Road Trail Run: Outdoor Retailer: 2016 adidas Outdoor-XT Boost, Response Trail Boost, Agravic, Skychaser, Trailmaker, Kanadia 8 TR

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Outdoor Retailer: 2016 adidas Outdoor-XT Boost, Response Trail Boost, Agravic, Skychaser, Trailmaker, Kanadia 8 TR

adidas XT Boost 2016

adidas Outdoor has had incredible trail running shoes the past two years but unfortunately in limited distribution. The XT Boost which continues for 2016 in a neat new color. It was my light trail shoe of the year. The gaiter sock extension is super functional for debris and for keeping snow out. The Response Boost Trail also largely unchanged my was trail/road hybrid of the year. My 2015 Favorites with links to reviews of both here.

adidas Response Boost Trail Women's

But adidas had more to show at OR...
Update: Full review of the Agravic and Agravic GTX here

Launching in February the Agravic, a $135 Boost midsole 11.1oz 315gram lighter cousin to the 11.5oz 325gram Terrex Boost now renamed the Skychaser. Agravic has a 5.5mm Continental rubber lugs with 24.5mm heel/18mm forefoot, 6.5mm drop stack, whereas the Skychaser has 4.5mm lugs 23.5mm heel/17.5mm forefoot, 6mm drop. I have a pair and will be reviewing in February. Essentially Agravic is very similar to the Terrex/Skychaser but with a somewhat lighter, more forgiving upper with fewer overlays, particularly in the fore foot where the Terrex Boost(review here) was quite snug where last lace and firm overlay to the midsole met. I worry a bit about the cord laces catching on roots and rocks. Also available in GoreTex, Agravic GTX version 12.5oz/355grams, $150.

adidas Agravic

Terrex Trailmaker GTX is a new shoe. 11.3oz/320grams, so lighter than Agravic GTX by more than an ounce. Quite light for a full Gore-Tex shoe. No Boost it has an EVA midsole. Continental rubber outsole with 4mm lugs. $140.
The non Gore-Tex Terrex Trailmaker is 10.4oz/295grams, 24mm heel.16mm forefoot, 8 mm drop . $115. Both very interesting shoes given protective uppers, good sized lugs and low weight.

adidas Terrex Trailmaker GTX

Finally adidas showed us a complete redo of their value trail runner the Kanadia 8 TR. It's a super sharp looking 9.7oz shoe with 27mm heel/ 19 mm forefoot, 8mm drop, 4mm lugs and a great price of $80. No rock plate but lugs and midsole should provide sufficient protection for most trails. Strangely the Gore-Tex version, the Kanadia 7 Trail GTX,12.8oz/364 grams is a completely different shoe based on an older Kanadia 7.