adidas Terrex Agravic Ultra Review
Time to Get Technical in the Agravic Ultra
Likes
- Grippy outsole
- Stylish look
- Secure fit
- All-around protective
Dislikes
- Structured upper
- Firm ride
What's New
The adidas Terrex Agravic Ultra is a new trail running shoe designed for technical terrain and ultramarathon distances. Featuring two different foams in the midsole and an embedded TPU plate to guard against rocks and add pop, the Agravic Ultra focuses on providing a responsive ride with plenty of underfoot protection. The brand's signature Boost foam is placed directly under the foot to provide bouncy forward propulsion, while the Lightstrike EVA compound makes up the majority of the midsole for impact protection and structured stability. The shoe is finished off with a supportive and durable upper that's sustainably constructed with at least 50% recycled material made from ocean plastics
The Bottom Line
Want to get technical? If you're looking for a highly protective trail shoe that can handle technical terrain and long distances like a champ, the adidas Terrex Agravic Ultra is one to consider. Where many highly cushioned trail running shoes cater toward softness, the Agravic Ultra has a firmer ride for the amount of foam featured underfoot, but for many runners, this isn't necessarily a bad thing.
The Agravic Ultra is designed for confidence on technical mountain runs, and the firmer cushioning with embedded rock plate keeps the foot protected from rocks without losing the nimbleness and stability needed to navigate technical terrain. To continue the theme of confidence on rough trails, the shoe features a grippy Continental rubber outsole with aggressive lugs and a durable, engineered mesh upper that securely holds the foot within the shoe. Overall, if soft comfort is your priority, the Agravic Ultra may not be the trail shoe for you, but if you're looking to tackle technical terrain and ultra distances on rough trails, the adidas Terrex Agravic Ultra is ready for whatever you throw at it.
Shoe Performance
Shoe Softnessi
FirmSoftRide/Energy Returni
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protectioni
LowHighFlexibilityi
RigidElasticUpper Supporti
StructuredAdaptableSpecifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Toe Box | Medium to Narrow |
| Midfoot Volume | Medium |
| Heel Width | Medium to Wide |
| Arch Height | Medium |
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Mens: 11.6 oz (size 9) | Women's: 10.5 oz (size 8) |
| Stack Height | 38 mm (Heel), 30 mm (Forefoot) | 8 mm Heel-Toe Offset |
| Terrain | Trail |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Sizing | True to Size |
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softnessi
David: "Despite having BOOST cushioning, the Agravic Ultra feels firm underfoot, mostly due to the full-length plate and Lightstrike foam. I would have preferred a little softer cushioning or added BOOST to make this shoe feel more versatile, but the lack of softness provided a quick turnover and surefooted ride."
Kaleb: "The midsole consists of predominantly Lightstrike foam with small amounts of strategically-placed BOOST foam in the heel and forefoot. There is also a full-length midsole plate, so, simply put, the Agravic Ultra is firm! This means step-in comfort is sacrificed, but the firmness enhances protection, and I did not feel any rocks or debris underfoot."
Ride/Energy Returni
David: "I was able to nail down some quick trail miles in this shoe thanks to the firm ride and rocker geometry. There wasn't much bounce to the midsole, but the ride felt smooth and grippy overall. It felt right at home carving along technical trails and climbing steep ascents."
Kaleb: "I do not think there was anything exciting in terms of return, but the shoe's rocker geometry provided a smooth roll from heel to toe. Also, for a trail shoe with a 38-mm stack, the Agravic Ultra was surprisingly nimble on moderately technical trails, which is another benefit of the firm underfoot feel. Finally, the plate added some snappiness to the shoe, which I know speedier runners will really enjoy."
Underfoot Protectioni
David: "There was plenty of cushioning for high-mileage trail runs, with 38 mm in the heel and 30 mm in the forefoot. Additionally, the Continental outsole and multi-directional lugs offered a lot of security, which kept the ground feel to a minimum."
Kaleb: "Trail workhorse? More like trail juggernaut. The stiff Lightstrike midsole with a 39-mm stack height kept my feet heavily protected from sharp rocks or other potential trail hazards. I hardly felt a thing underfoot, even when going over hazards like rocks and branches. The highly-structured and durable engineered mesh further enhanced the shoe's protective feel. The Continental rubber outsole was fantastically grippy and should last for miles."
Flexibilityi
David: "This shoe provides very little flexibility, but that doesn't detract from its overall performance. The stiffness made the ride feel secure, especially on rocky or technical terrain where you need your shoes to quickly adapt to changes in landscape."
Kaleb: "Flexibility is a nonfactor with the Agravic Ultra, as the high stack and midsole plate eliminate most of the shoe's flex. The rigid midsole does have a slight bend at the toe, which adds an extra little pop at toe-off. The lack of flexibility is mitigated by the rocker geometry, which gave the Agravic Ultra a nice, smooth ride."
Upper Supporti
David: "The upper felt snug, and I was worried it would cause some discomfort for longer trail runs, but it performed wonderfully. There are soft inserts around the heel and midfoot for added comfort, and the rest of the upper is made from highly durable mesh that protects your feet and can drain well if running in the rain or crossing streams."
Kaleb: "I'm not going to beat around the bush here — the upper felt very structured and I did not find it very comfortable, especially during my initial testing runs. However, the upper did become more comfortable after a break-in period. Again, the upper's protection was fantastic, and I had no hesitation running through tough terrain, but the lack of comfort was not a tradeoff that I appreciated. The fit seemed to run a smidge long, but I was able to get the lockdown I was looking for by tying the laces tightly."
Men's adidas Terrex Agravic
Individual Thoughts
The Agravic Ultra surprised and impressed me with its trail capabilities. I felt confident running over technical terrain and steep ascents, no matter the mileage. The stacked cushioning, rocker geometry, and extra grip provided a quick transition with each step. Even with BOOST cushioning, this shoe felt firm underfoot, most likely due to the full-length plate and Lightstrike midsole. I would prefer a little more softness underfoot, but the firm ride made for a more secure experience, especially on extra rocky sections where adaptability is essential. The upper provided a snug fit and its materials were highly durable. I would trust them on technical terrain or in rainy conditions when water drainage matters. Overall, I enjoyed running in the Agravic Ultra and would recommend it for the trail runner looking for a no-fuss, bombproof shoe to race and train in.
Shoe Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
To be honest, I am still a little unsure of how I feel about this shoe at the end of testing. The protection and grip were excellent, instilling a lot of confidence on any type of terrain. With that confidence came fun, fast trail runs. The midsole is not the most responsive, but the slight snappiness created by the midsole plate was appreciated. I appreciated the rocker geometry even more, as it gave the Agravic Ultra a very smooth ride. Given the midsole's firmness, I do not think I would use this shoe for my longest trail runs, but it worked well for my 3- to 5-mile runs. The upper was too structured for my liking but did become noticeably more comfortable once broken in. Furthermore, the lockdown was very secure after I configured the laces to meet my needs, and the breathability of the upper kept my feet sufficiently cool and dry. I think adidas is on the right track with the Agravic Ultra. The protection necessary for an ultra race was there, but the comfort wasn't, at least for me. Again, after breaking the shoe in, I enjoyed shorter, faster trail runs. I think the experienced trail athlete will like using this shoe for a variety of their runs and races, but I do not think the Agravic Ultra is a good fit for a less-experienced, more comfort-minded trail runner such as myself.