ProView – adidas Outdoor Terrex Agravic Flow

The first thing I think when I hear adidas is shin pads for soccer. But there is much more offered by this creative company. The history of adidas Outdoor began in the 1970’s when they created their first lightweight trekking shoes. Soon after, climbing legend Reinhold Messner helped adidas design super light and fast approach hiking shoes for his first Mount Everest ascent in 1980.  The Adidas Terrex Agravic Flow trail running shoe I tested out wouldn’t survive up Mount Everest, but it is certainly a shoe ready to tackle technical terrain with unparalleled performance, from the mountains to the blacktop.

Vermont is famous this time of the year for its Fall foliage showcasing vibrant blankets of colored leaves which canvas it’s valleys and mountain ridgelines. Leaf Peepers fly in from all over the world to witness this fiery spectacle with their selfie sticks and GoPros.  For me, this brilliant season is a time to get out and explore the mountains.  It was a beautiful and sunny day, so I set out with the intention to run up Spruce Peak in Stowe VT, which sits right above 3,300 feet in elevation. During the winter this mountain serves up some epic powder runs down into Smugglers Notch gullies, where you can also find some world-class ice climbing routes.

Performance

After slipping my feet into these shoes and lacing them up it was apparent that adidas put thought and engineering into its sock-like fit and lace closure system.  This seems standard across the Terrex line. These shoes truly wrap around your feet while the padded heel cup provides extra support with heel lift while on the trail. I ran through wet streams, up slippery rocks, across wet leaves and mud, and these shoes really held through it all. They are constructed on a Continental™ Rubber outsole, which gave me maximum grip in wet conditions and their abrasion-resistant welding around the base of the shoe protected against sharp rocks poking through its thin mesh.

Comfort & Design

I really started to feel the energy return from these shoes even a mile in.  They are engineered with a super responsive midsole built on adidas innovative boost foam, which provides lots of cushioning with every stride.  This shoe has a wide profile and conforms to your foot when weighted.  I like the overall design, which is simple but built with versatility in mind. The rubberized and reinforced lacing holes are durable and really pull the laces in tight.  The laces stayed tied through every run and came at a perfect factory length. Another nice feature is the pull-tabs at the top of the tongue and top of the heel cup, which makes it easy to pull the shoe onto your foot.

Weight

Weighing in at just 10.9 ounces, or 310 grams, these shoes feel like feathers on your feet.  They are extremely lightweight and easily compressible if packing them into a bag or traveling.

Function/Performance

This wouldn’t be my go-to shoe for trail running solely because east coast trail conditions tend to be wet.  These shoes are more suited for warmer days, dry trails, or running on the road. Because of its upper mesh construction, my feet did get cold after a few hours on the trail even at 55F outside and moisture easily getting in.

The Final Word

I would recommend these lightweight running shoes to anyone looking for a versatile shoe that can perform on casual runs or longer distance sections on dry trail or pavement.  This is an amazingly comfortable shoe, which will be accompanying me on many more runs throughout New England and may even double as business casual work attire.

Shop the adidas Outdoor – Terrex Agravic Boa on Outdoor Prolink. Not a member? Apply today!

Aiden works as a fulltime social worker in the Green Mountain state for a non-profit that specializes in working with people with developmental disabilities. On his free time he enjoys trail running, climbing and guides backcountry split board and mountain bike tours. He is an Fjall Raven outdoor guide and athlete. You can connect with him on Instagram @aiideng.