I have those exact boots. Definitely comfortable but not durable at all. I used mine for work in winter though. Never for hiking so my opinion is not completely fair.
@@VENOM99099I’m thinking not durable against snags and scrapes from work, but good lightweight boot for developed trail systems for day trips. Won’t give ankle support that’s sometimes needed with a backpacking though.
@@VENOM99099 the boost itself is just foam. The first thing that went was the actual waterproof liner. The outsole is the same as an ultraboost shoe. Very thin for a boot. The laces are normal shoe laces. I used mine for snow removal. Don’t get it twisted,It’s extremely comfortable. Mine lasted for one snow season so now i just use them when im riding my drz. I got mine on discount for like 120.
No, it’s not the boost that keeps you from feeling the rocks. It’s the Continental rubber with the larger lugs. I’ve hiked in ultra boost, and I hiked in the continental rubber with the large lugs. The larger lugs on the terrex help with digging into the dirt so you don’t slip and rock that are poking out on the dirt the boost is just there for that comfort and every step.
I own 3 pairs of terrex boots with Boost. The Gore-Tex hiking boot high tops, the Gore-Tex winter version and I just bought a pair of the Gore-Tex low top version to wear during summer and spring. All of them are really comfortable for me being on my feet 8 hours a day and logging in 10 miles+ of walking everyday at work. It's not the MOST comfy cushioning but it still is really good.
My 60 year old feet are thankful for the Terrex Boost line. The Made with Nature versions are my all around urban exploration, yard work and light hiking shoes. I slipped on a brand new pair the day before 5-10 mile days in airports and around Chicago in March. Then I went hiking in them. Haters are gonna hate, though.
I'll be honest no matter how great they feel I don't think there is a reasonable excuse why these things cost $250. made with some of the cheapest labor available(china) and made with already cheap (not necessarily bad but low cost) materials. at best these things should cost $120
@@dominuslogik484 i got some second hand but pretty mint for 70$ and have used these everyday for two years straight, because of how confortable they are. Just like any other brand, you'd be stupid to pay full price for it, unless you're a mindless consumer that needs "this season fashion" and you deserve the hole in your pockets.
@@jessegpresley I don't use an I-Phone I use an Asus Rog 7. It is made in Taiwan and the components plus labor equal out to pretty close to 400$ per device which when you account for international shipping and markup so you can make a profit the price tag of $1,000 is actually very fair. Unlike these shoes made of approximately 1-2$ of materials made in a Chinese factory where the workers are paid less than 20$ a day so these things likely cost no more than about 30-40$ after shipping to the u.s and everything else but that markup is insane for what is basically a sneaker.
@@dominuslogik484I mean. Affordable running shoes, tho still by Nike Adidas and so on, gonna be 40-60 euro here in Germany. Their more expensive fancy options 100-140. Sometimes for no visible reason. Pick em or don't. Kinda specialty things like hard soled lifting shoes... Certainly no more expensive to produce, are more likely to be 120-150. So. I'd get the logic between costing 130-170 euro for some watertight, being a boot n all. So. 180-200 dollars. Not 200.
One thing I forgot.. I wear my terex 2.0 at work and my job varies so much that I need a boot that can handle construction sites but that can also walk 40 to 50,000 steps a day.. some days I can do 30 mi ... So we can handle all those miles like a running sneaker I have worn it to climb trees and I've also worn it in water and I'm don't have much body fat so I don't really float but when I have these boots on I actually float I thought that was so crazy neat when it first discovered that.. this is easily one of the most versatile boots I've ever worn The only thing it doesn't have is a steel toe but you can't put that in that kind of boot but other than that this thing can do everything that a boot and a sneaker can do
I have owned 3 pairs of the Terrex Free Hikers, they're just great all around sneaker boots. I got them for hiking, but they're great in the rain, they've been my go to "rain footwear". I have the regular GTX version with me at work today. That Continental rubber just grips every surface.
@@adventureswiththecrazyvet they are for the inner city hiking enthusiast who probably 'hikes' well beaten or even paved trails a short drive from the city and in a public park. kinda ridiculous that you would need to pay 250 bucks for a shoe that at best has a cost of around $30 to make including labor since its made of some of the cheapest available materials and some of the cheapest available labor.
@@dominuslogik484 And rose sells a leather belt for$660 and a leather wallet for 383. When you could get a leather belt made cheaper for like 200 or less. and a wallet for 140 or 80. So .
@@zeparagonze6148 yeah but their stuff is made in the u.s with high quality leather. That is a far cry from foam and rubber with a bit of polyester cloth and nylon.
@@dominuslogik484 Until there's competition there won't be price changes. And they are extra $70 for shipping and storage and retial mark ups so they don't cost $30 for those you buy from.
I love my terrex so much I bought several pairs so that when I run one into the ground and have to chuck them I have spares as backup. Very comfy and very sturdy hiking sneaker. However, I do find they wear away very quickly in the bottom on the continental out-sole as well as with the material on the inside back heel, which often tears away from over-use (I use mine almost every day to hike with my dogs so they do get a good bashing)
There's also one small addition I would add about older foam and maybe why it wasn't used. Back in the 1960s and 1970s especially, foam was around but it wasn't used in things unless it was REALLY thick (such as car seats) or in something that didn't get a lot of repeat pressure (such as battery compartments in electronics). The simple reason being that type of foam back then if you compressed it repeatedly it either lost it's resilience or fell apart far easier than today as plastics technology wasn't the same of course. I had electronics and things back then that suffered like this. I also have plenty of vintage electronics from back then that I've had to deal with this older foam. Sure it degrades, obviously, but occasionally you'll come across stuff that's been compressed and didn't hold up.
