At first glance, the Adidas Terrex Free Hiker is confusing. It looks more like a sneaker than a hiking boot (no leather or brass lace hooks here). That’s the point though; the shoe represents a blending of urban aesthetics and outdoor functionality. What’s more, the Free Hiker can walk. We’ve been wearing it since spring, and have found that it’s incredibly comfortable, adequately supportive and surprisingly lightweight. These traits earned it recognition as one of our picks for the best hiking boots of the year. Now, Adidas is releasing a new version of the Free Hiker that’s even more technical.
The recently revealed Free Hiker GTX includes one crucial distinction from its award-winning predecessor: it’s waterproof. The hiking boot incorporates a Gore-Tex membrane, but the knit upper that made the original so comfortable — and calls to mind the brand’s street-oriented Ultraboost — remains snug and stretchy. In fact, everything else remains the same: it has a debris-blocking collar, a grippy Continental rubber outsole, and a springy Boost foam midsole.
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