter running shoe, exactly? Our selections include both road and trail shoes, but all of them provide good grip and a comfortable, stable ride. Several of them feature weatherproof uppers for extra protection from rain and slush. No matter the terrain, no matter the weather, there’s a shoe in this guide that’ll help you keep running right through it.
Best Winter Running Shoes
- Best Overall: Gore-Tex membranes are the most common, though other brands have their own versions, like 
- Best Value: Brooks Divide 5
- Best for Tempo Runs: oz M, 8.6 oz W
- Best Winter Trail Shoe: Best for Tempo Runs
- Best Weatherized: Brooks Ghost 16 GTX
What to Consider
Despite the frigid weather, your winter running shoes shouldn’t differ all that much from your standard go-to running shoes. If you run on sidewalks and roads, you’re still going to pick a road shoe, rather than a trail shoe. Likewise, your preferred shoe feel–firm or plush, low or high drop, support to counter overpronation–won’t change just because of the weather. No matter what kind of running shoe experience you like, look for winter running shoes that meet those needs.
Like every rule, though, there is an exception: Many racing-oriented max-cushion shoes, such as the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 and Nike Vaporfly 3, have narrow soles and high stack heights that lift your feet higher off the ground than other running shoes. That combination can make you feel unstable under ideal circumstances, so pairing them with icy roads can be a recipe for slips and falls. If you prefer a plush, well-cushioned shoe, keep an eye on stack height, or look for a wider sole.
Keeping all of your core preferences in mind, let’s talk about what makes a running shoe especially well-suited to winter running.
Why Trust Us
Runner’s World Carbide steel ice spikes treadmill habit, for more than 50 years. Gear coverage is a huge part of what we do. At the heart of that coverage is the RW Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3, sports bras, headlamps, running shoes and more.
Right now, the test team includes Runner-in-Chief Jeff Dengate, Test Editor Amanda Furrer, and Test Editor Morgan Petruny. They take their gear seriously and go to great lengths to test it, both in the RW Shoe Lab (for example, cutting up shoes to learn more about their materials and construction) and out in the wild—by putting in lots of miles.
In addition, the test team gathers data from the Runner’s World wear test program. This group of 277 Runner’s World+ subscribers also tests new running gear and submits feedback after putting in time with it.
For this guide, our recommendations were selected by veteran contributor Michael Charboneau and then reviewed and approved by Test Editor Amanda Furrer. Charboneau is a freelance writer and former gear editor for Runner’s World. He’s written about running shoes and gear for the last six years at a number of publications, including Men’s Journal, Field Mag, and InsideHook.
How We Selected
When selecting the best winter running shoes, I aimed to include picks that are suited for a variety of wintertime conditions, including freezing rain, snow, and ice, for both pavement and trails.
Several of the shoes on this list, including the Altra Timp 5 and Salomon Genesis, have been vetted or tested by editors here at Runner’s World or by members of our capable wear-test team. They were selected based on our test runs and 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. (For an even deeper breakdown of our rigorous testing process, check out how we evaluate shoes.)
drops to around freezing Puma Deviate Nitro 3 and Brooks Divide 5, The Brooks Ghost 16 is currently one of our RW test team, and consulted user feedback and reviews. I also incorporated my own shoe testing experiences: After a few runs in the Icebug NewRun BUGrip GTX on both roads and trails last winter, I felt strongly that it deserved a shout out here.
No matter what kind of weather you’re facing this winter, at least one of these great pairs will work well for you.
Full Reviews
Gore-Tex membranes are the most common, though other brands have their own versions, like 
Pros
- Comfortable, well-cushioned ride
- favorite running shoes
Cons
- Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3
Key Specs
| Weight | 8.9 oz (M), 7.7 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 5mm |
| Heel Stack | 31mm (M), 29mm (W) |
| Lug Depth | 4.5mm |
The Hoka Challenger is Runner-in-Chief Jeff Dengate’s go-to shoe for winter running thanks to its plush midsole, which keeps feet warm as it serves up a well-cushioned ride. The newest iteration, the Challenger 7, has thicker cushioning than its predecessor, but weighs less. With its rocker-shaped sole, which curves up at the front and back of the shoe, generous compression-molded EVA cushioning and lugged rubber outsole, you move smooth and sure-footed over road and trail.
