Gore-tex Running Shoe Recommendations

[Rapideye]

Hi, need to replace my running shoes. I run mainly off-road and some of the routes get very wet and slippery during winter. I'm also running through some longer grass in some sections.

So, I'm after a pair of gore-tex running shoes to help stop them, and my feet, getting saturated. I don't expect miracles, I know they won't keep all the wet out, just hoping it's a bit drier.

These will be for winter/spring, I'll get a second non-gore-tex pair for drier weather.

Any recommendations? Don't want to spend crazy money.

[Dave Barter]

I love my Salomon Speedcross shoes. The lacing system works well and they are great off road. The GTX model is GoreTex. I’m sure you know that the first misjudged puddle negates the waterproofing and you may want to consider waterproof socks instead

[voodoo_simon]

I love my Salomon Speedcross shoes. The lacing system works well and they are great off road. The GTX model is GoreTex. I’m sure you know that the first misjudged puddle negates the waterproofing and you may want to consider waterproof socks instead

Pretty much word for word too

I don’t know what it is but long, wet grass is a killer! Seems to stop everything from being waterproof. I suspect it gets the socks wet and they saturate through to the toes but whatever it is, wet long grass and gore Tex footwear don’t mix

[Mark E]

La Sportiva Lycan for me. Not proper fell shoes, but fine for running on the moors in the winter if you’re not racing. As others have already said, your feet still get wet, but at least it takes a bit longer to happen!

[Rapideye]

Ok, cheers, all. Maybe I'll stick to buying non-gore-tex and pick up some waterproof socks instead. Saying that, I've a pair of sealskinz socks that I just wouldn't want to wear for running. Maybe a specific running pair would be better suited. Failing that, merino might be a better option and just accept they'll get wet (I knew they would anyway) but merino might keep them warmer.

[whitestone]

Generally for off-road running you don't want waterproof shoes - water is always going to get in through that big hole in the top that your foot uses to get into the shoe and once in, it's not going to get out very easily so you end up carrying some extra weight on each foot which is rather tiring.

Fell running shoes and most (all?) cross country shoes are non-waterproof for this reason.

Running in proper sub-zero conditions isn't a problem either as things tend to be pretty dry, a pair of lightweight gaitors will keep most snow out and it's only your body heat that's going to turn things back to water. The problem, as ever, is around freezing where things are still either fluid or slushy and lead to high heat loss. I always used SealSkinz for those situations, usually the mid-calf length.

[Mark E]

Neoprene socks are also good in my experience. More comfortable to run in than sealskinz, but provide a fair bit of warmth. As Bob says, the worst conditions are just above freezing when wet. I found they helped in those conditions.

[Mike]

SPEEDCROSS for me also, the gore version is my go to winter trail shoes. never misses a beat i dont slip in the poor show. Bit pricey but i get my moneys worth out of them

[JohnClimber]

Get ones that fit your running gate, not just your feet.
I gave up running because I was using the wrong shoes for how I ran.
Had a fitting and I now have Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23.
But I'm not recommending them if you don't run like I do

[substandard]

Gore shoes for running seems a bit pointless as all they do is trap the water that comes in the ankle inside.

Gave up with gore trail shoes and just use warm socks and breathable trail shoes - I’m not running 50-100k ultras though just up to half marathon distances

[Rapideye]

Thanks again all. Yes, a pair of Nike Juniper trail running shoes arrived today. Not gore-tex and not expensive but Nike always seems to give me a good fit and favourite running shoes to date were Nike, so I went with those. I'll get a couple pairs of merino socks too. I keep thinking I should maybe get more merino tops for running in but I also resist because the tops I've got are fine, so why spend for the sake of it. I'm considering running tights because it's pretty cold and I'm not sure I want to spend another winter running in shorts. Last run was freezing. But that's another question, I guess.

[substandard]

Have the juniper trails been updated to a vibram sole? Reviews of nikes own efforts at trail grip in the wet has always put me off trying their trail shoes despite loving their road going zoom x based shoes a lot.

However i see that theyve partnered with Vibram for some of their new models so maybe its time to try, spotted the Zegama 2 sporting Vibram as does their Ultrafly. although both shoes only seem to have 3.5mm lug depth which seems a poor fit for winter uk slop. Currently still using Hoka speedgoats which just seem to tick the box for me as the lugs are 5mm.

[GoneCaving]

I'm just about to break in my second pair of Brooks Cascadia (the non-GTX version for the same reasons as others have mentioned above). I find 'em comfortable, and they have a decent wide toe box, good protection and a hard-wearing tread.

[Rapideye]

Have the juniper trails been updated to a vibram sole? Reviews of nikes own efforts at trail grip in the wet has always put me off trying their trail shoes despite loving their road going zoom x based shoes a lot.

Hmmm...nothing I can see references vibram. Can't say I was looking TBH. I'd agree with the lug depth being shallower but where I run it should be ok-ish, apart from when there's been extended rain affecting some shorter sections.