The best waterproof adidas shoes

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adidas has a limited waterproof footwear collection. Until last year, adidas had separate Cold.RDY and Rain.RDY models, but it seems that the waterproof collection has now been edited to include only Gore-Tex models.

We could say the same of brands like Asics, New Balance, Nike, and Brooks, but those brands sell waterproof or water-resistant versions of their most popular models. The Asics Cumulus 24 GTX, Brooks Ghost 14 GTX, New Balance 880V12 GTX, and Nike Pegasus 39 Shield are good examples.

While the adidas Ultraboost 22 Gore-Tex and Solarglide 5 GTX exist, those are heavy shoes with limited versatility. For example, while the Ultraboost 22 GTX is an excellent everyday sneaker, it’s nowhere as versatile as the adidas Supernova 2.0 or shoes like the Brooks Ghost 15 and Nike Pegasus 39.

The Solarglide 5 is ‘somewhat’ of a running shoe, but its 14.6-ounce weight is way heavier than the industry median.

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 Terrex Swift R3 to the speed-running Terrex Agravic Flow 2.0 GTX.

(Related read: The best waterproof running shoes for men)

Solereview recommends: adidas Ultraboost 22 Gore-Tex

The Ultraboost 22 is one of adidas’s most popular sneakers, so retrofitting the Boost midsole with a waterproof Gore-Tex upper makes perfect sense.

With this set-up, we get the comfortable Boost midsole of the standard model (our review here), but with a weather-ready upper that’s waterproof, reflective, and reasonably well-insulated from the cold.

The outsole is also meant for winter use; a special rubber compound (Continental, of course) has a strong bite on wet surfaces.

In addition to the waterproof Gore-Tex membrane, the ripstop mesh and rubberized layers keep the moisture and slush out. The midfoot has a zipped shroud for a protective fit.

In our review, we classified the Ultraboost 22 GTX as a ‘sneaker’ because its 14.1-ounce (400-gram) weight gets in the way of running shoe performance. The UB 22 GTX is best used as a casual athleisure shoe than a serious performance runner.

2) adidas Solarglide 5 Gore-Tex

In our review of the non-GTX Solarglide 5, we said that the reason for this shoe’s existence is unclear. The Solarglide 5 is nothing like the Solarglide 4, and the sheer bulk of this shoe severely handicaps its run-worthiness. This is nearly a 15-ounce shoe, and every ounce is noticeable during a run.

So what place does the Solarglide 5 have in adidas’s running shoe line-up?

For starters, it’s an ultra-stable and cushioned shoe that works for heavy runners – as long as the runs are slow-paced (5:30 min/km, 8:50 min/mile). The outsole grip is excellent, and the secure upper locks the foot over the supportive midsole.

The unique design of the LEP shank (formerly called Torsion) offers front and rear stability through its ‘wing’ design. With most shoes graduating to softer midsoles, the Solarglide 5’s dependable stability is a strong differentiating factor.

Just like the Ultraboost 22 GTX, the Gore-Tex upper of the Solarglide uses a ripstop exterior with a shrouded midfoot to keep the water and cold out.

3) adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2.0 GTX

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.

4) adidas Terrex Swift R3 Gore-Tex

The Terrex Swift R3 has an adidas feature that we assumed was lost to time. We’re talking about the ‘Promoderator’ – the adidas name for a midsole stability wedge. Back in 2004-2007, adidas running shoes with a ‘Promoderator’ meant that the midsole had a medial post.

However, this being 2022 and all, firmer medial posts are nearly extinct. The Promoderator on the Swift R3 is not a medial post, but a TPU clasp that hugs the midfoot.

Additional protection comes from the rock plate and Continental rubber outsole with its deep 4.5 mm lugs.

The Lightstrike EVA midsole (of the SL20 3 and adios 7 fame) has heel and forefoot stack heights of 25 mm and 15 mm. This setup provides sufficient ride comfort, yet is stable enough for uneven surfaces.

The waterproof Gore-Tex upper doesn’t seem like much from the outside, but it has a clever trick or two. The first row of lacing is set wide apart for a customizable fit. The speed loops also make the lacing process smooth.

In the front, a welded toe bumper protects the foot from the inevitable bumps and nicks.

5) adidas Terrex Agravic Flow 2.0 GTX

The Terrex Agravic Flow 2.0 is a low-profile trail shoe for speed runs. Its 20 mm thick forefoot and 28 mm heel (which results in an 8 mm drop) make the shoe cushioned, yet low to the ground.

There’s no Boost foam used here. A firm foam called ‘Lightstrike’ provides most of the cushioning in this 11.2-ounce trail runner.

Lightstrike is an EVA foam variant that’s also used on the adizero adios 7 and SL20 V3. The firm ride helps build up speed on the trail while offering excellent stability.

Though the Agravic Flow 2.0 lacks a rock plate, the firm EVA midsole and Continental rubber outsole protect the feet from the rocks and roots. The wide-spaced 4 mm lugs of the Continental rubber outsole grip over while minimizing clogging.

The sleeved and padded tongue provides secure interior comfort and absorbs the top-down lacing pressure. In the front, the reinforced toe bumper protects the foot from bumps on the trail.