If you're considering adidas hiking shoes, you may be on to something. Unlike Nike and other giant brands, adidas has an outdoor-specific line—adidas TERREX. Over the past five years, I've personally tested and reviewed each of the adidas TERREX hiking shoes: the Free Hiker 2, Free Hiker 3, Free Hiker SL, Skychaser, and Skychaser AX5. This adidas hiking shoe guide breaks down your choices in the TERREX line up, so you can choose the best shoe for your feet and your hikes.
Testing the adidas TERREX Free Hiker SL in New Mexico's Sandia Mountains
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adidas TERREX hiking shoes
adidas has split its TERREX hiking shoes into two lines for 2026. The "Free Hiker" series leans into comfort (Free Hiker 2) and weight savings (Free Hiker 3). The "Skychaser" series prioritizes protection.
Here's a quick run down of 2026 adidas hiking shoes and their best uses:
* Any TERREX boot with CLIMAWARM+ in its name is an insulated winter boot—NOT a hiking boot/shoe. Don't make the same mistake as the adidas CLIMAWARM+ reviews where the reviewers don't realize they're wearing a WINTER boot!
Which adidas TERREX hiking shoe should YOU buy?
The best way to choose your adidas TERREX hiking shoe is to decide what's most important to you—protection, weight savings, or price? If you prefer a heavier, more protective hiking shoe, start with the adidas TERREX Skychaser. For a lighter hiking shoe, focus on the new Free Hiker 3. If you don't have heaps of money for hiking shoes, the adidas TERREX Skychaser Ax5 may be the best budget hiking shoe on the market.
ADIDAS TERREX FREE HIKER 3 (New!)
Lightweight adidas Hiking Shoe
Main Benefits:
- lightweight
- more athletic than other adidas hiking shoes
- Optional GORE-TEX waterproofing
- moderate traction for easy to mixed terrain
- roomier fit
New for 2026, the adidas TERREX Free Hiker 3 is lighter and more athletic than the comfort-oriented Free Hiker 2 (now discontinued). During my test hikes, the newest adidas hiking shoe was light enough for speed hiking, grippy enough for moderate terrain, and cushy enough for all-day comfort. As a wide-footed hiker, I also appreciated the roomier fit of the Free Hiker 3. Overall, the Free Hiker 3 is more versatile than its predecessor because it's less casual and more performance-oriented. If you're looking for a lighter adidas hiking shoe with sidewalk to summit versatility, this is the one for you.
Best Fit
standard feet,
roomiest fit on this list
Best Match
speed hiking,
casual hiking, trail to town
Men's adidas TERREX Free Hiker 3 GTX
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Women's adidas TERREX Free Hiker 3 GTX
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ADIDAS TERREX FREE HIKER SL (New!)
Lightweight adidas Hiking Shoe (+ speed laces)
Main Benefits:
- lightweight
- more athletic than other adidas hiking shoes
- Optional GORE-TEX waterproofing
- moderate traction for easy to mixed terrain
- roomier fit
New for 2026, the adidas TERREX Free Hiker is the speed-lace ("SL") version of the light and cushy Free Hiker 3. This is the TERREX you should buy for hiking quickly over mountainous terrain. It's significantly lighter, and more athletic, than the other TERREX hiking shoes. Plus, it's available in waterproof-breathable GORE-TEX and features fairly aggressive tread to handle steep ascents and descents. The SL apparently stands for "speed laces," but it could also stand for "super light" since I felt fleet-of-foot when testing my pair.
Best Fit
Average to wide feet: The TERREX Free Hiker SL
has the roomiest fit on this list
Best Match
speed hiking,
hikers who prefer lightweight hiking shoes
Men's adidas TERREX Free Hiker SL GTX
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Women's adidas TERREX Free Hiker SL GTX
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ADIDAS TERREX FREE HIKER 2 (Discontinued)
Casual adidas Hiking Shoe
Main Benefits:
Think of the Free Hiker 2 as a technical hiking sneaker, not a traditional hiking shoe. This shoe is all about comfort, thanks to adidas's BOOST cushion midsoles, which are super-cushy. I can vouch for this shoe's all-day comfort. I've worn mine for 12-15-mile hikes on non-technical trails and for all-day sightseeing in Dublin and Philadelphia, where I pounded the pavement for 8 hours. My feet appreciate this shoe's copious cushioning and its lightweight stability frame—a technical feature which supports your feet and ankles more than most sneakers and casual hiking shoes. The old Free Hiker is my favorite comfort splurge for less serious uses.
2026 Update: The Free Hiker 3 has now replaced this shoe in the TERREX line up. If you prefer this super-cushy and supportive model, buy it NOW. It's probably on sale and soon will be gone for good . . .
