Short answer: choose a waterproof running shoe only after choosing the surface. For wet UK roads, start with a road shoe such as the Brooks Ghost 17 GTX or the more guidance-oriented On Cloudrunner 3 Waterproof. For road-to-trail use, compare the Nike Pegasus Trail 5 GORE-TEX and On Cloudsurfer Trail 2 Waterproof. For technical trail, look at the ASICS TRABUCO 14 GTX or Saucony Peregrine 16 GTX; for deep soft mud, the Salomon Speedcross 6 GORE-TEX is the specialist here.
This is a researched comparison, not a seven-shoe wear test or laboratory grip test. Zone2 checked current UK manufacturer pages and HSE footwear-selection guidance on 17 July 2026. Product roles are based on the published surface, construction and fit; manufacturer grip and waterproofing descriptions remain manufacturer claims. There is no paid placement or affiliate weighting.
Best waterproof running shoes UK: comparison
| Shoe | Best starting point for | Waterproof system | Men’s listed weight | Drop | Fit note on checked page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brooks Ghost 17 GTX | Neutral daily road running and walking | GORE-TEX layer | 320.3g | 10mm | Medium width |
| On Cloudrunner 3 Waterproof | Stable-feeling everyday road running | High-performance waterproof membrane | 325g | 8mm | Regular; true to size |
| Nike Pegasus Trail 5 GORE-TEX | Road-to-trail mixed routes | GORE-TEX upper | Approx. 300g, UK 9 | 9.5mm | No dedicated wide version on checked page |
| On Cloudsurfer Trail 2 Waterproof | Road links and non-technical trail | Waterproof membrane | 308g | 8mm | True to size |
| ASICS TRABUCO 14 GTX | High-cushion trail and longer wet outings | GORE-TEX Invisible Fit | 294g | 8mm | Wider forefoot than predecessor; supportive midfoot |
| Saucony Peregrine 16 GTX | Technical trail and mixed wet rock or dirt | GORE-TEX Invisible Fit | Not published on checked UK page | Not published on checked UK page | Regular GTX listing |
| Salomon Speedcross 6 GORE-TEX | Soft ground and mud | GORE-TEX membrane | 328g | 10mm | Regular SensiFit construction |
Weights are manufacturer samples for men and are not directly comparable across unknown sample sizes; Nike specifies men’s UK 9. A women’s version, another size or another production reference will differ. Saucony does not publish weight or drop on the checked UK Peregrine 16 GTX page, so Zone2 leaves those cells unknown rather than borrowing figures from a different market or non-waterproof model.
Use the Zone2 waterproof road-shoe matcher or switch its surface to trail, technical or mud. It scores the same current catalogue used by this guide, explains each match and shows when no checked waterproof model meets a wide-fit requirement.
1. Brooks Ghost 17 GTX: neutral waterproof road option
The Brooks Ghost 17 GTX is the clearest neutral road starting point. Brooks lists wet and rainy conditions, road running and walking as its uses. The shoe combines a waterproof GORE-TEX layer with balanced cushioning, a 10mm drop and a men’s reference weight of 320.3g.
Choose it when you already like a conventional neutral daily trainer and want the upper changed for rain. It is not a trail shoe: the role and outsole are designed around road running and walking. Brooks lists medium width for the checked GTX product, even though some non-waterproof Ghost versions have broader width availability. Do not assume the same fit menu carries across the range.
Main trade-off: this is heavier than the standard Ghost 18 in the current Zone2 catalogue and has a waterproof layer. Zone2 has not run both shoes in a controlled comparison, so it does not assign a breathability, flexibility or wet-grip winner.
2. On Cloudrunner 3 Waterproof: stable road choice
The current On Cloudrunner 3 Waterproof is the road alternative for runners who prefer a stable-feeling platform. On describes it as an everyday daily trainer with a wider base, asymmetrical heel clip, CloudTec cushioning and Helion foam. The men’s listing gives 325g and an 8mm drop, with regular, true-to-size fit guidance.
