Honest adidas Terrex Free Hiker Review (Pros & Cons)
Are you looking for an adidas Terrex Free Hiker review to see if these unique hiking shoes are the perfect choice for you?
I’m always on the hunt for comfortable, lightweight, waterproof, and stylish hiking shoes. And when I tell you that I’ve found the perfect ones, I mean it!
I’m an avid hiker and spend lots of time hiking. I’ve loved wearing my Free Hikers out on the trail and testing out the reliability and comfort that comes with them.
And as someone who doesn’t like to stray from what I know, I think that you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoy these new shoes!
In this post, I’ll share with you all of the features of these shoes, as well as some honest pros and cons to let you in on what I love, and what I might change.
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 Free Hiker Review
When most people think of hiking boots, they think of brands like Columbia, Merrell, Oboz, or Salomon.
Rarely does the adidas brand come to mind, but that’s a shame, because they have some pretty amazing hiking shoes!
I will be honest and say that I was also hesitant about trying out their shoes, because I’m someone who loves a sturdy, rugged, boot in my outdoor gear collection.
But I’ve been pleasantly surprised and look forward to sharing about these shoes with you.
The adidas Terrex Free Hikers are a lightweight, comfortable, and fashionable pair of shoes that are perfectly designed to get you out on the hiking trail.
They have a higher top ankle, but fit comfortably like a shoe, so they’re the perfect mixture between hiking boots and trail running shoes!
Each pair is designed with a Gore-Tex membrane to keep water out and your feet dry, which is perfect for hiking in any season.
The bottoms are made with a sturdy, grippy, Continental rubber outsole, which helps to give you grip, even on the slipperiest of terrain.
One of my favorite parts is the Boost midsole, which helps save energy as you walk by adding bounce and smoothness to each step. Walking on clouds? I think yes!
I’ve been wearing the Free Hikers on my most recent hikes, and I’ve loved the comfort and reliability that I’ve found in them!
Below, I’ll go over the top features that you can expect to find in the shoes, as well as my honest pros and cons list.
Top Features of the adidas Terrex Free Hikers
Below you’ll find some of the top features that are found in the adidas Terrex Free Hikers GTX 2.0 hiking shoes.
Weight
If you’re anything like me and love to have very lightweight shoes on the trail, then you’re going to love that about these shoes.
The adidas Free Hikers are a very lightweight shoe that resemble a hiking boot, but have the weight of a running shoe.
The pair weighs just about 13.5 ounces, and I’ve easily noticed that while out on the trail, when compared to my other boots.
I really hate picking up my legs to step over logs and feeling like they weigh 300 pounds each, thanks to my boots. I don’t feel that with these shoes.
Materials
These hiking shoes are made with comfortable, flexible, and waterproof materials that keep you dry and comfortable on the trail.
The upper part of the shoe is made of mesh recycled material that is supportive and form-fitting to better fit your feet.
I personally love that although these shoes are high tops, the materials are soft and don’t leave marks on my ankles like other shoes have in the past.
The shoes have a Boost foam midsole, which works to keep your feet supported and helps with keeping your energy high (your feet won’t feel heavy!).
Waterproofing
One of my must-haves in a pair of hiking boots or shoes is a waterproof outside, since I often find myself stepping in puddles. (Yes, I’m a clumsy hiker.)
The adidas Terrex Free Hikers have a Gore-Tex membrane on the outside of them, which keeps water out of your shoes.
Gore-Tex is the gold standard for waterproof clothes, so you can count on these to keep you dry, even when hiking in the winter or rain.
Something to note here is that many people hear the words Gore-Tex and think warm and not breathable, but these are actually very breathable and I never had any problem with overheating!
Rubber Outsole
Another feature that is a must for me in my hiking shoes is a strong, sturdy, and grippy outsole.
The Free Hikers have a Continental rubber outsole that excels in challenging terrains, especially wet conditions.
The strong rubber withstands rigorous outdoor adventures, from rocky trails to muddy paths, providing durability that is necessary on the trail.
Each shoe has large lugs on the bottom that you can actually feel, which provide grip and stability (which I desperately need for someone as clumsy as myself!).
Comfort
When you plan to wear something for miles and miles, one of the most important factors is comfort.
