adidas Terrex Free Hiker Gore-Tex Review
I have always loved adidas shoes, and when I heard they came out with a hiking boot, I was very excited! The adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2 Gore-Tex hiking boot has been on my list of must-try hiking gear for a while now, and I was excited to finally get my hands on a pair and take them on the trail!
They are said to be the perfect combination of a hiking boot and shoe, giving you the look of a hiking boot with the feel of a lightweight hiking shoe. I am a hiker who loves my hiking boots, and I was excited to try the adidas Terrex Free Hikers to see how they matched up to my regular leather hiking boots I am used to wearing. So how did these adidas hiking boots match up? Let’s dive into everything I learned from wearing them!
Disclaimer: This blog post is in collaboration with adidas. The adidas products were gifted to me, but as always, all opinions are my own.
This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, my blog may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.
Summary of the adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2
The adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2 Gore-Tex hiking boots are said to give you the build, comfort, and support of a hiking boot with the lightweight design of a hiking shoe. Even though the shoe is incredibly light, adidas included a Gore-Tex membrane to help keep out water and any elements you may find while hiking. And despite having some Gore-Tex hiking boots that lack breathability, these hiking boots help keep your feet sweat-free on your adventures. The ankle portion of the boot is soft and comfortable while still providing support. And the best part? The adidas Terrex Free Hikers are made in part from recycled materials!
Pros:
Very lightweight (13.5 ounces)
Comfortable
Waterproof
Supportive
Great grip
Cons:
looks may not be for everyone
on the pricier side, but adidas always has sales
First Impressions of the adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2
Although I love adidas shoes, I was a little nervous trying the adidas Terrex Free Hikers because I am a hiking boot gal through and through. I am particular about the boots I wear on hikes because the New England trails are rugged.
I was also unsure how I would feel about a hiking boot that felt like a shoe but let me tell you… I was so impressed! I like how adidas did not compromise the structure, comfort, or support to make these lightweight boots. Some lightweight hiking boots tend to lack in other areas, but these were impressive. They felt rugged!
The midsole and overall structure of the boot felt supportive, and the grip was fantastic. Hiking in New England requires hiking boots with good grip, and these did not disappoint. I had to get used to the ankle area, but I do not mind it now.
Also, the Gore-Tex membrane works well to keep my feet dry while hiking in the spring! New England trails are wet and muddy from snow melt in the spring, and these boots kept my feet dry throughout the conditions. The adidas Terrex Free Hikers exceeded my expectations!
Features of the adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2
Although the adidas Terrex Free Hikers were among the first hiking boots from adidas, they have many great features! Let’s dive into them.
Weight
The lightweight design of the adidas Terrex Free Hikers is probably one of the most incredible features. Although these hiking boots are supportive and waterproof, they are 13.5 ounces!! And I can feel the difference in the weight while I am hiking compared to my other hiking boots. These have a similar feel to my trail running shoes from adidas which I love. I really enjoy hiking in these lightweight hiking boots and not having to worry if the design or structure was compromised to get them lighter.
Build and Comfort
The adidas Terrex Free Hikers feel rugged despite their lightweight design. They have a BOOST midsole which is specific to adidas shoes that provides great support and comfort for the feet. I love cushioned hiking boots for long trails, and these held up very well during my longer hikes. My foot never felt uncomfortable or sore.
I also felt the adidas Terrex Free Hikers were pretty comfortable right out of the box. Most of the time, you need to break in boots with Gore-Tex membranes. I wore these around the house when I first got them like I usually do with new hiking boots to help break them in, but I did not feel like I had to break these in much.
They also have a running lace-up system for their laces instead of the typical hooks you see on most hiking boots. I was nervous I would not be able to get them as tight as I like them, but the lace-up system was great, allowing me to get them nice and tight. It also helped my ankle feel a bit more supported.
Traction
Hiking in New England requires hiking boots with good traction because our trails have rocks and roots. The lugs on the adidas Terrex Free Hikers are deep and thick, so I had a suspicion that these would have great grip. And I was right! When I took these on my first hike and reached the summit, I realized I did not once get worried I would slip. The adidas Terrex Free Hikers felt secure at every step.
Waterproofing and Breathability
I was, honestly, surprised to see how lightweight the adidas Terrex Free Hikers were with a Gore-Tex membrane. The Gore-Tex membrane is perfect for hiking in the spring because the New England trails are wet and muddy. Luckily, the membrane helped keep my feet dry. And my feet never overheated. Some waterproof hiking boots can suffocate my feet and make them sweat, but the adidas Terrex Free Hikers had good breathability! I was pleasantly surprised by how well they let my feet breathe while keeping them dry. The mesh upper portion of the boot was a game changer to help my feet breathe.
Sizing
My size varies so much with different types of shoes, and I had to exchange my adidas Terrex Free Hikers for a different size. I found these to fit a bit larger than my regular hiking boot size, even with hiking socks, so I sized them down a full size. I started with an 8.5, my typical size for hiking boots, and ended up with a 7.5. I have heard from some hikers that the adidas Terrex Free Hikers ran a bit small, so I highly recommend going into a store to try these on and find the best size for you. If that is not possible, it is no problem since adidas has an easy exchange process.
Overall Performance of the adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2
As mentioned above, I really enjoyed wearing the adidas Terrex Free Hikers over the last few months! I could definitely feel a difference in the weight compared to other hiking boots, but the support and comfort felt similar.
The sole felt cushiony and springy, and my feet never felt sore or achy from hiking. The Gore-Tex membrane really shined when I wore the adidas Terrex Free Hikers in the spring because the trails were wet and muddy. Spring hiking in New England can be a not-so-fun experience, but these boots kept my feet dry!
And, of course, the traction was fantastic. The thick lugs helped me feel secure with every step I took on the rocky terrain. I cannot speak on durability since I have only been wearing these for the past few months, but I can say that they have held up with no issues so far!
Final Thoughts: adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2 Review
I was pleasantly surprised about how much I enjoyed hiking in the adidas Terrex Free Hikers! I loved how lightweight and comfortable they felt while on the trails. Because these are not your typical leather hiking boots, they might not be as rugged, but they are a fantastic lightweight hiking boot option packed with great features! If you love the idea of a hiking boot that feels like a hiking shoe, I recommend trying the adidas Terrex Free Hikers!
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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