Our Adidas Terrex Agravic Pro Shoes Review details a well trail running shoe with advanced features and Boa closure system. We hope you find it useful.
Introduction
Adidas need little introduction as a footwear manufacturer and their extensive range includes a selection of trail running shoes. They specifically designed the Agravic Pro for long trail runs on rugged terrain.
The shoes feature a deeply lugged Continental outsole and full length carbon fibre plate for underfoot protection. Lightstrike cushioning adds further underfoot comfort and a padded tongue protects the top. Further protection comes from abrasion resistant side, top, heel and toe reinforcement and a neoprene sock liner prevents water and debris creeping in. The Agravic Pro closes with the innovative BOA Fit lacing system. We hope you find our Adidas Terrex Agravic Pro Shoes Review useful and please read on to find out more.
Features
To delve into the features in more depth, let’s consider the elements that make up the Agravic Pro. With trail performance, comfort and protection in mind Adidas have collaborated with Continental and Boa to pick the right tools for the job.
Continental Outsole
Starting from the ground up, there is a Continental outsole with aggressive 5mm lugs. Continental probably need little introduction as a tyre and rubber goods manufacturer with a long history and reputation for producing quality products. The aim of this sole unit is to keep your foot placements secure on any terrain.
Lightstrike Midsole
The Lightstrike midsole, teamed with an embedded carbon fibre plate, is designed to offer the support, comfort and protection needed for longer runs over challenging terrain. The shoes have a high stack height and pronounced rocker with 4mm heel to toe drop. The outsole features a large cut out midsole section designed to minimise weight.
Parley Recycled Ocean Plastic
The top of the shoe is partially built from protective Parley recycled ocean plastic. It is designed to be durable and protective while breathable sections aim to minimise heat build up. There is a padded tongue and a neoprene bootie designed to keep out moisture and trail debris. On our scales the Agravic Pro weighs 332 grams in size 42 (UK 8).
In Use
Appearance
The Agravic Pros are a striking looking shoe. Mainly black with side flashes in blue and pink and Terrex in bold letters along the outer side. They have a wrap around flap which connects up the Boa system and the Boa adjuster sits boldly on the upper outer side. They are stylish and yet not over the top.
The sole unit is also bold in appearance. The chunky lugs of the Continental outsole are a blue and black colour scheme look. Then the cutaway section gives a view up to the midsole. Overall, they are a great looking running shoe.
Fit
Putting the Agravics on is simple. Your foot slides into the sock like body of the shoe and there are tab loops to help if needed. Then, turn the dial of the Boa and the side flap locks your foot with plenty of scope for fine tightness adjustment. When you want your foot out an outward pull on the Boa adjuster loosens the laces.
BOA Fit System
Initial wearing impressions of the shoe are that it has a deep stack height with pronounced sole rocker and substantial side protection. I have significant experience with the BOA Fit system from use in ski boots and more recently in my use of the La Sportiva Cyclon running shoe (my review of those is available to read here). I really rate this system for it’s fine adjustment, speed and performance.
For the Agravic Pro the BOA Fit L6 low profile system is used. This may initially look quite a flimsy option but I have never had a BOA unit fail on any of the footwear I have used it on. BOA also have a huge ambassador testing programme that would have revealed any weaknesses. The only thing to bear in mind with any system of this type is that if it fails in use you won’t have any options for a quick fix. But, accept this and use it and I’m sure you’ll be as hooked as I am. I should mention that fixing it after you get home should be easy as BOA offer great customer service.
The other key advantage of the BOA Fit system is that it allows the lacing system to pull evenly across the foot. However, some reviews I checked out have said that the positioning of the lacing on the Agravic means there isn’t any way to pull the heel of the foot into the heel cup. I haven’t had any problem at all with this and my heel is held securely, but I can see how this might be an issue for some users. I would say it is something to be aware of and try the shoes yourself before diving in. How well it works for you will likely come down to your foot shape and ensuring correct sizing.
Sizing
When reviewing products it isn’t usually possible to try before a range of sizes and so I had to dive in and asked for my normal shoe size of 42 (UK 8). They turned out to be perfect and so I can say that the shoes are true to size in my experience. They are comfortable across the foot and there is enough room at the end of the toes.
Performance
So, how do they perform? From first inspection it is clear the Pro is built for tough terrain wear plenty of foot protection is important. They are a beefy shoe. This is backed up by the weight which, while not overly heavy, doesn’t make them particularly light either.
The Lightstrike midsole does a great job of soaking up the terrain and the Agravics have plenty of bounce. Do be aware, though, that the shoe does feel quite high due to the stack height. You won’t have the trail feel and response you get in thinner soles shoes.
Testing Terrain
My trail runs cover a mix of terrain from loose paths and bouldery trails to grassy and muddy slopes. They also usually include some time on compacted gravel paths and tarmac. The Lightstrike unit provides enough cushioning for these types of ground really well and are a joy to use.
Outsole
The Continental outsole also really suits these types of ground. They grip well on everything from wet boulders to wet grass and loose slopes to Tarmac roads. The deep lugs may take away some speed when they aren’t needed, but again if they suit you they will suit you very well.
The cutaway in the outsole is apparently added to save weight. However, I had seen reports that this was prone to collecting mud and stones and I can see this may happen. My use of the shoes so far has been on dry trails and so mud collection hasn’t been an issue. I also haven’t had a single situation where stones have become wedged in despite many miles on gritstone trails. I can certainly see this being a possibility though so please do be aware.
Carbon Fibre Foot Plate
Many of my runs involve time on loose blocky gritstone trails and the addition of the foot plate and substantial side protection is very welcome. This does add more weight, but it is worth it for users like me. It will also help with longevity which I also appreciate. I have had lightweight trail running shoes get shredded on gritstone blocks. It certainly doesn’t feel like this will be an issue with these.
Summary
I really like these shoes and I rate them. I have really enjoyed testing them for this Adidas Terrex Agravic Pro Shoes Review and will continue enjoying using them. They won’t suit everyone and there has been some negative feedback in other reviews. Some have commented on weight and others on there being too much stiffness in the sole plate. I understand all these viewpoints.
But for the type of running I do they have been great. My runs are mostly completed on technical terrain at a steady pace. I want a performance shoe that will grip really well and maximise my running comfort. I also want my shoes to last well, protect my feet and be user friendly. On all these counts the Agarvic Pros work for me. They aren’t the lightest trail running shoes but they aren’t overly heavy either.
I also love the addition of the BOA Fit system. This is a great option for efficient and reliable lace adjustment. I appreciate the observations from some reviews that the positioning of the system doesn’t secure the heel very efficiently, but that hasn’t been my experience. For me my foot is held securely and I have no movement or heel lift. I highly recommend the Agravic Pros.
Full details on the Adidas Agravic Pro can be found on the Adidas website here. Please also check out details on the BOA Fit system here. My review of the La Sportiva Cyklon Running shoe (which also features the BOA Fit system) is here.