Advnture Verdict
If you want a lightweight, grippy and flexible race shoe then look no further than the Adidas Terrex Pro SG – just don’t expect them to keep your feet dry.
Pros
- +
Lightweight
- +
Excellent grip
- +
Fast draining
Cons
- -
Mesh upper
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Adidas Terrex Speed Pro SG: first impressions
What you notice first when you examine these Adidas Terrex Speed Pro SG shoes is that the uppers feel very lightweight and almost see through – quite clearly they will let water in easily (by design), so your feet won’t stay dry for long. The theory behind this is that they will drain very quickly, making them a good choice for obstacle course racing.
The SG in the name of this shoe refers to soft ground, and the Adidas Terrex Speed Pro certainly handles soft, muddy conditions with ease. The low drop, light weight and aggressive outsole with 7mm lugs make this a great shoe for racing and fast running in muddy terrain (see: Best mud running shoes).
The mesh material offers minimal padding and thus less comfort than some other shoes. The racy design means that there isn’t a lot of cushioning to deal with harder surfaces but then that isn’t what these shoes are designed for (for more traditional trail running shoe design elements see: The anatomy of a trail running shoe).
• RRP: £140 (UK) / €160 (EU)
• Weight (per shoe): 225g / 7.94oz
• Drop: 4mm
• Tread depth: 7mm
• Upper material: Open mesh, with abrasion-resistant weldings
• Colors: Core Black / Cloud White / Solar Yellow
• Compatibility: Ideal for very muddy conditions and obstacle course races
On the trails
The Adidas Terrex Pro SGs were tested on the muddy trails and fells of the Peak District.
I chose my usual shoe size for the Terrex Pro and found them to be true to size – so the fit was good.
It is immediately obvious when you put these shoes on that they are going to offer excellent grip, but also that you are going to get wet feet. The lightweight upper material is transparent in places, allowing water to flood in – but also, and more importantly, out. But you’ll probably still be making good use of our How to clean trail running shoes feature.
I tested them in the boggiest conditions I could find and was impressed at how quickly they drain. There was only a temporary sensation of having a shoe full of water before they revert back to their lightweight state. The uppers tend to shed, rather than absorb water meaning that the shoes don’t gain weight even in the wettest of conditions.
The grip is excellent, inspiring confidence even on steep muddy slopes and saturated grass, whilst the high level of flexibility in the sole ensures full contact between the lugs and the ground on uneven terrain. Running fast over wet and muddy ground was no problem making the Terrex Pro SG an ideal choice for fast training runs and races in the worst of underfoot conditions.
