In this product guide:
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.
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.
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.
adidas plays it safe with the Terrex Agravic Gore-Tex. You won’t find the lightweight Lightstrike Pro foam here, not even Boost. adidas combines a cushioned yet supportive Lightstrike EVA foam over a full-length Continental rubber to create a versatile trail running shoe.
While the Lightstrike midsole isn’t as soft as some of the newer foams, it offers excellent stability and protection. The firm midsole is also rocker-shaped to help the foot roll forward quicker on flat trails.
There is no rock plate, but the thick midsole (38 mm and 30 mm stack height) and rubber outsole offer protection on the trails. The 4.5 mm deep lugs have wide spacing to minimize clogging.
The waterproof mesh upper is reinforced with fused layers to make it splash and abrasion-resistant. The gusseted tongue and faux gaiter (similar to the Nike Pegasus Trail) help keep debris out. If you don’t want waterproofing, the Terrex Agravic 3 is available for $30 cheaper.
There’s sufficient cushioning and durability for everyday miles, and the Terrex Agravic can go fast too – thanks to its midsole rocker.
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)