Details
Brand
Adidas
Heel To Toe Drop
7mm
Breathability
7/10
Latest Version
No
Terrain
Trail
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• Employs toe bumper• Rock plate• Boost midsole• Incorporates continental rubber• Gore-Tex water-resistant material
Upper
The upper of the shoe is constructed from a mesh-like material that does well to guard the shoe against abrasion. There are narrow overlays that occupy certain high-stress regions of the upper. There is a pull tab at the rear of the shoe. It incorporates a series of welded-together overlays that occupy the outermost shell of the shoe. It features an added protective measure in the form of a toe guard.
Midsole
The midsole of the shoe is made of a Boost foam unit that occupies the entire length of the shoe. It should be noted that the midsole is one of two densities. Featured above the Boost foam is an EVA foam layer that provides the shoe with cushioning. This second layer is noticeably more firm than the aforementioned Boost foam layer.
Outsole
The outsole of the Adidas Terrex Agravic is constructed from Continental rubber. This is the exact same type of rubber that car tires are made of. This material lends to the shoe a greater degree of durability, which will be discussed at greater length in the respective section. The outsole contains an aggressive omnidirectional pattern.
Breathability
The amount of ventilation lent to the shoe is in keeping with that of most hiking shoes. This means that it will provide sufficient airflow as long as weather temperatures do not exceed a certain point. Some have noted, for example, that when subject to higher temperatures, most notably those above 80 degrees, the foot chamber of the shoe heated up too much. Wearers will find the shoe sufficiently insulated in colder temperatures, though, and this is definitely a plus. This speaks to the versatility, in terms of terrain, inherent to the trail running shoe. According to the designers, the shoe is ripe for use on water laden terrains as well thanks to the inner Gore Tex liner. Others, though, have argued that the shoe is not particularly expeditious when it comes to drying away the moisture that has accumulated within it.
Comfort
The trail running shoe is afforded a certain degree of cushioning because of the Boost midsole. Those wearers that have wider feet may find the foot chamber of the shoe too tight. The tongue of the shoe has to it a rubbery textural quality. The tongue is not very wide. The upper of the shoe takes on the quality of a second skin and enwraps the foot. The shoe has a snug and secure fit. The toe box of the shoe has a decent amount of room for the wearer. The lacing system of the shoe affords the wearer a more secure fit. The fit of the shoe can be readily and easily adjusted. Some wearers may need to incorporate the top eyelet in their lacing system so as to get a nice comfortable fit. The midsole of the shoe may present a rigid feel for the wearer, and may need some breaking in.
Style
The silhouette of the shoe is a modern and sleek one. The bulky shape of it is one that speaks to the tenacity and resilience of the shoe and by extension those in the trail running community. A pull loop occupies the rear of the shoe. The shoe has a heel height of 25 millimeters. The forefoot height of the shoe is approximately of 18 millimeters. The shoes are available in a number of cool and interesting colors.
Durability
The shoe incorporates an upper that is constructed of a very tough textile material that is resistant to wear. Present here too, are bands, intended to give added reinforcement to the upper of the shoe. This means that the upper is not likely to suffer a structural breakdown. There is a possibility of scuffing the outsole of the shoe and it incurring noticeable marks.
Protection
A rubber toe bumper is stationed at the front of the shoe. This bumper traces the circumference of the forward-most portion of the shoe. This added protective measure helps to safeguard the runner’s toe from the injury. The rubber-like compound of the upper that covers the upper helps to prevent the entry of airborne debris and detritus. The shoe also incorporates a rock plate that prevents jagged rocks, and a bevy of miscellaneous and harmful items, from having too great an impact on the bottom of the shoe and by extension the sole of the runner’s foot. The shoe is well equipped for barring the entry of small amounts of water.
Responsiveness
The weight of the shoe prevents it from being fully expressive as a responsive shoe. To elucidate, the shoe functions well at slower speeds, but when wearers increase their speeds they often notice a diminishing return on each stride. The responsivity alludes to the shoe’s ability to absorb and properly redistribute impact energies of a given stride.