The upper uses what On calls a high-performance waterproof membrane and includes reflective details. Reflective trim is useful after dark but is not a complete night-running system; combine it with route-appropriate active light and coverage using the night-running setup checker.
Main trade-off: “stable” is On’s ride category, not a medical prescription or proof that the shoe treats overpronation or prevents injury. Choose it for the feel and fit you prefer, and seek qualified assessment when pain or a clinical concern drives the decision.
3. Nike Pegasus Trail 5 GORE-TEX: road-to-trail pick
The Nike Pegasus Trail 5 GORE-TEX is designed to move between pavement and trail. Nike lists a waterproof GORE-TEX upper, ReactX midsole and Trail All-Terrain Compound outsole. The men’s UK 9 reference weighs approximately 300g, has a 9.5mm drop and uses 3.5mm lugs.
This is the useful middle ground when a run starts at the front door, follows road or pavement and finishes on park paths, gravel or moderate trail. The outsole is more trail-oriented than a road Ghost, but the lugs remain shallower than the 5mm Speedcross mud design. That construction difference is more defensible than claiming either has universally superior wet grip.
Main trade-off: a hybrid outsole is a compromise. It does not turn wet polished stone, algae, timber or ice into predictable ground. Nike also says the reflective design details are not personal protective equipment.
4. On Cloudsurfer Trail 2 Waterproof: smooth easy trail option
On explicitly positions the Cloudsurfer Trail 2 Waterproof for short runs on non-technical trails. It has a waterproof, protective and abrasion-resistant upper, CloudTec Phase cushioning, Helion foam and a Missiongrip outsole with larger chevron-shaped lugs. The men’s reference is 308g with an 8mm drop and true-to-size guidance.
Choose this role for smoother park paths, gravel, towpaths and road-to-trail routes where soft ride and easy transitions matter more than a rock plate or deep mud lugs. On’s own non-technical description is an important boundary; a high price or waterproof membrane does not make it the automatic answer to rugged fell terrain.
Main trade-off: this is a waterproof soft-riding trail shoe, not a mud specialist. If the route is regularly steep, boggy or deeply churned, compare more aggressive lug geometry instead.
5. ASICS TRABUCO 14 GTX: high-cushion trail choice
The current ASICS TRABUCO 14 GTX combines GORE-TEX Invisible Fit with an ASICSGRIP outsole and high-cushion classification. ASICS lists 294g and an 8mm drop for the men’s reference. It also says the updated trail fit has stronger midfoot lockdown and a wider forefoot than the predecessor.
This is the shortlist’s high-cushion trail starting point, particularly when longer outings or a softer underfoot feel matter. “Wider forefoot than its predecessor” is not the same as a separately listed wide fitting, however. Try the exact GTX version with the socks you will wear and make sure the midfoot security does not create pressure.
Main trade-off: the GTX construction and high-cushion platform solve different problems. Waterproof coverage does not prove outsole grip on every wet surface, while cushioning does not make a technical route less technical.
6. Saucony Peregrine 16 GTX: technical-trail option
The Saucony Peregrine 16 GTX pairs GORE-TEX Invisible Fit with PWRRUN cushioning, a full-coverage Vibram Megagrip outsole, high-abrasion reinforcement and a gaiter D-ring. Saucony positions it for technical singletrack and longer trail efforts across wet rock, loose dirt and other mixed terrain.
The role is compelling, but Zone2 could not verify weight, drop or a GTX wide fitting on the checked UK product page. Those omissions matter. A comparison that silently imports specifications from the standard Peregrine 16 would look complete while describing a different shoe.
Main trade-off: Vibram and GORE-TEX branding identify components, not a Zone2 test result. Fit, rubber behaviour, lug contact, rock shape, contamination and outsole wear still affect what happens underfoot.
7. Salomon Speedcross 6 GORE-TEX: soft-ground and mud specialist
The Salomon Speedcross 6 GORE-TEX has the clearest soft-ground specialism. Salomon lists mud as the terrain, 5mm lugs, regular width, 328g, a 10mm drop, SensiFit construction and a waterproof, breathable GORE-TEX membrane. The outsole is designed to shed mud faster than the previous pattern.
