I Tried Adidas's Newest Hiking Sneakers in Madera Canyon, and I'm Better For It

I'm not claiming to be the world's best hiker. I've been known to stumble on the trail or lose my footing in an unsuspecting patch of mud. Losing my right eye (a non-hiking related incident, I swear) only further exacerbated these issues. But what I lack in vision I make up for in sheer determination. As I've started along my one-eyed hiking journey in earnest, a few things have become abundantly clear. One: Arizona's trails are not to be underestimated. And two: good hiking gear makes a big difference.

In the beginning, I trekked through sleet and sand in the same shoes I use for running (Brooks Glycerin 21). While these sneakers make do in a pinch, their cushioned support isn't the best for keeping me stable on Arizona's rocky terrain. So when Adidas offered to send a pair of its newest Terrex hiking sneakers (called the Skychaser Gore-Tex), I was excited to see what a difference the shoes would make. Here's what happened when I put them to the test.

The Skychaser Gore-Tex sneakers ($160) made a great first impression. I was immediately drawn to the minimalist design and black-and-white colorway, both of which felt very chic for a hiking sneaker. The shoes were lighter than I had anticipated — not bulky at all — and the tieless elastic helped me feel extra secure.

Skychaser Gore-Tex sneakers

From

$160

$160 at Adidas

Encouraged by my mother, who doubles as a seasoned hiking expert, we decided to put the shoes to the test in Madera Canyon (near Green Valley, AZ). Here, we embarked on a quick two-mile hike through relatively flat terrain, but I took note of how comfortable I felt even when we climbed up a few rockier areas. Whereas my running shoes were much more prone to slips and slides, the Skychaser Gore-Tex kept me planted firmly in place. For once, I wasn't worried that I would slip up or lose my balance, which is high praise coming from a monocular gal like me.

Given that we were hiking in the desert, I was also pleased to find that — despite the sturdy design — my feet never felt at risk of overheating. In fact, the shoes felt extremely comfortable and breathable, which is a major plus for hot hikes like these. Even after we finished in Madera Canyon, I was able to run errands in the shoes without any issues, which definitely bodes well for the hotter summer months ahead. The TLDR: These sneakers made my hike feel significantly easier, safer, and more comfortable than before.

As someone who can fit a size 9 or 8.5, I wasn't totally sure what to expect from the sizing of these shoes. I ordered a size 9 just to be on the safe side, but in my opinion, these run just a tad big (not that I'm complaining). If you're between sizes like me, I'd say go with the smaller option, or just have a thicker pair of socks on hand. That said, the fit of the shoes did not end up impeding my hike or causing any discomfort. Being that these shoes are so lightweight and breathable, I'd also say they're best for quick, hot hikes like the ones I'm used to.

Rating:
★★★★★

Chandler Plante (she/her) is an assistant health and fitness editor for PS. She has over four years of professional journalism experience, previously working as an editorial assistant for People magazine and contributing to Ladygunn, Millie, and Bustle Digital Group.