adidas Terrex Speed Ultra Review
Likes
- Nimble feel
- Protective upper
- Stylish colorway
Dislikes
- Restrictive midfoot fit
- Limited underfoot protection
- Lacks versatility
What's New
Developed with the help of renowned ultrarunner Tom Evans, the adidas Terrex Speed Ultra is packed with innovative features designed for fast trail adventures. These race-ready shoes have a combination of Lightstrike and Boost foam in the midsole to create a nimble trail platform that entices runners to push for faster speeds. The engineered mesh upper is lightweight and offers superb breathability to keep feet dry throughout even the longest of off-road adventures. Finally, a gravel bike-inspired outsole adds sticky traction that makes navigating through trails a breeze.
The Bottom Line
The adidas Terrex Speed Ultra is a low-to-the-ground trail shoe that emphasizes speed to encourage runners to push for their personal best on race day. Our testers praised the Terrex Speed for its versatile ride, as well as the responsive energy return delivered from the Lightstrike and Boost foam midsole. Testers noted that the level of underfoot protection could be improved to handle ultramarathon distances better and protect runners against the hazards of the most technical trail conditions. Even though most trail runners may want a bit more for their longest runs, these shoes offer plenty of protection and performance quality for shorter trail efforts. The Terrex Speed Ultra's engineered mesh upper is impressively lightweight and breathable in comparison to most other trail shoes. Additionally, the upper is incredibly secure, offering a lockdown that runners can trust out on the trail. Though comfortable for most foot shapes, the upper lacks adaptability, and those with narrow feet might find the forefoot a bit roomy.
Shoe Performance
Shoe Softnessi
FirmSoftRide/Energy Returni
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protectioni
LowHighFlexibilityi
RigidElasticUpper Supporti
StructuredAdaptableSpecifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Toe Box | Width: Medium to narrow | Height: Medium |
| Midfoot Volume | Medium to low |
| Heel Width | Medium to narrow |
| Arch Height | Medium |
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 9.1 oz (size 9) | Women's: 8.4 oz (size 8) |
| Stack Height | 32 mm (Heel), 24 mm (Forefoot) |
| Terrain | Trail |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Sizing | True to size |
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softnessi
Matt: "The adidas Terrex Speed Ultra is not your soft, plush trail shoe. There is a thin layer of Boost foam in the heel that provides some softness, but the addition of Lightstrike foam in the midsole along with the overall lower profile of the shoe makes for a firm, close-to-the-ground feel. This shoe felt great on cinder and grass, but once I transitioned onto rocky, unpredictable East Coast trails, it felt harsh underfoot."
Jonathan: "The adidas Terrex Speed Ultra leans just slightly to the firmer side of the scale. The result is a pleasant and balanced feel on the trails."
Caroline: "The shoe felt firm on my runs and wasn't very comfortable traveling over rough and rocky terrain.
Ride/Energy Returni
Jonathan: "While not as bouncy as the latest, greatest foams, the Boost and Lightstrike midsole provided a quick, snappy feel. As such, this shoe performs well during faster-paced trail runs."
Caroline: "The Terrex Speed Ultra has a responsive ride that really allowed me to pick up the pace and speed ahead. It performed better for me on smoother, more packed trails that were geared for speed."
Matt: "The Terrex Speed Ultra's midsole is thin and doesn't offer too much rebound. Unfortunately for me, there wasn't enough Lightstrike or Boost foam in the midsole to get a significant bounce or energy return, and by the end of my testing runs, the shoe's midsole felt dead."
Underfoot Protectioni
Jonathan: "Sitting lower to the ground, this shoe offers a moderate level of underfoot protection. I would want more cushioning for all-day runs, but for a 1- to 2-hour run, this shoe was more than adequate. That being said, I could feel sharp rocks underfoot, so a rock plate would be a welcomed update moving forward."
Caroline: "There wasn't enough cushioning and underfoot protection to defend against technical terrain. On rocky, mountainous trails, I felt the ground and sharp rocks a lot. As a result, I experienced some soreness on my arch after my runs."
Matt: "I think that the adidas Terrex Speed Ultra thrived on more groomed, more modern trails (grass and cinder). I was able to roll without issues on rail trails and farm loops, but once I ventured onto some more rugged terrain, I could feel every rock and root. I think the outsole was too thin, and without a rock plate, the midsole was unprotected, leaving my foot vulnerable. After a few easy runs on the rocky East Coast trails, my legs and feet felt a little beat up."
