Bottom Line
The Adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2.0 Low Gore-Tex offers generous cushioning, comprehensive protection, and impressive durability, making it a great choice for rugged and inclement adventures. Its Gore-Tex membrane, Continental outsole, BOOST midsole, and abrasion-resistant upper all contribute to a long-lasting, reliable, and substantial hiking shoe. This robust construction does come with some trade-offs, including a heavier weight, stiffer materials that take some time to break in, limited ground feel, and slightly reduced breathability compared to mesh-heavy, non-waterproof shoes.
This shoe is best for hikers who prioritize extra support and are looking for a waterproof, highly durable, and fully cushioned shoe. Those who are on a strict budget or searching for a lightweight, nimble shoe will want to look elsewhere – there are plenty of capable alternatives in our gear guide to the best women’s hiking shoes.
How We Tested
We tested the Adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2.0 Low Gore-Tex hiking shoes throughout northern California trail systems on a mix of steep, exposed rocky terrain and shady forest floors. Although we didn’t experience any rain during testing, we trekked through mud puddles and mimicked rain by pouring water over the uppers. Our gear analyst has extensive experience analyzing footwear and closely evaluated out-of-box comfort, as well as break-in time after miles of hiking over two consecutive days in local parks.
Quick Specs
Women’s Adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2.0 Low Gore-Tex
Best for Cushion & Protection Underfoot
CleverHiker Rating: 4.2/5.0
Price: $180
Weight (Pair): 1 lb. 11.7 oz.
Heel-to-Toe Drop: 10 mm
Pros
- Excellent waterproofing
- Solid durability
- Standout stability and cushion underfoot
- Great traction and security on steep terrain
- Generous toe box
Cons
- A bit heavy and bulky
- Substantial arch support and heel-to-toe drop may not work for everyone
- Heel cup and laces are a bit stiff out of the box
- Shoes run large (sizing down is recommended)
Comfort
The Free Hiker 2.0 Low Gore-Tex offers generous cushioning underfoot, moderate arch support, and a spacious toe box to allow for natural foot swelling throughout the day. We found the shoes supportive and comfortable on the trail, but they’re quite heavy, which was noticeable compared to other shoes in our lineup. And they do run about a half size big, so we recommend sizing down for the best fit.
The Adidas shoes felt a bit stiff out of the box – especially through the laces, tongue, and heel cup – which caused some initial discomfort around our ankle bones. Thankfully, the longer we hiked, the better our feet adapted to the shoes, leading to significantly better comfort as the miles added up. We do wish the shoes had longer, softer laces, as we found the included laces to be a little short and rigid for snugging things down properly – especially if you like to double-knot your laces or use an alternative lacing technique.
Traction
The Adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2.0 Low Gore-Tex utilizes a robust Continental outsole that offers excellent grip on mixed terrain. It features deep, mutli-directional lugs that maintain their bite on steep uphills and downhills while preventing rocks and mud from getting stuck in the tread. The outsole is particularly impressive on technical rock but holds its own across a wide variety of surfaces.
Though we were impressed by the sticky grip when navigating steep, rocky slopes, the considerable heel-to-toe drop and prominent arch support caused some instability on descents. Pronounced heel-to-toe drops can make downhill slopes feel even steeper since your foot is positioned at a more aggressive angle, which can limit ground feel and reduce reaction time if you happen to get off-balance.
Weight
The Adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2.0 Low Gore-Tex is one of the heavier shoes in our lineup, coming in at 1 pound 13.2 ounces for the pair on our scale (they’re listed at 1 pound 11.7 ounces). Compared to lighter alternatives, the Adidas shoes felt a bit clunky and overbuilt for long, strenuous treks. That said, the higher weight does come with some benefits, including a robust construction, comprehensive foot protection, quality waterproofing, and a well-cushioned midsole. The shoe also includes anEVA stabilization frame for lateral stability on rugged or off-camber terrain.
Depending on your goals and priorities, all of the above features may be worth the weight penalty. However, this shoe is not designed to be a lightweight, minimalist hiker for ultralight backcountry treks or streamlined fastpacking missions.
Durability
The Adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2.0 Low Gore-Tex is one tank of a hiking shoe, and we have no doubt it will last many seasons. Though still very much a hiking shoe, it has many qualities of a more substantial hiking boot, including an abrasion-resistant upper with TPU overlays, thick toe guards, long-lasting cushioning, a beefy Continental rubber outsole, and an EVA stabilization frame. The Gore-Tex membrane also provides unparalleled protection in inclement weather.
During testing, we noticed no wear after miles of hiking on rugged trails in northern California. Compared to other shoes in our lineup, the Adidas shoes surpassed our expectations, and we highly recommend them for venturing off the beaten path.
Weather Resistance
The Free Hiker 2.0 Low offers trustworthy protection in wet weather with its Gore-tex membrane that preserves breathability while blocking water from entering the shoe. Although we weren’t able to test the shoes in an actual rainstorm, we mimicked it by pouring water over the shoes,and water beaded immediately off the upper. We also stomped through mud puddles any chance we got, and the shoes were quick to dry after each dousing. Keep in mind that breathability is slightly compromised due to the waterproof liner, so it may be worth opting for the non-waterproof version if you spend a lot of time in hot and dry climates.
Should You Buy the Adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2.0 Low Gore-Tex?
The Adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2.0 Low Gore-Tex is an excellent option if you value top-notch waterproofing, reliable protection, and long-lasting durability. It’s extremely grippy, comfortable once broken in, and offers a lot of support. The abrasion-resistant upper and robust outsole really shine on wet, rugged adventures that take you off the beaten track.
That said, the Adidas shoes are relatively heavy, don’t come cheap, and take time to break in. They also run quite large – we recommend trying them on before you buy and planning to go down a half size. And if you do most of your hiking in hot and dry environments, it’s probably worth going with a non-waterproof shoe (Adidas does off a version without Gore-Tex).
What Other Women’s Hiking Shoes Should You Consider?
For more top-tier hiking shoe recommendations, check out our suggestions below, or head to our gear guide to the best women’s hiking shoes for a wider look at the market.
Salomon X Ultra 5 Low Review: The X Ultra 5s also offer an excellent balance of comfort, durability, and protection. They’re lighter than the Adidas and have a more agile feel to match, although the Free Hiker wins out in durability with its more robust construction. The X Ultra 5s also utilize Salomon’s single-pull Quicklace system rather than traditional laces, which is convenient but offers a less customized fit.
La Sportiva Spire GTX Review: Similar to the Adidas, these shoes have a Gore-Tex membrane for trustworthy protection in inclement weather. Although both shoes offer great support, the La Sportivas run a bit narrower and stiffer, and they require a longer break-in time than the Free Hiker.
HOKA Speedgoat 7 Review: At the other end of the spectrum from the Free Hiker, the HOKA Speedgoat is a lightweight trail runner that crosses over nicely for hiking. It’s not waterproof and won’t last as long as the Adidas – especially if you do a lot of off-trail hiking – but it’s comfortable, grippy, and very nimble.
