HOKA Transport GTX
Pros
- Top-class waterproofing
- Cushioned and supportive for all-day wear
- Smooth strides thanks to rockered shape
- Very stable platform
- Highly durable construction
- Excellent grip on dry and wet city streets
- Quick and easy lacing system (regular laces included in the box as well)
- Reflective elements all throughout the upper
- Sustainable materials in almost every shoe part
Cons
- A bit heavier than average
- Major stack and drop discrepancy with official specs
Key Features
- Waterproof GORE-TEX bootie: Keeps your feet dry with its robust construction made from 71% recycled polyester.
- Eco-friendly materials: Made with 100% rPET mesh and 30% sugarcane EVA midsole, showcasing Hoka's commitment to sustainability.
- Vibram® Megagrip outsole: Provides exceptional traction with 4mm multi-directional lugs, ideal for navigating various terrains.
- Reflective elements: Increases visibility during low-light conditions, making evening walks safer.
- Molded PU sockliner: Offers superior cushioning and comfort, incorporating 50% soybean oil in its composition.
Specifications
- Origin: Imported
- Sole material: Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA)
- Outer material: Polyester
- Inner material: Textile
The Hoka Transport GTX is an excellent choice for individuals seeking a waterproof walking shoe. Its design effectively protects against external elements, making it suitable for wet and abrasive conditions.
Laboratory assessments reveal that the shoe features a robust construction, utilizing Cordura in the upper and world-class Vibram rubber in the outsole. The combination of these materials, along with the Gore-Tex membrane, ensures impermeability, confirmed by a low 1/5 breathability rating during our smoke test, keeping users warm and dry.
Additionally, the toebox exhibits notable durability, achieving a 4/5 rating in our Dremel test. The rigid design of the Transport GTX provides significant support, achieving a 5/5 torsional rigidity score, which resists lateral movement and minimizes the risk of ankle twists, ensuring a stable ride.
The Vibram outsole offers exceptional grip and strength, evidenced by a strong 0.56 performance in our traction test, enhancing confidence on various surfaces. Furthermore, the shoe demonstrated impressive wear resistance, showing 28.6% less damage in our Dremel test.
However, the robust protective features may limit agility and freedom of movement. Those who prioritize flexibility in their footwear might consider alternative walking shoe options.
Hoka Speedgoat 6 GTX
Pros
- Built-to-last durability
- Reliable Vibram traction
- Winter-ready waterproof protection
- Lightweight Gore-Tex membrane
- Smooth rockered ride
- Cushioned for long runs
- Stability improvements
- Secure lockdown
- Fair price jump for waterproof upgrade
Cons
- Zero breathability
- Tapered toebox
- Probably too stiff
- Not ideal for heel strikers
Key Features
- GORE-TEX's Invisible Fit: Provides waterproof protection without compromising flexibility.
- Vibram® Megagrip outsole: Ensures superior grip on loose and slippery surfaces.
- Foot-cradling heel bolster: Adds comfort and stability during runs.
- Lightweight midsole compound: Offers responsive cushioning for enhanced performance.
- Protective toe cap: Shields your toes from rocks and debris on rugged trails.
Specifications
- Origin: Imported
- Sole material: Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA)
- Outer material: Polyester
- Inner material: Textile and EVA
The Hoka Speedgoat 6 GTX is best suited for individuals seeking a reliable winter walking shoe. Its design instills confidence on icy streets, providing notable grip and control.
This shoe incorporates the robust Vibram outsole, which performed exceptionally well on both wet and dry surfaces during our tests. The deep 3.9 mm Traction Lugs enhance stability while navigating steep or twisting trails.
Featuring a firm 25.8 HA midsole cushion, the shoe stabilizes steps with its reinforced sidewalls. Coupled with a broad 118.1/95.7 mm base, it minimizes the risk of losing balance.
The upper demonstrates solid construction; during our smoke test, it achieved a low 1/5 breathability score, indicating strong resistance to cold air and moisture. This characteristic keeps feet warm and dry in snowy conditions, while a durability test yielded a perfect 5/5 score.
However, be aware that the shoe features a moderate 5.0 mm drop, which may require lower leg muscles to engage more actively. Those who favor a higher drop for enhanced ergonomics might want to consider alternative options.
Nike Pegasus Trail 5 GTX
Pros
- High-quality Gore-Tex membrane
- Lighter than the Pegasus Trail 5!
