Would you like a running shoe where you can easily mix asphalt with gravel as well as light off-road? A running shoe which actually makes running in nature fun - and doesn´t necessarily make great demands on your running skills?
ADIDAS Terrex Speed Ultra might very well be that shoe and I have tested it for the last couple of weeks. Its a very cool shoe in terms of design but also a shoe which can be used by runners of all levels on all surfaces and distances. So really, a superb all-round shoe.
Learn much more about the shoe in my video- review below.
Video-review of ADIDAS Terrex Speed Ultra
ADIDAS Terrex Speed Ultra vs. ADIDAS Adizero Boston 9
My first impression of ADIDAS Terrex Speed Ultra is that it is very similar to ADIDAS Adizero Boston 9. The two shoes are incredibly alike. I would actually go as far as saying that what Boston 9 can do on the road, Terrex Speed Ultra can do in the woods in terms of versatility, pace, lightweight and providing a breath of fresh air!
Terrex Speed Ultra has a fast, responsive and comfortable midsole
Terrex Speed Ultra has completely the same midsole construction. The midsole is designed with ADIDAS’ light and firm Lightstrike-foam and the well-known ADIDAS Boost-foam which provides fast return energy, comfort and cushioning.
And just like Boston 9 feels terrific on the road, Terrex feels amazing in the woods. I clearly felt - and my split times proved it - that I run faster in Terrex Speed compared to other trail shoes that I have tested. And my competitive genes really enjoy it!
Continental-outsole provides an excellent grip
The outsole is desiged in full Continental rubber compound which provides an amazing grip. Actually I would claim that sights can be deceiving in terms of the lugs measuring only 2,5mm. Before my run it seemed almost quite foolish with lugs that short but it actually makes a difference. Especially when you combine it with the Continental rubber compound which provides a terrific grip.
Of course it doesn´t have the same grip on very soft, wet and muddy surfaces but it works impeccably on gravel and more solid paths in the woods where I tested it. The short lugs and the low stack-height provide a superb touch with the surface just like Boston 9.
However, the shoe is not designed with a full rock-plate like many other trail shoes and I think it tells. I consciously tried to step on larger rocks to test if I felt it. Even though you have great contact with the surface, the missing rock-plate and the low stack-height unfortunately also makes you feel large and sharp rocks. Perhaps my technique isn´t good enough and I probably also "went looking for trouble" but in a test, you really have to put a shoe to the test!
Terrex Speed Ultra works great on asphalt as well as solid trail in the woods
On paper Terrex Speed Ultra can be used on all distances from 5-100km, but personally I would miss more comfort if I was going out for longer distances. But I also don´t belong to the category of very experienced trail runners. So, if you are one of those, its probably not completely unthinkable.
And actually within the Terrex-collection, you can find Terrex Speed Pro, which is an ultra light racer for the runner who really wants to race in the terrain. Speed Pro is for the hardcore trail runner who is chasing new records on short distances. The midsole is designed exclusively from light and firm Lightstrike-foam which makes it incredibly light!
But if you are a relatively inexperienced trail runner like myself and you just enjoy taking a run in the woods from time to time, its a really cool shoe. You won´t get any problems running on asphalt thanks to the low grip so if you have a great route where you run on asphalt as well as trail in the woods, its a great and versatile running shoe.
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