The Adidas Terrex Swift R3 is a very versatile shoe. It has the comfort (light, easy to walk, yet sturdy) to hit the road in an urban environment, but also has the technical features to explore more challenging trails in the mountains. If you are looking for a high quality allround hiking shoe then the Addidas Terrex Swift R3 mid high is definitely a good choice!
When you say Adidas, you don’t immediately think of high performance hiking shoes, at least not me. I was therefore very curious to discover and test the Adidas Terrex swift R3 mid high. I went out several times on 1-day hikes, including some 10+ km trails. From asphalt roads through the villages to steeper trails with loose surfaces. For the real baptism of fire, I took them on a road trip to the Italian Dolomites to test whether they can also handle some rougher mountain trials.
In terms of looks, one can tell that Adidas got inspiration from the existing technical outdoor range of hiking shoes. Not exactly the sneaker look that we are used to from Adidas, but this hiking shoe has a different purpose in life. Still, the Terrex swift R3 mid high has a sportier look compared to more traditional hiking or mountaineering shoes. It has been made a lot more elegant compared to often bulky hiking shoes. A nice accent is the traditional 3-stripe on the sides of the shoes.
The ones that I tested (on the pictures) are samples. The only difference is the orange parts that hold the laces. These are black on the real model that is sold in stores.
When product developers from Adidas were developing this hiking shoe they must have thought: “We’re going to make a hiking shoe for today’s adventurer who goes everywhere: from the city to the mountains, and everything in between.” This is definitely noticeable in the features this shoe is equipped with.
What stands out immediately, even before you put the shoe on, is its light weight. Classic hiking shoes can often be cumbersome and quite heavy. The Terrex swift R3 is a real lightweight. And that’s a good thing because the less weight, the less energy is used and the less fatigued you will be on the trails. Of course, heavier hiking shoes have advantages as well. For instance more protection and stability on rougher mountain trails or when carrying heavy back packs.
Despite the light weight, the shoe does not have to sacrifice robustness and support. This hiking shoe is most firm at the back, from the heel to just in front of the ball of the foot. In the tip he is a bit more flexible. This ensures that walking comfort is guaranteed because you can roll your foot in a natural way with every step. Especially useful if you walk on asphalt in urban areas. The flexibility in the tip is a bit less practical when ascending steeper mountain trails.
Therefore, I wouldn’t immediately take the “Terrex swift R3 mid high” on a multi-day hike trip loaded with a tent and heavy backpack through the mountains. There are better and stiffer alternatives for this. But apart from that, this shoe can handle some rough conditions and is definitely a good choice if you are looking for solid allrounder from the Adidas hiking shoes range.
Once you put on the shoe you immediately feel the effect of the preformed heel cup. It’s like your heel fits into a perfect cup and that way it stays in place nicely while walking or hiking. With each step, all energy is maximally converted into forward movement. In general, the fit of the shoe is also great.
Features
Both the EVA midsole and molded insole provide very good arch support and also make sure that the shoe as a whole fits nicely on your feet. The insole can also be removed for people who wear arch supports.
Another important feature of this shoe is of course the Gore-Tex membrane. Personally, I think one of the most important features is the degree to which the product is waterproof and still breathes. Equipped with Gore-Tex, you know that you won’t have to worry about that. Of course, I wanted to test whether these shoes really do what they promise.
This was easy to test: the beautiful mountain lake Lago di Braies (Dolomites, Italy) was the ideal setting to test the water resistance by standing with two feet in the cold mountain water… result? No problems with wet feet! Nor sweaty feet on the various hikes in the mountains.
Small downside to the shoes: the lip has rather wide ends on both sides that can pinch after a while if the lip is not well placed.
Finally, let’s talk about the grip. The shoe grips on loose and stony surfaces like I have never experienced before. The Continental™ Rubber outsole is not only durable, but thanks to its sole profile, it guarantees excellent grip on any surface, wet or dry. On the steepest parts of the trails, with loose sandstone soil, the shoes gripped nicely without slipping. To me this is definitely an aspect where this shoe excels compared to other hiking shoes.
Sustainability of Adidas hiking shoes
A nice extra is that these shoes are made in a sustainable way with recycled materials! This way we protect the environment were will use these shoes the most!
The tongue sometimes pinches when it’s not in the right place
Tip to flexible for steep and rough mountain trails
Conclusion: The Adidas Terrex Swift R3 is a very versatile shoe. It has the comfort (light, easy to walk, yet sturdy) to hit the road in an urban environment, but also has the technical features to explore more challenging trails in the mountains. If you are looking for a high quality allround hiking shoe then the Addidas Terrex Swift R3 mid high is definitely a good choice! I already know which shoe will go with me on the next freeride skiing adventure in the mountains!
Hi, I’m Manou, founder of GPXadventures.com which grew from my passion for outdoor sports and adventure travel. Growing up, I developed a deep love for hiking, skiing, mountain biking, and exploring the great outdoors. I started this website as a way to share my knowledge, insights, and tips with like-minded individuals. My goal is to help others discover the joys of the outdoors and to encourage them to pursue their own adventures in nature.
#Livetheunknown
Hi, I’m Manou, founder of GPXadventures.com. My goal is to help others discover the joys of the outdoors and to encourage them to pursue their own adventures. #Livetheunknown
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[…] hiking shoes are an absolute must! Don’t have one yet? Then view the review of the Adidas Terrex Swift R3 mid on this […]
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