No more wobbly ankles - I wore these supportive Adidas walking shoes for a week in Andalucía
I took these Adidas walking shoes across rocky and wet trails in Andalucía to test their grip, comfort, and waterproof capabilities before my winter hikes
Comfortable with a wide toe box, completely waterproof, supportive with its sock-like ankle wrap, and sporty in design, the Adidas Terrex Freehiker 3 Ultra GTX shoes combine practicality with style in this versatile hiking shoe.
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Great grip
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Wide toe box
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Collar keeps dirt and rain out of the shoe
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Speed lacing
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Waterproof and breathable
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The white colour gets dirty easily
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Upper doesn’t offer much toe protection
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Driving up to the finca in Gaucin, a charming white village nestled in the Andalucian mountains, I looked out the window and saw pine trees dotted along the steep-sided hills and valleys, and an incredible view for miles on end.
While I was on a fitness retreat to focus on Pilates and strength training, we'd been told to pack our best walking shoes for a few hikes. A rainstorm was set to greet us when we landed in Malaga, meaning the trails would be wet, slippery, and muddy. Not good for my already-wobbly ankles. For this reason, I decided to take the Adidas Terrex Freehiker 3 Ultra GTX walking shoes.
By the second hike, I was chuffed with my choice. My socks stayed clean and dry, my ankles stayed intact, and I was impressed by how well the shoes performed on the trails, traversing roots, rocks, and gravel with ease.
Adidas Terrex Freehiker 3 Ultra GTX review
Specifications
- Size range: 3.5-9.5
- RRP: £180
- Weight per shoe: 307g
- Materials: Textile lining and upper, GORE-TEX
- Waterproof? Yes
The Adidas Terrex Freehiker 3 Ultra GTX comes in only a few colourways, including the white and black that I tested. Black and pink is also an option on the Adidas website.
Overview of the Adidas Terrex Freehiker 3 Ultra GTX
As soon as I took the Freehikers out of the box, I could see they were a stylish pair of hiking shoes with plenty of cushioning. I suffer from plantar fasciitis, and I'm always looking for shoes that protect my soles on uneven ground, so this was a relief.
At 307g each, they're heavier than other hiking shoes, and the extra weight took some adjusting to after I'd worn my running shoes earlier in the day, and I was concerned about the white colour option. But hiking shoes aren’t meant to look pristine, and I enjoyed stomping through puddles and mud regardless.
I tested these grippy Adidas walking shoes in sunny Spain but a rainstorm in the days prior meant I needed extra support over the wet trails.
The shoes were very easy to pull on, and the collar fit snugly around my ankle. It wasn't too tight, and I appreciated the lace garage for tucking in the laces. Fellow w&h reviewer Julia Clarke called this feature "mandatory" in her review of the Saucony Peregrine 15 trail shoe, and I agree. It helps prevent mud and trail debris from untying the laces.
Adidas says these shoes run large, so size down half a size. I tried a size 4.5, which was slightly too big. I should have worn thicker socks for the first hike because I got two blisters on my right heel. I also found it slightly harder to adjust my socks when they rolled down because of the collar, which made them slightly uncomfortable, but I can fix these issues for future hikes.
What are the Adidas Terrex Freehiker 3 Ultra GTX shoes like to wear?
With their DREAMSTRIKE+ cushioning, these shoes are a pleasure to wear. At 27C, the weather was warmer than I like when I'm hiking. I was sweating, but my feet stayed cool thanks to the synthetic, breathable textile upper. This upper also helps seal out dirt and dust from the trail, so while my shoe saw the brunt of the wet conditions, my socks stayed completely dry.
Many walking boots have a thick, padded cuff around the ankle, which is more secure but limits ankle flexibility. The Adidas Terrex Freehiker 3 Ultra GTX don't have this problem. The stretchy sock-like fabric collar sits comfortably around the ankle, thick enough to offer support while still allowing free movement.
The Adidas Terrex Freehiker 3 Ultra GTX also have a wider toe box than many shoes, adding another point to my comfort rating.
This design makes them a more discreet option than many other walking shoes, putting them in line with the Salomon XT-6 as a good trail-to-city shoe. With a pair of hiking trousers or even workout leggings over the top, you'd never notice these weren't a regular pair of trainers.
Hiking in the Adidas Terrex Freehiker 3 Ultra GTX shoes
I’m always nervous about wearing shoes for the first time, as I have small feet which get sore easily, but these felt great from the outset. After wearing my trainers for the retreat’s workouts, they felt quite large. However, they were much more suitable for the trails ahead.
My first hike was a beautiful 2.5-hour walk through the pine forests. The paths were narrow and uneven in parts, but I felt confident the shoes could handle it. My hypermobile ankles roll easily on rocky paths, but the high sides supported both the inside and outside of my feet well. I couldn’t feel any of the bumps on the paths and was very happy with the grip underfoot. My friends slipped on the wet leaves and rocks in their regular trainers.
I also wore the shoes while walking around the quaint streets of Gaucin, which is a small but hilly village. Again, cobbles can be a bit dodgy for my ankles, but I felt confident the shoes would protect me, being designed for both urban and rural pursuits. Sometimes I feel a bit weird wearing hiking shoes in towns or villages as they can feel clumpy, but the Freehikers felt just as good going in and out of shops and cafes as they did in the forest, making them a great city option as well.
Supportive and stylish for a hiking boot, the Terrex Freehiker 3 Ultra GTX is a great choice for walking and hiking across various terrains and weather conditions.
Whether you're on the trails or in the city, the low version of my tried-and-tested Adidas walking shoes are a great choice. Cheaper than the boot version, they are also more discreet in style, but just as comfortable.
How do they compare?
The Adidas Terrex Freehiker 3 Ultra GTX shoes are somewhat unique in the huge range of walking shoes out there. They are completely waterproof, very comfortable, supportive, and stylish. It's rare to find a boot that can offer all this.
I'd feel comfortable wearing these as much around my town at home as I would in the Spanish mountains. Somehow, they perform perfectly in both environments, though I perhaps don't need so much grip on London's pavements.
At £180, they're a fairly typical price for a premium walking shoe, matching Hoka, Scarpa, and The North Face. However, you can find cheaper options if you're willing to sacrifice the flexible sock support.
The low version of this shoe is available for £130 on the Adidas website. It has all the same features, but sits below the ankle for a true shoe style. The Skychaser style is on sale for £100 and is fully waterproof, but lacks some of the Freehiker's other benefits.
Cheaper options from brands such as Regatta or Mountain Warehouse are stocked at a variety of websites and shops and are often discounted. The waterproof Jack Walker Lily walking shoes, which we reviewed, are currently £69.99.
Are the Adidas Terrex Freehiker 3 Ultra GTX shoes worth buying?
Yes, I'd recommend these shoes for anyone who loves exploring the outdoors but also wants something sporty and supportive for countryside or city walks. While I wore these in the peak of the Spanish summer, the complete GORE-TEX waterproofing makes them a great option for British winter to keep feet dry.
You might want to choose a shoe with chunkier lugs if you’ll be walking through mud - and possibly shoes which aren’t white - but I'll be keeping these Adidas walking shoes on hand for my next adventure.
