I run about 500 km a month and my marathon best is under 2:30, and I chose these with care. This is my conclusion as of Oct 21, 2026. For a rain shoe, I look at weight before waterproofing. I lined up the 6 pairs by how many grams and how many yen they add over the standard version, using official Japan figures. No. 1 is the PUMA Velocity Nitro 5 GORE-TEX (about 240g, JPY 22,000), No. 2 the Nike Pegasus 42 GORE-TEX (about 323g, JPY 20,900) and No. 3 the ASICS GT-2000 15 GTX (JPY 19,800).
The Shoe Nerd's top pick
For a rainy-day shoe, start with the Velocity Nitro 5 GORE-TEX. Even waterproofed, its official weight stays at about 240g. The extra cost is JPY 5,500. A shoe that gets heavy only for rain stops getting worn on dry days. A weight you can run in all the time is the reason to buy.
Key points
- The only one that doesn't get heavier when waterproofed is the Velocity Nitro 5 GORE-TEX (about 240g, same as the standard version). The extra cost is JPY 5,500
- The smallest premium is JPY 3,300 for the ASICS GT-2000 15 GTX and the Nike Pegasus 42 GORE-TEX. The biggest is JPY 8,800 for the Ghost 18 GTX
- Owning both the standard and GORE-TEX versions (2 pairs) of the GT-2000 15 comes to JPY 36,300 (16,500 ＋ 19,800)
For a rain shoe, pick the one that doesn't get heavier
If you buy a heavy, expensive shoe just for rainy days, you stop wearing it on dry days. If a shoe is waterproof at the same weight as the standard version, one pair does it all.
This article lines up 6 running shoes with a GORE-TEX waterproof membrane in the upper, by how they differ from the standard version. I look at three things: added weight, added price and total price.
How is the GORE-TEX version different from the standard?
A GORE-TEX version is a separate product with a waterproof membrane bonded to the upper. It looks like the standard version, but three things change.
| What changes | Details |
|---|---|
| Weight | Adds 0g to 30g (range across the 6 pairs) |
| Price | Goes up JPY 3,300 to JPY 8,800 |
| Product name | "GTX" or "GORE-TEX" is added at the end. It has a different part number from the standard version |
GORE-TEX describes its membrane as keeping water out while letting moisture from inside escape. But the membrane can't stop rain coming in through the opening of the shoe. In deep puddles, the height of the shoe is the limit.
The gap from the standard version: the 6 GORE-TEX shoes compared
Scroll the table sideways →
| GORE-TEX version | Weight | Standard version weight | Added weight | Official price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PUMA Velocity Nitro 5 | About 240g | About 240g | 0g | JPY 22,000 |
| Nike Pegasus 42 GORE-TEX | about 323g | about 300g | +23g | JPY 20,900 |
| ASICS GT-2000 15 GTX | — | 252g | — | JPY 19,800 |
| Saucony Hurricane 26 GTX | 277g | 262g | +15g | JPY 31,900 |
| Saucony Triumph 24 GTX | 277g | 250g | +27g | JPY 31,900 |
| Brooks Ghost 18 GTX | 320g | 290g | +30g | JPY 28,600 |
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
PUMA Velocity Nitro 5 GORE-TEX
Lowest price on Rakuten Ichiba: JPY 17,600 (as of 10/20). Some shops ask up to JPY 22,000. Prices change daily. Shoes are best tried on in the evening, when your feet swell, with your usual socks. Fit varies by brand, so check the return and exchange terms on the shop page before you buy.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten IchibaRead the extra cost as a percentage and as a cost per rainy run
Divide the extra cost of going GORE-TEX by the price of the standard version and you get a percentage.
