adidas Terrex Agravic GORE-TEX 2 Review: A Fast Trail Shoe That Keeps the Bog Out

The adidas Terrex Agravic GORE-TEX 2 is built for one job: moving quickly over rough, wet ground without soaking your feet in the first mile. It is a trail-running shoe first, so it sits at the light, low, flexible end of what I file under waterproof trainers. If you want a boot for load-carrying and ankle support, this is not it. If you want to run or fast-hike the South Downs in November and keep the drizzle and puddle-splash out, it is exactly it.

The core case is simple. You get a GORE-TEX membrane for waterproofing, a Continental rubber outsole for grip on chalk and greasy track, an 8mm drop and Lightstrike cushioning to keep the legs fresh over distance, all at around 285g in a UK 8. That is race-shoe weight with a genuinely capable wet-weather spec on top.

Who the Agravic GTX 2 is for

This is a shoe for people who move fast on trails and want to stay dry. Trail runners are the obvious fit, but it works just as well for quick day hikers who cover ground at pace and hate the dead weight of a boot. The 8mm drop and Lightstrike foam give you enough cushioning for a long outing without turning the shoe into a soft, wallowy road runner.

I would reach for these on downland, chalk paths, forest track, canal and river routes, and moderate fell where the going is rough but you are not scrambling. On the Purbeck Hills or the South Downs Way in the wet British half of the year, this is the shoe that lets you keep running through the sections that would otherwise mean cold, sodden socks.

Where it is the wrong tool: multi-day packs, technical winter mountain days, and anything where you genuinely need ankle support. For those, look at a mid boot instead. For everything faster and lower, it earns its place. If you are weighing it against other options, our best waterproof trainers roundup sets it next to the field.

Waterproofing: the GORE-TEX membrane

The Agravic GORE-TEX 2 uses an integrated GORE-TEX membrane bonded inside the upper. That is the good version of waterproofing in a trail shoe: it is a full bootie sealing the whole foot, not a spray coating that wears off after a month of chalk and grit. Puddle splash, wet grass, drizzle and shallow surface water all stay out, and they stay out for the life of the shoe.

Breathability is the usual GORE-TEX compromise. On a warm summer run these will run hotter than a mesh trail shoe, because a membrane always trades some airflow for the seal. In UK conditions from autumn through spring, which is when you actually want a waterproof trainer, that trade is worth making. Dry feet at 4C matter more than a few degrees of extra warmth on a July afternoon.

Now the honest limit, and it is the same for every low-cut shoe on the market. Waterproofing stops at the collar. Step into a bog past the ankle or cross a stream that comes over the top, and water pours straight in over the cuff. The membrane keeps water from coming through the upper, not from coming in above it. On typical downland and coast-path going, where the wet is underfoot rather than over the top, that is rarely a problem. In deep peat or a proper crossing, expect wet feet like any other trainer.

Grip and outsole

The outsole is Continental rubber, and it is one of the strongest reasons to buy this shoe. Continental compound grips wet rock, greasy chalk and slick timber far better than most generic outsoles, and it is the same partnership that makes adidas Terrex shoes so reliable on the descents. On the chalk sections of the South Downs after rain, which turn to a skating rink in cheaper shoes, this compound holds.

The lug pattern runs deep, up to around 5mm, with cleats spread wide across the forefoot for traction on soft, muddy ground and stronger blocks toward the heel to bite on the descents. It is an aggressive trail sole, not a hybrid town-and-trail tread, so it clears mud well and digs into wet grass and loose dirt. On hardpack and road it feels a touch lugged underfoot, which is the fair price for that off-road bite.

There is also a rock protection element under the forefoot, which takes the sting out of flint, roots and stony track at speed. On the flinty parts of the Purbeck ridge you notice its absence in shoes that skip it, so it is welcome here.

Cushioning and fit

Underfoot you get Lightstrike foam on an 8mm drop. That drop is a sensible middle ground: low enough to feel connected to the trail and quick through the toe-off, high enough to spare your calves and Achilles on a long day. Lightstrike is a firmer, more responsive foam than the pillowy max-cushion road trend, which suits a shoe you want to move quickly in. It holds its shape over rough ground rather than collapsing.

Fit is the usual adidas Terrex last: fairly snug through the midfoot and heel, with a moderate toe box. If you run in Terrex already, take your normal size. If you are coming from a wider brand like Altra or some Merrells, the forefoot will feel more held. For trail running that lockdown is what you want, because a foot sliding around inside a shoe on a steep, off-camber descent is how you roll an ankle or lose a toenail. I would size true to length and expect a performance rather than a roomy fit.

For a wider foot or a slower all-round hiking pace, the adidas Terrex Skychaser AX5 GORE-TEX is the more forgiving stablemate.

Colours

Grey

Specs at a glance

Pros and cons

• Continental rubber outsole grips wet chalk, rock and greasy track
• Full GORE-TEX bootie keeps splash and drizzle out for the life of the shoe
• Light for a waterproof shoe at around 285g, so it runs fast
• 8mm drop and Lightstrike foam balance trail feel with long-day comfort
• Forefoot rock protection takes the sting out of flint and stony track

• Low cut means water pours in over the collar in deep bog or stream crossings
• GORE-TEX runs warmer than mesh on hot summer runs
• Snug Terrex last does not suit genuinely wide feet
• Aggressive lugs feel firm on hardpack and road

Verdict

The adidas Terrex Agravic GORE-TEX 2 earns 4.7 out of 5. It does the one thing a waterproof trail shoe should do, which is let you run fast through wet British conditions with grip you can trust on the descents, and it keeps the weight down while doing it. The Continental outsole and the full GORE-TEX bootie are the standouts, and the 8mm Lightstrike platform is a smart choice for a shoe you want to cover distance in.

Buy it if you are a trail runner or a quick hiker who wants a waterproof shoe rather than a boot, and who runs on downland, chalk, forest track and moderate fell. Skip it if you carry a big pack, need ankle support, or have a wide forefoot. For everyone in that fast-and-low camp, it is one of the better waterproof trainers you can put on this year.

FAQ

Still comparing options? Our best waterproof trainers roundup ranks this against the field, and the waterproof trainers hub collects every review, including the Merrell Nova 4 Waterproof and the North Face Offtrail TR GORE-TEX.