In 1986 I bought a pair of Adidas Brown Hiking boots with a wedge sole at a German Mountaineering shop in Garmish .. They were stiff but incredibly comfortable . I wore them often for 20 years and they were extremely durable. I had to finally give them up as they wore out from the inside ! The exterior was almost like new. I wish I could find a new pair.
I still prefer boosts on my running shoes, it lasts longer than most new midsoles on the market today. Chinese brand midsoles are ok too, still testing them on
You should add the Nike ACG Air Zoom Gaiadome GTX to the modern hiking comparison. Though a more comparable and comfortable version would be the ACG Mountain Fly High with the squishy react foam. Adidas Terrex is situated to compete with Nike ACG, and it’d be awesome to get your opinions on how their flagship sneaker boots compare to one another
The only boots that are tall enough in the ankle area in the final list (14:07) are the Adidas Terrex and the Under Armour Hovr. Other options look more like mid top trail sneakers than boots. The option that is not present on the list that you might cut is the Hi-Tec / Magnum Ultima 8.0 WP. I'm not sure if has foam midsole but it's definitley a cushioned sneaker like boot.
I have been hiking for many years and wore all kind of footwear. I bought a pair of terrex free hikers goretex and I never wore anything else for easy / medium level hikes. The grip of the continental outsole rubber is the best I've seen even on wet surfaces. The comfort of the boost is great and helps me endure longer hikes without the usual soreness on specific places. I don't get the issue with the "rock feeling". I feel them well enough and I have no desire to feel them more. That's why I wear shoes. They're also flexible enough if I want to trail run a bit. Try this with harder hiking boots... Evidently I am not using these if I want to go for harsh terrain on extreme weather. But for a general purpose hiking boot, they're the best I've had.
I got the freehiker low top version 2's about 2 and a half months ago just for work. I owned a pair of hokas bondi 8's and my hokas fell apart after 2 months. Before the hokas it a pair of asics (cant remember model) and after 2 months they also shredded around the edge and top. I work in a shop so when I'm on my knees stocking shelves I think it rubs on the top and shreds the material. The addidas trainers have held up extremely well with no damage, still water proof and no tearing and even though they have more weight than previous trainers they're still extremely comfortable. I think as work trainers they're brilliant. I have taken them on light trails and they still hold up. I think serious hikers and people in heavy duty environments are better off with durable boots. However as general purpose trainers I think these are a good buy.
Thanks for the review, I work in a liquor store, pushing around cases with my boots, on my feet all day, on my hands and knees a lot. I'll try these out. I've been wearing Salomon x ultra pioneers for a couple years now and they're great but I think they're being discontinued and they wear out pretty quick. That said I like them, they're comfy even after a long day, and I wear them at work and on the trails on weekends.
I love the Adidas Terrax boots range overall. Bought my son a few pairs. His favourite's were a pair of hiking boots with Boa laces. But it has to be said I don't find them comfortable. They fit narrow and have a tapered toe box. With my bunions I struggle to find to find wide toe box footwear that don't appear clownish
I have some Terrex Agravic Pro Trail's with the BOA lacing system. I also have wide feet, and these shoes have an extremely snug upper, like it was a real fight trying to pull them on for the first 6 weeks, but I did have sufficient room in the toe-box, barely. However I was having significant pain on the bottom of my foot prior to wearing the Terrex for work, and within about a week, my foot pain had subsided, thanks to the rigid stability of the Adidas Terrex. The shoes also aren't listed as water resistant, but unless I completely submerged my foot in water, they always kept me dry.
This sneakerboot/hiking boot subcategory has been sweetspot for comfort and durability for me for a while. I picked up a couple pair of Nike React SFB Carbons about a year ago and the first pair has held up well. I wouldn't mind seeing some put through your brand of science. They are chock full of gimickey jargon on the shoe and the packaging.
I did a 10 Mile hike up and down Mount Lukens in California in these and loved every minute of it. The boost felt like walking on clouds the whole time. Overall, I have put probably about 200 miles on my pair.
Love this series! 😍 I would like to know more about long-term durability. An abrasion test on both the soles and the uppers would be nice as would a delamination test of the soles to the uppers.
Would it be a dumb idea to apply that toe goop to the foam sides for added protection? The "toe goop" I'm referring to is usually used on steal toe work boots. Or like maybe flex seal would work perhaps? Obviously I would tape off the parts of the boot that are not side foam. just a thought.
I have the terrex free hiker 2 gtx and I love them so much. The soles are very comfortable for hiking, but what's even better is that they have room for your toes to expand without looking ridiculously wide like some other wide brands
love this channel, its so informative and useful if u care about the history of materials and form vs function. Would still love for u to cut apart some high end fashion stuff like Rick Owens or Guidi or Carol Christian Poell, be great to find out if we're paying for leather quality or just the name. thanks keep up the best work!
I have a pair of the previous model that I got in the outlets, bargains can be had if you look about as the price is very steep. Not sure if it is just me though but the sizing of these is well off, I went a full size up as they’re very tight
I own this exact pair. I wore them for Coachella 2023. I put about 45 miles on them that weekend. I did buy better hiking specific insoles for them and that made them even more comfortable. These boots were super comfortable and I did not have issues with them. Keep in mind that I walked on flat grass at the polo field that Coachella is held at, so it wasn't a ton of wear and tear. There is a known issue for this model at the back of the out sole. The brown outsole will slightly start to separate from the boost foam.
