I was really looking forward to these shoes. They were recommended by Timothy Olson, who is a well-renowned ultra runner (sponsored by Adidas of course) and was friends with my brother-in-law back in college at the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point. I was intrigued because these are marketed as hiking shoes, but given his experience in ultra running and trails, I thought it was definitely worth giving them a try for some running and was really hopeful. Let me give you my thoughts on this shoe so far.
Specifications (per adidas website)
Weight: 12.3 oz (size 9)
Classification: trail hiking/running shoe
FIT
I had a bear of a time finding the right size for this shoe, partially because I got them as a gift from my mom for Christmas and she accidentally ordered a women's pair...oops. So clearly a bit tight. I then got a men's size 9, which I usually wear, but it was big on all accounts for me: way to much space up by the toes, wide around the midfoot, and the heel cup had a lot of space and didn't hold my heel. I finally got a half size lower and the sizing was great, leaving enough room in the toe box for my foot to splay as I ran trails but would hold my foot in place well otherwise. So, all that to say, half size down will likely do you well.
Comfort is really important when hitting the trails, and unfortunately this shoe missed the mark for me. The upper has a fully attached tongue, and as I would tighten the quick lace system, the sides of the tongue would fold and dig into the dorsal aspect of my foot and it would be a bit sore for a day or two after a run. This did improve over time, but still a bit of an issue. Given that it is a GORE-TEX shoe, the upper is also much more stiff, but that's typically the trade off for something waterproof. I will say that the heel was comfortable and did not cause any blistering and the insole was comfortable for my foot, at least when walking (more on that later).
The speed lacing system worked well for me. It was a bit of a learning curve to modify where the laces would hold my foot, but once I got it adjusted, the shoe held my foot really well and did not loosen or let my foot slip throughout a run.
RIDE/CUSHION
This shoe had a firm ride all around and felt a bit clunky. There is a slightly softer foam just above the outsole, but even that doesn't have a lot of cushion to it. So combine the firmer foam with the solid outsole and you get a shoe that doesn't assist in a smooth transition from contact with the ground to toe off, hence the clunkiness. However, I will say the ride was much better when on more rigorous and technical trails. I never felt any instability through the shoe, it protected my foot well, and it felt less clunky at the slower speeds. Unfortunately for me, I live in central Wisconsin, to the amount of technical trails around me is limited.
GRIP
This was the brightest spot for this shoe for me. The outsole is made of Continental Rubber, so it never gave any slippage even when on wet terrain. The lugs exist, but aren't as aggressive as the Solomon Speedcross series, so I found it very versatile in terms of being able to grip well on cross country type or rail to trail paths (without feeling like I'm running on nails) as well as muddier or technical terrain. I had zero issues with grip and thought it was great in this department. Plus the Continental Rubber has not worn down in any way, so it's very durable and that's always a plus.
THOUGHTS AS A DPT
Just wanted to throw some quick thoughts in regarding trail running, particularly towards people who may be just starting to trail run or are transitioning from road to trail running. Although systematic reviews (Nielson et al, Damsted et al) have not been able to determine specifics of what types of changes in training may be contributing to running injuries, anecdotal research suggests that possibly 60-70% of running injuries may be caused by training errors (Lysholm et al, Renstrom et al, Johnson et al). Training errors can occur in relation to running volume, frequency, duration, speed, or changing running surface. The biomechanical and physiological rational behind this suggests that changing these factors leads to increased or different loads through the muscles, tendons, and joints, which may be too much for the particular structure and may lead to breakdown or irritation of a particular tissue.
CONCLUSION
Did this shoe live up to my hopes? Overall...no. The clunky ride, pressure and discomfort of the upper, and overall stiff nature of the shoe make it tough to enjoy running in on the trails in my area. However, I will say that it did very well on the more technical trails, and I'm glad I have them. If you are someone living in an area with a lot of technical trails or are looking for a hybrid shoe for hiking and some trail running, it will serve you well. It performed well in areas with more rigorous terrain as well as a hiking shoe on any terrain, especially because of the grip it provides.
GRADING
Fit/Comfort: 4/10
Ride/Cushion: 5/10 (positive marks for ride on technical trails)
Grip: 10/10
Total Score: 63%
Thanks for reading!
Editor's Note: As always, the views presented on this website belong to myself or the selected few who contribute to these posts. This website should not and does not serve as a replacement for seeking medical care. If you are currently injured or concerned about an injury, please see your local running physical therapist. If you are in the Stevens Point area, I am currently taking clients for running evaluations.
Dr. Nathan Brown PT DPT MS
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Doctor of Physical Therapy
***Currently I have 38.5 miles on my pair. Our views are based on extensive history in the footwear industry and years testing and developing footwear. If you are a footwear rep looking for footwear reviews or consultations on development, we are currently looking to partner with companies to assist, discuss and promote footwear models. Partnership will not affect the honesty of our reviews.
1. Damsted C, Glad S, Nielsen RO, Sorensen H, Malisoux L. (2018) Is there evidence for an association between changes in training load and running related injuries? International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy. 13 (6): 931-942.
2. Nielson RO, Buist I, Sorensen H, Lind M, Rasmussen S. (2012). Training errors and running related injuries. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy. 7(1): 58-75
3. Renstrom AF. (1993) Mechanism, diagnosis, and treatment of running injuries. Instructional Course Lecture. 42: 225-234.
4. Johnson R. (1983). Common running injuries of the leg and foot. Minnesota Medicine. 66(7): 441-444.
5. Lysholm J, Wiklander J. (1987). Injuries in runners. American Journal of Sports Medicine. 15(2): 168-171.
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