Intro
When considering a new running shoe, there are so many similar-looking shoes on the market being made by so many different companies, it is virtually impossible to (1) know where to begin; (2) quickly figure out which one or two products from a given brand might work well for you; and (3) determine what products from other brands might be the most similar and also worth considering.
So in our new “Blister Brand Guide” series, we provide an overview of the entire product lineup of a brand; highlight how each product stands out from the rest of that brand’s lineup; and help you figure out quickly and easily which shoe might work best for you.
In our individual product reviews, we go very deep into the details of particular products. With these Brand Guides, the goal is not Depth, but Breadth. Our Brand Guides and full reviews are designed to complement each other — provide a broad overview of entire company lineups, and then also very detailed reviews of individual products.
Adidas Terrex: Brand Background
adidas has been a big name in the running world since the 1960’s, when they developed the first specialist running shoe with the stated goal of ”pushing athletic boundaries.”
The Adidas Terrex line is the brand’s more recent foray into the trail running (and hiking) world. After a few years on the market, the Terrex line now includes shoes with a variety of cushioning and stack heights. Many models are also available in a waterproof / breathable “GTX” (aka, Gore-Tex) version.
Adidas is also a standout brand when it comes to more sustainable shoe construction. Many of their shoes are available in dye-free colorways, and a few models use recycled plastic yarns for the upper.
Adidas Terrex shoes tend to run a bit on the small side, and most models are also slightly narrower than shoes from brands like Altra or Topo Athletic. As always, it’s best to try on shoes in person before buying, if at all possible. But to help you figure out which of Adidas’ shoes you should consider, this Brand Guide will provide a general overview of each model’s features and intended purpose. As always with our Brand Guides, shoes are organized from highest to lowest stack height, and in this guide we’re covering the models in the Terrex line that are designed with trail running in mind, rather than hiking.
TRAIL SHOES
(Most Cushioned to Least Cushioned)
Most Cushion
The Terrex Two Parley has a high stack height, lightweight EVA midsole, and moderately aggressive outsole designed for efficiency and comfort on long runs. While it technically has a slightly higher (1 mm, to be exact) stack height than the Terrex Two Ultra Parley, the Terrex Two Parley’s firmer midsole should make it a bit more energetic and stable on more technical terrain (and potentially a bit less plush). This shoe also uses adidas’ unique knit “Parley” upper, which uses yarn sourced from recycled plastic. In addition to being a bit better for the planet, the woven upper should provide a comfortable, stretchy fit. The outsole uses the same Continental rubber found on other shoes in the Terrex line, which seems to be fairly balanced as far as traction and durability are concerned — it isn’t as soft / sticky as a mud-oriented outsole compound like La Sportiva’s Frixion White compound, but it is more durable. If you’re looking for a lightweight, high-cushion trail shoe for long runs, workouts, and races, the Terrex Two Parley could be a good fit.
Stack Height
- Heel: 30 mm
- Toe: 24 mm
Drop: 6 mm
Stated Weight
- Men's: 280 g
- Women's: 249 g
MSRP: $125.00
Stack Height
- Heel: 30 mm
- Toe: 24 mm
Drop: 6 mm
Stated Weight
- Men's: 300 g
- Women's: 264 g
MSRP: $100.00
Stack Height
- Heel: 30 mm
- Toe: 24 mm
Drop: 6 mm
Stated Weight
- Men's: 325 g
- Women's: 270 g
MSRP: $120.00
The Terrex Two Ultra Parley is adidas’ most plush, long-distance-oriented trail shoe. It has a relatively soft yet energetic “Boost” midsole that should feel a bit softer underfoot than the Terrex Two Parley. The Ultra Parley has a fairly wide fit and stretchy upper, which should also improve comfort for longer runs. The Terrex Two Ultra Parley is probably best suited to long runs on less technical terrain due to its higher stack height, fairly low-profile outsole, and softer cushioning. Like the Terrex Two Parley, the Terrex Two Ultra Parley uses adidas’ recycled Parley upper material, which is made out of recycled ocean plastic waste. If you’re looking for a high cushion, plush shoe for long miles on moderate terrain, the Terrex Two Ultra Parley could be a good fit.
