Review: Adidas Terrex Agravic Approach Shoe

This story originally appeared in the June 2016 issue of our print edition.

Designed as a technical trail runner, testers immediately noticed the Adidas Terrex Agravic’s “unbelievable comfort that made it awesome to wear for hours at a time.” Credit the cushy Boost midsole: When your foot presses down, it responds by bouncing back and returning energy into your whole leg. Testers found it reduced strain on feet, ankles, knees, and hips: “I felt fresh and ready to continue after three hours of scrambling in the alpine,” one Colorado tester said. Continental rubber inspired confidence on all types of scree, slab, trail, and bushwhacking terrain in the Verdon Gorge, and a moderate weight (11 oz. for a half pair of men’s 9 and 9.4 oz. for women’s 7) made them unnoticeable when clipped to the back of a harness. Comfortable out of the box, these shoes feature a thin foam tongue that retains ease of wear even when laces were cranked way down. The mesh version is breathable, and testers’ feet never got swampy in temps up to 80°F (also offered with Gore-Tex for an extra $15). With a lug-only sole (no flat “climbing” zone) and a lot of flexibility, they aren’t meant for technical climbing terrain.

Conclusion

With good style (“I felt chic even walking around fashionable France.”), unbeatable comfort, and an airy weight and feel, these are perfect for trail and bushwhacking approaches, easy scrambling, trail running, and travel. 

$135; adidas.com

Further Reading
Review: Our Top 5 Approach Shoes for 2016