Do waterproof sneakers keep slosh in or out? Let WIRED explain

Running in the rain feet, in wet socks, in wet shoes is the perfect recipe for blisters. It’s also a fast track to low morale. Nothing dampens spirits faster than soggy socks. During ultra races, I always carry spares. And when faced with wet, or even snowy, miles in the middle of winter, the appeal of weather-resistant shoes is strong. Anything that can stem the soggy tide is worth it, right?

This is not as simple an answer as it seems. In the past, many runners – myself included – felt waterproof shoes had too many compromises, like thicker, heavier uppers that changed the feel of your shoes or a tendency to get hot and sweaty. In general, weather-resistant shoes are less comfortable.

But waterproofing technology has evolved and it may be time to rethink. Winter shoes can now be as light as classic models, breathability is better and comfort levels have improved. Brands are also starting to add extra puddle protection to some of the most popular shoes. So it’s time to ask the questions again: what difference does a little Gore-Tex really make? Are there still compromises to be made for this additional protection? And is it really worth paying the premium?

I spoke to waterproofing professionals, an elite ultra-runner who braved brutal conditions, and expert running shoe testers. Here’s everything you need to know about waterproof running shoes in 2026. Need more information? Consult our guide to Best Running Shoesour guide to weather-resistant fabricsand our guide to Best rain jackets.

How do waterproof running shoes work?

On a basic level, waterproof shoes add extra barriers between your nice, dry socks and the wet world outside. If you run through puddles deep enough to break your heels, you will always have wet feet. But waterproof shoes can protect against rain, wet grass, snow and small puddles.

Gore-Tex is probably the most common waterproofing technology in shoes, but it’s not the only solution in town. Some brands have proprietary technology, or you may come across alternative systems like eVent and Sympatex. This GTX stamp is definitely the one you’re most likely to come across, so here’s how GTX works.

Water resistance comes from a layered system consisting of a durable water repellent (DWR) coating on the upper with an internal membrane, along with other details such as taped seams, more sealed uppers with tighter woven mesh, gusseted tongues and higher gaiter-style heel collars.

The DWR coating is the first line of defense. “DWR is a finishing treatment on the outer surface of the textile to minimize the amount of water captured. It causes water to bead up, so your upper doesn’t soak it in,” explains Mark Abof, Gore-Tex global product manager. If you step in a puddle and the water doesn’t come up onto the collar of your heel or onto the laces, the water will drain away immediately. I tested this on several Gore-Tex trail shoes, and it works.

But DWR alone is not enough. “If you just have surface treatment, over time it degrades,” says Abof. That is, if you run through puddle after puddle or have heavy rain constantly hitting your upper, the DWR will eventually wash away and your shoe will let in moisture. That’s why Gore-Tex uses an inner membrane to prevent water from reaching your foot.

There are different ways to deploy waterproof membranes in running shoes. The old solution is to add a waterproof sock-like liner inside the shoe. But these ankle boots can change the way a shoe fits and feels on the foot. The extra layer also adds weight and hinders breathability. “But that leads to compromises. It’s not the same size, there are wrinkles, there are folds, it’s hot,” says Abof. Hot, sweaty feet are just as much the enemy of comfort, and overheating barriers make waterproof footwear less viable outside of the humid winter months.

But technology has evolved. While some shoes (including GTX shoes) still deploy the liner solution, Gore-Tex offers a new method of waterproofing called Invisible Fit. A one-piece waterproof membrane is bonded directly to the upper, eliminating much of the extra lining. This means the shoe weighs less and has fewer insulating air pockets that can trap heat and moisture. This helps waterproof shoes feel more like regular shoes.

“If you talk to the Nikes and the New Balances, they spend a lot of time on their shapes,” says Abof. (A shoe last is a shape, or mold, that the company uses to design the fit and feel of the shoe.) “If it’s a New Balance last, they want that shoe to fit like a New Balance shoe,” Abof says, adding that Invisible Fit “is the most important way that can move the needle in the most meaningful way possible: fit and feel.” [of waterproof shoes] I feel like a standard shoe.

Waterproof shoes are often even heavier than their regular siblings, but in some cases, GTX Invisible Fit shoes now weigh the same, or sometimes less.

Is waterproofing now the norm?

Does this “invisible” technology mean that more and more of the most popular road shoes will now offer waterproofing?

“No, I don’t think so,” says Alex Filitti, full-time shoe tester and founder of Meta-Endurancea media outlet focused on endurance sports. “If anything, brands seem more focused on reducing weight, improving foam performance, and increasing comfort and breathability. Waterproof versions are likely to remain side options or winter variants, rather than becoming standard on the most popular road models.”

Pay the premium

Any additional technology also has a cost. You can expect to pay a weather-resistance premium of between $10 and $40 more for a Gore-Tex shoe or running shoe with an equivalent waterproof upper.

Here are some of the most popular waterproof running shoes for comparison:

Do you need waterproof shoes?

For most of us, most of the time, the experts aren’t convinced. “I would consider waterproof shoes primarily in cold and wet conditions,” says Filitti. “For example, winter occurs in areas where rain, sleet or snow combine with low temperatures. In these situations, keeping feet warm and dry can really improve comfort. But when it’s 3 to 5 degrees Celsius [37 to 41 Fahrenheit] with rain, I always prefer breathability and comfort over waterproofing.

“For the majority of runners, a well-drained and breathable upper combined with good socks generally works very well,” concludes Filitti.

One runner who knows a thing or two about running in tough conditions is elite ultrarunner Damian Hall, co-founder of The green runners.

Hall has completed the UK’s Winter Spine Race four times, a brutal, non-stop 268-mile ultra where racing conditions vary from pouring rain and deep snow to ice, wet bogs and freezing winds. Despite this, Hall says he never seriously considered wearing waterproof shoes.

“For very long activities, one of the main causes of blisters and foot problems is going to be wet feet, humidity and friction. So that’s something we try to avoid. But in general, I’ve found it’s not worth worrying about,” says Hall.

“What I’ve found in the past is that the water comes in from the top. So, especially in the case of Spine Race, you’re going to be splashing in a big puddle, or probably a river, and then the water comes in anyway, pretty easily, and the waterproofing means the water kind of stays there. You might end up with more serious foot problems by having wetter feet that way,” says Hall. The only time Hall likes waterproof shoes is when the fields are wet first thing in the morning and you’re only doing a short run.

Waterproof shoes are improvement. I’ve run in a number of trail shoes with Gore-Tex Invisible Fit, and now that there are fewer compromises, in certain conditions the added protection is welcome.

“One of the main differences is that the overall fit can be maintained and the shoe weight differences aren’t that drastically different,” says Taylor Bodin, lead trail shoe tester for Believe in the racea running gear review site.

“For example, the Salomon Aero Blaze 3 GRVL was virtually the same shoe as the standard model and performed on par with its non-GTX counterpart. In the aforementioned shoe, it’s not like I can ford a river and come out dry on the other side. The shoe was only truly waterproof up to the top of the toe. Without special closures or swag, there’s really no way to keep all the desired water out,” says Bodin.

But if you want to save a little money while protecting your feet, Hall has a secret weapon for running in harsh conditions. “The truth is that many of us use waterproof socks. But that could be a whole other debate.

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