Hey, I think cutting some off-road motorcycle boots like Gaerne SG-12 would be awesome. Stitch down construction, Italian leather, tons of crazy plastic materials and a ton of high level engineering for safety and performance etc all for the price of a nicks boot. It would be awesome to see inside them.
I've been using these boots for over a year and a half or two now. They are a snug fit. Get your size or a half size up. They are very warm. I end up grabbing my other work boots bc of how warm these can get all day. If I do use these I have to take them off periodically to dry up the sweat. They are super comfy though. Especially for lots of walking so I do wear them all the time outside of work. They have a unique color so I get random compliments on them often.
I got the free hikers 2 on heavy discount. They are amazingly comfortable and beautiful. I’m not a serious hiker (I go on hikes in different conditions, but not that often) and that’s probably the target customer
Bought these in June. I was lucky enough to get them for $165 instead of $200 something. I’m a garbage man in NYC, btw. I thought they were great, however it’s now November and while they haven’t reached the point of complete unusability, for safety and comfort reasons also just being a good time to buy things being Black Friday sale time; I need to move on. Basically what happens is the plastic on the sides peels off pretty quick and then the rubber outsole on the bottom is just too damn thin to last any longer than 4-5 months of continuous everyday use for hard work. Also the tongue isn’t gusseted at all so although it’s waterproof water and debris does eventually get in through the top. They do dry very fast though. If you can find someone to re-sole them for $50 or less and you can get them cheaper than $200 I’d say give em a try. This goes for the free hiker 2.0s as well because it’s basically the same.
These are the most comfortable hiking boots I've ever had and it's not close. They also are extremely waterproof and support my ankle better than other boots too
“Casual hiker” is accurate. Interesting how the philosophy of hiking footwear has changed over the decades. The 90’s it was thick sole with a heel and thick rigged leather upper for protection and stability especially when backpacking. Does boost soles hold up in extreme temperatures and weight, 190 lb person carrying a 45 lb pack over ten miles in a day. Definitely worthwhile to test boost tech for military applications because the benefits could mean less wear and tear and injuries to soldiers joints and backs.
Used a pair of these for some long hikes (50km+ a day). Loved the boost, found they squished my pinky a bit, the lugs wore out too quickly (hiked maybe 300-400km in them and they're done), upper held up perfectly, and I'm never wearing a gore-tex boot or shoe for distance again but that's not their fault. (Fast to dry > slow to wet)
The Adidas Swift Gortex are Amazing shoes! I buy the locut hikers! I wear daily, they are great for my size! im 6'3 350 pounds, great support and last over a year,
I just have the regular Free Hikers, not the ones from this video, but my opinions are pretty much the same. Super comfortable, although a slight bit more stiff than my Yeezys or Ultraboosts, althought i would not consider them a boot i would bring on a a trip more serious than a casual mountain hike. I live Minnesota so we get quite a bit of snow and other similar weather so these are GREAT for the environment I live in, they've gotten quite a bit of wear from me. Price-wise, I definitely think $250 is steep, especially considering I ALSO paid that much for mine and the pair in the video looks to be a much better version...
Please include Danner Tachyon! It’s marketed as a tactical boot, but fits into this category well. I’ve bought 6 pairs consecutively. They only last me a year of wear, but they are incredible light and comfortable !
I have the forces edition of the Salomon Quest 4D GTX boots and they're incredibly comfortable, they're the only boots I've worn that I haven't had to break in before wearing them for work. You should absolutely cut a pair of the forces or standard ones apart
Would be interested to see how Vans' hiking boots stack up to this line up. They make some good snow boots/shoes in their MTX range, plus their snowboarding boots are popular in the snowboarding world.
I’m just about to replace my freehiker 1 that I got just over a year ago. Great boots but after walking roughly 3 miles everyday on rough tarmac and gravel, beach and woodland, I’ve worn all the tread down and the soles are detaching ( perhaps saltwater causing that). They’re extremely comfortable and the only shoe I could wear with an inflamed tendon (Morton’s neuroma) I had to size up
I’m super interested in the Crispi Attiva Mid GTX. Possibly picking some up this year. I would replace the Altra Olympus 5 Hike with the Lone Peak Mids. I’ve used 3 pairs of these for 4 years of hunting in Montana, Idaho, and the south east and have been awesome! I’d send you a used pair if you’d like.
Would be interested in the Haix Black Eagle Athletic 2.0 GTX to be cut apart. There is a version with Suede or Nubuckleather. They are made in Europe and cost about ~150€. Thanks!
It is incorrect that Adidas had boost first in it's shoes, Puma actually had a previous contract with BASF and used the foam in it's shoes, but in 2011 Adidas scored an exclusive contract for the patented material and in 2013 they released the boost line. So while it wasn't called boost before, it was used in different shoes of another brand.
a few weeks ago i NEEDED a new pair of hiking boots, went to REI and left the store with a pair of Solomon X Ultra 360 Edge. several weeks of hiking in the later, i love them. took nothing to break in, comfortable, secure, light. my only complaint is the top speed eyelet sucks and 3 or 4 times my other foot shoelace loop caught in it and i almost died, and yet it's sort of difficult to lace on purpose. anyway. i overall love them and wonder what you would think of them.
Had a terrex free hiker - it was 70% off online, so I bought my size and it was a mistake. Runs so big it was a whole size bigger, could not use it, ended up selling it. Good shoe, comfortable and all, but sizing was way off and found out many people had this problem.
Would you be able to do a video of personalizing your version of a perfect hiking shoes/boots based off of the types of material you will use for outsole, midsole, leather vs synthetics, gtx or other waterproof brands and how high the gusseted tongue is ideal? Looking forward to it should that ever happens.