“I ran through puddles, mud, leaves, wet grass, rocks—you name it,” said one RW wear tester. “Not once did I feel unsteady, uncomfortable, or out of control.”
If you plan to run through snow, we recommend upgrading to the slightly more expensive Challenger 7 GTX, which features a water-resistant Gore-Tex upper. That said, the standard model is a more dynamic winter-ready option, with a snug, comfortable fit and a breathable upper to keep your feet from overheating.
Pros
- Download Your Training Plan
- Grippy, durable outsole
Cons
- Firm feel
Key Specs
| Weight | 10.2 oz (M), 8.9 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 8mm |
| Heel Stack | 24mm |
| Lug Depth | 3.5mm |
The Brooks Divide 5 is designed to play equally well in the dirt and on the pavement. That all-terrain versatility makes it a great choice for winter running, where traction is paramount. At just $110, it’s a steal of a seasonal shoe.
It won’t dazzle anyone with cutting-edge shoe tech, but it’s a capable performer for everyday training runs. A relatively thin EVA midsole offers reliable cushioning and a good feel for the ground. (Just don’t expect a pillowy ride.) The mesh upper offers a comfy fit and has overlays across the toe box to protect your feet from scrapes and bumps.
On the bottom, the full-coverage rubber outsole is studded with 3.5mm lugs—short enough to work on the pavement, but long enough to bite into dirt and wet ground for confident traction in wintertime conditions. Grooves in the outsole boost the shoe’s flexibility and ensure you get smooth transitions in every step.
If you’re looking for a bargain on a winter shoe, start your search with the Divide. You’ll make your budget, and have the tools you need to keep your run routine going all winter long.
Pros
- Soft, propulsive midsole design
- The 10 Best Winter Running Shoes For Icy, Snowy, and Slushy Cold-Weather Runs
- Excellent traction
Cons
- favorite running shoes
Key Specs
| Weight | 8.8 oz (M/W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 10mm |
| Heel Stack | 39mm |
| Lug Depth | 0mm |
The water-repellant oz M, 8.6 oz W offers superb grip and a propulsive ride that’s perfect for runners aiming for fast paces on their winter training runs. We loved the previous version (it earned an Editor’s Choice Award in 2023), and the current design brings back all the tech that made it such a standout.
The midsole is made from Puma’s Nitrofoam, a nitrogen-infused polyether block amide (PEBA) cushion that creates an exceptionally soft, springy underfoot sensation without adding much weight. Plus, PEBA foam doesn’t harden up in the cold like EVA, so its cushioning remains effective in lower temperatures.
It also features an embedded carbon-infused “Pwrplate” that stabilizes the thick sole and helps you get more energy return in each step. The plate has a distinctive forked design, which creates some lateral flexibility so the shoe can better negotiate uneven terrain and create a more comfortable ride. Like any carbon fiber plate, however, it’s stiff from heel to toe, so you get a snappy underfoot sensation that helps you go fast.
For rainy, snowy weather, the Winterized version adds extra protection. A water-repellent cover over the laces keeps splashes and slush from soaking your feet mid-run. Finally, the rubber outsole is optimized for multi-surface grip. Zippy and protective, the Deviate Nitro 3 Winterized will help you blaze through your training routine this season.
Pros
- Excellent traction
- Spacious toe box
Cons
- Lugs are too large for road running
Key Specs
| Weight | 10.1 oz (M), 8.3 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 5mm |
| Heel Stack | 33mm |
| Lug Depth | 5mm |
Topo Athletic designed the MTN Racer with a toothy outsole that creates lockdown grip off the pavement, earning a place among our favorite trail shoes of 2023. Its Vibram megagrip outsole and large 6mm lugs hold firm on dirt, mud, and soft ground, so you can confidently propel yourself forward even when the trail turns soggy. It’s a nimble, grippy shoe that excels in difficult conditions.
