Adidas Waterproof Shoes (2026): GORE-TEX and Terrex Picks
Which adidas shoes are genuinely waterproof: the GORE-TEX Terrex line, waterproof sneakers, and how GORE-TEX, RAIN.RDY, and Climaproof actually differ.
Searching for adidas waterproof shoes turns up a wall of Terrex models, and the frustrating part is that the name tells you almost nothing. Terrex is adidas’s entire outdoor line. Some of it is sealed with GORE-TEX and some of it is breathable mesh with no membrane at all, and both look much the same in a listing photo.
So this page is organised around the only thing that actually decides it: which membrane, if any, the shoe carries.
The three labels, and what they mean
adidas uses three, and they are not equivalent.
GORE-TEX (often shortened to GTX) is the licensed membrane, and the only one with a waterproof guarantee attached. RAIN.RDY is adidas’s own membrane, waterproof in practice but without that warranty. Climaproof is neither: it is a water-repellent finish for light showers, and it wets out in sustained rain.
If none of the three appears in the product name, the shoe is not waterproof. That is the single most useful thing to know before you buy, and it is why the picks above are all GORE-TEX.
What adidas is actually good at here
The membrane is not the reason to choose adidas, because GORE-TEX is the same material whoever licenses it. The reason is the Continental rubber outsole on most Terrex models, which is one of the better wet-grip compounds in footwear. On wet rock that matters more than the membrane does, since dry feet are little comfort if you are sliding.
Where adidas is weaker is genuine backpacking support. The line is built around trail-shoe feel, so for heavy loads a traditional boot brand serves you better.
For the wider field beyond one brand, our best waterproof hiking shoes and best waterproof hiking boots roundups rank adidas against Merrell, KEEN and Salomon, and Merrell Moab vs KEEN Targhee covers the two that outsell it. If a sealed shoe sounds warmer than you want, start with waterproof vs water-resistant before you buy.
How we test waterproof shoes
Every pick is scored on the same five criteria and cross-checked against real owner feedback - so the ranking reflects how a shoe holds up, not its spec sheet.
Waterproofing
How well it seals - GORE-TEX, eVent, or a quality liner, with gusseted tongues and taped seams.
Traction
Outsole compound and lug pattern, and real grip on wet rock, gravel, and slick mud.
Support
Midsole stiffness, torsional rigidity, and stability on uneven ground and under a pack.
Comfort
Fit and width options, cushioning, break-in, and weight over long days.
Durability
Upper toughness, toe and heel protection, and how it holds up season after season.
Best overall
adidas Terrex AX4 GORE-TEX
The adidas waterproof shoe to buy if you are buying one, and by some distance the most proven: over a thousand owners behind it, a sealed GORE-TEX membrane, and the Continental rubber outsole that is the real reason to pick adidas over another GORE-TEX hiker. Grip on wet rock is where it separates from the field. Runs a touch small, so size up if you are between.
Pros
- Continental rubber grips wet rock exceptionally
- Sealed GORE-TEX, not a repellent coating
- By far the most reviewed adidas hiker
Cons
- Runs slightly small
- Firmer underfoot than a cushioned hiker
Best adidas GORE-TEX boot
adidas Terrex Skychaser AX5 Mid GORE-TEX
The pick when you want ankle coverage rather than a low shoe. A mid cuff over the same GORE-TEX and Continental combination, with a ripstop upper that handles scrape better than mesh. This is the closest adidas gets to a traditional waterproof hiking boot while still feeling like a trail shoe underfoot, which is the whole appeal.
Pros
- Mid cuff adds ankle support and keeps grit out
- Ripstop upper resists scuffs
- Still light for a boot
Cons
- Newer model, thinner review history
- Runs small like most Terrex
Best waterproof sneaker
adidas Ultraboost 22 GORE-TEX
The answer to the most common adidas waterproof question, which is whether you can get an Ultraboost that survives rain. You can, but only this way: the GTX version swaps the soaked-in-seconds Primeknit upper for a sealed membrane. It keeps the Boost midsole that made the shoe, so it is still the most comfortable thing here on pavement. Warmer than the standard model.