What are the newer cushions that compare to boost? My old knees need it. I still wear boost exclusively for running and basketball. Sometimes even just casually
haglöfs solid pro gtx seems like it would compare well. Leather upper but VERY comfortable insole, still supportive enough for a 60 pound backpack in rough terrain.
I ran into a different issue with Terrex, that I have wider feet but the Terrex are designed narrow so the raised bit that's designed for arch support sits in a really uncomfortable spot for me
I know goral practiced with only cxl but can we privately request a custom smug using a different leather, my luck is terrible so i know i wont win the cxl lottery once the leather fully breaks in and i would prefer a leather with less stretch.
Check out some La Sportiva boots. I think it would be interesting to see those cut apart. I have the La Sportiva Synthesis boots, which I think are discontinued now, but I'd love to see another model dissected.
I have six pairs of terrex boots. I've asked you for a while to do a video on the terrex boots. I have the Gore-Tex originals and then I have the gore text 2.0s and then five more pairs of 2.0s with 2.0s are more comfortable than the ones that you were cutting apart right now you should try them they're even better than the ones you have with you now
I bought a pair of these boots and the cushioning and comfort was amazing. I loved them but I had to return them. It was a fight to get my feet in I’m not sure why I don’t have high arches but just couldn’t get them in an off without doing myself an injury
Hiked the Appalachian Trail with 3 pairs of the Terrex. Each lasted about 700 miles before having to be replaced. (Which is decent mileage for a shoe on the AT) Each one failed at that stupid cut out on the bottom of the shoe to show off the rock bar or whatever TF they want to call it. Overall they were comfortable. The Continental sole is just "OK". I would rather have a Vibram sole. I really think the shoe would have lasted 1000 milles if they did not have that dumb cut out on the bottom. The sole would break in half anywhere from 150-300 miles. I would continue hiking in the busted shoes, although still comfortable and reliable until they would just fall apart at the problem area. Unfortunately from hiking the AT my feet are now widened and flatter. Anything but a 0 (zero) drop shoe gives me plantar fasciitis; Which leaves the companies to choose from lack luster.
These things seem really nice, but I can't really get past how thin the outsoles are. They don't seem like they'd last more than a season of hiking at best so I'd probably end up never wearing them outside the city. For $100 I'd be willing to repurchase, but for $200-250 the durability just isn't there. Hopefully they'll update the design with this in mind.
I've been wearing the non-Boost Terrex shoes for a few years now for work and they are so comfortable for all day wear. I was working security at a warehouse and would walk around all day and would still wear them off site and around town for almost 8-10 miles a day. Can you do a cut on these regular Terrex trail shoes and see what makes them so great? Only other thing going for some of them is the Continental Tire rubber soles but idk.
Why are the smugs limited time only? I can only afford what I can afford when I can afford it; but that doesn't mean I won't be interested in purchasing them later. Why not have more consistent manufacturing? Quality footwear is difficult to find, the demand should always be there.
Can you recommend pu foams for diy running shoes that are available to the public? It would also be nice if you'd make a video about different shore hardnesses, show what they are made for and how they behave. ❤❤❤
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do you have a vid going into more detail like what to do about getting them re soled and the sizes youre going to offer up to?
I need a pretty wide shoe, will there be wide options?
Will these be offered in larger sizes? I'm a size 15 US and would love a pair.
But are they foot shaped? Or that pointy cram your toes together.....
This channel significantly lacks content on police duty boots and protective toe work boots!
I have those exact boots. Definitely comfortable but not durable at all. I used mine for work in winter though. Never for hiking so my opinion is not completely fair.
I use them to wash my car same pair! Excellent for cutting grass and climbing ladders 😅 chore boots
@@luisleonchicago yeah for sure. Probably great for campsites too!
They're not durable? What happened that damaged them?
@@VENOM99099I’m thinking not durable against snags and scrapes from work, but good lightweight boot for developed trail systems for day trips. Won’t give ankle support that’s sometimes needed with a backpacking though.
@@VENOM99099 the boost itself is just foam. The first thing that went was the actual waterproof liner. The outsole is the same as an ultraboost shoe. Very thin for a boot. The laces are normal shoe laces. I used mine for snow removal. Don’t get it twisted,It’s extremely comfortable. Mine lasted for one snow season so now i just use them when im riding my drz. I got mine on discount for like 120.
No, it’s not the boost that keeps you from feeling the rocks. It’s the Continental rubber with the larger lugs. I’ve hiked in ultra boost, and I hiked in the continental rubber with the large lugs. The larger lugs on the terrex help with digging into the dirt so you don’t slip and rock that are poking out on the dirt the boost is just there for that comfort and every step.
I own 3 pairs of terrex boots with Boost. The Gore-Tex hiking boot high tops, the Gore-Tex winter version and I just bought a pair of the Gore-Tex low top version to wear during summer and spring. All of them are really comfortable for me being on my feet 8 hours a day and logging in 10 miles+ of walking everyday at work. It's not the MOST comfy cushioning but it still is really good.
You got me at "your foot isn't going to touch any synthetics". The world needs more people like you! ❤👍
My 60 year old feet are thankful for the Terrex Boost line. The Made with Nature versions are my all around urban exploration, yard work and light hiking shoes. I slipped on a brand new pair the day before 5-10 mile days in airports and around Chicago in March. Then I went hiking in them. Haters are gonna hate, though.
I'll be honest no matter how great they feel I don't think there is a reasonable excuse why these things cost $250. made with some of the cheapest labor available(china) and made with already cheap (not necessarily bad but low cost) materials. at best these things should cost $120
@@dominuslogik484 i got some second hand but pretty mint for 70$ and have used these everyday for two years straight, because of how confortable they are. Just like any other brand, you'd be stupid to pay full price for it, unless you're a mindless consumer that needs "this season fashion" and you deserve the hole in your pockets.
