Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra - Women's Review

It is difficult to ignore the success many of the Adidas Terrex athletes have had running trails this season in the Agravic Speed Ultra. But does that mean you'll find success in this well-tractioned, 2 mm drop, seriously speedy shoe? Let's get into it.

Foot Protection

Though the upper of the Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra is pretty bare bones, its single-layer synthetic upper overlays and gusseted tongue easily repel particulates but not splashes. Dew from simply running through damp grass makes itself known, and this is not a shoe that holds water after crashing through creeks. Its toe bumper is functional without adding bulk or weight, making this shoe a great option for faster-paced trail days. This speaks to the overall protection of the Agravic Speed Ultra -— it is protective enough for extreme trail running but designed to feel lightweight and encourage leg turnover. The undercarriage of this supershoe is where things turn from stripped-back and functional to powerful and comfortably bulky.

The Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra has a 36 mm total heel stack height with a mild 2 mm drop, allowing the toe side of the shoe to ride at 34 mm off the ground. Within this thick outsole, it has Lightstrike Pro cushioning and Energy Rods for added responsiveness. All of this comes together to create a thick-soled, spry trail running shoe with solid underfoot protection. This hybrid style of underfoot stack, both protective and responsive, is on the rise in the world of trail racing, and Adidas has executed it well. The Agravic Speed Ultra is wildly capable and provides a hefty amount of underfoot protection for serious mountain running.

Traction

The Continental rubber outsole and bitey 3 mm lugs of the Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra come together for a strong, surefooted ride over varied terrain. The lugs are on the shallow side when compared to our entire lineup of trail running shoes, but their sharp, multidirectional points and specifically placed texture get the job done. The rearfoot features precisely placed rectangles and bowtie-shaped lugs for rearfoot security, while the forefoot is adorned with multidirectional points primed for quick directional changes. The lugs and overall outsole have just enough give and flexibility to remain comfortably bouncy on long runs and stay sharp when worn off-trails. Even though the lugs have not shown a propensity to wear down on more abrasive surfaces, we recommend keeping these kicks on the trails.

The bulk of our testing was executed on granite-laden alpine trails and rocky coastal bluffs. The Agravic Speed Ultra excelled across most terrain types, save for steep, wet grass, which has been the stealthy downfall of many a rugged trail shoe. All told, the slightly soft Continental rubber and the sharp 3 mm lugs combine to provide traction that is equipped for ripping down trails of all types.

Sensitivity

The underfoot stack of the Agravic Speed Ultra inhibits a great deal of its could-be sensitivity. With a total stack of 36 mm and only a 2 mm drop, this is not our top trail shoe for runners who want a lot of trail information. The comfortably thick midsole support prevents you from feeling much of the trail beneath you. The forefoot stack feels more than 2 mm closer to the trail and provides a dampened picture of what is going on underfoot. As is often the case in the world of running shoes, the responsiveness of the Agravic Speed Ultra is high while the overall sensitivity is low. If you are a trail runner who is seeking a responsive trail shoe that is beefy enough to handle most conditions, comfortable on long runs, and primed for race day, the lack of sensitivity here should not dissuade you since you can feel enough. If you know that you prefer to feel all of the topography beneath your feet, there are other shoes that provide that and check the other boxes.

Stability

The entire vibe of the Agravic Speed Ultra is “rugged but not overbuilt,” and this holds true in the stability metric. The thickness of the textiles is minimalistic, but the Agravic Speed Ultra has pockets of precise cushion around the heel collar for comfort and support. The semi-slender mid and rearfoot create a solid lockdown, while the larger toebox provides space for your toes to splay. Let's break all of this down…

The moment you slip your feet into the Agravic Speed Ultra, you'll notice that it offers more arch and midfoot support than many other trail shoes on the market. If this is comfortable on your anatomy, it provides a strong sense of security as you fly around switchbacks and barrel over technical trail features. The lacebed and notched shoelaces stay put after they are tied and offer lockdown across the midfoot. This helps create rearfoot security, preventing your heel from sliding laterally as you run. The 2 mm differential allows your heel to ride only slightly above your toes, creating anatomically-based stability. Finally, the comfortably large toebox allows space for your toes to splay as you run, adding to the overall stability of this shoe. For a speed-focused trail shoe, we are impressed by how secure it feels, even on technical trails. That said, this is not a shoe to help correct overpronation. We hesitate to recommend the Agravic Speed Ultra to runners who tend to roll their ankles. While we enjoyed each and every run in this shoe, it rides slightly left of traditional, making it a less stellar choice for some runners.

Comfort and Fit

As mentioned, the underfoot feel of the Agravic Speed Ultra is somewhat unique in that it offers significantly more arch support than the standard trail shoe. Our testers found this to take a few runs to adapt to, but ultimately grew to adore this underfoot sensation. The midsole feels springy and fresh, with a hefty dose of Lightstrike Pro cushioning between you and the trail. Not only is the feature comfortable, but it also encourages leg turnover, which adds to the combined responsiveness and comfort of this shoe. The synthetic mesh overlays of the upper are not soft to the touch, but they are flexible enough to accommodate your unique foot shape, especially after a few break-in runs.

The spacious forefoot allows your toes to move with ease. The taper of the midfoot provides a secure lock, while the heel cup cushions help create 360-degree comfort. Even the lacebed, which is built for serious running, has a minor amount of cushioning to help keep the tops of your feet happy. While the Agravic Speed Ultra is not our all-out favorite trail shoe in terms of comfort, it strikes an excellent balance between race day functionality and comfort. There are plenty of plush trail shoes out there, and if that's what you're looking for, you'll be better off with them. If you are ready to level up your trail game in a shoe with balanced comfort and rugged technology, we happily recommend this Adidas Terrex superstar.

Weight

As is often the case, shoes full of tech are not the lightest. With each shoe in women's US size 6.5 weighing in at 7.8 ounces, the Agravic Speed Ultra is no exception to this rule. For a trail running shoe, 8 ounces per size 6.5 shoe is pretty average. The design of this shoe allows it to ride like an extension of your body, making it feel lighter than it is as you run. If you want a seriously clunky and rugged shoe, it's worth running with a few extra ounces attached to your feet. But this responsive trail shoe and its 7.8-ounce profile feel just right.

Should You Buy the Adidas Terrex Agravic Speec Ultra?

We actually enjoy racing the Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra and think many trail runners will, too. However, that does not mean that this shoe is suitable for all runners. New trail runners, runners who love plush comfort, and runners seeking a hiking hybrid won't be as enamored as we are by this shoe. If you like a bit of arch support, aren't attached to the sensitivity of your shoe, and want to work on your leg turnover, the Agravic Speed Ultra is well worth it. It is worth noting that this shoe costs considerably more than the average trail shoe. While shelling out the cash for the features this shoe offers is worth it to some, other runners may find a less expensive option that better suits their needs.

What Other Trail Running Shoes Should You Consider?