The road less traveled (the kind you prefer) is rocky and rises and falls with twists and turns. adidas Outdoor prepares you for it with the rugged and technically sophisticated Terrex Fast X GTX hiking shoe.
About adidas Outdoor…
For many of us in North America, the idea of outdoors specific adidas is still relatively new. What may surprise you is that the outdoor products division of the adidas global brand — which includes jackets and hiking boots — is one of the company’s fastest-growing units, outpacing even its sporting goods products.
adidas Outdoor offered our team the opportunity to get up close and personal with their line of outdoor footwear courtesy of the Terrex Fast X GTX hiker. It didn’t take long before our trail team realized the clean fresh styling and technical performance of this low-cut hiker is a virtual breathe of fresh air into the hiking segment.
On Performance & Design…
For our testing grounds, we turned to the grandeur of the granite laden Sierra Nevada and the sun drenched Sonoran desert. Both places have awakened the souls of outdoor enthusiasts for generations. At the same time, the unforgiving terrain and ever changing conditions of these regions have no problem letting you know whether or not your mountain kicks are up to par.
The Terrex Fast X GTX didn’t just survive a steady diet of brutal terrain and heavy mileage in these conditions – it thrived, offering the technical support our team demanded without the excess weight and stiffness of heavier hikers that you might normally require to traverse challenging mountain terrain.
Abrasion-resistant synthetic uppers with toe rand balanced protection and lightweight breathability on the trail. On the interior of the shoe, a Gore-Tex Extended Comfort membrane blocked wet and muddy trail conditions yet breathed easily amidst the sun-baked landscape of the Sonoran desert keeping feet cool and confident.
adidas Formotion midsole technology easily took the sting out of toe-crushing downhill sections, while the midsole design kept feet closer to the ground for greater stability and feedback. The end result? Stellar comfort and virtually non-existent foot fatigue during longer traverses.
Despite the vast geological differences between the Sierra and Sonoran, there is one great similarity; a singular day can can run the gamut from blazing heat to torrential downpour. Which is why our team loved the TRAXION™ outsole with Continental™ Rubber underfoot.
The sticky secret stems from adidas partnership with Continental, the European market leader in the car tire segment. Since 2010 Continental has supplied adidas with the latest rubber compounds for their sports shoes, and the effects are undeniable. The Terrex Fast X GTX handled everything from rocky approaches to the crag, days of boulder-hopping by the river, and navigating expansive scree fields on the way to weekend destinations.
Notes from the Field…
Where the shoe did fall slightly short was in overall fit. Our gumption gal suggested that she likely could have gone with a half size smaller. Meanwhile our gumption guy experienced a loose fit in the heel. To remedy the issue, he was required to lock down the laces tighter than normal. When cinched in tight, an uneven lacing pressure was noticeable.
Bottom Line…
The adidas Outdoor Terrex Fast X GTX for men and women is an ultra-fast, rugged hiker that blurs the line between a hiking shoe and a trail-runner with a design that efficiently propels you forward, and provides tenacious grip to tackle a wide range of terrain.
*Gumption Gear Review received the product samples featured in this review from adidas Outdoor at no cost, and receives no monetary compensation for this or any related review. The items featured were provided solely in return for our honest views and opinions.