Choose it when the route is consistently soft enough for its lugs to engage. Deep lugs can feel less natural on long sections of hard road and do not guarantee grip on ice, polished stone or wet timber. If the run is mainly gravel, pavement or compact park path, the Pegasus Trail or Cloudsurfer Trail role is more coherent.
Main trade-off: the checked GTX page lists regular width. Salomon sells a non-GTX Speedcross 6 Wide, but that does not establish a waterproof wide option. Do not swap the fit and membrane attributes between products.
Waterproof, water-resistant and quick-draining
A waterproof running shoe uses a membrane or upper system intended to prevent water passing through under specified product use. Water-resistant usually means the upper can shed some light rain or splash but is not presented as the same barrier. Neither term means submersible.
Water can enter over the collar during a deep puddle, ford or heavy rain down the leg. Once inside a membrane shoe, it may leave more slowly than it would through an open mesh upper. Socks will also become damp from sweat, and that does not by itself prove that the membrane leaked.
A non-waterproof, quick-draining trail shoe can be the better tool in warm weather, repeated stream crossings or conditions where water will inevitably enter from above. A membrane makes more sense for cold rain, wet vegetation, shallow splashes and steady exposure below the collar. This is why the shoe matcher treats waterproofing as one filter rather than a universal upgrade.
Wet grip is a surface problem, not a waterproofing feature
The membrane and outsole have different jobs. GORE-TEX can be present above a road outsole, moderate trail lugs or a mud pattern; it says nothing by itself about grip.
The HSE slip-resistant footwear guidance is written for workplaces, but its selection principle is useful: tread pattern and compound both matter, and the footwear has to match the surface and contaminant. HSE warns that brochure descriptions alone can be misleading and that performance can change as tread wears or becomes clogged.
- Wet road: look for enough rubber coverage and a road geometry that remains comfortable on tarmac.
- Gravel and compact path: moderate lugs and a stable platform can bridge road and trail.
- Rock and technical trail: compound, contact, rock shape and foot placement matter; no brand name guarantees wet-rock grip.
- Soft mud: deeper, more open lugs can penetrate and clear soft ground, but are not automatically better on hard smooth surfaces.
- Ice: change the route. Ordinary waterproof shoes do not make black ice safe.
Waterproof road running shoes
For an all-road run, start with road geometry. The Brooks Ghost 17 GTX is the neutral daily choice; the On Cloudrunner 3 Waterproof is the stable-feeling option. Both checked men’s references are around 320–325g and neither product page lists a dedicated wide GTX fit.
You do not need a membrane simply because rain is forecast. Ordinary road shoes can be used in rain when the upper, temperature, route and drying time are acceptable. The waterproof version earns its place when cold wet feet, repeated shallow splash or daily commuting is the actual problem. If the route includes significant unpaved ground, move to the road-to-trail group rather than assuming a road outsole becomes a trail outsole in GTX form.
Waterproof trail running shoes
Trail choice begins with terrain:
- Road plus moderate trail: Nike Pegasus Trail 5 GORE-TEX.
- Non-technical trail and softer feel: On Cloudsurfer Trail 2 Waterproof.
- High cushioning and longer trail: ASICS TRABUCO 14 GTX.
- Technical mixed terrain: Saucony Peregrine 16 GTX.
- Soft ground and mud: Salomon Speedcross 6 GORE-TEX.
Those are construction-based roles, not a ranking from a shared trail test. Use the terrain filter in the matcher and read its compromises. If a route is remote, footwear is only one part of the system; use the running pack finder and the trail and fell hub for carried kit, navigation and weather planning.
Fit, width and women’s versions
Try the waterproof version rather than assuming it fits like the standard model. A membrane, bonded construction, gusset and protective overlays can change volume or flex. Wear the intended sock, stand with full weight on the foot, check roughly a thumb’s width at the longest toe and test heel movement on an incline where possible.