Scroll the table sideways →
| GORE-TEX version | Standard price | Extra cost | Increase | Per rainy run (20 runs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GT-2000 15 GTX | JPY 16,500 | JPY 3,300 | 20% | JPY 165 |
| Pegasus 42 GORE-TEX | JPY 17,600 | JPY 3,300 | about 19% | JPY 165 |
| Velocity Nitro 5 | JPY 16,500 | JPY 5,500 | about 33% | JPY 275 |
| Hurricane 26 GTX | JPY 25,300 | JPY 6,600 | about 26% | JPY 330 |
| Triumph 24 GTX | JPY 25,300 | JPY 6,600 | about 26% | JPY 330 |
| Ghost 18 GTX | JPY 19,800 | JPY 8,800 | about 44% | JPY 440 |
You can also work out the extra cost per added gram. The Pegasus 42 is JPY 143 (3,300 ÷ 23), the Triumph 24 about JPY 244 (6,600 ÷ 27), the Ghost 18 about JPY 293 (8,800 ÷ 30) and the Hurricane 26 JPY 440 (6,600 ÷ 15). The Velocity Nitro 5 doesn't change weight, so this division doesn't work for it.
#1 PUMA Velocity Nitro 5 GORE-TEX: the weight doesn't change
Why it wins: even waterproofed, its official weight stays at about 240g. The gap to the standard version is only JPY 5,500. It came out in Jul 2026, and the drop is 8mm.
The catch: it comes in one width, "regular." If you need a wide fit, you can't have the standard version's Wide together with waterproofing. I covered the details in the Velocity Nitro 5 review.
#2 Nike Pegasus 42 GORE-TEX: JPY 3,300 more
Why it wins: the premium is JPY 3,300 (about 19%), and a rain shoe costs JPY 20,900. It adds about 23g.
The catch: about 323g is the second heaviest of the six (a 28cm figure). If you put lightness first, the No. 1 pick suits you better.
#3 ASICS GT-2000 15 GTX: the lowest total price
Why it wins: at JPY 19,800 it's the cheapest of the 6 pairs, and it has the anti-roll mechanism (3D GUIDANCE SYSTEM). The premium is JPY 3,300 (20%).
The catch: the standard version weighs 252g, and this one adds the membrane on top of that. For how to choose stability shoes, see the stability running shoes guide.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
ASICS GT-2000 15 GTX
Lowest price on Rakuten is JPY 19,800 (as of 10/21). Prices change daily. Shoes are best tried on in the evening, when your feet swell, with your usual socks. Fit varies by brand, so check the return and exchange terms on the shop page before you buy.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten Ichiba#4 Saucony Hurricane 26 GTX: a thick sole with little added weight
Why it wins: it's a 41mm-heel max-cushion shoe, and the added weight stays at 15g: 262g becomes 277g.
The catch: JPY 31,900 is the highest price of the 6 pairs. The JPY 6,600 premium is about 26% of the standard version.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Saucony Hurricane 26 GTX (GORE-TEX)
Lowest price on Rakuten is JPY 31,900 (as of 10/21). Prices change daily. Shoes are best tried on in the evening, when your feet swell, with your usual socks. Fit varies by brand, so check the return and exchange terms on the shop page before you buy.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten Ichiba#5 Saucony Triumph 24 GTX: cushioned enough for rainy days too
Why it wins: it has the same sole as the standard version (43mm heel / 33mm forefoot), so you can run on rainy days too. The standard 250g becomes 277g.
The catch: it adds 27g, 12g more than the Hurricane 26's 15g (27 − 15). The price is the same JPY 31,900, so if you value lightness, the #4 pick makes more sense.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Saucony Triumph 24 GTX (GORE-TEX)
Lowest price on Rakuten is JPY 31,900 (as of 10/21). Prices change daily. Shoes are best tried on in the evening, when your feet swell, with your usual socks. Fit varies by brand, so check the return and exchange terms on the shop page before you buy.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten Ichiba#6 Brooks Ghost 18 GTX: a 320g rain shoe
Why it wins: the Ghost 18, a classic with a 10mm drop, comes in a waterproof version.
The catch: it adds 30g and costs JPY 8,800 more (about 44%), the biggest gap of the 6 pairs.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Brooks Ghost 18 GTX (waterproof)
Lowest price on Rakuten is JPY 22,880 (as of 10/20), ranging up to JPY 61,470 depending on the shop. Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten Ichibaadidas also has the Hyperboost GTX (283g, 38mm heel / 32mm forefoot). It's a different shoe from the Edge, so read the Hyperboost Edge review first.
