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We wore the Adidas Outdoor AX2 CP on a variety of short hikes as well as dry trail and muddy trail runs. It's super light and we love the traction, but the floppy upper paired with the tall, stiff sole didn't work well for our testers.
We found the award-winning The North Face Ultra 110 GTX a much more comfortable and versatile shoe for those seeking a hiking shoe reminiscent of trail runners. The Keen Targhee 2 is a better choice for folks seeking a dedicated hiking shoe.
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Adidas Terrex Ax2 and Ax2 Cp vs. The Adidas Outdoor AX 2.0 GTX
Adidas no longer offers the GTX version on the website, with the Adidas Outdoor Ax2, retailing for $80 and the Ax2 Cp retailing for $99. Check out the side-by-side comparison below, with the Outdoor AX2 shown on the left, the Ax2 Cp in the center, and the AX 2.0 GTX (the older version) shown on the right.
AX 2 - new 2016
Adidas Outdoor Ax2 Cp
Hands-On Review of the Adidas Outdoor AX 2.0 GTX
The Adidas Outdoor AX 2.0 GTX is built like a trail running shoe with lots of cushioning in the heel and a flexible forefoot. It was within a few grams of being the lightest shoe we tested and delivered good all-around traction in wet and dry conditions.
Performance Comparison
The Watertight II and Adidas AX 2.0 GTX on a quick day hike to Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park.
Credit: Brandon Lampley
Comfort
This shoe just seems to miss the mark for comfort. The upper is very light and floppy, but the sole is quite stiff. The Adidas AX 2.0 GTX feels too stiff for smooth terrain, but the uppers don't capture the foot well to take advantage of the stiff chassis in rough terrain. The lacing system is functional, but doesn't provide the versatility of the more modern systems, which often have two closely-spaced upper eyelets. The Outdoor's GORE-TEX membrane does breathe quite well with the mostly mesh upper.
Another short hike in the Outdoor. Even on smooth terrain, we were more likely to roll our ankles in this shoe than any other.
Credit: Brandon Lampley
Weight
At 2.15 lbs, the Adidas AX 2.0 GTX weighed in only slightly heavier than the Merrell Moab Ventilator and the Vasque Juxt. We appreciate the stiffness for such a light product, but some added weight in the form of a more substantial upper would improve the performance.
Support
Even though this shoe has a substantial midsole and is quite stiff throughout, it earned a low score for support. The heel of the sole is narrow and tall and the meshy uppers do not capture the foot well enough to take advantage of the stiff midsole. Our lead tester rolled his ankle more times in this shoe than all the others combined. The Keen Targhee 2 is a more comfortable and versatile light shoe with great foot support.
Traction
The Adidas Outdoor AX 2.0's proprietary sole delivers good traction, especially in the mud and on loose gravel. It sticks to wet rock well and performs about average on dry granite slabs. Folks that find they like the feel of this shoe will get excellent traction for wet and muddy trail conditions.
Versatility
To be honest, we found no hiking scenarios where this shoe performed better than others.
Water Resistance
Another bright spot for the Outdoor, it keeps your feet dry and the uppers dry quicker than other shoes when it does get soaked. We found DWR applied to the lightweight upper materials maintained its beading water ability longer than some other products we tested.
The Outdoor AX 2.0 GTX's fabric upper resists water well and the Gore-Tex liner kept our feet dry.
Credit: Brandon Lampley
Durability
The small lugs on the forefoot of the Outdoor provide good traction, but the very small surface area in contact with the trail makes them wear quickly. The lightweight mesh upper of this shoe, especially the narrow bit between overlayed reinforcement at the flex point, is prone to abrasion.
Best Applications
Easy dayhikes and muddy trail running.
Value
There are much better hiking shoes to be had at this price.
Conclusion
The Adidas Outdoor AX 2.0 GTX runs and hikes well in the mud, but misses the mark for the comfort and support needed for most hiking.