The adidas Terrex Free Hikers are built for comfort, and have features similar to running shoes that keep you comfortable on the trail.
The heel clip and lace closure help you lace these shoes to fit nicely on your feet.
I was a bit nervous about the comfort aspect since these don’t have memory foam like my favorite boots do, but surprisingly, my feet weren’t sore after my hike.
I’ve also found that the Boost feature of these shoes adds to the comfort and softness of the shoes, as it makes me feel like I’m walking on clouds.
Sizing
I’ve personally found that the adidas sizing is right on, since I ordered my usual size and they fit me perfectly!
Tyler had the same experience with his pair, and he usually struggles with getting the right size since he has narrow feet. But he ordered his usual size and they fit him nicely.
However, I’ve read a few adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2 reviews from other people and they have mentioned that they needed to size up 1/2 size.
I would recommend ordering your typical size and then exchanging them if need be (by joining adiClub, you get free shipping, returns, and exchanges!).
Pros of adidas Free Hikers
Now that you know the main features, let’s go over some of my favorite parts about these adidas walking shoes. These pros may be similar to what I’ve said above, but will be more in-depth of why I enjoy it.
Lightweight
I hate being out on the trail and having to lug around hefty boots.
After hiking for 5+ miles, my feet feel so heavy and like I have to work so hard to lift them up and over tree roots or rocks.
But with these, weighing just under 13 ounces, it’s easy to continue lifting my feet, even after miles on the trail.
I haven’t felt weighed down at all, and they just feel like trail running shoes, rather than boots. They are similar to a mixture between a shoe and a boot.
Comfortable
I’ve really enjoyed getting to know the comfort of these shoes since they are so different from any other hiking shoe or boot that I’ve worn.
Although they don’t have memory foam insoles, they are still comfortable and soft to step on, mostly thanks to the Boost foam midsole.
Another part of comfort is breathability, and I find that these shoes are quite breathable, despite their Gore-Tex membrane.
There also is plenty of room in the toe box for my toes to spread out a bit and not feel too squished.
Boost Midsole
One of my absolute favorite parts of these shoes is how the steps flow as I walk, thanks to the Boost Midsoles.
Boost Midsoles are something that you’ll find in many adidas shoes, and it works to provide energy return to the user.
Because of this, it almost feels like I’m walking on clouds since the shoes rock as I walk.
The bottom of them are rounded and with each step, they roll smoothly and make taking steps on the trail that much easier.
The shoes feel less bulky than other hiking shoes do, and my feet don’t feel heavy after hiking with them for many miles in a day.
Waterproof
As I’ve mentioned above, having waterproof hiking shoes is very important to me when I plan to go out on a hike.
While conducting my adidas Terrex Free hiker 2 review, I’ve noticed that these shoes stay quite dry, even when submerged in water.
Of course, there is a limit to how wet you should get them, but I stepped in a few puddles and my feet stayed totally dry!
Sturdy Bottom
Another major plus of these shoes when compared to other classic trail runners is the sturdy and rigid bottom.
With the large lugs, you can tell just by looking at these shoes that you’ll have great traction as you walk down the trail.
Even on slippery trails, you’ll find a solid grip with these trustworthy shoes on your feet.
Stylish
Let’s be honest… some hiking boots out there can be pretty bulky and aren’t very stylish.
That’s not true with the adidas hiking shoes! I think that these shoes are so cute, especially with all of the fun colors.
I opted for the purple and pink colored shoes, and I love how bright and colorful they are! They add such a pop to my normally bland hiking and backpacking outfits.
Made With Recycled Materials
If you’re like me and love caring for the environment, then you’ll also love that these shoes are made out of recycled materials!
Any business that supports the environment is a win in my book.
Cons of adidas Hiking Shoes
Below are some of the cons that I’ve found while testing out these adidas hiking shoes.
Expensive
One of the hardest pills to swallow when considering buying a pair of adidas Free Hikers is that they are pretty expensive.
I typically like to keep my price point around the $150 mark for hiking shoes, and these do go a bit higher than that, which is difficult.
Whether or not they’re worth the price, I’m not sure. I really enjoy the shoes, but the price is hard to accept.
