Adidas Terrex Skychaser Gore-Tex hiking shoes review: Comfortable, waterproof shoes with plenty of protection for year-round trekking

First impressions

The Adidas Terrex Skychaser hiking shoes are built for comfortable, stable hiking excursions over varied terrain, in all weather conditions.

Their sturdy textile and synthetic uppers feature waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex membranes to prevent your feet from getting wet in the winter or overheating when the sun comes out.

Inside the shoes, your feet are greeted by bouncy and responsive OrthoLite foam sockliners and Lightstrike midsoles. These cushioning features support all parts of your feet and protect against any trail debris you might encounter in the wilderness.

Underneath the supportive inners, the Skychasers feature tough Continental rubber outsoles, designed to keep you upright as you trek through the wilderness. These dependable outsoles feature large, aggressive lugs, which dig into potentially hazardous terrain to maximize grip and minimize slips in the wilderness.

Adidas Terrex Skychaser: on the trails

For the past couple of months, I've been putting these new Adidas hiking shoes to the test in the varied underfoot conditions and unpredictable weather of the English spring.

I've worn the Skychasers over multiple long-distance treks through the valleys and hills of southern England and even taken them up the odd mountain in Cumbria's Lake District National Park.

Here's how they got on in the wilderness:

Fit and comfort

The Adidas Terrex Skychasers are an exceptionally comfortable pair of hiking shoes.

After a couple of hikes wearing them in, the Lightstrike lightweight cushioning felt snug and responsive, supporting my feet over miles of rugged country trails and wild sections.

The OrthoLite sockliner was another nice touch and successfully prevented any friction against the soles of my feet. Without friction, I didn't need to worry about any pesky blisters and enjoyed pain-free hiking throughout my time in the Skychasers.

They also fit true to size, wrapping my feet without ever feeling too tight. The comfortable fit was complemented by this pair's 'speed laces', which use a plastic mechanism to tighten and do away with the need to tie your laces in the traditional manner.

My first impression of these laces was skepticism, but after a couple of treks, I came to appreciate their speedy tying and the effective way they locked my feet in place. They're certainly not ground-breaking, but a handy additional to shave a few sections from tying your laces.

My sole gripe with these hiking shoes is their slightly narrow toe-box, which felt a little tight after many miles of trekking.

This wasn't noticeable at first, but became apparent on a couple of hikes at around the 15-mile mark, when my toes began to get a little claustrophobic, a feeling that increased the longer I hiked.

My toes were never in pain, but rather slightly uncomfortable for a few miles.

It's worth noting that I have especially wide feet, and this problem only became apparent after a few hours on the trails. However, it's worth considering if you've got wide feet and are planning a long-distance trek.

Weight

At 15.3oz (434g) per shoe in the smallest men's size these are very much in the middle of the weight range for a hiking shoe, but do boast a decent amount of protection for their heft.

Heavy hiking shoes can be a real chore, especially when the sun comes out, and the Skychasers definitely didn't weigh me down at all. They do an excellent job of minimizing bulk while still having enough features to help you enjoy the trails.

Grip

The aggressive Continental outsoles are perfect for varied weather conditions and underfoot surfaces. Each outsole has multiple large multidirectional lugs, well suited to uneven trails in dry and wet weather.

Over many miles of hiking, I found my pair to be equally grippy on slippery, muddy trails and dusty, dry hikes, keeping me upright wherever I walked.

They were also reliable over rocky pathways and steep mountain scrambles. On one occasion, I took the Skychasers up Hellvelyn, a 3,117ft (950m) mountain in the Lake District, well-known for its steep, rocky sections and scrambles.

The outsole performed excellently, providing plenty of grip as I climbed up and down the mountain without incident.

The Skychasers' flexibility was also noticeable here. While they're not especially bendy, they allowed for enough movement to help me up steep sections without ever feeling too rigid.

Protection from the elements

I put these sturdy Adidas hiking shoes to the test over multiple rainy days on the trails, and it's safe to say they passed with flying colors.

The waterproof Gore-Tex membranes do a terrific job of warding off the elements without sacrificing breathability. Despite several downpours and plenty of boggy sections on the trails, I never once felt water seep through the uppers, nor did I overheat when the sun came out.

On long, hot treks, the handy Gore-Tex membranes maximized airflow and breathability. This, combined with the pair's minimal bulk, helped my feet stay cool and prevented overheating.

As these are low-cut shoes, water occasionally snuck in near my ankles, but didn't travel far, thanks to their snug fit.

Price

At $160 (£140) a pair, these dependable Adidas hiking shoes are reasonably proced. There are certainly cheaper models available, but none that I've tested with the same level of comfort, waterproofing, and traction.

They certainly outperform similarly priced models like the Danner N45s, and are right up there with some of our favorite pairs, like the Merrell Moab 3s and Columbia Peakfreak 2s.

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