Support
The support system of the shoe is reliant on the strategic placement of TPU overlays in those areas of the shoe that are most subject to wear. These overlays add to and strengthen the overall structure of the shoe. This assertion is not likely to be debated but the extent to which it contributes to the infrastructure of the shoe can and will face some contention. Some, for example, have criticized the shoe for not providing enough structural support to the feet of the wearer. The arch of the shoe is a neutral one. It is best suited for those runners whose feet are not subject to aggressive supination or pronation.
Terrain
The shoe functions most optimally on the smoother terrains of a packed trail. Some have found success in producing an equally as comfortable ride when slowly traversing terrain that is uneven. A select few have critiqued the shoe for producing an uncomfortable ride at higher speeds. Most, though, have described the shoe as producing a smooth ride.
Price
Competition in terms of pricing for trail running shoes is steep. That being said, the Adidas Terrex Agravic shoe is one of the more reasonably priced shoes on the market.
Drop
The trail running shoe maintains a drop of 6.5 millimeters. A drop of this size allows the runner to achieve a more natural stride.
Stability
The Boost midsole grants the shoe greater stability. This midsole is especially effective, in terms of stability, when traversing uneven terrain. The shoe also incorporates a lower than average stack height. The outsole of the shoe maintains a wide surface area that provides a better and more secure platform on which to stand and perform.
Flexibility
The upper of the trail running shoe is constructed from a tough material but is not exceptionally rigid. Some have described the flexibility of the upper a similar to a sock. Many in the trail running community were pleased with its tensile strength. The upper is made to expand with the runner’s foot but in such a way that it does not incur too much structural damage or feel too slack. This makes it so the foot chamber of the shoe never feels too constricting. The tongue also has a certain measure of elasticity and takes up less real estate than the tongues of previous incarnations. The material used for the outsole of the trail running shoe grants a certain amount of flexibility as well. Surprisingly the rock plate does little to inhibit the capacity of the outsole to bend, twist or turn.
Traction
Thanks to the omnidirectional pattern adorning the outsole, the shoe is able to establish and maintain its grip pretty well. The outsole of the shoe is occupied by aggressively raised lugs as well. To specify, these lugs extend 6.5 millimeters beyond the flat surface of the outsole. They perform well at the rearfoot, helping the wearer to better perform lateral movements. Many trail runners have also applauded the design of the rearfoot for providing them with enough grip to descend an incline. The lugs on the forefoot of the shoe work in a similarly effective manner when used for ascending an incline. Trail runners have also said that the Adidas Terrex Agravic performs admirably on surfaces where one is likely to encounter slippage, like a water-beaten pathway, or a mud-covered one. The raised rubber lugs of the outsole are also spaced out from one another so as to prevent the accumulation of mud, and to help the runner to easily remove what muck has already built up.
Bottom Line
The Adidas Terrex Agravic is a trail running shoe with a lot to offer. The shoe has a number of protective measures in place to safeguard the more adventurous runners against unexpected (and expected) obstacles. It is pretty stable at lower speeds and allows for a smooth ride. The incorporation of the Boost midsole is sure to please as it works wonderfully as the cushion below a runner’s feet. Let’s not even get started on the traction! Slippage is no issue here as the shoe functions admirably on even the slickest terrain. The durability of the shoe can be praised as well. The outsole is constructed from Continental rubber, the same kind of rubber used to make car tires. This fact alone speaks volumes about the resilience of the outsole, but that’s not all. The upper of the shoe is made from a material that is highly resistant to wear and abrasion. So those are the pros. The Adidas Terrex Agravic, though, is not immune to the shortcomings that plague other trail running shoes. It is prone to overheating, and is actually quite heavy. The propulsive qualities also leave a lot to be desired. All in all, though, the Adidas Terrex Agravic is a good shoe that is still subject to the pitfalls we’ve come to expect from a trail running shoe. It is, however, very reasonably priced and that is sure to tip the scales for those runners on the fence.