Not as Supportive as Boots
One of the most important parts of a hiking boot to me is the support that I have in the ankles, and in these shoes, there isn’t as much as the standard boot.
Now one thing to remember, is that these aren’t claiming to be boots. They are more of a trail running shoe.
So while they don’t have the rigid support that some other boots do, they still do have a higher ankle which helps on rugged terrain.
I’ve found them to still be supportive and comfortable on rough terrain, they just aren’t as strong as other shoes such as Oboz.
Long Break-In Time
Another downfall that I’ll talk about in my adidas Terrex Free Hiker review is that some people have mentioned a longer break-in time.
It’s very important to break in hiking boots, and some reviewers have mentioned that these took a while to break in.
This means that if you don’t wait and break them in propery, you might end up with some pain in your ankles or blisters.
I personally didn’t have any problems with this, but it is something to keep in mind.
Does adidas Make Good Hiking Shoes?
Yes, adidas has many varieties of shoes that are great for wearing for a day out on the trail.
Their hiking shoes are known as Terrex, which is the brand name. Then there are many models underneath the Terrex name.
All of their shoes are designed with comfort, stability, functionality, and reliability in mind.
You’ll find that adidas makes many models of men’s and women’s shoes, some of which are high top, others are low, and many have other features such as being waterproof.
Which adidas Terrex is Best for Hiking?
There are many varieties of adidas Terrex shoes to choose from, including options for both men and women.
My personal favorites are the adidas Terrex Free Hiker GTX hiking shoes.
These shoes are comfortable, waterproof, supportive, reliable, and great for wearing for hours out backpacking or hiking.
FAQs
Are Terrex Free Hiker Gore-Tex Hiking Shoes Waterproof?
Yes, the adidas Terrex Free Hikers Gore-Tex shoes are waterproof! The Gore-Tex membrane seals out water and keeps your feet dry.
Are Terrex Free Hikers Good for Hiking?
Yes, the Terrex Free Hikers are designed for hiking. They are lightweight, comfortable, and waterproof.
Which adidas Terrex is Best for Hiking?
Many of the styles at adidas are great for hiking, but my personal favorite is the adidas Terrex Free Hikers Gore-Tex 2.0 shoes.
Are adidas Terrex Worth It?
Yes, adidas Terrex shoes are worth it. They can be a bit pricey in comparison to other shoes, but they are great for hiking and trail running, so they are worth it!
Which adidas Shoes are Good for Hiking?
The adidas Terrex brand are the best for hiking. Other general adidas shoes can be slippery and not ideal for hiking, but the Terrex options have a sturdy, grippy bottom.
Does adidas Own Terrex?
Yes, the Terrex model of shoes are owned by adidas.
Are Trail and Hiking Shoes the Same?
Hiking shoes and trail running shoes are similar. The main differences are that trail runners are usually lighter and more flexible for running.
Are Terrex Free Hikers True to Size?
Yes, I ordered a size 9, my usual size, and they fit me perfectly. Tyler also ordered his usual size, and they fit him nicely as well.
Is adidas Terrex a Good Brand?
Yes, the adidas Terrex shoes are a good brand. They are high quality hiking shoes that make getting out on the trail comfortable and easy.
Are adidas Good for Hiking?
Yes, adidas are good for hiking, as long as you get the right model. The Terrex models are all great and are designed for getting on the trail.
Are adidas Good Walking Shoes?
Yes, adidas are good walking shoes, especially if you get the Terrex brand, which are designed for hiking and trail running.
Can You Run in Terrex Free Hiker?
Because of the high top ankle, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend running in these shoes, but if you have to, they are definitely comfortable for a quick jog off of the trail.
Wrap-Up: Adidas Terrex Free Hiker Review
If you’re looking for a new pair of hiking shoes and are looking for an honest adidas Terrex Free Hiker review, this is it!
I’ve been putting these shoes to the test, and I’m honestly really surprised at how amazing they are!
My favorite parts of the shoes are that they are lightweight, very soft and comfortable, and they roll slowly, making it feel like I’m walking on air.
I hope that you’ve enjoyed my outdoor gear reviews, and are able to use this review to purchase your next pair of outdoor shoes.
