The adidas TERREX Free Hiker 2 Low is the newest addition to the Free Hiker family. Last year, I reviewed the mid-cut Free Hiker 2. Now it's also available as a low-cut hiking shoe. Will it garner as many 5-star customer reviews as its taller brothers and sisters in the Free Hiker series? My adidas TERREX Free Hiker 2 Low GORE-TEX review explains why this shoe now sits at the top of my list of the best casual hiking shoes.
Testing the adidas TERREX Free Hiker 2 Low on an easy fall hike
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adidas TERREX Free Hiker 2 Low GORE-TEX Review
My adidas TERREX Free Hiker 2 Low GORE-TEX review is based on several test hikes that I completed in 2023 and 2024. Most of my hikes were easy to moderate hikes on well-maintained trails since adidas TERREX made them for more casual hiking styles. I joined the dog-walkers on Musser Gap Trail, hiked Mt. Nittany with the after-work hikers, and wore my Free Hikers for some early morning speed hikes along Spring Creek and for a walk-heavy weekend in Philadelphia. I also added some singletrack mountain biking trails and short-but-steep hikes in Rothrock State Forest to test this shoe's support and traction on moderately difficult terrain. Here's my preliminary review of this shoe's support, weight, fit, comfort, weather protection, traction, and value.
TERREX Free Hiker 2.0 is best for well-maintained trails
Support
Let's be clear: adidas TERREX didn't make these shoes for super-strenuous day hikes or backpacking trips. But that doesn't mean that they aren't sneaky supportive.
Free Hikers actually have a light EVA stabilization frame that gives them a stronger backbone than you'd expect by looking at them. If you try to flex the Free Hiker 2 Low, you'll see that they bend slightly at the ball of the foot and demonstrate good torsional rigidity, too. The external heel clip also solidifies the ankle on each landing.That means your feet won't feel as fatigued on longer hikes, and your ankles will have some help on the trail.
I noticed that support on 12-mile test hike along the Allegheny Front Trail and a 12-mile day pounding the pavement in Philadelphia for a weekend away.
Weight
The Free Hiker 2 also weighs more than you might think. My men's size 12 weighed 2lbs 6oz/pair. That's heavier than average for a hiking shoe, thanks to this shoe's copious cushioning and that hidden support. It leans into comfort more than weight savings.
Women's Free Hiker 2.0 Low
Fit
adidas TERREX's fit runs slightly narrow. HIkers with narrow- to standard-size feet will probably want to size up 1/2 size from their everyday shoes. Hikers with wide feet may be able to squeeze into these cushy, casual hikers by sizing up more than usual. I size up a full-size from my everyday shoe size to get juuust enough width in the Free Hiker 2 Low.
adidas' BOOST foam makes the Free Hikers extra-cushy
Comfort
This is this shoe's key selling point. If you're after heavily cushioned hiking shoes with an athletic build, it's hard to beat the TERREX Free Hiker 2 Low in the comfort department. They're stacked with the same BOOST foam that adidas uses in its best running shoes. That delivers more cushion for pushin' down the trail. I mostly wear my Free Hikers as travel shoes, due to their superior cushioning. I also gifted a pair to my Dad, who has serious foot and ankle problems. He's also a big fan of that cushioning for everyday wear.
Weather Protection
The Free HIkers are available in GORE-TEX—still the most durable and breathable waterproofing on the market. I've splashed through some puddly city streets and stream-side trails in my pair with no water seaping in through the waterproof membrane. Just keep in mind that waterproof shoes only provide 2-3 inches of waterproofing. That's enough to protect against shallow puddles and mowed grass—and not much else.
Traction
Free HIkers feature moderate traction designed for multi-use trails. The Continental rubber is soft enough to smear on rocks for decent grip, and the moderately deep chevron-shaped lugs that are also mud-appropriate. I've had no slips and haven't taken any spills on my test hikes in the TERREX Free Hiker 2 Low. At the same time, I haven't really stretched my pair since they're made for more casual hiking, not brawler day hikes and backpacking trips.
Value
adidas TERREX has dropped the price of their Free Hikers over time. When this series first dropped, I thought they were overpriced sneakers. However, I now know they're more technical shoes than I first thought, and they're no longer $230. With a MSRP of $180 (GORE-TEX), they're the same price as the HOKA Anacapa Low, which is not a bad comp. That's not cheap—especially for hiking shoes built for more casual hikers. However, their current price seems fair, given their superior comfort and optional GORE-TEX waterproofing.
Men's TERREX Free Hiker 2 Low GTX
Check current price, styles, and colors:
Women's TERREX Free Hiker 2 Low GTX
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Free Hiker 2 Low: Pros vs. Cons
Here's a quick overview of this shoe's pros and cons, based on my first-hand experience testing the latest Free Hiker over the past year:
Should you buy the adidas TERREX Free Hiker 2 Low:
If you value comfort and mostly stick to well-maintained trails, you should give the adidas TERREX Free Hiker 2 Low a long look. It's a sneaky good hiking shoe. The Free Hiker is more technical than you might think and boasts better cushioning than most of Hokas I've tested and reviewed. This shoe's not the best fit for wide feet and not a good buy for peak baggers. However, it has a lot to offer hikers, travelers, and dog walkers who spend more time in the front country than the backcountry. Based on this review, I've put the TERREX Free Hiker 2 at the top of my list of the best casual hiking shoes.
If you're feeling the Free Hiker 2 Low GORE-TEX hiking shoes, please consider purchasing them through the affiliate links above. That's free for you and helps me keep Hiking Feet afloat, so I can provide free and independent content based on my outdoor industry experience and extensive hiking experience. If you're looking for something different, please browse my other footwear reviews to find the best fit for your hiking feet and best match for your hiking style.