@@dominuslogik484 Where is your iPhone made and how much did it cost?
@@jessegpresley I don't use an I-Phone I use an Asus Rog 7. It is made in Taiwan and the components plus labor equal out to pretty close to 400$ per device which when you account for international shipping and markup so you can make a profit the price tag of $1,000 is actually very fair.
Unlike these shoes made of approximately 1-2$ of materials made in a Chinese factory where the workers are paid less than 20$ a day so these things likely cost no more than about 30-40$ after shipping to the u.s and everything else but that markup is insane for what is basically a sneaker.
@@dominuslogik484I mean. Affordable running shoes, tho still by Nike Adidas and so on, gonna be 40-60 euro here in Germany. Their more expensive fancy options 100-140. Sometimes for no visible reason. Pick em or don't. Kinda specialty things like hard soled lifting shoes... Certainly no more expensive to produce, are more likely to be 120-150. So. I'd get the logic between costing 130-170 euro for some watertight, being a boot n all. So. 180-200 dollars. Not 200.
Bought a pair of these 5 years ago and never looked back! Highly recommend
One thing I forgot.. I wear my terex 2.0 at work and my job varies so much that I need a boot that can handle construction sites but that can also walk 40 to 50,000 steps a day.. some days I can do 30 mi ... So we can handle all those miles like a running sneaker I have worn it to climb trees and I've also worn it in water and I'm don't have much body fat so I don't really float but when I have these boots on I actually float I thought that was so crazy neat when it first discovered that.. this is easily one of the most versatile boots I've ever worn The only thing it doesn't have is a steel toe but you can't put that in that kind of boot but other than that this thing can do everything that a boot and a sneaker can do
Best sole ever, have a pair and it’s never failed me, yet I do not have sore feet even walking for many many hours in boost
I have owned 3 pairs of the Terrex Free Hikers, they're just great all around sneaker boots. I got them for hiking, but they're great in the rain, they've been my go to "rain footwear". I have the regular GTX version with me at work today. That Continental rubber just grips every surface.
You must not actually hike much because they are trash and won't last 1 full month on a thru hike.
@@adventureswiththecrazyvet they are for the inner city hiking enthusiast who probably 'hikes' well beaten or even paved trails a short drive from the city and in a public park. kinda ridiculous that you would need to pay 250 bucks for a shoe that at best has a cost of around $30 to make including labor since its made of some of the cheapest available materials and some of the cheapest available labor.
@@dominuslogik484 And rose sells a leather belt for$660 and a leather wallet for 383. When you could get a leather belt made cheaper for like 200 or less. and a wallet for 140 or 80. So .
@@zeparagonze6148 yeah but their stuff is made in the u.s with high quality leather. That is a far cry from foam and rubber with a bit of polyester cloth and nylon.
@@dominuslogik484 Until there's competition there won't be price changes. And they are extra $70 for shipping and storage and retial mark ups so they don't cost $30 for those you buy from.
I love my terrex so much I bought several pairs so that when I run one into the ground and have to chuck them I have spares as backup. Very comfy and very sturdy hiking sneaker. However, I do find they wear away very quickly in the bottom on the continental out-sole as well as with the material on the inside back heel, which often tears away from over-use (I use mine almost every day to hike with my dogs so they do get a good bashing)
There's also one small addition I would add about older foam and maybe why it wasn't used. Back in the 1960s and 1970s especially, foam was around but it wasn't used in things unless it was REALLY thick (such as car seats) or in something that didn't get a lot of repeat pressure (such as battery compartments in electronics).
The simple reason being that type of foam back then if you compressed it repeatedly it either lost it's resilience or fell apart far easier than today as plastics technology wasn't the same of course.
I had electronics and things back then that suffered like this. I also have plenty of vintage electronics from back then that I've had to deal with this older foam. Sure it degrades, obviously, but occasionally you'll come across stuff that's been compressed and didn't hold up.
Rose Anvil, You're the best! I subscribed because I love your content!
In 1986 I bought a pair of Adidas Brown Hiking boots with a wedge sole at a German Mountaineering shop in Garmish .. They were stiff but incredibly comfortable . I wore them often for 20 years and they were extremely durable. I had to finally give them up as they wore out from the inside ! The exterior was almost like new. I wish I could find a new pair.
I still prefer boosts on my running shoes, it lasts longer than most new midsoles on the market today. Chinese brand midsoles are ok too, still
testing them on
You should add the Nike ACG Air Zoom Gaiadome GTX to the modern hiking comparison.
Though a more comparable and comfortable version would be the ACG Mountain Fly High with the squishy react foam.
Adidas Terrex is situated to compete with Nike ACG, and it’d be awesome to get your opinions on how their flagship sneaker boots compare to one another
Also, you need a Salomon hiker in this comparison!
Yes, seconded that we need a Nike Acg Gaiadome boot review!!!!
The only boots that are tall enough in the ankle area in the final list (14:07) are the Adidas Terrex and the Under Armour Hovr.
Other options look more like mid top trail sneakers than boots.
The option that is not present on the list that you might cut is the Hi-Tec / Magnum Ultima 8.0 WP.
I'm not sure if has foam midsole but it's definitley a cushioned sneaker like boot.
