In this product guide:
- 1. Our pick: adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2.0 Low GTX
- 2. Waterproof daily trainer: adidas Supernova GTX
- 3. Waterproof trail runner: adidas Terrex Trailmaker 2.0 GTX
- 4. Waterproof sneaker: adidas Cadiant FYW GTX
- 5. Waterproof hiking boot: adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2.0 GTX
- 6. Affordable waterproof shoe: adidas Anylander Rain.RDY
- Our selection criteria
The Free Hiker 2.0 has everything that a capable waterproof shoe should have.
The Gore-Tex membrane is effective at keeping the moisture out; it’s helped by the hydrophobic mesh and toe-bumper. The speed lacing loops make securing the upper quick. The layered upper improves the scratch resistance and helps extend the overall lifespan.
The cushioning is powered by a full-length Boost midsole, so the midsole has everyday comfort that lasts. This 10 mm drop shoe has decent stack heights (30 mm and 20 mm), with most of it loaded under the heel.
Boost is made of Polyurethane foam, so it doesn’t turn stiff in freezing temperatures. Its long-term durability also delivers higher miles per dollar.
It’s also stable, courtesy of the firmer EVA frame on top and the plastic heel cup. The traction is delivered by the reliable Continental rubber outsole and its 5 mm tall lugs.
While it’s advertised as a ‘hiker’, it works equally well on roads and paved trails.
At the time of publishing this review, the Ultraboost 5X lacks a waterproof variant.
The Supernova Gore-Tex is the next best thing. The standard version is a capable trainer for daily runs of up to a 10K distance, so the GTX version adds another layer of wet-weather protection.
Though it lacks a Boost midsole, there’s plenty of comfort in the dual-density midsole. The forefoot has a softer Dreamstrike+ foam for padded landings, whereas the rearfoot uses a more supportive (Lightstrike EVA, we assume) foam.
Like most adidas running shoes, the 36 mm heel is considerably taller than the 26 mm forefoot. So it only makes sense to equip the forefoot with a superior foam to compensate for its lower thickness.
The full-coverage Continental outsole and its dense colony of lugs bite well without adding stiffness. The pliable outsole has small windows exposing the Dreamstrike core, so it works with the midsole rather than against it.
Along with the Gore-Tex membrane, the Supernova’s upper offers a secure yet plush fit. Reflectivity is also available in abundance.
There aren’t many $120 GTX-fitted running shoes in the market, so the Terrex TrailMaker 2.0 is excellent value for money.
The kit level on the Trailmaker 2.0 punches above its price class. The outsole uses the Continental rubber compound lugs with wide spacing; this way, the Trailmaker 2.0 offers reliable traction while reducing clogging. The firm EVA midsole and transition channel make the ride supportive.
There’s no Boost or Lightstrike Pro on the Trailmaker 2.0’s midsole, so the ride can be harsh over longer (5K+) distances. The forefoot, in particular, is fairly low profile (19 mm), so the lack of cushioning and protection will be felt during a long run.
The upper is well-built for its price. Over the waterproof Gore-Tex membrane is a rugged exterior made of ripstop mesh and fused reinforcements.
The Cadiant FYW is the 90’s incarnated. For once, we’re spared high-performance cushioning foams and fancy sneaker tech. This shoe’s unassuming exterior borrows its line from adidas’s ‘Feet You Wear’ line of shoes.
Yes, that’s what FYW stands for. Back then, the shoes were designed to mirror the human foot anatomy. Part of that design language included podular outsoles and midsoles. The Cadiant reflects a lot of that FYW aesthetic – the outsole and midsole both have pod-like sections.
The upper is crowded with stitched overlays, trims, and molded details, and that’s par for a retro sneaker. There’s no ‘tech’ per se, except for the Torsion midsole shank and ‘Adiprene’ EVA insert under the heel.
It’s a heavy sneaker, yes, but it also offers the durability and supportive comfort of a vintage-inspired sneaker. However, there’s one feature on the Cadiant FYW that very few shoes from the 90s had – a waterproof Gore-Tex membrane to keep the feet dry.
If we look past its $230 price, the Terrex Free Hiker 2.0 Gore-Tex has many features that a standard hiking shoe lacks. For example, it’s rare to find high-tech cushioning technology like Boost foam on an outdoor shoe.
Most hiking boots have a firm midsole, so here is where the Terrex Hiker 2.0 adds a lot of value to the outdoor shoe ecosystem.
The soft and responsive Boost stack makes the ride extremely comfortable for long-distance hikes. It’s also supported by a firm EVA frame and molded heel counter for support.
The Gore-Tex membrane adds effective waterproofing to the mid-cut upper. The fused overlays on the tightly woven ripstop mesh make the upper durable and protective.
The Continental outsole performs as expected – the widely spaced lugs deliver effective traction and protection. The outsole lugs are not very deep, so the Free Hiker 2.0 is also a good fit for urban environments.
The Anylander doesn’t use a Gore-Tex membrane for waterproofing. The upper has adidas’s proprietary Rain.RDY treatment – which, we assume, is a bonded layer under the ripstop mesh.
Other parts of the shoe are spec’d to a basic, yet functional level. The midsole uses injection-molded EVA foam for lightweight and stable comfort; the one-piece ‘Traxion’ rubber outsole offers grip and protection.
The heavy-duty mesh upper is easy to lace, with the speed loops making the cinching quick and effective.
How we selected
Barring its Terrex outdoor line-up, adidas has a limited assortment of waterproof footwear. Within its performance running shoe lineup, the Supernova GTX is the only waterproof option. We haven’t seen a GTX or Rain.RDY version of the Ultraboost so far.
The Supernova competes against the likes of the Nike Pegasus 41 GTX, Asics Cumulus 26 GTX, the Brooks Ghost 15 GTX, and the Hoka Clifton 9 GTX, so having more waterproof running shoes will help adidas’s case.
On the bright side, adidas has an excellent assortment of waterproof trail running shoes across diverse price points and performance categories. In this guide, we have the relatively affordable ($85 retail) Terrex Anylander Rain.RDY to the versatile adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2.0 Low GTX.
(Related read: The best waterproof running shoes for men)