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The Adidas Free Hiker is the kind of mashup we love: It’s a cross between a nimble trail shoe and a supportive hiking boot, and it works just as well in the city as it does on the trail. Now Adidas has revamped that capable shoe and made it even more streamlined—today, the brand launched the Terrex Free Hiker 2 Low GTX, a low-top version of the Free Hiker. It’s a great pick for hikers who prefer a breezy feel around their ankles, but just like its taller sibling, the new Free Hiker offers lots of protection and support for off-pavement adventures.
So what do you get with this new model? We’ll start from the (lower) top. The Free Hiker 2 Low GTX features a Gore-Tex membrane in its upper to protect against puddles and block out rain, so your feet will stay dry and comfortable even when the weather turns dreary. In addition, the mesh upper features overlays at the toe to resist scrapes and bumps, and the tongue has a gusseted design (it’s attached to the upper at its base and along its sides) to keep dirt and debris from entering the shoe and irritating your feet.
The Free Hiker’s midsole features the same tech as the high-top version. The shoe rides on a layer of Boost foam, a highly responsive, somewhat firm cushioning material found on Adidas running shoes, and it’s paired with an EVA frame to support your feet and keep them aligned within the shoe as you move. On the bottom, the Free Hiker has a full-coverage Continental rubber outsole with lugs for lockdown grip in the dirt.
Adidas is producing the new shoe in four colorways, including a slick all-black version that can take you from backcountry to bar-hopping—exactly what black shoes do best, in our opinion. Added bonus: At $180, the low-top Free Hiker is a bargain compared to the high-top version. Lace ‘em up and get out there.
Published 08-17-2023
