adidas Terrex Swift R3, Men's Terrex Swift R3 Mid GTX®

Product Information

If the show is waterproof but does not include GTX, then it uses other materials for its waterproofing. Is Gore-tex the only waterproof fabric?

That stiff midfoot provides a great platform on sloping terrain, just like a boot where you can use the edge to cut into the turf (albeit less successfully than a boot due to the lesser ankle support). The ankle support may not be quite up to boot-level, but it is certainly unusually good for a hiking shoe. The cushioned midsole adds a plushness to the ride, which is also enhanced by that stiffening armour, which lets you float over the rough stuff with ease. After comprehensive lab tests and putting a number of waterproof hiking shoes through their paces, we declare that the Merrell Moab 3 GTX is the most comfortable Gore-Tex hiking shoe! They are delightfully comfortable straight out of the box, keep our feet completely dry on our wet hikes, and are designed with wear and tear in mind. One big improvement in the design of the R3 compared to its predecessor is the traditional lacing system which has replaced the pull-tab drawstring of the R2. There is also the addition of a wider set of eyelets at the bottom of this design, which allows the shoe to be pulled in more tightly around the top of the forefoot, giving a more secure and personalised fit. This is a feature I’m particularly impressed with because I have very thin feet and it allows me to adjust and tighten the laces for extra precision. Tipping the scales at just 11.4 oz (323g), this shoe is 2.5 oz (72g) lighter than the average for this category. We found it most noticeable on our longer hikes when our legs had plenty of energy to spare at the end of the day.The Merrell Moab Speed GTX is a master of protection. We measured 4.2 mm of extra material under the heel compared to average, and 0.6 mm below the forefoot. Rather than feeling clunky, it is neatly balanced by a softer midsole, which absorbs impact. Our durometer readings showed a squishy 22.5 HA, significantly softer than the average of 30.7 HA. Such plush cushioning keeps our feet feeling fresher for longer. From the moment we put them on, the Adidas Terrex shoes felt stiffer compared to the other hiking shoes we tried. When worn on its own, the Swift's synthetic and cloth top is unyielding, and we discovered that the ankle collar gave the foot great support. 2. Withstanding submersion in water Both the Free Hiker and Swift R3 hiking shoes feature the trusted Continental™ rubber grip on the outsole, a standard feature of all adidas Terrex trail shoes. However, the Swift R3 has a slightly more aggressive grip pattern and a slightly deeper lug. Both models have a 10mm drop but the outsole is divided into two parts on the R3 with a deeper heel than the Free Hiker. Gore-tex membranes are now synonymous with waterproof shoes. So much so that many attribute any shoe marketed was waterproof to be Gore-tex; however, that may not be true. Some hiking shoe manufacturers will use different waterproof technology. The toe-box has a particularly wide set of lace eyelets, which helps pull that area in tight, and it’s easy to get a good fit without fiddling around with the lacing too much, which is aided by the friction of the tube-style lace grommets. The top pair of eyelets are nicely-finished aluminium through-rivets, which should stand up to a lot of punishment.

All the stiffness might sound scary but the shoe is actually quite flexible, 7% more than the average! We loved this because it let us enjoy the outdoors in more natural strides. With such a plush shoe, it is possible for the stability to be compromised, but the Hoka Anacapa Low GTX has it covered. The widest platform ever to have passed through our lab, the 113.2 mm wide forefoot and 93.1 mm wide heel compensate for the softness of the midsole, making it next to impossible to roll our ankles when hiking on rough trails. A decade later, in 1969, the Gores’ son, Bob Gore, discovered what eventually became known as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, or ePTFE for short. To create ePTFE, Gore stretched the PTFE under certain conditions. What he created was a heat-resistant, hydrophobic, and thin fabric.Our SportsShoes Trail & Hiking ambassador, Ben Mounsey, has been busy putting the adidas TERREX Swift R3 GORE-TEX Walking Shoes to the test. Here he provides a detailed review and compares them to the adidas TERREX Free Hiker. The unique mesh and synthetic materials of the TERREX shoe range contribute to a comfortable foot environment. Perspiration is routed away, to ensure a dry and comfortable shoe even after hours of jogging. Both adiPRENE® and TORSION® provide extra heel or midfoot stability, for traction on all types of surfaces. Even after many hours of exertion, the EVA midsole softly cushions every step. Final verdict This shoe finds the perfect balance in the midsole - not too soft and not too hard. What this means in practice is that we get a good amount of ground feel whilst still keeping our feet protected and supported. We measured the midsole for softness by pressing a durometer to it. No surprises there - it showed 32.5 HA, the average for hiking shoes.