Adidas Terrex Eastrail Mid GTX hiking boots review: a boot with running shoe style

A mid-cut fabric hiker, the Adidas Terrex Eastrail Mid GTX blends running shoe cushioning with clean, contemporary looks to create a modern lightweight boot

Adidas Terrex Eastrail Mid GTX
(Image: © Adidas)

Advnture Verdict

A comfortable and stable boot that inspires confidence on the trail, with a high-quality Gore-Tex liner to keep feet dry.

Pros

  • +

    Gore-Tex waterproofing

  • +

    Lightweight

  • +

    Great out-of-the-box comfort

Cons

  • -

    Relatively slim midfoot and heel won’t suit everyone

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Adidas Terrex Eastrail Mid GTX: first impressions

The Adidas Terrex Eastrail Mid GTX is part of Adidas’ Terrex line-up, the outdoor-focused arm of the German sportswear giant’s vast product range. As you might expect, these affordable yet stylish mid-cut hikers take a platform inspired by the brand’s running shoe heritage and add waterproof fabric uppers plus a rugged outsole for increased durability and traction on the trail. 

The synthetic uppers consist of mesh and PU panels, backed with a Gore-Tex liner for reliable waterproof breathability (see also parts of a hiking boot). This construction creates a lightweight boot with clean, contemporary looks. Together with the understated monochrome colorway, this results in a very wearable mid boot that wouldn’t look out of place in town or trail. 

Specifications

• RRP: $140 (US) / £100 (UK)
• Weight (per boot): 390g / 13.8oz
• Materials: Mesh and synthetic uppers with Gore-Tex lining, EVA midsole, Traxion rubber outsole
• Colors: Black
• Compatibility: A lightweight trail hiker for day walks, fast-paced trails and town to country escapes

Adidas Terrex Eastrail Mid GTX: on the trails

These boots proved to be very comfortable, with a well-padded tongue and ankle cuff, and a roomy toebox. The overall fit is very much trainer-like rather than boot-like, though if you’re particularly broad of hoof you might not get on so well with the narrower midfoot and relatively slim heel cup (see also: how to choose a pair of hiking boots). Underfoot cushioning comes from an EVA midsole, which delivers springy responsiveness akin to a running shoe. 

As is increasingly the case with many fabric-based modern hiking boots, the break-in period also proved to be minimal, so if you’re looking for instant out-of-the-box comfort, the Eastrails are a good choice.

We also loved their lightweight, nimble feel on the trail. Weight-wise, they’re comparable to the lightest ‘trainer-hikers’ around (see best hiking boots for more examples), but they are among our favorites, offering a little more structure than Columbia’s Trailstorm Mid, while feeling less cumbersome than KEEN’s chunkier Explore boot.

The outsole uses Adidas’ own Traxion technology. It isn’t the deepest or most sophisticated tread pattern but delivers reasonable grip across a range of different surfaces. We did find it occasionally clogged a little on particularly sticky, muddy paths though.

That aside, our only other niggle was with the lacing system. We struggled a little to dial in a really tight fit, since it seems tricky to pull the boot closely into the foot. This led to a little heel slippage, though not enough to cause discomfort or the dreaded blisters. We’d also appreciate metal lace hooks at the top of the boot rather than fabric loops and an eyelet.

All in all, this was still a boot that gave us confidence on the trail, feeling very comfortable and stable underfoot while also keeping our feet dry, all day long. It seems reasonably durable for a fabric hiker too. 

Matthew Jones

An outdoors writer and editor, Matt Jones has been testing kit in the field for nearly a decade. Having worked for both the Ramblers and the Scouts, he knows one or two things about walking and camping, and loves all things adventure, particularly long-distance backpacking, wild camping and climbing mountains – especially in Wales. He’s based in Snowdonia and last year thru-hiked the Cambrian Way, which runs for 298 miles from Cardiff to Conwy, with a total ascent of 73,700 feet – that’s nearly 2½ times the height of Everest. Follow Matt on Instagram and Twitter.