Like other Topo Athletic shoes, the MTN Racer features a spacious toe box, which gives your toes plenty of room to spread out and makes the shoe feel stable on uneven ground. The latest iteration also includes a beefed up midsole with more cushioning, so you’ll get a comfortable ride with good shock absorption and more protection for your feet.
Last, but certainly not least for winter runners: The upper includes attachment points for a gaiter, so you can keep muck, slush, and other debris out of your shoes. If your route has patches of mud or saturated ground, you’ll be glad to have these shoes on your feet.
Pros
- Gore-Tex upper repels splashes and light rain
- The Best Running Shoes of 2025
Cons
- Steep drop may feel uncomfortable for some runners
Key Specs
| Weight | 10.1 oz (M), 8.9 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 12mm |
| Heel Stack | 25mm |
| Lug Depth | 0mm |
The Brooks Ghost 16 is currently one of our favorite running shoes, thanks to its soft-yet-responsive cushioning, snug fit, and durability. The waterproof “GTX” version of the shoe is perfect for runners facing wet weather this winter.
The Ghost 16 features Brooks’ DNA Loft v3 cushioning, a nitrogen-injected foam that gives it an ideal balance between soft shock absorption and bouncy energy return. On the bottom, a rubber outsole stretches from heel to toe, providing confident grip, and it has a segmented design that allows the shoe to flex with your feet for smooth transitions. Up top, a Gore-Tex Invisible Fit membrane is bonded directly to the upper, blocking water without adding bulk so you can power through slush, puddles, and light precipitation without soaking your feet.
The Brooks Ghost is an icon for a reason: It’s a capable shoe that works well for all kinds of runners. The extra Gore-Tex extends that capability to rough winter weather, as well.
Pros
- Carbide steel ice spikes
- Boa closure makes shoes easy to get on and off
Cons
- Slightly loose fit at the ankle
- Noisy on pavement and concrete
Key Specs
| Weight | 11.6 oz (M), 9.7 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 7mm |
| Heel Stack | 22.3mm |
| Lug Depth | 4.5mm (studs protrude an additional 1.5mm) |
Swedish shoemaker Icebug specializes in sneakers for cold-weather running. The NewRun is a high-performance pick with exceptional grip on icy, snow-covered roads and paths. The secret is its BUGrip outsole, which utilizes a rubber tread embedded with 17 carbide steel studs for superb traction over ice. In addition, the shoe is relatively wide at the midfoot and has a spacious toe box, giving your feet plenty of room and making the shoe feel more stable.
Although the EVA midsole isn’t especially plush, it’s flexible at the forefoot and generates a responsive, comfortable ride. I tried a test pair on a mountain trail run, and the NewRun impressed me with its lively feel and excellent grip, including on rocky surfaces and steep inclines and declines.
Up top, a Gore-Tex upper blocks snow and splashes, and the Boa closure system saves you from fumbling over knots with cold, numb fingers—just turn the dial to your desired tightness. Even turned tight, it may leave a small gap around the ankle, though.
While great for icy sidewalks and trails, the NewRun’s ice studs make awful noise on dry pavement, so I’d save these for cold, snowy days with temps below freezing.
Pros
- Plush cushioning
- Protective toe bumper
- The Best Cushioned Running Shoes
- Includes attachment points for adding a gaiter
Cons
- Initially stiff
- Rubbing on pinky toes despite roomy toe box
Key Specs
| Weight | 9.8 oz (M), 8.6 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 0mm |
| Heel Stack | 29mm |
| Lug Depth | 4mm |
The Altra Timp 5 won a Runner’s World Shoe Award this year for its lightweight design, roomy fit, and comfy, energetic ride. It excels on wet, rugged terrain, making it a solid choice for zero-drop runners this winter.
