Honest adidas Terrex AX4 Review (Pros and Cons 2024)

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Are you checking out the adidas Terrex AX4 men’s hiking shoes and are looking for an honest review? You’ve found it!

My boyfriend, Tyler, has been hiking in these adidas shoes for a few months now, and is ready to answer some questions on his honest thoughts.

He’s an avid hiker, and we spend hundreds of miles every year on the trail. He took these shoes on a 10 day hiking trip to Colorado and has spent plenty of days in them hiking around Minnesota.

In this post, Tyler will share all of his thoughts on these shoes, and whether or not he thinks they’ll be a good fit for your trail adventures.

Disclaimer: This post is in collaboration with adidas and the products listed were gifted to me. Regardless, all opinions are honest and my own. I only partner with brands that I believe in.

adidas Terrex AX4 Review

I was first and foremost shocked to find out that adidas has hiking shoes, and then again shocked to find out how great they are.

Tyler started using his hiking shoes a few months back, and so far, so good!

He wore them on a 10-day hiking trip in Colorado, where we hiked an upwards of 8-10 miles everyday.

Previous to that, he broke them in on a hiking trip on Minnesota’s North Shore.

These adidas shoes are under $100, making them a great option for those on a budget that are still hoping for a rugged, comfortable, and quality hiking shoe.

They have a very grippy bottom, are lightweight, versatile, and give you a stable grip. Plus they have a trail runner feel and are ridiculously affordable for the quality.

Overall, he’s enjoyed the shoes and has found them to work well on the trail. Let’s dive into some of the details.


Top Features of the Terrex AX4 Hiking Shoes

Sturdy Grip

One of the best parts about these shoes is how grippy and sturdy they are, on all surfaces. And if you’re a hiker, you know how important that is!

They’re made with a Continental Rubber outsole that’s made to hold grip and give you traction in all conditions, whether that be wet or dry.

So even if you’re hiking in these in the snow or rain, the shoes still provide great traction.

Versatile

One of the top reasons that Tyler prefers hiking shoes to hiking boots is that they’re more versatile.

He found that because these shoes are shorter than a boot, that he can wear them in more places than just on the trail.

During our trip to Colorado, he wore them during a few hikes, and then when we went into town for dinner later that day, he actually kept wearing them instead of taking them off!

Usually, he would change out of his hiking shoes, but because these are so versatile, he was actually able to stay in them!

Lightweight

On top of the traction and versatility, these shoes are also very lightweight, which Tyler loves, especially on longer hikes.

Having shoes that making lifting your feet easy is a must for hiking, and these weight just about 13 ounces each (size 13), making them easy to hike in.

They actually end up feeling more like a trail runner than a hiking boot, because of how lightweight they are.

Trail Runner-Like Feeling

As I mentioned above, these shoes end up feeling more like a trail runner, so they’re pretty flexible when compared to other hiking shoes and boots.

With the lower ankle and lightness, if you prefer trail runners, these are a great choice.

The reason why these are often a better choice than traditional trail runners is because they actually have great grip, unlike some others. They also offer a bit more support.

Abrasion-Resistant Material

If you’ve ever been hiking, you know that your shoes won’t stay brand new for long. Which is why we love that these have abrasion-resistant material!

So no matter how many rocks you scuff or trees you scrape, these will stay looking great, since the material is resistant to abrasions.

Affordable

If you’ve ever bought a pair of hiking shoes, you know that they can sometimes cost upwards of $200 or more.

But these adidas AX4 shoes cost under $100, making them a really affordable choice.

We don’t believe that to have a good quality pair of shoes that they need to be expensive, and we’re found that to be proven with these hiking shoes!

Cons of the adidas Terrex AX4 Shoes

We’ve struggled to find too many cons of these shoes, but as with anything, there are a few. Here are the top ones that Tyler has found.

Long Break In Period

The biggest complaint that Tyler has had is that they have a long break-in period. They come pretty stiff out of the box, and in order to break them in, it took quite a few days of hiking.

He ended up hiking for about 3 days, maybe 5-7 miles per day before they felt comfortable and not too stiff anymore.

However, after the break in, he’s said that they’re comfortable.

Not Super Rugged

If you’re going to be taking these shoes on long, super rough rugged hikes, you may want something that’s a bit more supportive and sturdy.

While these shoes have great traction and are supportive enough for regular hikes, they wouldn’t be ideal for multi-day trips or trails that are super rocky and rugged.

However, I will say that Tyler did hike in these about 10 miles per day while in Colorado, although most of the trails were standard dirt/rock trails without any scrambling.

Not Waterproof

Another downside to these shoes is that they aren’t waterproof, unlike many of the other hiking shoes and boots that Tyler has worn.

This does make hiking on rainy days or through puddles and mud a bit more difficult.

If you spend a lot of time hiking in the rain, perhaps if you live somewhere like the PNW, then you may want to consider a different shoe.


FAQs

Are adidas Terrex AX4 Waterproof?

No, the adidas Terrex AX4 shoes are not waterproof.

Is Terrex AX4 Comfortable?

Yes, the Terrex AX4 hiking shoes are comfortable. They do require a bit of breaking in, as they are quite stiff out of the box. But after a few wears on the trail, they are comfortable.


Conclusion: adidas Terrex AX4

Whether you’re looking for an afforable pair of hiking shoes, to try something different, or know that you enjoy adidas’ selection of shoes, these can be a great option when it comes to hiking footwear.

We hope that this honest review of the adidas Terrex AX4 shoes has given you some insight and has helped you decide what’s worth it for you.