Our verdict

Amazingly lightweight, we found the Adidas Terrex Trailmaker perfect for an easy hike minus the unwanted bulk. We instantly got lost in the shoe's plush confines which made us want to keep the shoe on even after the hike. On the trail, this Adidas offering feels more natural and grounded as opposed to being stable and protective. Some durability was sacrificed to keep the weight of the Trailmaker down but we believe that its comfort is well worth the price.

Pros

  • Extra lightweight
  • Amazing in-shoe comfort
  • Highly breathable
  • Balance of cushion and ground feel
  • Stable for a light shoe
  • More flexible than average
  • Welcomes wide feet
  • Secure lockdown (bootie upper)

Cons

  • Outsole lacks durability
  • Not enough grip on wet terrain

Audience verdict

88
Great!

Who should buy

We are convinced that you will enjoy the company of the Trailmaker if you are after:

  • a super lightweight hiking shoe
  • a comfy pair for weekend adventures
  • a hiking shoe that can accommodate a spontaneous running session

Adidas Terrex Trailmaker review

Who should NOT buy

Obviously, Adidas had to make sacrifices in order to create such a lightweight hiking shoe option. First, it did cut down on the outsole's durability choosing TRAXION rubber instead of the renowned Continental. If you are a fan of the latter, we recommend the Adidas Terrex Swift R3 GTX instead.

The Swift also makes for a more stable and sturdy hiking shoe overall (at the expense of weight of course).

Another budget-friendly Adidas Terrex shoe that uses Continental rubber is the AX4

Adidas Terrex Trailmaker lab test

Breathability

Wearing the Adidas Terrex Trailmaker on a warm summer day felt right at home to us!

The shoe's highly breathable upper makes it one of the most well-ventilated hiking shoes in our lab. You can see from the video below how the smoke that we pumped through the material escapes freely and evenly through all parts of the upper.

This earns the shoe's breathability a solid score of 4 out of 5! 

This is quite surprising as the shoe doesn't look very breathable in the first place. Even in our transparency test where we hold half of the shoe against the light, none of it shines through!

The same thing happens when we take a close-up look at the fabric through our microscope.

Adidas Terrex Trailmaker microscope

Not a single visible perforation! And yet, the porous nature of this woven fabric does the trick and allows the air to do its job.

Adidas Terrex Trailmaker microscope upper

Test results
Terrex Trailmaker 4
Average 2.8
Compared to 15 hiking shoes
Number of shoes
1
Breathability
5

Durability

Toebox durability

Adidas clearly put a lot of thought into the Trailmaker's upper materials. We admire the balance of breathability and abrasion resistance that this hiking shoe achieves!

What first appears like soft and delicate wool proves to be a durable shield in our Dremel test. After applying the tool to the shoe's toebox for 12 seconds at the speed of 5K RPM, the damage to the fabric was merely cosmetic!

Thus, quite unexpectedly for us, the shoe earned a higher-than-average score of 3 out of 5 for its toebox durability.

Adidas Terrex Trailmaker toebox durability test

Test results
Terrex Trailmaker 3
Average 3.7
Compared to 9 hiking shoes
Number of shoes
1
Toebox durability
5

Heel padding durability

Unfortunately, the shoe's heel padding failed to stand as strong to the Dremel challenge as the toebox did.

After only 4 seconds of drilling, the fabric lining the heel counter just gave up.

On the bright side, damaging this part of the shoe doesn't compromise its overall performance. It can also be easily restored by a shoe service if needed.

Adidas Terrex Trailmaker heel padding durability test

Test results
Terrex Trailmaker 1
Average 3.5
Compared to 8 hiking shoes
Number of shoes
1
Heel padding durability
5

Outsole hardness

To protect the bottom of the Terrex Trailmaker, Adidas went with their TRAXION rubber compound. As opposed to the brand's famous Continental rubber, TRAXION is more oriented towards soft ground, grass, and trails.

Using a durometer, we measured its firmness at 85.4 HC. This is just as hard as the Continental rubber on the Adidas Terrex Swift R3 GTX. However, when it came to testing the outsole's actual resistance to abrasion, we were disappointed, to say the least...

