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Come winter, running outside is like navigating a DIY obstacle course full of frozen sidewalks, slush puddles, and snow drifts.
If you want to prevent your feet from freezing solid, it’s all about choosing the right pair of winter running shoes. “When you know you’ll be running through rain, ice, snow, puddles, you want a shoe that’s more protective,” says Jess Movold, a running coach at Mile High Run Club in New York City.
Certified running coach at Skyline Run Coaching Lynsey Romano says the right pair of shoes can also make your experience a lot more pleasant. "Getting better traction on ice or loose snow or slush can make a difference between an enjoyable winter run or a potentially frustrating experience."
The first step to find a good pair of winter running shoes is to figure out what kind of terrain you'll be running. If you're running in a more urban environment, then you can expect heavy foot and car traffic, which means lots of sloshy snow or wet pavements where the snow has already melted.
But if your runs are taking you to the trails or mountains, you can expect your terrain to be a little more rugged. After all, less people are frequenting the area and snow trucks aren't exactly driving up there to clear a path. Running off road in winter, you're likely to come across deep banks of snow.
Another thing you want to consider? Whether you'll be running on ice. Tackling frozen conditions requires soles that will give you enough grip to keep from accidentally falling.
So, when shopping for winter running shoes, consider ones with features like Gore-Tex, heat technology, or even spikes. Most importantly, “check out the the bottom of the shoe to make sure that there's some serious traction that will help keep you upright,” says Movold. “And in the winter, a slightly heavier shoe isn’t necessarily a bad thing—that extra weight can give you extra stability to help you keep your footing.”
Here are some winter running shoe features you should also consider.
- waterproof upper: Running with wet feet is frustrating and can get plain gross, not to mention irritate the skin. "Wet feet can lead to blisters and maceration (or soggy skin) in addition to just being cold and uncomfortable," says Romano.
- insulation: Frigid temps call for bundling up, feet included. Winter shoes with thermal insulation or a high top will keep the chill out, especially when socks alone aren't enough. "A shoe with thermal insulation will be particularly important in climates that get too cold to simply throw on a pair of warm socks. Because your toes are one of the areas of your body most vulnerable to frost bite, insulation may be an extremely important feature," Romano says.
- comfort: This is key. "You can have all of the best features, but if that shoe is uncomfortable you’ll be unlikely to use it," says Romano.
- reflective material for low-light visibility: In some places, the winter means less sunlight, and for safety reasons you want people to see you while you're running. This specific feature is just an option though, says Romano. "This isn’t a “make or break feature” for me as you can always throw on a reflective or LED vest."
So now that you know what to look for, scroll down to see 16 pairs of the best winter running shoes for treading on ice or snow—both on- and off-road.
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When looking for a good shoes to hit the town running during winter, Romano recommends going for something that transitions well from bare pavement to snow, as snow can quickly become packed down by foot and car traffic.
"For this reason I would avoid shoes with an aggressive integrated metal or carbide stud [on the soles] as it won’t feel great on snow-cleared surfaces. Choosing a shoe with a deeper, but wide-spaced lug that does well on the snow but also feels comfortable on hard surfaces is your best bet," says Romano. She also recommends looking for something with grippy rubber on the outsole and a waterproof upper for when conditions are extra wet and slushy.
Romano's pick for snowy road running is the Nike Air Zoom Wildhorse. It's designed with a lugged rubberoutsole that provides traction in both wet and dry conditions. They're also made with Nike's Responsive React cushioning to provide you with comfort and energy no matter how long your runs are.
Brooks’ Ghost sneaker is one of the brand’s most popular running shoes; this version has a waterproof, Gore-Tex upper that keeps your feet dry and warm on road runs,and subtle traction on the sole to keep your stride steady.
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When it comes to lightweight and flexible shoes that keep you moving fast on the road, look no further than this minimalist sneaker. Thanks to itslow-to-the-ground profile, the Trail Glovemimics the feeling of running barefoot or at least close to it—plus, asthe name implies, it indeed fits like a glove (or maybe a sock in this case?) So that means transitioning from snow to pavement will feel like a breeze.
With a full Gore-Tex bootie and a premium wet-traction rubber sole, this winter runningshoe was literally made for sloshing through puddles of frigid, melting snow. Bonus: It doesn’t have super-aggressive lugs, which means it's great for road runs and grippy enough for powdery paths, too.
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Nike Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 35 Shield Women's Running Shoes
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Nike Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 35 Shield Women's Running Shoes
Granted you aren't running in a snow storm, these running shoes feature a water-repellent upper that will keep your feet dry and an outsole designed to give you optimal grip on wet surfaces. This is Romano's go-to when conditions are generally snowy,but well-trafficked enough that she doesn't need aggressive lugs.
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If you're heading for the hills, forests, or mountains, Romano suggests opting for a winter running shoe with a higher ankle height to ensure they're suitable for deep snow too. "A high-top, or even more protective fit of a gaiter, booty style shoe that fits snug around the ankles to keep out snow, is going to be a priority for runners navigating trail conditions." She also recommends a long and wide-spaced lug to keep snow from accumulating on the outsole, a waterproof upper, and rock plate to protect the foot—spikes are also features to strongly consider.
