Adidas Outdoor Womens Terrex Swift R2 Mid Gtx Review
Adidas has come on strong in the world of hiking footwear, and its Terrex Swift series is a notable standout amongst the competition. The R3 GTX is a low-cut waterproof hiking shoe that's reasonably light merely offers great protection and stability. After taking it out hiking on the trails outside El Chaltén in Argentina, nosotros were impressed with the toughness and hiking boot-like personality of the R3, although it does have a slightly stiffer feel than nosotros prefer. Below we intermission downwards the Terrex Swift R3's overall performance. To see how it stacks up against the competition, encounter our article on the best hiking shoes.
Tabular array of Contents
- Comfort
- Weight
- Traction
- Stability and Support
- Waterproofing and Breathability
- Build Quality and Durability
- Fit and Sizing
- What We Like/What We Don't
- Comparison Table
- The Competition
Performance
Comfort
We'll offset by noting that the Adidas Terrex Swift R3 GTX feels a scrap stiff out of the box and generally stays that fashion. The blueprint is fairly rigid overall, including a burly sole and tough ripstop mesh upper. This isn't a huge knock on comfort—the shoe performed well without a break-in period, and it didn't loosen upwards or create hot spots even over long trail days. All told, we think the R3 wears similar a hiking kick just with a lower ankle and lighter weight. If you're looking for a flexible, trail runner-like feel where you lot tin can really feel the ground beneath you, this is not the hiker for you. But if you want a protective and tough shoe that's congenital to concluding, the Terrex Swift R3 is exactly that.
Weight
At 1 pound 13 ounces for my pair of men size 9s (it's listed at 1 lb. eleven.nine oz.), the Terrex Swift R3 is most average for the level of protection and stability you get. For comparison, the pop Salomon Ten Ultra 4 GTX weighs slightly less at ane pound 11.5 ounces, while La Sportiva's similary intentioned Spire GTX (i lb. 15 oz.) comes in a bit heavier. You can go lighter with a flexible shoe like Salomon X Raise GTX at ane pound 7.6 ounces, merely you do cede some in stability and traction. If you plan to bear a decent load on occasion or put a premium on back up, we think the R3'southward weight is perfectly reasonable.
Traction
Traction on the Adidas Terrex Swift R3 is excellent with deep and durable lugs. Adidas partnered with tire maker Continental for the rubber, and the tread design has a distinctive chevroned shape. It's difficult to tell how much of that is style over substance, merely the R3 GTX is grippy on rock, the lugs are substantial and well-spaced (this helps forestall mud from caking), and the safe is noticeably hard, which should aid with longevity. After putting some pretty demanding miles on it in Patagonia, there aren't many signs of wear underfoot, which is promising for long-term durability (but it's notwithstanding also early to make a definitive call, and nosotros'll study back if any issues ingather up).
Protection
In improver to stability (covered below), possibly the single biggest upside of the Terrex Swift R3 is protection. Underfoot, these shoes feel much more similar a hiking boot than their blueprint would suggest. Compared to the reasonably burly Salomon X Ultra iv, the Adidas provided even more than separation from the trail. We hiked over all kinds of rock in Patagonia and back domicile in the Pacific Northwest but felt none of the sharp corners that you often get with other lightweight hiking shoes. If yous like feeling the trail below you, nosotros recommend you lot look elsewhere (a trail runner-inspired design volition go y'all that feel). The R3 is burly and tough underfoot only certainly not one of the more sensitive shoes we've worn.
The protection continues effectually the toe and sides of the foot. Again, this type of design is rare for a lightweight hiking shoe. The Terrex Swift R3 has almost an approach shoe-like safe toe with a total-coverage toe cap. In add-on, the areas along the balls of the feet protrude with even more than condom, creating zones of extra protection on the within and outside of the foot. Throw in more than hard rubber around the heel above the midsole, and you take one heckuva tough shoe given its weight. Information technology's worth noting that all of this toughness probable contributes to the overall stiffness of the shoe described above. Protection is not bad, simply it oft comes at the sacrifice of flexibility.