Adidas Terrex Trailmaker Outsole hardness
Test results
Terrex Trailmaker 85.4 HC
Average 83.6 HC
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 15 hiking shoes
Number of shoes
65.0 HC
Outsole hardness
89.1 HC

Outsole durability

Applying the Dremel to one of the shoe's lugs at the speed of 10K RPM for 22 seconds, we found that the tool nearly went through the entire thing! This unfortunate sight rarely happens in our lab!

And yet...our tread gauge says that the newly created dent is as deep as 2 mm.

Adidas Terrex Trailmaker outsole durability test

For that reason, we recommend staying away from technical rocky routes and asphalt roads if you want to extend the life of your Trailmaker pair.

Test results
Terrex Trailmaker 2.0 mm
Average 1.0 mm
Compared to 8 hiking shoes
Number of shoes
0.0 mm
Outsole wear
2.0 mm

Outsole thickness

Aside from the shoe's lugs, the outsole layer is 2.2 mm thick on this Adidas Terrex model. Quite average for a hiking shoe.

Adidas Terrex Trailmaker Outsole thickness
Test results
Terrex Trailmaker 2.2 mm
Average 2.5 mm
Compared to 15 hiking shoes
Number of shoes
1.9 mm
Outsole thickness
4.0 mm

Weight

The lack of outsole durability on the Adidas Trailmaker is very well compensated for by its incredibly lightweight build!

Weighing this hiking shoe in a men's US size 9, we only got 12.7 oz (361g)! This is more than an ounce lighter than the average and is also one of the lightest hikers in our catalog!

If you're wondering what shoe is even lighter than that, have a look at the Merrell Moab Speed GTX (11.4 oz/323g).

Adidas Terrex Trailmaker Weight
Test results
Terrex Trailmaker 12.73 oz (361g)
Average 13.37 oz (379g)
Compared to 15 hiking shoes
Number of shoes
6.49 oz (184g)
Weight
17.14 oz (486g)

Cushioning

Heel stack

The shoe's tall sidewalls may trick you into thinking that the Trailmaker is max-cushioned. But in reality, this shoe is quite grounded and your foot actually sits inside the midsole.

Cutting the shoe in half and measuring its stack height with a caliper makes it pretty clear. Our tool shows that the heel is 30.6 mm thick which is a few millimeters lower than the average.

Adidas Terrex Trailmaker Heel stack
Test results
Terrex Trailmaker 30.6 mm
Average 30.4 mm
Compared to 15 hiking shoes
Number of shoes
9.9 mm
Heel stack
37.7 mm

Forefoot stack

Upfront in the forefoot, we measured the shoe's stack height at 21 mm. This is an average measurement for a hiking shoe and it made the balls of our feet feel quite comfortable throughout the test.

Adidas Terrex Trailmaker Forefoot stack
Test results
Terrex Trailmaker 21.0 mm
Average 20.1 mm
Compared to 15 hiking shoes
Number of shoes
10.7 mm
Forefoot stack
25.5 mm

Drop

A slightly lower-than-average drop also contributed to the shoe's pronounced ground feel.

Calculating the difference between stack heights, we got 9.6 mm, which is a couple of millimeters lower than in most hiking shoes.

We recommend limiting the Adidas Terrex Trailmaker to moderate, non-rocky terrain as it doesn't provide as much foot protection. Stepping on a sharp rock or root won't be the most pleasant experience in this trail shoe.

But in return, it makes for a rather joyful and natural ride.

Adidas Terrex Trailmaker Drop
Test results
Terrex Trailmaker 9.6 mm
Average 10.3 mm
Compared to 15 hiking shoes
Number of shoes
-0.8 mm
Drop
15.9 mm

Midsole softness

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.

Just like most hiking shoes, the Adidas Trailmaker comes slightly on the firm side. This is essential for keeping your foot stable and supported as you navigate the trails with a backpack.

Pressing our durometer against the foam returned 29.5 HA - the same firmness as the average for this category of footwear.