I definately need this series, most preferebly also with running in consideration (gets complicated in regard to sweat). Lovely to see
I have been hiking for many years and wore all kind of footwear. I bought a pair of terrex free hikers goretex and I never wore anything else for easy / medium level hikes. The grip of the continental outsole rubber is the best I've seen even on wet surfaces. The comfort of the boost is great and helps me endure longer hikes without the usual soreness on specific places. I don't get the issue with the "rock feeling". I feel them well enough and I have no desire to feel them more. That's why I wear shoes. They're also flexible enough if I want to trail run a bit. Try this with harder hiking boots... Evidently I am not using these if I want to go for harsh terrain on extreme weather. But for a general purpose hiking boot, they're the best I've had.
I got the freehiker low top version 2's about 2 and a half months ago just for work. I owned a pair of hokas bondi 8's and my hokas fell apart after 2 months. Before the hokas it a pair of asics (cant remember model) and after 2 months they also shredded around the edge and top. I work in a shop so when I'm on my knees stocking shelves I think it rubs on the top and shreds the material. The addidas trainers have held up extremely well with no damage, still water proof and no tearing and even though they have more weight than previous trainers they're still extremely comfortable.
I think as work trainers they're brilliant. I have taken them on light trails and they still hold up. I think serious hikers and people in heavy duty environments are better off with durable boots. However as general purpose trainers I think these are a good buy.
Thanks for the review, I work in a liquor store, pushing around cases with my boots, on my feet all day, on my hands and knees a lot. I'll try these out.
I've been wearing Salomon x ultra pioneers for a couple years now and they're great but I think they're being discontinued and they wear out pretty quick. That said I like them, they're comfy even after a long day, and I wear them at work and on the trails on weekends.
I love the Adidas Terrax boots range overall. Bought my son a few pairs. His favourite's were a pair of hiking boots with Boa laces. But it has to be said I don't find them comfortable. They fit narrow and have a tapered toe box. With my bunions I struggle to find to find wide toe box footwear that don't appear clownish
I have a wide foot too. I think the anatomical shoes look better on feet. Those pointy shoes are dumb in my opinion. Our feet aren't pointed!
I have some Terrex Agravic Pro Trail's with the BOA lacing system. I also have wide feet, and these shoes have an extremely snug upper, like it was a real fight trying to pull them on for the first 6 weeks, but I did have sufficient room in the toe-box, barely. However I was having significant pain on the bottom of my foot prior to wearing the Terrex for work, and within about a week, my foot pain had subsided, thanks to the rigid stability of the Adidas Terrex. The shoes also aren't listed as water resistant, but unless I completely submerged my foot in water, they always kept me dry.
When I seriously liked the look of these boots and been waiting for this video.
This sneakerboot/hiking boot subcategory has been sweetspot for comfort and durability for me for a while. I picked up a couple pair of Nike React SFB Carbons about a year ago and the first pair has held up well. I wouldn't mind seeing some put through your brand of science. They are chock full of gimickey jargon on the shoe and the packaging.
I did a 10 Mile hike up and down Mount Lukens in California in these and loved every minute of it. The boost felt like walking on clouds the whole time. Overall, I have put probably about 200 miles on my pair.
Love this series! 😍 I would like to know more about long-term durability. An abrasion test on both the soles and the uppers would be nice as would a delamination test of the soles to the uppers.
Would it be a dumb idea to apply that toe goop to the foam sides for added protection? The "toe goop" I'm referring to is usually used on steal toe work boots. Or like maybe flex seal would work perhaps? Obviously I would tape off the parts of the boot that are not side foam. just a thought.
Adidas Terrex Free Hiker GTX line are my favorite boots especially in the harsh east coast winters. Super high tech sneaker boot. I love them.
I have the terrex free hiker 2 gtx and I love them so much. The soles are very comfortable for hiking, but what's even better is that they have room for your toes to expand without looking ridiculously wide like some other wide brands
love this channel, its so informative and useful if u care about the history of materials and form vs function. Would still love for u to cut apart some high end fashion stuff like Rick Owens or Guidi or Carol Christian Poell, be great to find out if we're paying for leather quality or just the name. thanks keep up the best work!
I have a pair of the previous model that I got in the outlets, bargains can be had if you look about as the price is very steep. Not sure if it is just me though but the sizing of these is well off, I went a full size up as they’re very tight
For me boost foam is amazing but when you rock them in rocks and stones really fast going apart…
I own this exact pair. I wore them for Coachella 2023. I put about 45 miles on them that weekend. I did buy better hiking specific insoles for them and that made them even more comfortable. These boots were super comfortable and I did not have issues with them. Keep in mind that I walked on flat grass at the polo field that Coachella is held at, so it wasn't a ton of wear and tear. There is a known issue for this model at the back of the out sole. The brown outsole will slightly start to separate from the boost foam.
Hey, I think cutting some off-road motorcycle boots like Gaerne SG-12 would be awesome. Stitch down construction, Italian leather, tons of crazy plastic materials and a ton of high level engineering for safety and performance etc all for the price of a nicks boot. It would be awesome to see inside them.
That silver material is cool... I dont know what it is but i need a shirt made out of that material
I've been using these boots for over a year and a half or two now.
They are a snug fit. Get your size or a half size up.
They are very warm.
I end up grabbing my other work boots bc of how warm these can get all day. If I do use these I have to take them off periodically to dry up the sweat.
They are super comfy though. Especially for lots of walking so I do wear them all the time outside of work.
They have a unique color so I get random compliments on them often.
I have an old pair of Adidas sneakers that have good year rubber outsoles on them. They resemble car tread.
I kicked a board with my steel toe workboots and a bump came up under my foot. Have I dented the steel shank? Is it fixable?
Legit I been waiting on this one for years
I actually lost hope that he'll start a series for hiking/climbing boots...this is the best year so far.
