When you don’t know what the day is going to bring, you need a single shoe that can do it all. For years, the adidas TERREX Skychaser line has filled that role perfectly. Leave the house in a pair of Skychasers, and you’re pretty much guaranteed to be ready for anything. Do the buds want to rent bikes and tool around town? Walk to that good noodle joint three neighborhoods over? Go for a big hike before happy hour? With the Skychasers on, no need to miss out. When plans change, you’re up for it.
A more versatile shoe didn’t seem possible. But now, thanks to some clever updates, adidas TERREX has managed to pull it off with the Skychaser AX5 GTX. Like its predecessor (the Skychaser AX4 GTX), the new AX5 is waterproof and breathable (thank you Gore-Tex). It’s also more durable, thanks to abrasion-resistant overlays that defy scrapes from rocks and vegetation.
“It’s the perfect shoe for those looking to take their hiking experience to the next level,” says Tom Louage, a global senior product director of outdoor footwear at adidas TERREX.
But the durability upgrades are just the start. The AX5 also features a fan-favorite compound of sticky Continental Rubber. Between that and the burly, 4mm lugs, the Skychaser AX5 is ultra-grippy in both wet and dry conditions. The sole is also slightly stiffer than past versions. A rigid stability plate embedded in the midsole steadies footsteps on rocky terrain and protects feet against sharp stones and gravel. The enhanced stiffness also improves rebound, which means you can go further without feeling the miles. And thanks to the Lightmotion midsole—a springy layer of cushion directly underfoot—you’ll be able to handle the extra distance without excessive fatigue.
The comfy fit and smooth ride remain similar to that of the AX4, but with key upgrades—particularly to the shoe’s internal construction. “The Skychaser AX5 features two foam pods integrated on both sides of the heel lining to provide a locked-down feeling,” explains Louage. That’s a brand-new feature for a Gore-Tex hiking shoe. The AX5 also offers slightly more stack height (22.5/33.6 mm) than its predecessor—in other words, extra cushioning to protect your feet whether you’re pounding pavement or navigating rocky singletrack.
Finally, the look. The AX5 pairs hiking-boot performance with street-shoe style. The 2025 Skychaser AX5 pares down the chunky accents for a design that’s much sleeker and subtler. The result is a dialed-in shoe built to handle everything from city jaunts to serious hiking. In other words, it’s up for anything you are.
adidas TERREX is a global leader in the outdoor sporting goods industry. With the mission to enable all humans to live a more connected, conscious, and adventurous life, adidas TERREX combines high-performance technologies with fashion-forward designs to weather the forces of nature and inspire every human being to find their own summits.
