Pros / Reasons to Buy
- Comfortable for narrower feet
- Good foot support
Cons / Reasons to Avoid
- May not be suitable for those with wide feet
- Potential for wear around heal, which could cause durability issues longer term
The Adidas Terrex Tracerocker 2.0 GTX are a stylish and lightweight waterproof hiking shoe that none the less offers better stiffness and foot support than some of their competitors. They are a great option for fast and light hiking, provided the weather conditions aren’t too harsh.
Their Gore-Tex membrane makes them suitable for wear in the rain. They’re also good looking enough to be worn as daily trainers as much as they suit the trail.
See the Adidas Terrex Tracerocker 2.0 GTX in more detail:
Analysis and Test Results
I’ve tested a number of Adidas Terrex shoes and boots at this point, and I’ve always been impressed by what they offer. I’m pleased to say that the Adidas Terrex Tracerocker 2.0 GTX are no exception.
Whilst they might not have the striking looks of some other Terrex shoes, they’re still good looking, understated, comfortable shoes. They offer good foot support and make a great choice for fast and light hiking or of course for their intended use of trail running.
Performance Comparison
Traction
Generally, I’ve found the traction of the Adidas Terrex Tracerocker 2.0 GTX to be pretty good. That said, when testing in very slippery or very muddy conditions, they don’t hold that well.
They have what I’d say is about a medium thread, which is great for dry to damp surfaces. I think if you plan to trail run in these shoes, I’d be mindful about the kind of conditions.
I found that on loose, weight, slippery rock paths, I didn’t feel the most stable. So do keep that in mind to avoid potential ankle rolls or similar.
Breathability
These hiking shoes are Gore-Tex which makes them waterproof. This always means there are compromises where breathability is concerned. Personally, I don’t hike in the hottest of places and I like an all-round shoe.
I am happy to trade a little bit of breathability for the knowledge that my feet will stay dry and they’ll stay that bit warmer on slightly colder hikes. That said, I didn’t find my feet sweaty when wearing these with merino hiking socks at all.
Ankle Support
As a low cut shoe, they don’t offer a lot in terms of ankle support. This is pretty much in line with most waterproof hiking shoes I’ve tested.
However, I have noticed through my tests that the heel of the shoe feels a bit more reinforced and keeps your heel in place. This was great for my foot placement and allowed me to move quicker.
This actually felt a little different to some of the other shoes I’ve looked at. They give you a sense of confidence that I think is often lacking when it comes to ankle height hiking shoes.
Arch Support
The arch support offered on the Adidas Terrex Tracerocker 2.0 GTX feels pretty much standard to me. This is in line with most other Terrex shoes and boots that I’ve tested and loved.
If arch support is a concern for you, it’s good to know that the insoles can easily be replaced in these shoes. They’re fairly roomy in the toe box, so this wouldn’t cause any issues if you did.
This allows you the option of suiting your exact foot needs, without making any concessions. I think the flexibility offered here is a great plus point.
Fit
I was happy to see that like all Adidas Terrex hiking shoes and boots I’ve tested and owned that they fit true to size. They don’t run small, or big, they’re just right. So, I’d say you’ll be fine to order your usual size.
One thing to keep in mind is that they are narrower. This seems to be pretty much in line with most Terrex shoes I’ve tested. I don’t mind this myself as I have narrower feet.
Personally, I’ve found through my tests that the fit of the narrower shoe offered here is perfect and feels like it was made for my foot. If you are looking for a shoe for a narrow foot, then these are great. Though you may want to look elsewhere in our best waterproof hiking shoes for a shoe that’s better for wider feet.
I think it’s interesting to point out here that the brand says that these shoes are suited to a ‘regular fit’. I don’t think that’s entirely accurate.
Materials
The Adidas Terrex Tracerocker 2.0 GTX are fully synthetic and make use of 20% recycled content. It would be good to know what that recycled content actually is, or to see that improved with the next version of these shoes.
