There’s a particular kinda regret that comes with stepping into a puddle in your favourite sneakers. First, the cold bit. Then, the wet sock. Then, several hours of wondering why you didn’t check the Weather app before you left the house. Thankfully, there are plenty of pairs that can handle a wet commute and that you’d actually want to wear even if the weather was behaving itself.
Some of the best waterproof trainers out there are the ones you already love, beefed up with rain-resistant membranes, tougher uppers, and soles with a bit more grip. The shape that made you buy them in the first place is still there. It’s just had a few practical adjustments, so you can get more wear out of it when the forecast turns ugly. You’ll see Gore-Tex mentioned a lot here, and it’s doing more than adding another logo.
It’s a thin membrane built into the shoe that blocks water and wind while allowing moisture from sweat to escape. Basically, it helps keep the wet stuff outside without trapping all the sweaty stuff inside. We’ve rounded up 17 pairs that put those extras to good use. Some keep the upgrades fairly low-key. Others get a little more technical. All deserve better than being the pair you only wear because you don’t want to ruin your good ones.
Nike Air Max 95 Gore-Tex The AM95 has
Nike Air Max 95 Gore-Tex
The AM95 has been around for over 30 years now. Somehow, this is the first time Nike has thought to Gore-Tex it. The wavy panels, tiny Swoosh, and massive Air bubbles are all still there, only now you don’t have to change your shoes because the forecast’s looking a bit shit. New Balance 2002DX Protection Pack
Already into the 2002R? Good! The DX will be a pretty easy sell then.
You get the ‘Protection Pack’’s deconstructed suede, all that cushioning underneath, and a Gore-Tex membrane tucked inside. It looks like someone’s taken scissors to it, but thankfully they’ve left the waterproofing alone. Adidas Terrex Freehiker SL Gore-Tex
Adidas makes a lot of very good hiking shoes – this is one you’ll probably want to wear even when there’s absolutely no hiking involved.
The big sole work well with baggy jeans, while Gore-Tex and Continental rubber give you something useful to mention when someone questions your decision to buy white sneakers in the middle of November. Asics Gel-NYC 2.0 GTX
Asics’ ‘Utility’ collection takes some of its best trainers and makes them a little more useful when it’s horrible out. The Gel-NYC 2.0 GTX is a particularly good example, with Gore-Tex waterproofing, overlapping Y2K panels, and FF Blast Plus cushioning down below.
Very much the Asics you’d buy anyway, just
Still very much the Asics you’d buy anyway, just with fewer wet socks. Moncler Trailgrip GTX
Moncler would like you to have the shoes to go with your big-ass puffer. The Trailgrip GTX is suitably chunky, with a leather and nylon upper, Gore-Tex waterproofing, and a Vibram tread. There are a ton of rowdy colours to pick from, but we’re vibing with this pair the most. Air Jordan 1 Low A/T
Hoops at 9.
Mountain at 10. A slightly ridiculous schedule, but the Air Jordan 1 Low A/T has dressed for it. Jordan Brand’s given the basketball classic Gore-Tex material and a trail-ready outsole, with a ‘Cream’ and ‘Light Orewood Brown’ colour combo that looks especially good with cargos. Whether your knees can handle both activities is a separate conversation. Salomon XT-Whisper Gore-Tex
If your FYP has been trying to sell you Salomons, there’s a good chance these are the ones.
The XT-Whisper’s slim silhouette and wavy panels have been getting plenty of attention as of late, and now there’s a Gore-Tex version. Same very good sneaker, with an extra reason to finally buy it. New Balance Numeric 480 Gore-Tex
New Balance’s skate team knows a thing or two about putting shoes through it. The Numeric 480 already has a reinforced toecap and plenty of padding, and this version adds Gore-Tex to the mix.
You don’t need to skate to appreciate any
You don’t need to skate to appreciate any of that, though it might help explain why you’ve bought another pair of NBs. Flower Mountain Back Country Uni 2 Waterproof
Andrew Garfield has been quietly buying very good Flower Mountain sneakers for years. If you fancy following him into the slightly nerdier end of Japanese footwear, the Back Country Uni 2 Waterproof is a good place to start.
Nike Air Force 1 Gore-Tex Vibram
Who says your white Forces have to go away for winter? This pair gets a Gore-Tex membrane beneath the leather and a Vibram outsole underneath, so there’s a bit more separating you from the cold, hard pavement. They’re still gonna get dirty, but dirty sneakers are considerably less annoying than soggy socks. Saucony ProGrid Omni 9 GTX
The ProGrid Omni 9 was a fairly technical-looking shoe when it first dropped back in 2010.
Sixteen years later, all those panels and that midfoot cage are exactly why you’d want a pair. This version adds Gore-Tex, and the ‘Fatigue’ colourway looks anything but tired, and will look sick with the brown trousers you’ve been wearing three times a week. Adidas Terrex Trailmaker 2 Gore-Tex
The Trailmaker 2 looks like you’ve got a proper walk planned. Maybe you have. Maybe you just like the ‘Grey Six’ and ‘Halo Green’ combo.
Either way, you get a Gore-Tex membrane,
Either way, you get a Gore-Tex membrane, a reinforced upper, and speed laces that tighten without any fiddling about. Quite a lot of shoe for 110 quid. On Cloud 6 Waterproof
Your fave run club brand has thought about the walk home, too. The Cloud 6 Waterproof puts a waterproof membrane inside On’s everyday sneaker, keeping the hollowed-out sole and easy shape. The ‘Espresso’ pair is particularly good if you like your Ons but could do with something that looks less like you’re about to check your splits.
Asics Gel-Ventx GTX
The Gel-Ventx GTX steals a move or two from the Gel-Venture 6, so there’s a proper trail shoe somewhere in the family. You get a grippy tread, Gel cushioning at the heel, and a Gore-Tex membrane inside. What more do you need? Keen Jasper Nylon Waterproof
If you like the OG Jasper but worry about putting all that suede through a Great British winter, Keen has something you might be keen on.
This version swaps in lightweight nylon and adds the brand’s own Keen.Dry waterproof membrane. You still get the climbing-esque shape and approach shoe-y rubber wrapping around the toe, and it all looks especially good in all-black. Arc’teryx Norvan LD 4 GTX
The brand behind the Beta and Alpha SV jackets would quite like to waterproof the rest of you. Enter the Norvan LD 4 GTX, with a Gore-Tex liner, an upper that’s made to be beat up, and a Vibram Megagrip outsole built for long trail runs.
You can wear them with your matching shell, obviously. You’ve probably already thought about that. Salomon XT-6 Gore-Tex
Of course we were going to include the XT-6. It’s one of Salomon’s best-known trainers, and adding Gore-Tex makes an already very tempting shoe even harder to talk yourself out of. All the techy bits are still there, along with that pull-tight lacing system. Yes, you might already own a pair.
Are they waterproof, though?