Adidas’ unique UltraBoost X—designed specifically for women’s feet—got the all-weather treatment with a water-repellent knit upper to keep feet dry and a high collar for added protection against the elements, snow included. This shoe is comfortable, cushioned, and ideal for winter runs on any terrain.
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Topo Athletic Ultraventure Trail Running Shoe
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Topo Athletic Ultraventure Trail Running Shoe
There’s no way snow or rain is getting into the Topo Ultraventure—the shoe's tongue is literally attached to the upper. Plusit's made with an abrasion-resistant material, whichwill prevent holes caused by wear and tear.In fact, the only place water will go is out—the upper features draining “gills” so sweaty feet dry fast.
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Brooks Cascadia 14 GTX Trail Running Shoes
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Brooks Cascadia 14 GTX Trail Running Shoes
Don’t stress about sprinting through slush and puddles; the latest iteration of the Brooks Cascadia comes with a waterproof Gore-Tex upper and BioMoGoDNA midsole that provides a new-level of cushioning that actually adapts to your stride. The shoe also boasts an impressivestability system that does such a serious job at keeping your foot level thatthe brand actually likens it to an SUV.
Made for any and all types of weather conditions—rain, snow, mud (RSM)—this waterproof shoe is always ready to take on the elements.It has an eVent upper that shields from leaks and abrasions, while still offering premium comfort.What more could you want in a winter running shoe? Oh, right: the brand’s balance-cushioning, which places your heel and forefront the same distance from the ground so that you can maintain ideal, low-impact form whereveryour route takes you.
No cold toes here: UA’s proprietary insulation warms your feet up when they’re cold and cools ‘em down when the blood starts pumping. Oh, andthose thick rubber lugs (those indentationson the sole)will give you extra traction on snow and ice.Ifstyle is something you're really looking for, then this shoe's got you covered.Thanks to an extended upper, the Charged Reactor is reminiscent of a high-top sneaker.
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Hoka One One Women's Speedgoat 4 Trail Running Shoes
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Hoka One One Women's Speedgoat 4 Trail Running Shoes
Like most Hokas, the fourth edition of the Speedgoathas a super-thick midsole—which, in this case, keeps your feet far off the cold, wet ground. And those extra-deep Vibram lugs on the bottom can handle all kinds of half-frozen hurdles—making this shoe best suited for trails or super-snowy weather conditions.
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When treading over ice, your main concern is slipping, so you want running shoes that are going to offer an insane grip. "If you’re brave enough to venture out on the ice, you’re going to want shoes with studs or spikes," says Romano. "You can purchase shoes with integrated spikes or there are also a few products out there that allow you to screw spikes into an existing pair of shoes."
With a name like that, you know these sneakers can stand up to the slipperiest conditions. That outsole is seriously grippy, with Vibram Arctic Grip technology in high-contact areas to give you even more traction on snow and ice—but still flexible enough to allow for speed.
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Between the “wet traction” rubber compound Salomon used to make the Speedcross 5’s spiky outsoles and the distinct arrow pattern of the soles, these rugged shoes give you serious ground contact so you stick to even the slickest surfaces. No matter how wet it gets, though, the Gore-Tex upper provides plenty of protection from the elements.
See those little spikes sticking out of the soles? They guarantee maximum grip and speed whenyou're running across snowy and icy terrain. And right above them is a protective plate that keepsany surprises under the snow from poking up into the shoe. (Phew!) Just keep in mind, due tothose handy spikes, theses sneakers aren't meant for road runs.
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La Sportiva Tempesta GTX Trail Running Shoe
These kicks usea Gore-Flex FriXion AT V-Groovesoles to repel water while providing stability. And with its single-pull lacing system, your frozen fingers won’t have to fumble to tighten things up.
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Icebug Women's Gore-TEX Traction Studded Running Shoe
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Icebug Women's Gore-TEX Traction Studded Running Shoe
These running shoes were specifically designed to tackle slippery surfaces and feature IceBug's BUGrip sole, which is made of 14-19 integrated steel studs that together offer a secure grip. The shoes also feature a single-lacing system that allow for a tighter fit, especially important when preventing slip.
Ashley Mateo
Ashley Mateo is a writer, editor, and UESCA- and RRCA-certified running coach who has contributed to Runner’s World, Bicycling, Women's Health, Health, Shape, Self, and more. She’ll go anywhere in the world once—even if it’s just for a good story. Also into: good pizza, good beer, and good photos.
Elizabeth Bacharach
Elizabeth Bacharach is the Assistant Editor at Women’s Health where she writes and edits content about mental and physical health, food and nutrition, sexual health, and lifestyle trends across WomensHealthMag.com and the print magazine. She has a master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University, lives in New York City, and dreams of becoming best friends with Ina Garten, who is, undeniably, an absolute queen.
Jasmine Gomez
Commerce Editor
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