Otherwise, the synthetic materials used feel high quality and robust like all of the Terrex range I’ve experienced so far. I also love the fact that they make use of Gore-Tex for their waterproofing, as you’ve got a pretty bulletproof waterproof shoe here.
Appearance
I got hold of the Adidas Terrex Tracerocker 2.0 GTX in the black and orange variant which I really loved. Even though this is a mostly black hiking shoe I was impressed with its looks.
Terrex are often known for producing some pretty bold designs, so this style feels much more understated to me. I do think out of the colors currently offered that the black and orange is nicest. But that’s of course a personal preference.
I also really loved how versatile these hiking shoes are. I’ve found since I’ve had them that I wear them as my day to day shoes as well now. They work just as well on the trail as they do in the evening or spending the day looking round the city. They also clean up really easily too, so it’s a pretty easy swap if you don’t want to bring extra shoes.
Durability
From my test experience using these waterproof hiking shoes, they feel durable and like they’re built to last. I’ve scuffed areas of these that would likely form weak spots if they were going to and luckily, Terrex have added strategically placed rubber rands in these areas around the toes and sides of the feet.
The mesh on the front of the foot doesn’t feel like an area that is likely to start developing rips and is pretty much a ripstop finish. The only area that I do think will form a weak point over time is the back of the heal. This soft section could be reinforced, but this could obviously impact the comfort on the heal.
Water Resistance
In most conditions I tested these shoes, I was really happy with the level of waterproofing they offered. Being made with a Gore-Tex membrane, they kept rain out in mid to heavier rain.
Though in very intense downpours, I found that the cuff around the ankle which sits near your foot is exposed. This does get wet in really heavy rain circumstances.
You can also walk through puddles no problem, and I found that anything up to the top of the toe rand was good to submerge with no problems. If you do this for a prolonged period, your feet will start to get cold though.
Weight
The standard weight provided in the information on these shoes is 373g/13.1oz. This is pretty light as far as hiking shoes go, and I did notice how effortlessly light they felt on my feet.
This allowed me to feel like I could move faster and make progress quickly on the trail. I generally find lightweight hiking shoes can feel less robust, but the finish of this hiking shoe feels much more built to last than a regular trail runner style.
Insoles
The Adidas Terrex Tracerocker 2.0 GTX comes with a standard insole. This offers about the same level of cushioning as most waterproof hiking shoes that don’t have a specialist offering.
For most hikers, this will be more than ok, and this felt really comfortable and soft underfoot. It is really easy to change the insoles too, if you want to add something more suited to your specific foot concerns, and this doesn’t alter the comfort.
Break-in Period
These hiking shoes are more robust than some trail runner styles out there, and with that in mind they do take a little more effort to wear in and get trail ready.
That said, I did find these relatively comfortable right out the box. I also found that I only needed to take these out for a few tests before they were ready to get out on the trail.
Lacing System
The Adidas Terrex Tracerocker 2.0 GTX make use of a standard lacing system. This allows the opportunity to lace your hiking shoes for comfort.
I didn’t really find that there were any problems with the laces at all, and the standard laces provided hold their tension really well. They’re also pretty easy to make adjustments as you go if you need to change going up or downhill.
Toe Protection
I think if you’re of the understanding that these waterproof hiking shoes don’t offer the same level of protection as a technical hiking boot, you’ll be pleased with the level of toe protection they give. They’re pretty durable and strong around the toe.
I found through my tests that the toe rand was enough to soak up any shock from knocks into rock surfaces. Though I do find myself being more careful when wearing hiking shoes to keep more of an eye on my footing for this reason. They don’t stop everything!
Conclusion
The Adidas Terrex Tracerocker 2.0 GTX are comfortable waterproof hiking shoes. I like that they’re slightly more rigid than some of the other shoes we’ve included in our line up.
In more temperature climates, these are a great option for three season hiking and trail running, providing the conditions don’t become too bad. They’re also stylish and work just as well for everyday as they do on the trail.
If you’re looking for an understated waterproof hiking shoe that can work as a dual purpose shoe, I think you’ll love this option from Terrex. They’re pretty much a perfect all rounder.
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