Stability and Back up
The Swift R3 GTX is a low-cut shoe merely is pretty darn impressive in terms of stability. Commencement, the rigid design and stiff structure assistance go along your foot and ankle in place. Second, the lacing organisation does a nice task in terms of keeping things tight around the pes (provided it fits you well). When fully laced up, nosotros felt fully confident even while hiking over rocky and challenging terrain. It was a noticeable change from the lighter and more than flexible shoes we had been testing alongside it (including the taller Topo Athletic Trailventure boot). In reality, those who want a step up in support volition need to opt for a heavier and taller over-the-ankle boot. But compared to the low-top hiking shoe competition, the R3 is among the most stable models we've worn.
Waterproofing and Breathability
The Adidas Terrex Swift R3 GTX comes with a Gore-Tex liner, making it fully waterproof (a non-waterproof model is available for $20 less). Nosotros did the majority of our testing in summer-similar conditions and did not give the waterproofing an extended test other than a few creek crossings, but Gore-Tex is known for its quality and almost ever has delivered for us in the past. As for breathability, the waterproof build and pretty substantial upper did lead to some pretty sweaty anxiety on hot days. But that'south a common problem with GTX models and won't be a deal-breaker for nearly. Finally, it'south worth noting that the Swift R3's depression-cut design means that water can enter the shoe when your foot is submerged effectually ankle level. If you're hiking in hot, dry places and can hands permit your shoes dry out when moisture, the not-waterproof model probable is a better bet.
Build Quality and Immovability
As expected given the levels of protection and stability, the Adidas Terrex Swift R3 GTX is a very hardwearing and well-congenital design. Equally I mentioned to a higher place, the Continental rubber outsole is incomparably substantial and hard, which will likely fare well over the long-term (there are no significant signs of habiliment thus far). In improver, the synthetic upper is tightly woven with armor-like reinforcements in key places similar the sides and back of the shoe. The only area of concern is the laces, which are a bit thin and may be decumbent to snags and fraying over time. But thus far, everything looks close to new, and I expect the Terrex Swift R3 to take a very long lifespan.
Fit and Sizing
We ordered our usual men'south size 9, and the Adidas Terrex Swift R3 fit a piddling big overall. The shoe is slightly wider than comparable Salomon shoes we've tested, including at the heel, which required us to cinch information technology down pretty tightly to go along it locked in identify on extended climbs. And the looser fit led to more toe jamming on long descents. If were to test information technology again, nosotros'd go down a half size.
Other Versions of the Adidas Terrex Swift R3
We tested the men's low-top version of the Terrex Swift R3 GTX, just Adidas also makes a women'due south-specific model with a almost identical design, varying colorways, the aforementioned price ($150), and a lower weight at 1 pound 8 ounces for the pair. For those who prefer over-the-ankle coverage, Adidas also offers the Swift R3 in mid-height waterproof boots for men and women ($180 and 2 lbs. even for the men's model). And equally mentioned in a higher place, there are too not-waterproof variations of the low-top hiker that retail for $130. These are a lilliputian lighter due to the lack of a Gore-Tex membrane and brand sense for those that regularly hike in warm climates or plan on encountering frequent h2o crossings (waterproof shoes have much longer to dry out).
What Nosotros Like
- Impressive protection from the trail. The Terrex Swift R3 feels like a hiking kicking underfoot but in a more streamlined design.
- Good stability for a low-cutting design.
- Well-built and should take a long lifespan with a durable tread design and tough, reinforced upper.
- Great all-effectually traction that gripped well on everything from stone to mud.
What We Don't
- Stiffer and more rigid feel than other lightweight hikers we've tested.
- If y'all like moving fast and/or feeling the trail below you, we suggest looking elsewhere.
- Fit ran a little large (we'd get down a one-half size), which made it hard to lock the heel into place on extended climbs and descents.