Stack Height
- Heel: 29 mm
- Toe: 23 mm
Drop: 6 mm
Stated Weight
- Men's: 320 g
- Women's: 280 g
MSRP: $180.00
The Agravic Flow has the same two-layer EVA/Boost midsole as the Agravic XT (see below), but with a slightly lower drop and less aggressive outsole. The Boost midsole is designed to provide a smooth, flexible ride without sacrificing energy return. The Agravic Flow has a breathable mesh upper and Continental rubber outsole with lower-profile lugs than the XT. This should improve the ride on hard-packed trails, but will potentially decrease grip on looser trail conditions and more technical terrain. The Agravic Flow may be a good option for runners looking for a flexible, smooth, and responsive shoe for runs on variable trails.
Stack Height
- Heel: 26 mm
- Toe: 20 mm
Drop: 6 mm
Stated Weight
- Men's: 310 g
- Women's: 270 g
MSRP: $130.00
Stack Height
- Heel: 26 mm
- Toe: 20 mm
Drop: 6 mm
Stated Weight
- Men's: 325 g
- Women's: 285 g
MSRP: $160.00
The Agravic Tech Pro is adidas’ answer to a mid-height, hiking-boot / running-shoe hybrid for technical terrain and extreme conditions. It has a dual-layer midsole similar to the Agravic Flow (firm EVA upper layer and softer / springier Boost lower layer), which should provide a fairly cushioned ride — although the Tech Pro probably won’t feel as plush as the Terrex Two Ultra Parley. What really sets the Agravic Tech Pro apart is its upper. The Tech Pro has an ankle-height, water-repellent gaiter that zips closed over the inner shoe. It also has a Boa lacing system to provide a secure, easily adjustable fit. The Tech Pro could be a good option if you need a shoe that will keep your feet warm, dry, and free of debris when running in snow, mud, and / or scree — as long as you don’t mind the extra weight that comes along with all of those features.
Stack Height
- Heel: 26 mm
- Toe: 20 mm
Drop: 6 mm
Stated Weight
- Men's: 420 g
- Women's: 420 g
MSRP: $250.00
Stack Height
- Heel: 25 mm
- Toe: 18 mm
Drop: 7 mm
Stated Weight
- Men's: 318 g
MSRP: $140.00
The Agravic TR is an affordable, all-round trail shoe that offers similar features to shoes like the Agravic XT or Agravic Flow at a lower price point. It has a standard EVA midsole that will likely be a bit firmer than the dual-layer Boost midsole on the Agravic Flow or XT, an abrasion-resistant mesh upper, and a moderately aggressive outsole. The Agravic TR’s lower price point does mean that it potentially compromises a bit on quality / durability — so there’s a chance it won’t hold up quite as long as adidas’ pricier options. But if you’re looking for a moderately cushioned all-round shoe that will get you out on the trails for less than $100, the Agravic TR could be worth checking out.
Stack Height
- Heel: 24 mm
- Toe: 17 mm
Drop: 7 mm
Stated Weight
- Men's: 355 g
- Womens: 280 g
MSRP: $80.00
Like the agravic TR, the Agravic TR Gore-Tex is intended to be an entry-level, affordable, all-round trail shoe — but it also has a waterproof / breathable Gore-Tex upper for extra protection from the elements in inclement weather. If you frequently run in wet / cold conditions and want an affordable, all-round shoe, the Agravic TR Gore-Tex could be a good fit.
Stack Height
- Heel: 24 mm
- Toe: 17 mm
Drop: 7 mm
Stated Weight
- Men's: 365 g
- Womens: 290 g
MSRP: $100.00
Least Cushion
The Terrex Agravic Gore-Tex is an updated version of adidas’ original Terrex Agravic trail shoe. It has a thin, firm EVA midsole that will likely provide a less cushioned, more stable ride than the Terrex Agravic Flow or XT. As the name suggests, the Agravic Gore-Tex has a waterproof / breathable upper, so it should provide some extra protection from the elements in wet weather. The Agravic Gore-Tex also has a slightly deeper, more widely spaced lugs and a narrower fit than the Agravic Flow, so it will likely be a better option on muddy / loose terrain. If you’re looking for a low-to-the-ground, grippy shoe for running technical terrain in wet weather and prefer something with a bit less cushion than the Agravic XT, the Agravic Gore-Tex could be a good option.
Stack Height
- Heel: 22 mm
- Toe: 15 mm
Drop: 7 mm
Stated Weight
- Men's: 350 g
- Women's: 350 g