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I’ve logged thousands of trail miles in my career as an outdoor sports writer, and the biggest question I have before I set out on any hiking or backpacking trip is, “Shoe or boot?”
It’s unavoidable. Tradeoffs are a constant in the hiking footwear world. You may swap extra support for lighter weight, or breathability for weatherproofing and protection. In general, the best hiking boots for men and women offer support, protection, and comfort for long miles under heavy loads, while the best trail running shoes offer increased breathability, tactility, and lightweight performance.
I’ve tested outdoor footwear for the better part of a decade now, but this was my first experience with adidas trail shoes — and I was pleasantly surprised. It’s rare to find a hybrid shoe that bridges the gap between trail running shoes and hiking boots as well as the nifty adidas TERREX Free Hiker 2.0.
With this supportive, capable, Gore-Tex trail model, adidas puts forward a comfortable and approachable entry into the hiking shoe space without the overly minimalist feel of many popular trail runners and hiking shoes.
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How We Tested the adidas TERREX Free Hiker 2.0 Shoes
- Product tested: adidas TERREX Free Hiker 2.0 shoes
- Testing period: 2 months
- Testing method: Combination of short hikes, technical scrambles, and long-distance, multi-day treks
- Size range: 6 to 15 men’s; 5 to 11 women’s
- Weight: 15.5 oz
- Heel-to-toe drop: 10mm
- Special features: GORE-TEX membrane, External heel clip, EVA stabilization frame, abrasion-resistant mesh upper
- Colorways: Beige, black, and orange; orange and black; black and silver, and more
- Pros:
- Supportive
- Comfortable
- Affordable
- Amazing all-terrain grip and traction
- Waterproofing
- Cons:
- Not fully waterproof for extra wet conditions
- Midsole foam may show signs of wear with technical scrambles
Like the best cushioned running shoes, the Free Hiker sports an energy-returning midsole in the form of the adidas BOOST cushioning, which does an excellent job providing both propulsion and comfort on hard-packed terrain. I particularly appreciated this when hiking with a multi-day trekking pack. This is one of the most comfortable hiking shoes I’ve tested in my career and a top choice for long-distance hikes or a hike with heavy loads.
The Gore-Tex membrane provides solid weatherproofing in moderate conditions (think drizzle and boggy trails, not pouring rain or wading through streams). The Free Hiker also kept my feet warm on several trail days when temps dropped below 40°F. Coupled with a thicker pair of hiking socks, the Free Hiker 2.0 is certainly a reliable shoulder season hiker.
Another notable mention is the EVA stabilization frame, which provides an extremely locked-in, grounded feel with each step — something you don’t often see with low-cut hiking shoes. The Free Hiker 2.0’s 4mm lugs are the same depth as the previous model, though the lug pattern has changed for improved grip. I can attest to this shoe’s ability to provide a reliable grip on rocky and muddy trails alike.
Breathability is one of the shoe’s few drawbacks. The Free Hiker 2.0 tends to get quite hot in warmer weather or high-output activities. But this usually comes with the territory when we’re talking about GTX (or waterproof shoes in general), so it’s not a true con.
Weighing in at around one pound, the Free Hiker 2.0 isn’t exactly a heavy piece of footwear, but it’s on the heavier side for a pure hiking shoe. However, for the target demographic — entry-level hikers transitioning from a boot or those looking for a long-distance hiker — I don’t think the weight will be an issue. Again, it sort of comes with the territory when you want the Free Hiker’s level of support and comfort underfoot.
The Free Hiker has a few durability issues, primarily with the BOOST midsole, which is exposed along the sides of the shoe. This isn’t a major problem for most moderate trails, but if you’ll be taking the Free Hiker 2.0 on technical scrambles like I did, you’ll likely start to see signs of wear. Sharp rocks can easily take slices and cuts out of the foam, however this won’t be an issue for most hikers.
All told, the Free Hiker 2.0 excels particularly in the categories of comfort, grip, and stability, with the added bonus of the GORE-TEX waterproofing.
adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2.0 Testing and Review Verdict
For the price, the adidas Free Hiker 2.0 comes highly recommended. It’s particularly well-suited for a hiker looking to make their first transition from hiking boot to hiking shoe. It retains the comfort, stability, and protection of the former while offering a bit of the lightweight, performance-driven build of the latter. The traction and grip here are also commendable, and that’s coming from a lifelong climber who primarily focuses on climbing and approach shoe reviews.
So if you’re tired of the clunky weight of your hiking boots but not quite ready to hike in barebones trail runners, then the Free Hiker 2.0 is an incredible offering. I would not hesitate to add this shoe (or the high-cut model) to my quiver.
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For this story, the writer was gifted the TERREX Free Hiker 2.0 Shoes by adidas for an honest product review.
Meet the Author and Shoe Tester
Owen Clarke is a lifelong outdoorsman and outdoor sports journalist. In addition to contributing to Footwear News, Clarke is an editor-at-large for The Outdoor Journal and Climbing House, and a regular contributor to Backpacker, Outside Online, SKI, Iron and Air, Trail Runner, and a variety of other outdoor publications. He also edits for the American Alpine Journal. He is an avid backpacker, climber, and motorcyclist and has logged miles on two feet (and two wheels) in mountain ranges from North Africa to the Andes to the Balkans. Clarke wrote this review of the Free Hiker 2.0 after testing the shoe for two months. Learn more about us here.