Comparison Table
| Shoe | Toll | Blazon | Weight | Waterproof | Upper |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adidas Terrex Swift R3 GTX | $150 | Hiking shoe | 1 lb. 11.9 oz. | Yes (Gore-Tex) | Synthetic |
| Salomon 10 Ultra 4 GTX | $150 | Hiking shoe | ane lb. 11.5 oz. | Yes (Gore-Tex) | Constructed |
| La Sportiva Spire GTX | $190 | Hiking shoe | 1 lb. fifteen oz. | Yes (Gore-Tex) | Mesh |
| The N Face up Ultra 111 WP | $120 | Hiking shoe/trail runner | i lb. 14 oz. | Aye (DryVent) | Synthetic |
| Arc'teryx Aerios FL GTX | $170 | Hiking shoe/trail runner | ane lb. eight oz. | Yep (Gore-Tex) | Constructed |
| La Sportiva TX4 | $140 | Approach shoe | 1 lb. 10 oz. | No | Leather |
The Competition
With its Terrex Swift R3 series, Adidas takes aim at the hiking and backpacking crowd who want more protection than a trail runner. The elephant in the room is the Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX, which has been one of our favorite lightweight hiking shoe lines for years. The Adidas checks in at a nigh identical weight, costs the aforementioned, and offers a small step up in stability and protection. However, we like the feel and comfort of the Salomon more: It hits that just-right balance of toughness and flexibility. Unless you favor support over everything else, the X Ultra 4 GTX gets the overall nod from us every bit i of the summit-rated hiking shoes on the market.
At that place aren't a lot of depression-top shoes that can lucifer the Swift's boot-like feeling of sturdiness, just La Sportiva's Spire GTX does only that. The Spire is fairly strong, sturdy, and offers excellent protection and traction across a broad range of terrain. In addition, we think information technology's even more comfortable underfoot, although you practise pay a premium in both weight (an additional 3 oz.) and toll (it'southward $twoscore more than). The Spire is arguably the more capable shoe, but it'southward a footling difficult to justify the big price tag.
Another big-time alternative to the Swift is The Northward Face'southward Ultra 111 WP. This shoe is listed as a trail runner, but we consider information technology ane of the tougher and more stable lite hikers available. Compared with the Swift, the Ultra 111 has similarly good traction, but the Ultra is a little more flexible and has a wider base. The Adidas has the advantage in weight, nevertheless, and is the stiffer of the ii designs (this can be a pro or con depending on your preference). In the terminate, both are quality options, just the Swift's tougher and more capable design wins out for us.
Another hybrid hiker/trail runner to consider is Arc'teryx's Aerios FL GTX. The Aerios is impressively light at 1 pound viii ounces, uses quality Gore-Tex waterproofing, and is noticeably protective and tough with a robust toe cap and TPU effectually the bottom section. Similarly, it also had a stiffer and more rigid feel than other lightweight hikers we've tested, although it did suspension in nicely throughout testing and was comfortable over long, high-mileage days with a full pack. Overall, we retrieve the Aerios is the slightly better-built blueprint in this category and is more at home when moving fast-and-light, just the Adidas saves y'all $twenty.
Last but not least, La Sportiva's TX4 technically is an approach shoe merely has a number of similarities to the Adidas Terrex Swift R3. Both feel relatively stiff underfoot yet hike well, offering excellent protection around the pes for moving off-trail and over rocky terrain, and cost around the same (the TX4 is $ten cheaper at $140). The La Sportiva comes in a flake lighter than the Adidas at 1 pound 10 ounces, although you surrender the Gore-Tex insert for a leather upper that is not waterproof. For rock hopping and extended off-trail use, the TX4 is difficult to beat. But the Swift'southward more than well-rounded tread blueprint—especially in mud and loose dirt where information technology bites in better—gives it the advantage for most trail days.
Source: https://www.switchbacktravel.com/reviews/adidas-terrex-swift-r3-gtx
0 Response to "Adidas Outdoor Womens Terrex Swift R2 Mid Gtx Review"
Post a Comment