Hybrid hiking footwear is everywhere right now – part trail runner, part boot, part everyday trainer, and Adidas is no stranger to the category.
The latest to land is the Adidas Terrex Skychaser GORE-TEX, a lightweight but rugged shoe that promises grip, waterproofing and support without the bulk of a boot.
I’ve tested a fair few of these do-it-all walking shoes recently, and while I’ve usually leaned towards traditional lightweight boots, I was intrigued by how the Skychasers would hold up on everything from wet woodland paths to rocky ridgelines.
With a Continental outsole, GORE-TEX waterproof membrane, speed lacing system and a surprisingly stiff midsole, these shoes pack in a lot of features – but how do they actually feel after a few hours on the trail? And are they worth the £140 asking price? I laced them up and hit the trail to find out.
Adidas Terrex Skychaser GORE-TEX review
Price and availability
The Adidas Terrex Skychaser GORE-TEX Hiking Shoes are priced at £140 in the UK and available directly from Adidas UK. In the US, they’re listed for $170 at Adidas.com, and in Australia, the price is AU$280 via Adidas AU.
Several retailers also stock them, though availability and colourways may vary depending on region. Expect a few options beyond the core black/grey, with seasonal colour refreshes common in the Terrex line.
Specifications
- Weight: 434g (men’s UK 8.5)
- Upper: Textile and synthetic upper
- Midsole: Lightstrike
- Waterproofing: GORE-TEX membrane
- Outsole: Continental rubber outsole
Design and materials
(Image credit: Matt Buckley)
The Terrex Skychasers cut a very trainer-esque looking figure, and on first glance, they look like another pair of do-it-all hiking/trail shoes.
The upper is a combination of textile and synthetic materials with large sections of what looks like ripstop over the top of the toe box. A good-sized toe bumper should fend off any scuffs from rocks and other unforgiving terrain.
Moving round the side of the shoe, the ubiquitous Adidas three stripes are present on both sides of the shoe and form part of the system that fastens the shoe to your boot.
Around the back, there’s a chunky TPU heel cup; overall, the Skychasers feel very sturdy and well built. I’ve only been able to test them for a couple of weeks, but I feel confident that they’ll keep going for a while without looking scruffy or bits falling off.
(Image credit: Matt Buckley)
The closure system is Adidas’ Speed Laces, which is similar to systems found on other trail-specific footwear, but in essence, it’s a lacing system that you just pull on the tab to fasten and the buckle self-tightens.
I’ve never had any issues with laces, but I found this system to be great, spreading tension evenly down the length of my foot. It’s also very straightforward to adjust the tension on the go, just release the buckle and reposition it to a comfortable tension.
There’s an elastic loop midway down the laces to secure the excess lace, and if you’re a real traditionalist, you can ditch the speed lace system entirely and fit normal laces.
I can’t help feeling that these speed laces won’t last as long as a traditional lace, as there’s a lot of friction involved when tightening and loosening them, but I’m sure someone has thought of that and used a special abrasion-resistant material for the laces, at least I hope they have.
(Image credit: Matt Buckley)
The Continental outsole continues the Germanic theme and is a refreshing change from the various Vibram units that many brands use. The reasonably tall lugs spread over the sole offer plenty of traction over a range of surfaces, from loose dusty trails to sodden and muddy paths.
Despite the aggressive tread pattern, I found it shed excess mud and debris easily, and the side lugs offered huge amounts of grip on tricky terrain. I really noticed the stability underfoot on rough terrain and was very impressed, providing more support than my go-to hiking boots.
Performance and comfort
(Image credit: Matt Buckley)
As previously mentioned, when reviewing hybrid hiking shoes, I’ve always been a bit sceptical. I would always reach for a lightweight boot like the Danner Mountain 600 EVO rather than a burly trainer, but I’m starting to see the appeal.
The Terrex Skychasers feel lightweight on the feet, encouraging you to take the path less trodden, and when that path ends up crossing rivers or picking a line through a bog, the Gore-Tex liner keeps your feet dry.
Granted, you don’t have the height of an ankle cuff to keep the water out, but for crossing shallow rivers or just hiking in the rain, Gore-Tex kept my feet dry.
In terms of fit and comfort, I found the shoes to be generally comfortable but did find the toe box to be relatively snug. I don’t consider my feet to be wide, but I felt a little constricted after a couple of hours, which was made worse by the rising temperatures.
If you do have wider feet, then these are probably not the shoes for you. Aside from that, I loved the stability provided by the sole design and didn’t feel overly cushioned and disconnected from the trail.
I’m not a huge fan of how they look, but aesthetics are very personal. The shoes I tested were in the black/grey colourway, but there are a few others to choose from.
Verdict
(Image credit: Matt Buckley)
The Terrex Skychasers offer a compelling package for those looking for a lightweight hiking shoe. The stability and grip were outstanding, and I found them to be generally comfortable, but I wouldn’t recommend them for warmer temperatures.
Also consider
If it’s all-out comfort you’re after, then the Altra Lone Peak 9+ is a strong contender. We loved the roomy toe box and plenty of padding to keep your feet feeling fresh as the kilometres pile up.
