Adidas’s New Trail Running Collection Is Ultrarunner-Tested, Ultrarunner-Approved

Looking for a new trail running kit this summer? Consider Adidas Terrex‘s new trail running release, the Agravic Flow footwear and apparel collection. The collection features a lightweight Windweave Jacket, Shirt and Short set and the Agravic Flow 2 trail running shoe.

Built with versatility and performance in mind, the Agravic Flow 2 received critical design input from Abby Hall, one of the most accomplished ultrarunners on the planet. Over the last five years, Hall has raced around the world, winning second place at both the 2022 Transgrancanaria Ultramarathon and the 2021 CCC-UTMB. With her input, the new shoe was built to excel in both an urban environment and technical terrain.

Built with Adidas’s pro-moderator technology and a Lightstrike EVA foam midsole, the Agravic Flow 2 provides runners with stability and comfort on all types of terrain over longer distances. The Continental outsole gives it outstanding grip in variable conditions, while the breathable Gore-Tex membrane seals out wet conditions. Made with 50 percent recycled materials and featuring an engineered mesh upper with mudguard and suede tongue, adidas Terrex says its new shoe is built to go the distance.

“The Agravic Flow 2 represents our best solution for versatile trail running, capable of tackling anything from gravel trails in city parks to more demanding terrain in the mountains,” said Niklas Benzer, Adidas Terrex’s senior product manager. “No two trails are the same, and so we were inspired by the unpredictable and varied paths that all runners take when out on the trails. Using insights from Abby Hall, we’ve designed a shoe that provides all-day comfort and top-level performance on extended trail runs on every terrain.”

Alongside the shoe, Adidas Terrex also released a lightweight and breathable windbreaker, the temperature-regulating Agravic Pro Top, which features 100-percent recycled polyester with HEAT.RDY technology and the Agravic Short, made in part with recycled Parley Ocean Plastic, and built to wick away sweat and regulate temperature.

Adidas

adidas Terrex Agravic Flow 2.0

• $90.00 at ADIDAS
  $150.00 (40% off)

We chatted with Hall about her experience testing out the new collection, her must-haves for racing and what the rest of 2022 holds.

Abby, what was it like to test the new adidas TERREX Agravic Flow 2 collection?

I actually wore the original, first edition of the Agravic Flow when I did an unsupported FKT attempt on the John Muir Trail back in 2020. The easy fit of the first edition was what made it my choice for 220 miles on the trail, and I can confidently say the Agravic Flow 2 preserves that same easy fit, while taking the shoe further to meet an even wider range of demands. I live in Flagstaff, Arizona, where we’ve got a lot of rocky trails — like so much of the American West. Testing the Agravic Flow 2 on Arizona trails was ideal to ensure it was the firm and protective fit I hoped for.

However, I wanted to test them in a wide range of environments, conditions, weather and styles of trail. Quite literally, this meant I kept the test shoes in our campervan and wore them wherever we were adventuring. I’d plan specific routes with mixed-terrain to test as many variables in the shoes as possible. As a result, it’s my go-to shoe to wear when I want to be open to wherever the trail takes me.

You’ve run races around the world – what do you look for in a race kit? What are your must-haves?

On race day, I want a lightweight kit that I don’t have to think about so all of my energy is focused on forward momentum. My must-haves are shorts with loops to store my poles in, a lightweight waterproof jacket (since it’s often required gear) and a good cap to keep the sun out of my face.

Were there any challenges you ran into during testing, and if so, what were they?

I think the challenge with making a shoe that’s as diverse as the Agravic Flow 2 is balancing weight and durability, and I’m happy with where we landed on this scale. I think a good shoe runs in the background. You forget it’s on and can focus purely on your environment and experience.

You tested the new Agravic Flow 2 in city environments as well as on trails – what about its capabilities stood out to you?

Because it’s a firm shoe, I find it makes the ground feel more level and smooth than it actually is and gives it a “road shoe feel,” purely by nature of that level feeling underfoot. It makes the transition from road to trail pretty undetectable, especially on runs with mixed terrain—say, running through a neighborhood to the trail, mixing in paved or dirt roads, etc. Having a shoe like that makes it easier to adapt your route as you go, based on what looks interesting or how your body feels. For example, if I head out on a steep run but decide I need to loosen up and recover on the flats, I want a shoe that lets me easily pivot to the new plan.

Do you have any races coming up? What’s next for you?

I just raced in Austria at the Innsbruck Alpine 65k. My husband Cordis and I had a wedding across the pond and it was fun to be able to tie in a race and some time with our adidas Terrex teammates while seeing family all in one trip! Next up, we’ll take our van out to the Sierra for some exploring before and after supporting our teammates at Western States. Then, we’ll head to Chamonix where I’ll be getting ready to return to CCC — my favorite! In the fall, I’m hoping to race at Transvulcania.

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