None of the seven checked waterproof pages lists a dedicated wide GTX option. That is a catalogue limitation, not evidence that every shoe is narrow or that a runner should size up. Extra length is not a reliable fix for insufficient width. The matcher explicitly reports the missing wide option rather than quietly treating a regular-width shoe as suitable.
Men’s and women’s versions may use different weights, size runs and shapes. Choose by the fit that works for your foot rather than the colour or label. Specifications in the comparison table use men’s reference pages for consistency; verify the exact women’s or alternative product code before buying.
Socks, gaiters and keeping water out
A technical sock should fit without folds and leave enough shoe volume. Merino can remain comfortable across a range of temperatures, while synthetic constructions can dry quickly; neither prevents water entering the collar. The winter running sock guide separates warmth, cushioning and waterproof sock roles.
A low gaiter can reduce grit, debris and some splash entry around the ankle. It does not turn a low shoe into a boot or seal it for immersion. Saucony lists a gaiter D-ring on the Peregrine 16 GTX; check compatibility and practise fitting it before a long event.
Care after a wet run
- Remove loose mud with a soft brush and clean the upper according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Take out the sockliner where the manufacturer permits and loosen the laces.
- Air-dry away from radiators, tumble dryers and other direct heat that can damage adhesives or materials.
- Clear packed mud from lugs and inspect the outsole for wear or cuts.
- Investigate a developing leak rather than assuming every damp sock is external water.
Do not apply a generic waterproofing treatment without checking membrane and upper compatibility. A surface treatment can affect appearance, breathability or adhesion and may not repair membrane or seam damage.
Frequently asked questions
Are waterproof running shoes worth it?
They can be when you regularly run through cold rain, shallow splashes or wet vegetation and water is likely to stay below the collar. They are less compelling in warm weather, deep water or repeated crossings where water will enter from above and quick drainage matters more.
Can normal running shoes be used in rain?
Yes. Many runners use ordinary road or trail shoes in rain. Match the outsole to the surface, slow down where necessary and dry the shoes properly afterwards. Waterproofing is an upper choice, not a requirement for every wet run.
Are GORE-TEX running shoes fully waterproof?
The listed GTX models use a waterproof membrane, but low-cut footwear is not sealed above the collar. Water can enter over the top, and wear, contamination or damage can affect performance. “Waterproof” does not mean suitable for wading or immersion.
What is the best waterproof road running shoe?
The Brooks Ghost 17 GTX is the neutral road starting point in this guide. The On Cloudrunner 3 Waterproof is the stronger shortlist match when you prefer a stable-feeling platform. Fit and ride preference decide between them; Zone2 has not run a comparative wet-road test.
What is the best waterproof trail running shoe?
Match the ground. Pegasus Trail 5 GORE-TEX bridges road and trail; Cloudsurfer Trail 2 Waterproof suits non-technical paths; TRABUCO 14 GTX adds high cushioning; Peregrine 16 GTX targets technical trail; Speedcross 6 GORE-TEX targets mud.
Do waterproof shoes prevent slipping?
No. The membrane does not determine outsole grip. Surface, contamination, rubber, tread, wear and running speed all matter. Change the route around ice, flooding or any surface you cannot assess confidently.
Should I buy waterproof running shoes a size bigger?
Not automatically. Try the exact model with the intended socks and use the manufacturer’s size guidance. Sizing up can create heel movement without solving a width or volume mismatch.
Zone2 verdict
Buy for the route, then the membrane. Ghost 17 GTX and Cloudrunner 3 Waterproof cover daily road roles; Pegasus Trail 5 and Cloudsurfer Trail 2 bridge easier mixed routes; TRABUCO 14 GTX and Peregrine 16 GTX cover more demanding trail roles; Speedcross 6 GORE-TEX is the mud specialist.
No shoe here wins every wet surface, and none has been comparatively grip-tested by Zone2. Use the waterproof trail-shoe matcher to make the trade-offs explicit, then try the exact waterproof version and choose a different route when water, ice or footing exceeds what ordinary running footwear can manage.