Adidas Terrex Trailmaker Midsole softness
Test results
Terrex Trailmaker 29.5 HA
Average 27.3 HA
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 15 hiking shoes
Number of shoes
13.5 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
39.0 HA

Difference in midsole softness in cold

If you decide to rock this Adidas shoe on a chilly day, be prepared that its cushioning will get firmer.

Mimicking winter in our freezer, we kept the shoe in it for 20 minutes and then repeated the durometer measurement.

The tool showed 35.6 which is about as firm as the other hiking shoes get on average.

Compared to room temperature, the shoe's foam firmed up by 20.8%. Keep that in mind if you consider the Trailmaker for a cold-day adventure. 

Adidas Terrex Trailmaker Difference in midsole softness in cold
Test results
Terrex Trailmaker 20.8%
Average 19.1%
Compared to 15 hiking shoes
Number of shoes
0%
Difference in midsole softness in cold
100%

Insole thickness

The shoe comes with a pretty basic type of insole. Checking its thickness in the heel, we got 5.0 mm - an average measurement for a hiking shoe.

Adidas Terrex Trailmaker Insole thickness
Test results
Terrex Trailmaker 5.0 mm
Average 5.6 mm
Compared to 14 hiking shoes
Number of shoes
2.6 mm
Insole thickness
8.6 mm

Stability

Lateral stability test

Let's get this straight: the Adidas Trailmaker is NOT meant for backpacking or long hikes. Neither does it have any tangible arch support for those with flat feet/overpronation.

Adidas Terrex Trailmaker heel cushioning

BUT! It is a rather stable shoe of its kind - a lightweight hiker for easy hikes on moderate terrain.

Torsional rigidity

Thanks to its raised sidewalls (especially around the heel) and slightly firm midsole, the Trailmaker has a good amount of torsional rigidity.

Assessing it in our manual test, we rated the shoe as 4 out of 5 (nearly the stiffest!). Out on the trail, this translated into a pleasantly supportive but not overbearing experience.

Test results
Terrex Trailmaker 4
Average 3.3
Compared to 15 hiking shoes
Number of shoes
1
Torsional rigidity
5

Heel counter stiffness

Some stiffness is also present in the shoe's heel counter. Squeezing and pushing it, we felt like it was 3 out of 5 - neither too stiff nor too forgiving. Just right for a foot with neutral pronation.

Test results
Terrex Trailmaker 3
Average 3.7
Compared to 15 hiking shoes
Number of shoes
1
Heel counter stiffness
5

Midsole width in the forefoot

Wide platform - check!

Our caliper shows that the Trailmaker's platform is 114.5 mm in the widest part of the forefoot. This is a couple of millimeters wider than average and makes for a rather stable landing area. 

Adidas Terrex Trailmaker Midsole width in the forefoot
Test results
Terrex Trailmaker 114.5 mm
Average 110.0 mm
Compared to 15 hiking shoes
Number of shoes
103.0 mm
Midsole width in the forefoot
116.6 mm

Midsole width in the heel

In the heel, the widest part of the sole also shows a good result - 87.2 mm. About the same as the average of hiking shoes.

Adidas Terrex Trailmaker Midsole width in the heel
Test results
Terrex Trailmaker 87.2 mm
Average 86.9 mm
Compared to 15 hiking shoes
Number of shoes
64.2 mm
Midsole width in the heel
93.1 mm

Flexibility

Stiffness

On the foot, the Adidas Terrex Trailmaker feels a lot like a trail running shoe and this is definitely reflected in our lab results.

The shoe's above-average flexibility is one of these parameters.

It takes only 20.5N of force to bend the shoe to a 90-degree angle, according to our force gauge. That's a whopping 80% less than it takes on average!

Test results
Terrex Trailmaker 20.5N
Average 30.0N
We use an average of four tests. The video shows one of those tests.
Compared to 15 hiking shoes
Number of shoes
1.8N
Stiffness
54.0N

Difference in stiffness in cold

The Trailmaker does get stiffer in low temperatures. However, compared to the average of hiking shoes, it is still much easier to bend.