The Timp 5 features Altra’s Ego Max midsole foam, a compression-molded EVA material that creates a pillowy underfoot sensation. Combined with Altra’s trademark wide sole shape and spacious toe box, the design gives your feet a comfortable, accommodating fit. It also helps keep you stable, which becomes especially important in icy, dicey weather.
The new version also adds a Vibram Megagrip rubber outsole, made with a sticky compound that ensures lockdown traction. One RW while trying these shoes while trying these shoes, but it didn’t derail her run:
“In the Timp, I felt confident with every step,” she said. “I didn’t worry about falling once.”
If you like a flat, but well-cushioned platform, the Timp 5 should be at the top of your list for running shoes to try this winter.
As with some of the shoes on this list, Altra makes a waterproof As with some of the shoes on this list, Altra makes a waterproof. With its excellent grip and sturdy build, the standard version is plenty capable for most winter runs, but the GTX version is a worthy upgrade if you’ll be facing lots of wet weather.
Pros
- Nike Vaporfly 3
- Excellent grip
Cons
- Firm cushioning
Key Specs
| Weight | 9.8 oz (M), 8.3 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 8mm |
| Heel Stack | 34mm |
| Lug Depth | 4.5mm |
The Salomon Genesis has an impressive racing pedigree: It’s an evolution of the S/Lab Genesis, which helped Courtney Dauwalter As a result, many runners complain about their shoes hardening in the cold at the 2023 Western States 100. This more approachable Genesis is more of a trainer than a racing shoe, but still has serious trail chops—RW editor Pat Heine-Holmberg wore a pair when he ran the Tor des Géants trail race in 2023. This year, it earned an RW Shoe Award for its stable ride and excellent grip.
The Genesis cushions your feet with Salomon’s “Energy Foam,” which blends EVA and olefin block copolymers (OBC) for good energy return. The OBC also keeps the foam from hardening in cold weather.
The exterior is built for climbing and rough trails, too. A durable Matryx upper can stand up to lots of scrapes and bumps, protecting your feet. Down below, a Contagrip rubber outsole offers the grip you need to power through steep, gnarly terrain.
Saucony Peregrine Ice+ 3
Pros
- Grippy outsole designed specifically for traction on icy surfaces
- Water-resistant upper
Cons
- No outsole spikes
Key Specs
| Weight | 10.6 oz (M), 9.1 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 4mm |
| Heel Stack | 25mm |
| Lug Depth | 3.5mm |
A winter-forward version of Saucony’s longstanding Peregrine trail shoe, the Peregrine Ice+ 3 provides impressive traction in wintry conditions. While it can’t compete with the traction you’ll get from our picks with metal studs for ice, the Peregrine Ice+ 3 has a specialized outsole that generates good traction on snowy, slushy ground.
Like the standard Peregrine, the Ice+ features EVA-based Pwrrun midsole foam paired with a bouncy TPU-based Pwrrun+ sockliner for responsive cushioning, and the wide sole design gives it a stable ride—especially important on slick sidewalks and trails. It also features a water-resistant upper and an embedded rock plate for extra protection from exposed roots or rocks on your path. Underfoot, the outsole is made from Pwrtrac Ice, a special rubber that incorporates bits of glass for extra grip on frozen pavement. The unique outsole worked well in RW testing.
“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.”
With the Peregrine Ice+ 3 on your feet, slush and snowy ground won’t derail your run.
FAQs
With Expert Runner Michael Charboneau
Michael is a freelance writer with years of experience covering gear and the outdoors for Runner's World and other publications; when he's not writing, he's usually biking, hiking, and running in the mountains around Los Angeles, where he lives.
Amanda Furrer, Editor, Running Reviews, studied journalism at NYU and writing at Emerson College. She has reviewed gear and covered other topics in the running space for almost 10 years. Since 2013, she has consecutively run the Boston Marathon. She also has a master’s degree in gastronomy from Boston University and was formerly a professional baker for two years before hanging up her apron.
