Adidas Terrex Boost Trail-Running Shoe (Spring 2015)
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11.5 oz | 6mm drop | $160
The Dirt: The fearsome-looking Terrex Boost—says one tester, “It reminded me of Darth Vader: more machine than man”—is built for the nastiest conditions. Aggressive lugs and a grippy rubber outsole made by tire company Continental shone during early-spring slop season, lending our testers confidence on snow, ice, mud and wet grass as well as on dry dirt and rock.
The springy “boost” midsole, protective TPU plate and heavy rubber overlays on the upper guard feet from rocks and sharp branches. Testers liked the shoe’s stability, especially in the deep heel pocket, though some found the midsole and upper overly rigid. The midsole stiffness also limited agility and ground feel on twisting singletrack; this is a shoe for rolling over terrain like a tank.
Best For: Technical trails and mud, wet grass, snow and ice.
Fit: Secure in the heel and midfoot, though the fit is a little long in the forefoot; consider sizing down.
>More spring 2015 trail-running shoes
Tester Raves
“The thing I loved about these shoes is the overall protection of the upper. There are few vulnerable places for my foot to get punctured by a branch or sharp rock.”
—Jonathan Loewus-Deitch, Washington, DC
“It felt as though I had the sturdiness of a hiking boot but the weight of a running shoe.”
—Bonnie Mason, Scottsdale, AZ
“A great winter trail shoe, with a significant amount of rubber that sheds water and mud.”
—Jason A. Miller, Austin, TX
Testers on Tread
“The tread isn’t ideal for roads and hard-packed surfaces, but it’s the best for anything snow, ice, mud, sloppiness or grass.”
—Jonathan Loewus-Deitch, Washington, DC
“These things are trail machines. They eat up the trail with amazing traction, and are amazing at cutting through and shedding muck.”
—Jason A. Miller, Austin, TX
Testers on Downsides
“The design of the tongue, plastic-edged entrance and cupped back just didn’t feel good on my ankle, heel and Achilles.”
—Jonathan Loewus-Deitch, Washington, DC
“The large amounts of rubber on the upper and overlays made them overly rigid. I hoped they would break in, but it never happened. A few miles into each run, my small toes would begin to hurt from flex points.”
—Jason A. Miller, Austin, TX
“There’s a small problem with the vents being too close to the edges of the sole, which allowed several small puddles to soak my foot.”
—Jonathan Loewus-Deitch, Washington, DC
>More spring 2015 trail-running shoes