Please do a review about Nike ACG Mountainfly GTX. I really wanna know does it really contain Carbon Fibre or is it just a gimmick.
I haven't seen you test any slippers or sandals yet.
In my experience the Terrex shoes are nice and comfortable but the soles wear down quick. Especially the knobly bits.
I got the free hikers 2 on heavy discount. They are amazingly comfortable and beautiful. I’m not a serious hiker (I go on hikes in different conditions, but not that often) and that’s probably the target customer
I own the Adidas Terrex Agravic Pro Trail low-tops with the Continental brand rubber, and I do highly recommend them for great traction and stability.
Bought these in June. I was lucky enough to get them for $165 instead of $200 something. I’m a garbage man in NYC, btw. I thought they were great, however it’s now November and while they haven’t reached the point of complete unusability, for safety and comfort reasons also just being a good time to buy things being Black Friday sale time; I need to move on. Basically what happens is the plastic on the sides peels off pretty quick and then the rubber outsole on the bottom is just too damn thin to last any longer than 4-5 months of continuous everyday use for hard work. Also the tongue isn’t gusseted at all so although it’s waterproof water and debris does eventually get in through the top. They do dry very fast though. If you can find someone to re-sole them for $50 or less and you can get them cheaper than $200 I’d say give em a try. This goes for the free hiker 2.0s as well because it’s basically the same.
Dear Rose Anvil, please make quality leather suspenders with the logo on the inside. (Attempt number #15 I think)
The explanation of boost reminds of Hexalite tech in Reebok products.
Terrex Free Hiker with Gore-Tex is just so comfortable and versatile that I wear it almost whole winter
These are the most comfortable hiking boots I've ever had and it's not close. They also are extremely waterproof and support my ankle better than other boots too
Man you haven’t mentioned to cut the basic adidas ultraboost 1.0 !!!
I would love to see you add the Salomon Ultra 4 Mid GTX. A large percentage of reviewers on say those are the best hiking boot you can buy.
“Casual hiker” is accurate. Interesting how the philosophy of hiking footwear has changed over the decades. The 90’s it was thick sole with a heel and thick rigged leather upper for protection and stability especially when backpacking. Does boost soles hold up in extreme temperatures and weight, 190 lb person carrying a 45 lb pack over ten miles in a day. Definitely worthwhile to test boost tech for military applications because the benefits could mean less wear and tear and injuries to soldiers joints and backs.
Used a pair of these for some long hikes (50km+ a day). Loved the boost, found they squished my pinky a bit, the lugs wore out too quickly (hiked maybe 300-400km in them and they're done), upper held up perfectly, and I'm never wearing a gore-tex boot or shoe for distance again but that's not their fault. (Fast to dry > slow to wet)
The Adidas Swift Gortex are Amazing shoes! I buy the locut hikers! I wear daily, they are great for my size! im 6'3 350 pounds, great support and last over a year,
I just have the regular Free Hikers, not the ones from this video, but my opinions are pretty much the same. Super comfortable, although a slight bit more stiff than my Yeezys or Ultraboosts, althought i would not consider them a boot i would bring on a a trip more serious than a casual mountain hike. I live Minnesota so we get quite a bit of snow and other similar weather so these are GREAT for the environment I live in, they've gotten quite a bit of wear from me. Price-wise, I definitely think $250 is steep, especially considering I ALSO paid that much for mine and the pair in the video looks to be a much better version...
Man, I have the Ultraboost Star Wars edition and Let me tell you that without doubts this is the best shoes I EVER wore. 6 yrs now and still alive.
I'd really like to see The North Face x Gucci hiking boots.
I like lining because gives the shoes a better shape on the exterior, and feels way better overall. So no lining no go
Can you test the ROA andreas boots?
Please include Danner Tachyon! It’s marketed as a tactical boot, but fits into this category well. I’ve bought 6 pairs consecutively. They only last me a year of wear, but they are incredible light and comfortable !
I have the forces edition of the Salomon Quest 4D GTX boots and they're incredibly comfortable, they're the only boots I've worn that I haven't had to break in before wearing them for work. You should absolutely cut a pair of the forces or standard ones apart
Please test Last Resort AB any of their shoes.
Would be interested to see how Vans' hiking boots stack up to this line up. They make some good snow boots/shoes in their MTX range, plus their snowboarding boots are popular in the snowboarding world.
I’m just about to replace my freehiker 1 that I got just over a year ago. Great boots but after walking roughly 3 miles everyday on rough tarmac and gravel, beach and woodland, I’ve worn all the tread down and the soles are detaching ( perhaps saltwater causing that).
They’re extremely comfortable and the only shoe I could wear with an inflamed tendon (Morton’s neuroma)
I had to size up
I’m super interested in the Crispi Attiva Mid GTX. Possibly picking some up this year.
I would replace the Altra Olympus 5 Hike with the Lone Peak Mids. I’ve used 3 pairs of these for 4 years of hunting in Montana, Idaho, and the south east and have been awesome! I’d send you a used pair if you’d like.
I want the Smugs. Not immediately clear how they're different from the Goral Stanley.
I love these boots been rocking em for a minute the only complaint is the thin sole you can easily feel rocks or sticks on a heavy hike
Haven't seen any hiker/tourist wearing these boots :) But thanks for the advertising.
I really enjoyed their Terrex in "Utility Green" colorway. Looks great, has a neat outsole.
Also good to note: Continental is a tire company, they are really high quality car tires
Would be interested in the Haix Black Eagle Athletic 2.0 GTX to be cut apart. There is a version with Suede or Nubuckleather. They are made in Europe and cost about ~150€. Thanks!
