Review: Adidas Terrex SoulStride trail running shoes

Adidas (O.K, TERREX at least) are going big on environmentally-conscious messaging and eco-innovation. How do I know this? Well, by the time I’ve got the shoes fully out of the box and ready to put on, I’ve counted at least four separate signals of their sustainable practice credentials. This is a great thing. I hope it’s true.

I’m curious about the design. This outdoor market-focused division of adidas, so the spun yarn goes, grew from humble roots in the late ‘70s developing approach shoes for Reinhold Messner for some of his (what were then anyway) pretty trailblazing expeditions to Everest.

These early versions carved a new path for lightweight trekking shoes. Then, more recently the adidas Outdoor division that launched in 2007 metamorphosed into the TERREX brand we recognise today around 2011, honing its focus on this eco-innovation idea by rethinking materials and designs as well as opening up to regular partnerships with sustainability specialists and manufacturers. It also cunningly bridged the gap between cool urban fashion and genuine outdoor performance wear and has comfortably straddled that gap ever since. I’m not saying they’re solely responsible for the gorpcore trend but, let’s face it, they’re a culprit. Trail running is now also one of their fastest growing categories but I think it’s fair to say that true outdoors nuts are a little wary of adidas and Nike encroaching onto their turf. The feeling is that, with these brands (ACG in Nike’s case) it’s style over substance.

Why this potted history lesson? Well one of the reasons I’m curious about the TERREX SoulStride is because the upper features at least 50% recycled content and I do wonder whether there is any trade-off on performance as a result. But, at first glance, despite a little bit of that visible binding glue (don’t know about you but that always gives me the willies about new shoes), these look impressively sturdy although I feel like the material is thinner than other TERREX shoes that spring to mind, like the TERREX Agravic TR, and they are very light for a rugged shoe. The raised walls give them the right amount of ballast and the toe looks roomy. The look is ever-so slightly retro in a pared down way but with little glimpses of modern cool, like the fluoro markings here and there. Feels like this is an unashamedly functional design with some subtle flashes of flair you associate with sneaker world brands, but no overkill. Is this a conscious move to counter the style-over-substance claim they know they will face? Definitely maybe.

Although they did feel a little unusual when I first put them on – wide, high and bit torpedo-y, I quickly warmed to the SoulStrides. I felt instinctively that they actually suited where I was in my ‘trail running journey’ – coming back from injury and rehab and easing myself back in. With that in mind, these would be a cracking option for trail running newbie or casual as well. The price fits this beginner billing too, especially if you dig around a little for the best deal.

One thing though: I doubt you’re going to be setting any fastest known times in these kicks. It felt like the accent was very much on stability and comfort in terms of performance rather than speed. But, you know what? That’s alright by me. You are going to need some high heel socks for those raised sidewalls, mind.

Multi purpose

Thought and time has obviously been invested in the design of this TERREX range to appeal, even subliminally, to the runner who just doesn’t cover different trails and terrains but other sports and adventure activities too. Someone looking for a trail running shoe that will double up for gym time, cycling or even just long periods working on your feet would do well to pick up a pair of SoulStrides.

Secure fit

That roomy toe never feels too generous and the raised side walls give you firmer footing and immediate confidence. Adding into this the aforementioned cushioning and you do feel like you can take on more in terms of testing terrains and distance too.