- Fantastic for midfoot strikers
- Doubles as a hiking and walking shoe
- Good ReactX midsole
- Amazing for winter
- Can handle all-day adventures
- Reasonable price hike
Cons
- Ankle instability for heel strikers
- Upper lacks padding
- Limited breathability
- Grip falls short on technical terrain
Key Features
- Waterproof GORE-TEX Upper: Keeps your feet dry in wet conditions.
- ReactX Foam Midsole: Provides 13% more responsiveness than previous React technology for light energy return.
- Air Zoom Element: Located in the forefoot area for enhanced cushioning and support.
- Nike Trail ATC Outsole: Constructed from an all-terrain blend that performs well even in slippery conditions.
- Durable High Ankle Cuff: Prevents dirt and debris from entering the shoe.
- Unique Aesthetic: Features design elements inspired by the South Kaibab trail, with graphics reminiscent of desert plants.
Specifications
- Model Number: FQ0908-003
- Origin: Imported
- Sole Material: All-Terrain
- Outer Material: Waterproof upper, ReactX foam insole
- Closure Type: Lace-Up
The Nike Pegasus Trail 5 GTX is designed for trail runners seeking waterproof protection combined with agility and cushioning in a lightweight design. It has been verified as a top performer in lab tests and real-world running scenarios, making it an excellent choice among Nike’s waterproof trail running options.
This model features a Gore-Tex membrane complemented by dense mesh construction to effectively prevent water ingress. In breathability assessments, it received a score of 1/5, indicating that it retains body heat while blocking cold air from entering.
Agility is prominent in the Peg Trail 5 GTX, weighing just 9.9 oz (281g), which is notably lighter than many other waterproof trail shoes. For context, this model only slightly exceeds the non-GTX version, which weighs 10.1 oz (286g). It also demonstrated superior flexibility, being 29.4% more flexible than the average shoe in our bend test.
The ReactX midsole offers lively and comfortable cushioning, allowing for extended runs without fatigue. The cushioning measures 23.4% softer-than-average, providing adequate protection during trail activities while maintaining a responsive ride. However, this comfort comes at a cost, as the stack lacks additional foam support for longer distances, particularly with a 23.8 mm forefoot height.
Although it excels in comfort, those who prioritize plush cushioning for longer outings might want to consider alternative options.
Hoka Clifton 9 GTX
Pros
- Exceptionally cushioned
- Comfortable and long-lasting upper
- Ideal for winter conditions
- Only $15 more expensive than the non-waterproof Clifton
- Still remarkably lightweight even with Gore-Tex
- Excellent for easy and moderate-paced runs
- Incredibly stable for neutral runners
- Ultra-durable Durabrasion outsole
Cons
- May be too narrow for many
- Heel-to-toe drop significantly differs from Hoka's claims
- Not enough energy return
Key Features
- GORE-TEX Invisible Fit: Provides waterproof protection without compromising breathability.
- Weather-ready traction pods: Offers enhanced grip on various surfaces, ensuring stability during wet conditions.
- 360-degree reflectivity: Increases visibility in low-light conditions for safer night runs.
- Closed mesh construction: Adds an extra layer of protection against the elements while allowing for airflow.
- Eco-friendly materials: Made with recycled content for environmentally conscious consumers.
Specifications
- Origin: Imported
- Sole material: Rubber for optimal durability and grip
- Outer material: Canvas that enhances breathability
- Inner material: Fabric for added comfort and moisture management
The Hoka Clifton 9 GTX stands out among Gore-Tex running shoes, making it an excellent choice for those seeking comfort and protection during their runs. Its lightweight yet sturdy design has been verified through lab testing, demonstrating notable performance.
The Clifton 9 GTX features significant cushioning that facilitates gentler landings for various foot strikes, characterized by an above-average stack height of 37.2/28.6 mm. Its balanced feel is enhanced by a wide design measuring 120.9/97.2 mm, contributing to stable landings.
This shoe incorporates a Gore-Tex membrane that provides reliable waterproofing in wet conditions, achieving an impressive 3/5 breathability score in our lab tests—this is a notable achievement compared to other GTX shoes that typically score 1/5. The tightly knitted jacquard mesh also demonstrated solid durability, earning a score of 4/5.
Equipped with a Durabrasion rubber outsole, the Clifton 9 GTX offers strong protection against abrasions, showing 50.0% less damage than the average. Despite its numerous features, it maintains a relatively light weight at just 9.6 oz (271g), making it suitable for longer runs.
However, individuals with wide or squared feet may experience some restriction due to the aggressive tapering of the toebox, which measures 69.4 mm in the big toe area compared to the 73.3 mm average. This aspect may impact overall comfort for some users.