The adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2 Low reminds me of the carefree nature of being a kid on summer vacation. A bag full of snacks and a camera: the last thing on my mind was sore feet. Just like those days that seemed to never end as a kid, the Free Hiker 2 Low makes me want to keep going — stay out just another hour, explore another corner.
Summer season in Colorado means more hikes, bigger hikes, and hikes to higher places. During the winter, and even shoulder seasons, getting above treeline in the Sawatch Range of the Rocky Mountains requires a lot of extra gear. But in the summer, glorious summer, high-altitude hiking is a lot easier.
And no matter where you are: in the Midwest, on the East Coast, the Pacific Northwest, or the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, hopefully, summer means more adventures in nature for everyone. Even though I personally live far away from where I grew up, it’s those humid Ohio weekend hikes along the river or down a gorge that I still remember today.
In short: The adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2 Low is for anyone who loves hiking. Whether it’s a day hike or a thru-hike, this shoe is light but also sturdy. It’s breathable but also protective in the elements. And it will stand up to some serious beatings and leave your feet feeling supported and fresh.
- Weight: 1 lb., 9.7 oz.
- Drop: 10 mm
- Outsole: Continental Rubber
- Upper: 50% recycled synthetic/textile
Pros
- Excellent BOOST cushioning
- 4mm lugs provide reliable grip on a variety of terrain
- Kept us dry in moderate conditions
Cons
- BOOST cushioning is exposed, and might break down faster than others
adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2 Low Review
Mountain High
I recently took the Adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2 Low with me on a week-long trip to Crested Butte, Colo., and the surrounding West Elk Mountains. I love this area in the thick of summer because it’s above 9,000 feet elevation, and stays relatively cool. There’s still snow, if you know where to look, and wildflowers galore.
For these hikes I love a shoe that fits like a trail runner but with enough support, grip, and cushion to get me through everything I might encounter.
One of my favorite hikes from the town of Crested Butte is to Green Lake. About 4½ miles one way, with nearly 2,000 feet of climbing, you arrive at a pristine lake that reflects the lush plant life around it. Thus, it is aptly named, as the water looks brilliantly green. The trail involves lovely dirt singletrack, sections of pine forest, rocky stretches, creek crossings, and even some steep steps.
After 9 miles in about 3 hours, my body still felt good, thanks in part to the shoes I had on my feet. It’s amazing how important quality shoes are. And not just for the feet. Supportive shoes with great cushioning help save your ankles, knees, hips, back, and everything else.
These shoes are the perfect trail shoes for all sections of this kind of trail. The 10mm drop means you have some nice cushion in the heel, but not so much that you can’t feel the terrain. The Continental Rubber outsole is perfect on rocks and slick surfaces, and the 4mm lugs provide reliable grip on a variety of terrain.
One of my pet peeves is laces that either don’t stay tied or that allow the tongue of the shoe to move around. I’ve had so many shoes where I feel like I’m constantly retying or readjusting the tongue. With the Free Hiker 2 Low I didn’t have any of these issues. The tongue is attached to the inside of the upper so that it doesn’t move around, and the laces stay tied.
It’s All About Support
The Adidas BOOST foam is unlike any other cushioning. Think of it as really durable, long-lasting styrofoam. It doesn’t break down nearly as fast as other foams, and it remains a perfect balance of cushion and support even months into use. I really appreciate this material on longer, rocky hikes.
The BOOST foam technology first came out more than 10 years ago, in 2013, and has since only gotten better. It was originally invented for running shoes, to take on miles and miles of pounding, but now it’s in hiking shoes as well.
It was created to bring together the formerly contradictory benefits of soft and responsive cushioning. When it first came out, EVA foam was the industry standard. But BOOST was made from thousands of expanded particles that work together to deliver an uptick of energy return.
The Shoe for Everyone
I’d recommend this shoe to every kind of hiker. Whether you’re new to the trails and sticking to minor elevation changes and smooth paths, or taking on some of the toughest trails in the mountains, this shoe will perform well. It does well in just about any kind of weather condition, it dries fast, and it feels light.
I picked the Free Hiker 2 Low as my Best Overall Hiking Shoe for Women. To compare this shoe to the rest, check out GearJunkie’s Best Hiking Shoes for Women guide.
