adidas Terrex Freehiker 3 Ultra GTX review

We believe that the Terrex Freehiker 3 Ultra GTX is well worth the investment if:

• you prioritise comfort and impact protection in your hiking (or gorpcore) shoes
• you want waterproofing and debris control of a hiking boot in a sneaker-like silhouette
• you are willing to pay more for high-end materials and shoe quality
• you need an ouotdoorsy shoe for both city streets and light-to-moderate trails

If you adore max-cushioned shoes but need something more hiking-oriented, the HOKA Kaha 3 Low GTX is a no-brainer. We found it much better equipped for technical terrain and even backpacking trips. The Danner N45 is another great premium option to consider, especially for thru-hikes.

And if you want something well-cushioned but lighter and more speed-oriented, you might as well consider the Terrex Freehiker SL GTX. Alternatively, we've got a wide array of trail running shoes to pick from.

Featuring adidas's most advanced cushioning technologies, the Terrex Freehiker 3 Ultra GTX is one of the most comfortable hiking shoes for spending long hours on the trail!

At 129 SA, it returned one of the highest shock absorption readings in our test, making it feel more like a max-cushioned trail running shoe than a technical hiking shoe.

A powerful combo of Hyperboost Pro and Dreamstrike+ foams (both PEBA-based) delivered an above-average energy return of 55.3% in the Freehiker 3.

Although it's not race-shoe bouncy, it keeps the ride lively and dynamic for hiking, making it easier to pick up the pace.

With a heel stack of 39.4 mm, the new Freehiker's platform grew even thicker, towering above the category average by 6 mm! For reference, this is about as tall as the HOKA Kaha 3 Low GTX!

This surely offers the benefit of extra impact protection, but mutes ground feel almost completely.

The shoe's forefoot cushioning is equally abundant, with an above-average stack of 26.7 mm.

And while we didn't feel a single stick or stone underfoot, we also lacked the ground feedback needed for precise foot placement on rockier terrain.

Together, the two stack heights produce a heel-to-toe drop of 12.7 mm. Slightly above the category average, it also supports long-distance comfort by reducing stress on the Achilles and calves.

Slicing the Freehiker 3 Ultra 3 GTX in half allowed us to see precisely where the two foams are positioned.

The softer Hyperboost Pro is placed directly underfoot and gets notably thicker in the ball-of-foot area for propulsion. But it's not a plush material per se. It proved to be moderately firm with a durometer reading of 41.5 AC, offering a decently forgiving but controlled cushioning.

P.S. Our measurements also confirmed that the new version's Hyperboost Pro is actually 30% firmer than the regular Boost (32.0 AC) in the Freehiker 2.

A slightly firmer (44.3 AC) Dreamstrike+ serves as the carrier foam beneath the Hyperboost Pro. It is substantially thicker in the rearfoot, contributing to the shoe's stability.

Available in one standard width only, the Terrex Freehiker 3 Ultra GTX proved true to its medium fit.

Measuring the widest part of its gel cast with a calliper, we got a perfectly average 94.1 mm, which aligns well with the hiking shoes we've tested in the same size and width.

In our second measurement, we recorded the cast width at the big toe area to check for any aggressive tapering towards the toes. Luckily, it doesn't get any narrower than average at 72.4 mm.

We also checked the shoe's vertical dimension by measuring its toebox height.

At 26.6 mm, the result was right around average, leaving enough room above the toes to prevent uncomfortable pressure.

Keeping its predecessor's highly regarded Continental outsole, the Terrex Freehiker 3 Ultra GTX delivers the same high level of traction we had enjoyed in the v2.

In our lab test, its tacky grip showed up in a high CoF of 0.79, ensuring a strong bite even on smooth, wet rocks.

The Freehiker 3 Ultra GTX is designed as a versatile shoe that transitions seamlessly from city streets to mixed-terrain trails. And its 3.9 mm lug depth fits that purpose well.

It can dig into light dirt and mossy logs without feeling too aggressively studded for rocks, boulders, and concrete pavements.

The tread pattern has been altered in the Freehiker 3. We can see that the large triangular chevron lugs have been replaced with asymmetrical ones to provide a stronger bite for landing at different angles on uneven terrain.

Despite its massive stack and firm midsole foam, this adidas Terrex shoe remained reasonably pliable in the forefoot!

Requiring a bending force of 17.8N, it has the same amount of give as the previous Freehiker and is also on par with the average for hiking shoes.

That keeps heel-to-toe transitions smooth while providing enough rigidity to prevent the foot muscles from working overtime on longer hikes.

We are elated to see adidas make meaningful updates to the shoe's materials, shaving substantial weight from the Freehiker 3 Ultra GTX!

The new iteration dropped almost 3 oz, tipping the scales at a moderate 12.9 oz (366g). That's lighter than most other popular day hiking shoes in our lab, including the HOKA Anacapa 2 Low GTX (14.1 oz/400g).

When we first saw the shoe's ultra-thin, semi-transparent upper layer, we couldn't believe that it belonged to a waterproof shoe! Yet the Freehiker 3 Ultra GTX is more sealed than its visual appearance suggests.

Our lab test results confirmed it, showing one of the lowest breathability scores of 43 BR. Unlike the better-ventilated hiking shoes, this adidas Terrex shoe is less effective at pulling sweat away from the skin.