Flexibilityi
Jonathan: "The adidas Terrex Speed Ultra is quite adaptable to uneven terrain, and I always felt well-balanced while I was running, regardless of the type of trail I was on. The flexibility and nimbleness of the shoe made me feel very surefooted."
Caroline: "There is some flex in the forefoot, and I get that propulsive feeling needed for a faster-paced, responsive trail shoe. The Terrex is not stiff or rigid at all, and it allows me to be very agile on the trails."
Matt: "Again, the Terrex Speed has a thinner midsole with no rock plate, so it flexes quite well. This produced a natural feeling ride that was very adaptable, and I appreciated the level of flex from the shoe."
Upper Supporti
Jonathan: "The upper fit is quite restrictive and snug through the midfoot. The toe box is a bit on the shallow side, but unlike many adidas road shoes, there was plenty of space around the ends and sides of my toes."
Matt: "The upper has a few structured overlays that offer a secure lockdown. I never had any issues with the Terrex Speed Ultra's hold and fit."
Caroline: "The upper is breathable and lightweight. I thought that the reflective detailing on the adidas stripes was a stylish touch as well. In regards to fit, I have mixed reviews. Upon initial step in, it seemed to provide a comfortably snug fit that was also secure around the midfoot. The toe box offered plenty of room for my toes to splay, which I fully appreciated. In contrast, when running on uneven terrain, the Terrex didn't provide the secure footing I was hoping for. I should note that I have narrower feet, so this may be a personal foot-specific issue. I had to use the extra eyelets to tighten the laces to get the secure hold I needed to be comfortable, but I was able to find a better lockdown."
adidas Men's Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra
Individual Thoughts
The recent trend for trail shoes is to have higher levels of cushioning underfoot, but the adidas Terrex Speed Ultra is built more traditionally. That is to say, it's built close to the ground with less midsole foam. This is how a lot of trail shoes are made in Europe (see Salomon, La Sportiva, Inov-8). In fact, the Terrex Speed Ultra feels like a cross between the Salomon Sense Pro (now defunct) and Salomon Sense Ride, giving runners the cushioning of the Ride at the low weight of the Pro.
While the shoe is called the Speed Ultra, I found that it lacked cushioning for long, multi-hour runs. This might be partially because I have been running in more cushioned shoes like the HOKA Speedgoat. In contrast to the Speedgoat, the Speed Ultra was light, fast, and nimble. It is probably ultra-worthy for fast runners, but for me, it was a fast shoe for 1- to 2-hour trail runs.
In terms of fit, the Speed Ultra is quite restrictive in the midfoot. I have a narrower, lower-volume foot, and the Terrex's fit was quite snug, even for me. In contrast, the Speed Ultra has a broad, albeit shallow, toebox that afforded plenty of space for my toes to spread out. Furthermore, the Speed Ultra has a broader forefoot, which created a surefooted platform that I was confident running in on the trails.
Shoe Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
The adidas Terrex Speed Ultra is a lightweight, responsive trail shoe that offers a good energy return and is best used for road-to-trail runs or dry dirt-trail adventures. I loved the beautiful colorway and the shoe's sleek design with reflective elements. In terms of performance, the Terrex Speed Ultra is designed for speed and provides a lively, responsive ride. I liked that it felt lightweight and agile, which allowed for faster-paced runs. Unfortunately, the Terrex is not suitable for all terrains. The Continental rubber outsole with low-profile lugs offers enough traction on smoother, well-packed surfaces, but it's not my go-to shoe for rough or wet trails. When running on rocky, mountainous terrain, there wasn't enough underfoot protection, and the firmness of the shoe made for an uncomfortable ride. As a result, my midfoot arch did hurt after my run, and I would have welcomed a bit more protection. Durability is of concern to me as well because I already saw creasing and scuff marks on the Lightstrike midsole.
Overall, the Terrex is built for racing and is ideal for whizzing along smooth, solid dirt paths, on grass, or even taking it on the road, where the ride would be more enjoyable. If you're looking for a transitional road-to-trail shoe for lightly paved trails or milder forest ones where you can pick up the pace, the adidas Terrex Speed Ultra would be a suitable option.
Shoe Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
The adidas Terrex Ultra has a thinner and lighter design that holds up nicely on mild trails. That being said, the rocky trails out here on the East Coast were a little too harsh for this shoe. The Terrex Speed Ultra is nimble and speedy, so I think this shoe would be better suited for faster efforts on fire roads or grassy segments. It is nice to have a light trail option, but the lack of protection and thinner outsole made for a firmer, closer-to-the-ground feel. If you're a runner looking for a simple trail option that offers a more natural and nimble running experience, the adidas Terrex Speed Ultra is for you.
