ProView – adidas Outdoor Terrex Swift R2 GTX
No better time of the year than the beginning of fall to receive a new set of ‘fresh-hot-off-the-press’ hiking boots. I was able to get out there on the new Adidas Terrex Swift R2 GTX Hiking Boot and put it to the test. When it comes to hiking boots, I am always looking for comfort and durability as being things I put high importance on. I also really put a lot of value in the sole and thread of a hiking boot as well because we all know how important it is to keep the rubber side down!
adidas Outdoor Terrex Agravic Flow
Product Description: Move swiftly across alpine terrain in these trail shoes. A low-cut, durable upper with speed lacing supports your feet on uneven ground, while a Continental™ Rubber outsole sticks to wet and dry surfaces. A breathable, waterproof membrane keeps your feet dry every step of the way. Stay dry - GORE-TEX® lining for waterproof, breathable performance. Reliable traction - Traxion outsole for optimal grip in all directions; Continental™ Rubber for extraordinary grip even in wet conditions.
Offer price: MSRP: $140.00
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Quality
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Features
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Fit
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Durability
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Summary
Overall, I felt this boot was able to hold its own in every kind of terrain you can think of. It has a durable and reliable sole and it really keeps your feet dry with Gore-Tex material. Being able to just grab the quick lace system to tighten or untighten is nice as well especially if you need to put gloves on. So, if you are looking for a lighter boot without sacrificing performance but don’t need a full-blown hiking boot then I think you would enjoy this one. I would give this boot a 4 of 5-star review.
Overall
4Pros
- Sole Durability
- Breathability
- Waterproofing
Cons
- The break-in period is a little long
- Low ankle support
Being in Summit County allowed me to be able to test the boot in a variety of different settings and terrain. The boot itself really seems to enjoy a variety of terrain conditions. I put this boot through the test on dirt, rocky singletrack, dirt roads, and some good ole classic Gore Range choss. Oh, I also did some boot skiing in this boot as well! One of the best things I really liked about the boot is it is shaped more like a shoe than a boot, which for me is really important as I do a lot of hiking with my skis on my back so this allows a lot of packability inside my pack. Which I believe would be a nice feature for traveling. As far as the comfort of the boot, you also get the comfort and support of more of a trail runner than you do of a boot. The one thing that is lacking is ankle support that you get with most hiking boots. I tend to trend towards trail runners as my hiking shoe of choice, so this wasn’t a big deal to me at all.
Durability
As far as the durability of the boot I have found with over 50 miles of hiking and climbing in them that the boot is holding up rather well. It seems the more scrambling I do the more they get chewed up but that is to be expected. The uppers are in great shape and the Gore-Tex waterproofing is spot on to what I have come to expect from Gore-Tex. I think the addition of Gore-Tex to the boot is a huge positive! The sole and tread of the boot is what I really like most about this boot.
Features
I went into testing thinking it would be a soft rubber and the grip would be weak. Boy was I wrong. From the first time stepping on to a rock, I could tell that the rubber was a stiffer material and gripping capabilities were superb. Then I stepped onto the snow and I was really impressed with how well the boot would grip in the snow or when you would step onto wet rock. Since the boot is probably designed for more day hiking and backpacking, I decided to check its capabilities while scrambling just to see how it would perform as an overall hiking boot. I would say it has performed well; in my opinion, it is much better than a trail runner. The flexibility in the shoe which allows for good foot placement on smaller holds and cracks. Once again, I have found the gripping powers of the boot to be nice compared to some other shoes and boots I have tried.
The Final Word
Overall, I felt this boot was able to hold its own in every kind of terrain you can think of. It has a durable and reliable sole and it really keeps your feet dry with Gore-Tex material. Being able to just grab the quick lace system to tighten or untighten is nice as well especially if you need to put gloves on. So, if you are looking for a lighter boot without sacrificing performance but don’t need a full-blown hiking boot then I think you would enjoy this one. I would give this boot a 4 of 5-star review.
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