If you own both the standard and GORE-TEX versions
You can also use two pairs: the standard on dry days, the GORE-TEX on rainy days.
| Combination | Calculation | Total |
|---|---|---|
| GT-2000 15 standard and GTX | 16,500 + 19,800 | JPY 36,300 |
| Velocity Nitro 5 standard and GTX | 16,500 + 22,000 | JPY 38,500 |
| Ghost 18 standard and GTX | 19,800 + 28,600 | JPY 48,400 |
If you go with the GORE-TEX version alone (1 pair), the prices in the table above are your total. The extra for owning 2 pairs is JPY 16,500 for the GT-2000 15 and JPY 16,500 for the Velocity Nitro 5.
3 mistakes that are easy to make with rain shoes
| Mistake | How to avoid it |
|---|---|
| Buying the standard version by mistake | Check for "GTX" or "GORE-TEX" in the product name. The part number is different |
| Not checking the width | Some GORE-TEX versions come in a single width (the Velocity Nitro 5 is regular) |
| Trusting the waterproofing too much | Rain can't be stopped at the opening. On long rainy days, pick a rain jacket as well |
Quick Guide: Which of the 6 Pairs?
| If you are | Pick |
|---|---|
| Waterproof, but not heavier | PUMA Velocity Nitro 5 GORE-TEX |
| Keep the premium low, in a classic last | Nike Pegasus 42 GORE-TEX |
| Keep the total low, in a stability shoe | ASICS GT-2000 15 GTX |
| A thick sole with little added weight | Saucony Hurricane 26 GTX |
| Thick cushioning that works on rainy days too | Saucony Triumph 24 GTX |
| A classic 10mm-drop shoe, made waterproof | Brooks Ghost 18 GTX |
Who is it for?
- Good fit: people who don't want to cut down on run days when it rains. People who commute or run in the morning and want one pair for any weather.
If rainy days are only a few a year, you can also pick the standard version and add a rain jacket. If you pick the standard version, start from the best running shoes of 2026.
Price and where to buy
| Model | Official price | Rakuten price range |
|---|---|---|
| Velocity Nitro 5 GORE-TEX | JPY 22,000 | JPY 17,600–22,000 |
| Pegasus 42 GORE-TEX | JPY 20,900 | — |
| GT-2000 15 GTX | JPY 19,800 | JPY 19,800 |
| Hurricane 26 GTX | JPY 31,900 | JPY 31,900 |
| Triumph 24 GTX | JPY 31,900 | JPY 31,900 |
| Ghost 18 GTX | JPY 28,600 | JPY 22,880–61,470 |
On Rakuten, check "GTX," "GORE-TEX" and the generation number in the product name so you don't mix up the standard version or an older generation.
FAQ
Do GORE-TEX running shoes keep your feet dry in the rain?
The upper uses a waterproof membrane that keeps water out. But the membrane can't stop rain coming in through the opening of the shoe. On a day you step into deep puddles, water that rises above the shoe gets in.
How much heavier is a GORE-TEX shoe than the standard version?
Among these 6 pairs, 0g to 30g. The Velocity Nitro 5 adds 0g, the Hurricane 26 15g, the Pegasus 42 23g, the Triumph 24 27g and the Ghost 18 30g.
How much more do GORE-TEX running shoes cost?
The gap to the standard version runs from JPY 3,300 to JPY 8,800. The GT-2000 15 and Pegasus 42 add JPY 3,300, the Velocity Nitro 5 JPY 5,500, the Hurricane 26 and Triumph 24 JPY 6,600, and the Ghost 18 JPY 8,800.
Can you wear GORE-TEX running shoes on dry days too?
Yes. The only differences from the standard version are weight and price; the look and the last stay the same. If you want a light shoe for dry days, the No. 1 pick, which adds 0g, lets one pair do the job.
Gear in this article
Ads and images: Rakuten IchibaSources
- PUMA Japan press release (Jul 2, 2026): VELOCITY NITRO 5
- PUMA Japan official: men's Velocity Nitro 5 GORE-TEX
- Nike Japan official: Pegasus 42 GORE-TEX (men's)
- ASICS Japan official site: GT-2000 15 GTX
- Saucony Japan official site: Hurricane 26 GTX
- Saucony Japan official: Triumph 24 GTX
- Brooks Japan official: Ghost 18 GTX
