Kit & Gear

REVIEW: adidas TERREX Speed Ultra

Go farther. Move faster. The adidas TERREX Speed Ultra Trail Running Shoes are built for speed across long distances. A blend of Boost and Lightstrike returns energy and cushions every stride to help you keep your pace over the long haul. A Continental™ Rubber outsole maintains a sure-footed feel over rooty trails and loose gravel roads. The breathable mesh upper maintains quick-drying comfort. Co-created with professional ultra-distance trail runner, Tom Evans, the TERREX Speed Ultra has been created and tested with his feedback and expert insights.

"Lightweight and comfortable, the TERREX Speed Ultra is packed with innovations that give athletes an edge. Tom Evans tested different versions of the shoe for two years and helped us craft it to completion. He then took it for a spin and won the Tarawera race wearing it. He thinks it's magic, but it's just skill paired with science." adidas

ㅤ

adidas athlete Tom Evans, putting the adidas Terrex Speed Ultra to the test. Photo credit: www.adidas.co.uk

ㅤ

Our Sportsshoes.com Trail Running Ambassador, Ben Mounsey, has been busy putting the adidas TERREX Speed Ultra to the test;

ㅤ

Price: £159.99

Weight: 240g

Drop: 8mm

Length: Small fit

Width: Narrow

ㅤ

RATINGS (out of 5) - Comfort: 4.5 | Cushioning: 4 | Support: 3 | Grip: 3 | Protection: 3.5

ㅤ

First impressions, the TERREX Speed Ultra really stands out from the crowd. Striking in design, lightweight and well-constructed, this trail shoe has been purpose built with speed and comfort in mind.

Specifically designed to go the distance on dry and hard-packed trails, it's easy to see why adidas and Tom Evans are so excited about this product. These shoes are extremely light and fast, so much so that I hardly noticed I was wearing them. What immediately caught my attention is just how cushioned and responsive they are – contact with the ground is clean and minimal. They certainly put a spring in my step and over long and ultra-distances, when my legs begin to tire, this is when they really earn their adidas stripes. I can feel the cushioning in every part of the shoe, soaking up ground impact like a sponge, especially when I'm running at speed and hitting surfaces hard. The thing I love the most is the fact that I can still feel the ground and connect with the terrain that I'm running on. To me, it has all the control and precision of an inov-8 X-Talon G210 (minus the grip), combined with the plush and cushioned feel of a Hoka Torrent 2.

Comfort and fit play a huge part in making this shoe such a big hit. The gusseted tongue is lightweight in design, shaped to wrap neatly round the top of your foot and padded for extra comfort and protection. The traditional lacing system also has two extra wide holes, which allow you to adjust and personalise the fit, with the added option of pulling them more tightly across the forefoot for extra stability and control.

The uppers are constructed from a combination of extremely lightweight and breathable twin-skin materials. The material is thicker at the front and back of the shoe for increased protection against rocks and for additional stability and support around the heel.

ㅤ

Photo credit: www.adidas.co.uk

ㅤ

In terms of grip, the multi-directional 2.5mm lugs confidently handle a range of off-road terrain, although it's important to state that they are not suitable for soft and muddy surfaces. With an outsole constructed from Continental rubber, it has been specifically designed for ultra-distances on hard-packed off-road terrain and is grippy enough to cope with both wet and dry conditions.

I would personally say that this shoe is a narrow-fit in width and a small fit in length. I have very thin feet and depending on the brand, I switch between a UK10 and UK10.5, opting for the latter for this particular model. The TERREX Speed Ultra fit and suit the shape of my feet perfectly. I was able to use these straight out of the box for a two-hour trail run and instantly found them a joy to wear, without any problem or feeling of discomfort.

It's true to say that this isn't an all-round trail shoe and it isn't suitable for everyone and everything. However, if you're looking for a light, fast and snappy racing shoe, built to go the distance and provide you with plenty of cushioning for tough and rocky trails, then I highly recommend the adidas Terrex Speed Ultra. And let's be honest, a trail shoe created with an athlete like Tom Evans was always going to be a winner.

ㅤ

SHOP ADIDAS TERREX SPEED ULTRA HERE

ㅤ

Interested in the latest shoes, apparel and technology? Then head over to our Kit & Gear category for more reviews, tips, advice and product releases.