Adidas Terrex Agravic GTX trail running shoe | Tested and reviewed

When it comes to trail running shoes, getting it right is paramount. The Adidas Terrex Agravic GTX shoes are designed to tackle rugged terrain while keeping your feet dry and comfortable.

In this review, we'll delve into the various aspects of these shoes, including their upper, midsole, outsole, features, sustainability and conclude with a comprehensive list of pros and cons.

Adidas Terrex states the Agravic GTXs are “waterproof trail running shoes made for training runs and big miles”, with a particular focus on “adventurous days on the trail in wet, muddy conditions”.

The waterproof-breathable Gore-Tex membrane seals out the rain and bog, while the Lightstrike 2.0 midsole provides “responsive cushioning for stability and comfort on rough terrain, and the rocker shape promotes a smooth roll-off for a fluid pace”. Here’s the full lowdown.

Upper

The Adidas Terrex Agravic GTX’s upper is constructed from lightweight mesh. You get TPU overlays for added durability and protection at key areas, including at the heel and toebox. There’s also a minimalist, non-wrapround TPU rand. The laces are standard laces with a traditional tightening system, the tongue is gusseted and there’s a small amount of padding around the ankle, heel and tongue.

In my opinion, comfort levels are pretty high, with a fit that’s on the precise, tight side, rather than roomy and spacious. Personally I like this style – it feels more streamlined and accurate, encouraging precise foot placement and a speedy, agile approach to trail running.

But, depending on the shape and size of your feet, some runners may prefer a touch of extra room instead. These shoes are probably on the narrow side of the spectrum, so anyone with particularly wide feet should, perhaps, look elsewhere. In particular, some may find the toebox a little narrow and restrictive.

The standout feature of the upper, however, is the sock-like liner with a high-ankled cuff, or gaiter. Its purpose is two-fold: to keep out debris like mud or stones, and to wrap around and lock the ankle for a close-fitting, snug feel.

I really like this, but it may be a polarising feature. Will you love or hate it? It’s worth trying before buying, if you can.

As the name implies, the Terrex Agravic GTX also has an integrated Gore-Tex waterproof-breathable membrane. This is designed to keep your feet dry in rain, puddles and boggy mud, while also allowing them to breathe when working hard.

During my test runs, I ran through some shallow puddles and muddy ground, and the Gore-Tex membrane did its job – no water infiltrated to my socks. However it’s far too early to judge the long-term performance of this shoe’s Gore-Tex membrane.

Will it last in the long-term? Membranes can often deteriorate over time, and after just a few initial first looks, I can’t yet vouch for the long-term waterproofing performance.

I would also add that the “flood level” of this shoe’s is quite low, due to the way the tongue is sewn to the upper. Consequently if you step into a bog or deep-ish puddle, water will simply flow over the top of the shoes into the interior, thus rendering them useless. This is an inherent flaw with all waterproof trail shoes, however.

Midsole

I’ve been a big fan of the Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra trail shoes for over a year, having run 100s of miles in my pair. Like a trail version of road running super shoe, the Agravic Speed Ultras feel so fast and energetic, with a lovely flow and sense of forward propulsion, mostly due to the midsole’s integrated energy rods and the use of Lightstrike Pro foam.

These shoes are like rocket ships, powering you further, faster and for longer – PBs and big achievements all-round. The only downside to these shoes is that, due to a severe lack of lateral stability and a high risk of ankle rolling, they are better suited to the hard-packed trails in Europe than the lumpy-bumpy gnarliness of the UK’s mountain paths.

I say all of this because the Adidas Terrex Agravic GTX trail running shoes are part of the same Agravic collection of trainers. Unlike the Speed Ultras, they don’t have any energy rods and you only get Lightstrike 2.0 foam (not Lightstrike Pro), but to a certain extent some of the feel is the same.

The Lightstrike Pro of the Speed Ultras is, in my eyes, a more responsive, energetic and bouncier foam, meaning it is designed for racing and high-speed athletes. In contrast, the Lightstrike 2.0 is a slightly less dense and softer foam, prioritising stability and support over raw speed.

Yet, having said this, the Terrex Agravic GTXs still feel quite speedy and energetic compared to many other trail shoes from other brands. They are lightweight and agile, and seem to encourage quick leg turnover.

During my test trail runs, I really liked them – they weren’t super-fast, but they were fast, and struck a nice balance between stability, protection and support on the one hand, and speed, agility and energy on the other.

Underfoot they felt quite cushioned, but were not as pillow-y soft, squishy and soft as some maximalist, super-cushioned trail shoes. Some runners might not like this approach, but the benefit is added ground-feel and responsiveness.

The midsole of the Agravic GTX has an 8mm drop, with a stack height of 38mm at the heel and 30mm at the forefoot. Adidas Terrex says the shoe has an “engineered construction providing mid-foot support, torsional flexibility and underfoot protection, ensuring a stable and comfortable ride on challenging trails”.

Outsole

Equipped with a Continental rubber outsole, the Terrex Agravic GTX enables trail runners to “maintain secure footing across roots and rocks, wet or dry”, according to the brand. The outsole has a mix of 4mm and 5mm deep lugs, with a varied pattern of bowtie-shaped cleats with, allegedly, a strategic orientation to enhance grip during both ascents and descents.

During my test runs in the Lake Districton mixed terrain in February and March, I was pretty impressed with the traction. The Continental outsole gave me confidence and delivered solid bite, whether I was running over mud, grass or rocky trails.

The grip wasn’t as impressive as deeply-lugged, super-aggressive fell shoes like the INOV8 MudTalon or the VJ Sport IRock 4, but it was solid enough for a regular trail shoe with higher levels of comfort for bigger mileage runs.

Versions

The Adidas Terrex Agravic GTX is available in both men’s and women’s versions. The men’s comes in half sizes from 5.5 to 14.5, while the women’s size options are 3.5 to 9.5 (UK sizes). The men’s trainer has three colourways: black, grey and olive green. The women’s version comes in black or silver-green.

Sustainability

Adidas Terrex has been making big efforts in terms of sustainability, incorporating recycled materials into their products.

While specific details about the recycled content in the Terrex Agravic GTX are not provided, the brand states that each shoe “contains at least 20% recycled content”, explaining that “by reusing materials that have already been created, we help to reduce waste and our reliance on finite resources and reduce the footprint of the products we make”.

Arguably more can still be done, but it’s fair to say that’s a decent eco-friendly stride forward.

Verdict

The Adidas Terrex Agravic GTX is a high-performance waterproof trail running trainer with a speedy, precise feel – but the fit may be too precise and narrow for some.

See how this product compares with our review of the Terrex Agravic Speed (a similar model that isn't waterproof, so it's a bit more breathable).

About the author

Our tester for the Adidas Terrex Agravic GTX trail running shoe was James Forrest. James is one of our long-time freelance gear testers both for LFTO and our print magazine, Trail. When he's not climbing mountains or walking to the moon and back, he's running on his local trails in the Lake District.

As well as being a prolific long-distance walker and runner, James is also one of the most high-profile outdoor writers in the UK.