It takes 32.5N to bend the "frozen" Trailmaker which is the same amount of force it takes to bend most hiking shoes at room temperature.

Adidas Terrex Trailmaker side view

Test results
Terrex Trailmaker 58.5%
Average 37.5%
Compared to 15 hiking shoes
Number of shoes
0%
Difference in stiffness in cold
100%

Grip / Traction

Lug depth

Measuring the shoe's lug depth, we got 3.4 mm which is about a millimeter thinner than average.

Adidas Terrex Trailmaker Lug depth

From our own experience, the Trailmaker doesn't have a very aggressive bite. It works fine in most easy-day scenarios but won't be very reliable on wet grass, mud, or ice.

The thing is that the shoe's lugs are rather wide and rounded. Unlike the toothy lugs on the Terrex Swift R3, these treads have a more rounded shape. This is not ideal for latching onto challenging terrain but it at least makes the Trailmaker more versatile.

Adidas Terrex Trailmaker outsole

Test results
Terrex Trailmaker 3.4 mm
Average 4.0 mm
Compared to 15 hiking shoes
Number of shoes
2.1 mm
Lug depth
5.0 mm

Size and fit

Toebox width at the widest part

For our medium-sized feet, the Adidas Terrex Trailmaker has a perfect, slightly spacious toebox.

Checking the widest part of the forefoot with a caliper, we got a wider-than-average measurement of 102.7 mm.

Adidas Terrex Trailmaker Toebox width at the widest part
Test results
Terrex Trailmaker 102.7 mm
Average 100.6 mm
Compared to 15 hiking shoes
Number of shoes
95.4 mm
Toebox width at the widest part
107.7 mm

Toebox width at the big toe

The toebox doesn't get too pointy either. Our caliper shows 79.8 mm of width around the big toe. This is, again, a few millimeters wider than average.

Adidas Terrex Trailmaker Toebox width at the big toe

In addition, the woven upper material has a bit of stretch to it.

These findings make us think that people with wider feet are very likely to enjoy the fit of this Adidas hiking shoe.

Test results
Terrex Trailmaker 79.8 mm
Average 81.6 mm
Compared to 15 hiking shoes
Number of shoes
68.8 mm
Toebox width at the big toe
108.6 mm

Tongue: gusset type

The Trailmaker has a bootie-style upper which means that the tongue is fully integrated into the rest of the shoe. It creates a very secure foothold and we could never complain about the lockdown.

The entire foot and heel remained locked in place for as long as we stayed on the trail.

Adidas Terrex Trailmaker Tongue: gusset type

Test results
Terrex Trailmaker Bootie

Laces

Round laces complement the shoe's support system nicely. They slip through the eyelets quite easily, making it very quick to cinch them up one in one second.

Adidas Terrex Trailmaker lacing

Comfort

Tongue padding

The tongue is moderately padded at 7.5 mm, according to our tool. Even though it is not as much padding as some of the other hiking shoes offer, it still makes the shoe's interiors sooo incredibly comfortable!

We didn't want to get the shoes off after the trail test! So we just kept the pair on for the rest of the day.

Adidas Terrex Trailmaker Tongue padding
Test results
Terrex Trailmaker 7.5 mm
Average 9.6 mm
Compared to 15 hiking shoes
Number of shoes
5.0 mm
Tongue padding
17.0 mm

Heel tab

Adidas added a rather sizeable finger loop onto the back of the Trailmaker. Not only does it help to get the shoe on faster, it adds a really stylish touch to this Terrex offering. 

Adidas Terrex Trailmaker Heel tab
Test results
Terrex Trailmaker Finger loop

Removable insole

The insole is quite easy to remove in the Terrex Trailmaker. You can enjoy the benefit of inserting your own orthotics or insoles.

Adidas Terrex Trailmaker Removable insole
Test results
Terrex Trailmaker Yes

Misc

Reflective elements

There are no reflective elements on the Adidas Trailmaker. Better be back home before it gets dark!

Adidas Terrex Trailmaker Reflective elements
Test results
Terrex Trailmaker No