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Now that hiking shoes have transcended the outdoor space into the fashion world, it can be hard to narrow down the perfect (looking and feeling) pair. That’s why going with legendary brands, like adidas, is usually a safe bet. The outdoor-friendly TERREX gear, the sustainable sublabel of adidas, strikes the perfect balance between style and function, which you can easily see in the new adidas TERREX Free Hiker 2.0 Low GORE-TEX hiking shoes.
Getting Low
The original TERREX Free Hiker 2.0 shoes came out just last September, and many have been clamoring for a low-cut version since the release. The comfort and versatility of the style are great, but you’re sacrificing a bit of the security offered by the higher ankles on the original. However, this isn’t a bad thing because you can still get the original, and most understand the trade-off. These are definitely leaning a bit more toward trail runners than hiking shoes, but you can easily do both (and some backpackers even prefer low-cut shoes). Right off the bat, the shoes felt secure, light, and comfy after lacing them up, and they had us excited to hit the trails.
The Recipe
The GORE-TEX membrane from the original Free Hiker 2.0s is back, and it’s handy on wet trails and during unexpected weather, while the abrasion-resistant upper kept debris outside and everything protected. We noticed that on wet terrain, the GORE-TEX easily kept the feet dry even with the shorter design, and there was nothing to be found inside the shoes after a run. The Boost midsoles are super comfortable and felt really bouncy and light, even towards the end of a long-wearing session, and they never got too hot (in 90-degree weather, no less). The EVA frame kept the stride stable on uneven trails, and the Continental rubber outsole was perfect for rocky and wet terrain, providing reliable traction and preventing slips. And even with the low-top design, they felt rigid enough to keep the ankles secure.
Runners with Hiking Power
These are the first low-cut Free Hiker 2.0s, and like the originals, they’re a hybrid between a hiking shoe and a trail runner, and are built for tackling short hikes/runs or longer trips through the wild. They hold their own out in the wilderness, thanks to rugged features like the GORE-TEX membrane and the Continental rubber outsoles, and offer enough support for optimal trail running. The shoes felt lightweight enough to be comfortable on long runs, and the hiking features allowed us to get on tougher (and wetter) trails that other options sometimes aren’t able to handle.
Wrapping up
If you’re looking for low-profile and rugged runners ready to handle anything, the adidas TERREX Free Hiker 2.0 Low hiking shoes are the perfect fit. You’re getting the outdoor-capable construction from the original Free Hiker 2.0s, in a low-top silhouette that offers more range of motion suitable for trail running. They’re available now for $180 in five colorways, including the beige, black, and orange variant featured above.