It is incorrect that Adidas had boost first in it's shoes, Puma actually had a previous contract with BASF and used the foam in it's shoes, but in 2011 Adidas scored an exclusive contract for the patented material and in 2013 they released the boost line. So while it wasn't called boost before, it was used in different shoes of another brand.
The new ones are the Adidas Terrex free hiker 2.0. I heard really great things about them, but I can't wear them unfortunately due to heel slip.
a few weeks ago i NEEDED a new pair of hiking boots, went to REI and left the store with a pair of Solomon X Ultra 360 Edge. several weeks of hiking in the later, i love them. took nothing to break in, comfortable, secure, light. my only complaint is the top speed eyelet sucks and 3 or 4 times my other foot shoelace loop caught in it and i almost died, and yet it's sort of difficult to lace on purpose. anyway. i overall love them and wonder what you would think of them.
Free idea for bootmakers: Heritage boot that uses boost foam instead of cork for the void caused by the goodyear welt.
Nice video as usual. Please review Meindl Vakuum GTX Walking Boots
Kenetrek boots would be nice to see cut open and 405 Redwing, one of the most popular work boots in their line
12:28 yo imagine a boost foam mattress aha thatd be 🔥
I like floatride.. some more than other's but imo theyre just amazing.
Had a terrex free hiker - it was 70% off online, so I bought my size and it was a mistake. Runs so big it was a whole size bigger, could not use it, ended up selling it. Good shoe, comfortable and all, but sizing was way off and found out many people had this problem.
Would you be able to do a video of personalizing your version of a perfect hiking shoes/boots based off of the types of material you will use for outsole, midsole, leather vs synthetics, gtx or other waterproof brands and how high the gusseted tongue is ideal? Looking forward to it should that ever happens.
the silver stuff is anti microbial mesh infused with actual silver for its anti bacterial nature
Honestly every adidas terrex product I’ve had has been great, jackets and shoes
What are the newer cushions that compare to boost? My old knees need it. I still wear boost exclusively for running and basketball. Sometimes even just casually
haglöfs solid pro gtx seems like it would compare well. Leather upper but VERY comfortable insole, still supportive enough for a 60 pound backpack in rough terrain.
I ran into a different issue with Terrex, that I have wider feet but the Terrex are designed narrow so the raised bit that's designed for arch support sits in a really uncomfortable spot for me
I know goral practiced with only cxl but can we privately request a custom smug using a different leather, my luck is terrible so i know i wont win the cxl lottery once the leather fully breaks in and i would prefer a leather with less stretch.
Check out some La Sportiva boots. I think it would be interesting to see those cut apart. I have the La Sportiva Synthesis boots, which I think are discontinued now, but I'd love to see another model dissected.
I have six pairs of terrex boots. I've asked you for a while to do a video on the terrex boots. I have the Gore-Tex originals and then I have the gore text 2.0s and then five more pairs of 2.0s with 2.0s are more comfortable than the ones that you were cutting apart right now you should try them they're even better than the ones you have with you now
Terrex free hikers are amazing. I love them for range day.
You should do a video on the Jordan 1 Gore-Tex to see if there is any difference in the quality of it and if there is really any major differences.
I bought a pair of these boots and the cushioning and comfort was amazing. I loved them but I had to return them. It was a fight to get my feet in I’m not sure why I don’t have high arches but just couldn’t get them in an off without doing myself an injury
Hiked the Appalachian Trail with 3 pairs of the Terrex. Each lasted about 700 miles before having to be replaced. (Which is decent mileage for a shoe on the AT) Each one failed at that stupid cut out on the bottom of the shoe to show off the rock bar or whatever TF they want to call it. Overall they were comfortable. The Continental sole is just "OK". I would rather have a Vibram sole. I really think the shoe would have lasted 1000 milles if they did not have that dumb cut out on the bottom. The sole would break in half anywhere from 150-300 miles. I would continue hiking in the busted shoes, although still comfortable and reliable until they would just fall apart at the problem area.
Unfortunately from hiking the AT my feet are now widened and flatter. Anything but a 0 (zero) drop shoe gives me plantar fasciitis; Which leaves the companies to choose from lack luster.
These things seem really nice, but I can't really get past how thin the outsoles are. They don't seem like they'd last more than a season of hiking at best so I'd probably end up never wearing them outside the city. For $100 I'd be willing to repurchase, but for $200-250 the durability just isn't there. Hopefully they'll update the design with this in mind.
I've been wearing the non-Boost Terrex shoes for a few years now for work and they are so comfortable for all day wear. I was working security at a warehouse and would walk around all day and would still wear them off site and around town for almost 8-10 miles a day. Can you do a cut on these regular Terrex trail shoes and see what makes them so great? Only other thing going for some of them is the Continental Tire rubber soles but idk.
Why are the smugs limited time only? I can only afford what I can afford when I can afford it; but that doesn't mean I won't be interested in purchasing them later.
Why not have more consistent manufacturing? Quality footwear is difficult to find, the demand should always be there.
Can you recommend pu foams for diy running shoes that are available to the public?
It would also be nice if you'd make a video about different shore hardnesses, show what they are made for and how they behave.
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Could you maybe cut up Jack Wolfskin Vojo 3? They're on the budget end of hiking boots.
Just bought your handmade belt. I now feel the need to buy calipers to see just how mfn THICC this thing is
That material lining the boot is the goretex membrane
I would love to see the Hoka One One Speedgoat Mid Gtx and the Altra Lone Peak Mid Gtx cut in half.
I don’t care if they suck or not I love them and they never did me wrong. They’re for day hikes.