Pros
- Boost midsole comfort with a sealed upper
- Looks like a normal sneaker, not gear
- Genuinely waterproof, unlike standard Ultraboost
Cons
- Warmer than the non-GTX version
- Road only, limited grip off pavement
Best for trails and speed
adidas Women's Terrex Agravic GORE-TEX
The lightest genuinely waterproof shoe adidas makes, and the one to pick if you move fast rather than plod. The Agravic is built as a trail runner first, so it flexes and drains in a way the AX4 does not, with the same GORE-TEX seal and Continental grip. Less underfoot protection than a hiking shoe is the trade for the weight saving.
Pros
- Lightest waterproof option adidas offers
- Trail-running flex, not hiking-shoe stiffness
- Continental rubber on wet ground
Cons
- Less underfoot protection than a hiker
- Not built for heavy packs
Most comfortable
adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2 GORE-TEX
What happens when adidas puts Boost cushioning inside a waterproof hiking boot. The Free Hiker is the softest thing in the Terrex line by a clear margin, and the sock-like collar means no break-in at all. That comfort costs you some stability under a loaded pack, so it suits day hikes and travel more than backpacking.
Pros
- Boost cushioning, softest Terrex by far
- Sock-fit collar needs no break-in
- Genuinely waterproof GORE-TEX
Cons
- Less stable under a heavy pack
- Premium price
Also worth considering
Strong, well-reviewed shoes that just missed our ranked list - worth a look if the picks above aren't quite right for you.
- adidas Terrex Swift R3 Mid GORE-TEX - The long-running Terrex mid, still one of the best-rated GORE-TEX boots adidas makes and usually cheaper than the newer Skychaser. Worth checking if the Skychaser is out of stock in your size.
- adidas Supernova GTX - The other waterproof road shoe besides the Ultraboost GTX, and the cheaper way into a sealed adidas runner. Less cushioning than Boost, but the same wet-weather seal.
- adidas Terrex GORE-TEX (Kids) - The kids' version of the Terrex formula, with the same sealed membrane and grippy outsole scaled down. The sensible pick for a child who walks to school in the wet.
Frequently asked questions
Are adidas Terrex shoes waterproof?
Some are, most are not, and the name alone will not tell you. Terrex is adidas's whole outdoor line, and it spans everything from sealed GORE-TEX hikers to breathable mesh trail shoes with no membrane at all. The waterproof ones carry GORE-TEX, GTX, or RAIN.RDY in the product name. If a Terrex listing says none of those, treat it as a dry-weather shoe, because that is what it is.
What is the difference between GORE-TEX, RAIN.RDY, and Climaproof?
They are three different levels, and adidas uses all three across one catalogue. GORE-TEX is the licensed membrane and the only one with a genuine waterproof guarantee behind it, which is why it costs the most. RAIN.RDY is adidas's own membrane, waterproof in practice but without the GORE-TEX warranty. Climaproof is the weakest of the three: a water-repellent treatment for showers rather than a sealed membrane. For real wet weather, buy GORE-TEX or RAIN.RDY.
Are adidas Ultraboost waterproof?
Only the GORE-TEX versions, and they are a small minority of the range. A standard Ultraboost uses a knit Primeknit upper that soaks through almost immediately, which is exactly what makes it comfortable in dry weather. The Ultraboost GTX models swap in a sealed membrane and are genuinely waterproof, but they run warmer. Check for GTX or GORE-TEX in the name; without it, assume the shoe is not waterproof.
Are adidas golf shoes waterproof?
Some models are, and adidas backs those with a stated waterproof warranty, usually one or two years, printed on the listing. That warranty is the thing to look for, because plenty of adidas golf shoes are only water-repellent and the marketing language for the two is very similar. We have not ranked golf shoes here, since we test hiking, running, and everyday footwear rather than golf, and we would rather say that than pad this list.
Do adidas GORE-TEX shoes run small?
Slightly, and more than the non-membrane versions of the same shoe. A sealed lining takes up volume that mesh does not, so most owners find a GTX model fits about a half size tighter than its standard sibling. The Terrex line in particular draws consistent runs-small feedback. If you are between sizes, or plan on a thicker sock in cold weather, size up rather than down.
Are adidas waterproof shoes worth it over a cheaper brand?
For the outsole, often yes. adidas puts Continental rubber on most Terrex models, and it is genuinely one of the better wet-grip compounds available, which matters more than the membrane on wet rock. The waterproofing itself is not better than any other GORE-TEX shoe, because it is the same membrane every brand licenses. Buy adidas for the grip and the fit, not for drier feet.