In my humble opinion, adidas makes some of the best trail shoes in the game. I’ve been rocking the Terrex Free Hiker 2.0 GORE-TEX hikers for the past year or so. I just love how they handle slopes, uneven ground, and wet surfaces. And if you want the support of hiking boots with more of a shoe-like mobility, the fit is better than any others you could lace up. The downside? They’re $220, or $180 for the Low version (the non-GTX models are a bit cheaper).
Luckily, adidas has just dropped a new pair of GORE-TEX hiking shoes that are slotted right between the Free Hiker and the basic $120 Trailmaker. The new silhouette is called the Skychaser GORE-TEX, and they cost $160.
Agility Meets Support
Part of adidas’ outdoor-focused Terrex label, the Skychaser is kind of a hybrid between trail runners and hiking shoes. According to the brand, they were “designed for hikes and rugged summit scrambles,” with both agility and support. Made up of at least 20% recycled materials, the rugged uppers are made of textile material with ripstop, abrasion-resistant synthetic overlays. Inside is a waterproof-breathable GORE-TEX EPE membrane that make these great for rainy days or even low waterways.
Lightweight at around 15.3oz (about an ounce lighter than the Free Hiker GTX Low), the inside of the shoe features a responsive Lightstrike midsole and an OrthoLite sockliner for comfort, and an. While these won’t have the EVA stabilization frame and BOOST midsole of the Free Hikers, they are much more equipped for quicker movement, including laterally. The Skychaser does, however, retain the all-terrain Continental rubber outsole that works wonders on most surfaces, along with the 10mm midsole drop.
A New Lacing System
Perhaps my favorite addition to the adidas Terrex hiking range is the speed-lacing closure on the Skychaser, with a loop lock. I’ve talked ad nauseam about how more brands should add this to their arsenal. Speed laces are so beneficial for both locking in your fit and fine-tuning it on the go, so I’m glad adidas is now on board.
If you want a bit more ankle support, adidas also has a Mid version with all the same specs (and speed laces!), except about an ounce heavier per shoe.
Spec Sheet
Uppers: Textile and synthetic with ripstop synthetic overlays
Midsole: Lightstrike
Outsole: Continental rubber
Closure: Speed lacing system
Midsole Drop: 10mm
Weight: ~15.3oz (low), ~16.6oz (mid)
Pricing & Availability
If you’re looking to add some agility to your trail performance but without losing much in the way of support, check out the new Terrex Skychaser GORE-TEX Hiking Shoes (non-GTX versions also available) for $160. Head over to adidas’ website to learn more.
Recap
adidas Terrex Skychaser GORE-TEX Hiking Shoes
adidas adds the Terrex Skychaser GORE-TEX to its hiking shoe range, slotted between the Free Hiker at the top and the Trailmaker at the bottom. Designed for both summit scrambles and traditional hiking, the shoes also adopt the speed lacing closure system.