Best Fit
Average to narrow feet:
The TERREX Free Hiker 2 runs slightly narrow in the toes
Best Match
mild terrain, urban hikes, travel,
working on your feet, trail-to-town
Men's TERREX Free Hiker 2 Low GTX
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Women's TERREX Free Hiker 2 Low GTX
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ADIDAS TERREX SKYCHASER
Most Protective adidas Hiking Shoe
Main Benefits:
The Skychaser is the hiking shoe adidas made for hikers who want more foot protection for rocks, roots, and rough terrain. I've hiked some moderate to difficult trails in my Skychasers without any issues. This shoe feels stiff underfoot with a midfoot shank that limits foot fatigue and adds resistance against rolled ankles. The protective toe cap, ripstop uppers, and plastic overlays also add some foot armor. This shoe's heavier than it looks (not as athletic as the Free Hiker 3/SL) and not as cushy as the Free Hiker 2. Still, it's moderately cushioned with a more approachable build than many traditional hiking shoes.
Best Fit
Average to narrow feet
Best Match
moderate to difficult trails, hikers who value support and protection more than weight savings
Men's adidas TERREX Skychaser AX5
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Women's adidas TERREX Skychaser AX5
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ADIDAS TERREX SKYCHASER AX5
Budget adidas Hiking Shoe
Main Benefits:
The Skychaser AX5 is the entry-level adidas hiking shoe for budget-oriented buyers. It's a capable hiking shoe that's not quite as protective as the regular Skychaser. I've tested my pair on moderate trails in New Mexico, and the support and traction were up to mixed mountain terrain. It's not the lightest or most athletic hiking shoe, but it's more supportive than most budget hiking shoes. Plus, it features (optional) GORE-TEX waterproofing, which is unusual at this price point. At a time of skyrocketing prices, the adidas TERREX Skychaser is a great value—one of the best budget hiking shoes I've personally tested and reviewed.
Best Fit
Average to narrow feet
Best Match
occasional hikers, beginners, budget buyers,
trail to town use
Men's adidas TERREX Skychaser AX5
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Women's adidas TERREX Skychaser AX5
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My TERREX Skychaser AX5 hiking shoes look unscathed after a 5-mile test hike at Organ Pipe National Monument
adidas TERREX FAQs
Are TERREX Free Hikers waterproof?
TERREX Free Hikers are available in either a waterproof or non-waterproof version. If you want the waterproof version, choose models ending in GTX: "GTX" stands for GORE-TEX waterproofing.
What is the difference between the Free Hiker 3 and Free Hiker 2?
Both Free Hikers are comfortable, well-cushioned hiking shoes. The main difference is the new Free Hiker 3 is lighter and more athletic than the discontinued Free Hiker 2—and it has a roomier fit. The Free Hiker 2 is more casual and comfort-oriented with denser cushioning and a lightweight stability shank which make it much heavier than the Free Hiker 3.
What is the difference between the TERREX Skychaser and Free Hiker?
The TERREX Skychaser is a more protective hiking shoe made for more demanding trails, and the Free Hiker is a comfort-forward hiking shoe for more casual hikers, urban trails, and less technical terrain.
Is the adidas TERREX AX5 better than the Free Hiker?
No, the AX5 (now the Skychaser AX5) is adidas TERREX's entry-level hiking shoe. It's more supportive than the Free Hiker, but it's made for occasional hikers or budget-oriented hikers. For better performance, choose the adidas TERREX Skychaser for more rugged trails that call for more foot protection or the Free Hiker 3 for more athletic performance on easy to moderate trails.
Do adidas TERREX shoes run big or small?
Traditionally, adidas TERREX hiking shoes fit slightly narrow in the forefoot and toe box. Hikers with standard or narrow feet generally find they run true-to-size, but hikers with wide or high volume feet may find they run slightly small. The newest Free Hikers have a roomier fit.
Should you buy adidas TERREX hiking shoes?
adidas TERREX is a reputable brand that targets a new generation of hikers who prefer shoes that don't look or feel like traditional hiking shoes. If you're into traditional hiking shoes, this isn't the best brand for you. But it's a good brand for urban hikers, casual hikers, and those who prefer hiking shoes with trail to town versatility.
I admit I was skeptical when I first saw adidas hiking shoes. I've had mostly good experiences with the adidas TERREX hiking shoes that I've tested and reviewed—and I've pretty much tested all of them now.
If adidas TERREX hiking shoes fit your feet and match your hiking style, I recommend them.
Testing the discontinued TERREX Free Hiker 2 on Pennsylvania's Allegheny Front Trail
