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Adidas Terrex Fast R

rated 4 of 5 stars
photo: Adidas Terrex Fast R trail shoe

I recently purchased this shoe after trying on about six other trail runners that did not fit. This shoe fit comfortably from the start, and it seems to be a little heavier duty than a typical trail runner. I have done a 7-mile hike in it, and it felt great.

Pros

  • Heavy duty
  • Comfortable
  • Great traction

Cons

  • Bungee laces limit adjusting laces for better fit

Purchased these at a locally-owned outfitter after making the rounds at other outfitters and stores, and finding nothing that fit. My foot measures 10 length, 10 1/2 arch length, and is on the verge of E width as opposed to D width. I typically wear a size 11, and these fit me at size 11, and the width was spot on for my foot.  They may be too wide for some people, but I am on the edge of average and wide, and they fit me fine.  

I am still trying to get used to the bungee laces (pretty much the same as Merrells), as the shoe has a little slippage in the heel unless I snug the laces pretty tight, but once I got those figured out, and hiked in them for 7 miles, I was totally sold on these  shoes.  

This 7-mile hike was the day after I bought the shoes, and I wore medium weight low cut Darn Tough socks. There were no hot spots, and no chafing, and my feet were perfectly comfortable the entire hike and afterwards, so I would say no break-in period is required.

I am making a transition from waterproof boots to trail runners in an attempt to lighten up a little. I would say these are not really trail runners, but more of a multipurpose shoe. Just handling them vs the other shoes I tried on that day, I would say they are slightly heavier, but also much more beefy. I would classify them as hybrid hiking/trail running shoes.  

The sole is made by Continental Tire and it looks to be very grippy and durable. The tongue is a little different than most trail runners in that it is a semi rigid semi-circle, but it is very comfortable once you line it up on your foot correctly and snug the laces.

I look forward to taking these on a weekend backpacking trip, and will update my review once I get back.

All in all, I am expecting I will be very happy with theses shoes. I am a little stocky at 5'8" and 200 lbs, and I think these may be a great choice as opposed to really lightweight trail runners.

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $160

I have now worn mine over 600 miles and soles still have life left. Very stable. Excellent wet and dry traction. Uppers aren't very breathable.

Pros

  • Excellent sole: durable, great traction on a wide variety of terrain
  • Sturdy long distance hikers
  • Great support-to-weight ratio

Cons

  • Don't breathe well
  • Lacing system can put pressure on top of foot

Adidas-FastR.jpg

Adidas-FastR2.jpg


I wore them last year hiking the 486-mile Colorado trail wearing a full size larger than my normal size 11 to provide for foot expansion. They are still my go-to shoe for most day hikes and all ultra-light backpack trips, whether hiking above timberline or into Southern Utah canyons.

Traction is great both uphill and downhill (enough heel to grab on steep downhills). Soles are pretty good on wet rocks despite being made of an obviously hard rubber compound. Best all-around soles I have had on either trail runners or hikers. Protection from sharp rocks is great, even on the newly crushed rock of the West Collegiate portion of the Colorado Trail.

I replaced stock insoles with Superfeet, improving the fit for my medium-width feet and moderate to high arches. Lacing bruised the top of my arch (first metatarsal) when tight due to plastic "barrels" used to stiffen lace loops during first 200 miles of the Colorado Trail.

Despite having weak ankles, I hiked most of the remainder of trail with laces relatively loose and shoes were still very stable. Neutral shoes. Probably too heavy for trail running but very good for lightweight, long-distance hikers.

My biggest complaint is that the upper is not very breathable; they get hot and stinky after a few days of thru-hiking.

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: about $90

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Reviewers Paid: $90.00-$160.00
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