But here is the good news. The Freehiker 3 Ultra GTX is one of the quickest-drying Gore-Tex shoes we've tested!

In the same 3-hour breathability test, we also measured that the shoe evaporated a good 47% of the artificial sweat it had absorbed. Even though its materials are slow to wick sweat away from the skin, they release that moisture quickly enough to prevent it from building up, thus minimising the risk of odour and blisters.

We found it curious that the Freehiker 3 is quick to evaporate moisture but much slower to release heat. With a solid insulation result of 0.258 m² K/W, it can keep the foot comfortably warm in chillier weather.

We're not talking harsh winter conditions, of course, but low-to-mild temperatures in the transition season.

Its sporty, sneaker-like design makes the adidas Terrex Freehiker 3 Ultra GTX resemble a trail running shoe more than a traditional hiking shoe, which is probably what the brand meant by saying 'embrace the future of hiking' in its product description.

We didn't find any special supportive elements or stabilising shanks in this shoe, and even the TPU heel clip is gone from this iteration.

However, you can expect some inherent stability from this adidas shoe's structured platform with its firm carrier foam, raised midsole topline, and broad forefoot base.

But please note that it only provides enough support for moderate hiking objectives and stability needs. It's not the best bet for heavy backpacks, highly technical terrain, or severe overpronation.

With foam and rubber alone, the Terrex Freehiker 3 Ultra GTX managed to create enough torsional rigidity to prevent its tall platform from collapsing easily under load.

Measuring the torque required to twist the shoe by 10 degrees in both directions (20.8 Nm), we found it even needs a bit more than the average hiking shoe!

As the TPU clip got removed from the new Freehiker's rearfoot, its heel counter stiffness also dropped slightly from 4 out of 5 to 3 out of 5.

This made the shoe's heel slightly less rigid, but not to the point of feeling sloppy.

In addition to growing taller, the Freehiker 3 Ultra GTX's platform also grew wider, especially in the forefoot.

Our calliper measured the distance between its most extended contact points at a whopping 120.0 mm, which is by far one of the broadest measurements in the category! Even the HOKA Kaha 3 Low GTX showed less at 117.4 mm.

Offering so much landing area in the forefoot, the shoe could afford to keep its heel width at a moderate 90.4 mm. This prevented the Freehiker 3 from feeling monstrously chunky.

Our Dremel test showed that the revamped upper design of the Freehiker 3 Ultra GTX happens to be less wear-resistant than its predecessor's.

As our tool burned through the protective rand in a matter of seconds, the shoe's toebox durability score also dropped to only 3 out of 5.

Inside, the collar of this adidas shoe is lined with a durable textile that also prevents the rough knit material from chafing the wearer's skin.

Our test confirmed that it doesn't wear out easily, earning a high score of 4 out of 5 for heel padding durability.

Continental rubber consistently delivers stellar performance in our lab and lived up to our expectations in the Freehiker 3 Ultra GTX as well. After taking it through a demanding 18-second Dremel session, we measured the dent depth at only 0.5 mm!

But here is the caveat: this durable black rubber doesn't cover the entire length of the shoe's outsole.

Apparently, the grey rubber is made from a different blend because when we ran the same Dremel test, it left a much deeper dent of 1.2 mm. Thus, we expect it to wear out faster than the black compound.

Excluding lug depth, the Freehiker 3 Ultra GTX's outsole measured a moderate thickness of 2.0 mm. But given the hard-wearing nature of its rubber, we don't have any concerns about the shoe's long-term outsole durability. Especially if it helps shave some grammes off the shoe.

Loaded with the brand's advanced foams in the midsole, the Terrex Freehiker 3 Ultra GTX doesn't really need a plusher insole to boost its underfoot comfort. A standard insole thickness of 5.0 mm at the heel proved sufficient.

But you can add more padding or arch support by swapping the shoe's insole for an orthotic, if needed.

PEBA-based foams, such as the Hyperboost Pro, have consistently shown strong resistance to cold in our lab tests. And it didn't disappoint in the Freehiker 3 Ultra GTX either.

After letting the shoe sit in the freezer for 20 minutes, we repeated our durometer measurement and recorded a very moderate 20% decrease in softness.

Pointing a flashlight at the shoe in a completely dark room, we saw a pair of reflective patches light up on the heel.

Even though there is no separate tongue on this adidas shoe, it still provides adequate padding over the instep. Our calliper measured its thickness at 9.6 mm.

The bootie construction and a tall, sock-like collar on this adidas shoe create a more enclosed fit, blocking wind, water splashes, and rain from seeping through the shoe mouth.

A finger loop is therefore a must-have, making it easier to slide the foot through the shoe's narrow, sock-like opening.

The adidas Terrex Freehiker 3 Ultra GTX is one of the most expensive hiking shoes in our roster, but we believe that it is for a good reason. The shoe treats us to adidas's most advanced cushioning technologies and other high-performance materials that helped it score well above average on most lab tests!

This version of the Freehiker 3 features Speed lacing with bungee strings and a toggle to regulate the fit quickly and easily. An elastic loop was kindly added to store excess laces.

But if you are a fan of traditional laces, you can opt for the Terrex Freehiker 3 Low GTX instead.