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With the Western States 100 Mile race in the rearview, it is only fitting that we review a shoe that was developed specifically to conquer that course. The adidas TERREX Agravic Speed Ultra is 100 percent designed for speed, shaped for the Western States 100 miles, and brings us another “Super Shoe” designed for dirt. But is the Agravic Speed Ultra a one-trick pony, eating up fast-rolling terrain, or can this super shoe toe any start line and give you that super shoe feel? Let’s dig into it.
Total Miles: 28
The Good:
- Fast – I’ve run in almost every road marathon super shoe out there and have heard plenty of trail brands claiming they have a trail super shoe… only to fall short. That’s not the case with the adidas TERREX Agravic Speed Ultra. This is a trail shoe that finally feels like a super shoe – a shoe that is responsive, with carbon rods and a rockered shape that propel you forward. Getting into the low 6-minute mile pace felt easy in this shoe even when I hit those single-track trails.
- Stable – I usually don’t put “super shoes” and “stable” in the same sentence, but with the Agravic Speed Ultra, I have to! Whether I took this shoe on gravel roads or smooth trails, at no point did I feel unstable. As someone with bad ankles, I’m always concerned when I take a high stack shoe on technical terrain. But I am happy to report my ankles survived, and this super shoe gets a big check for stability in my book.
- Looks – I think the Speed Ultra is an awesome-looking shoe. The orange colors just pop on the trail, and when it’s hunting season, I’m covered. It’s like having a high-performance sports car that also looks amazing – practical and stylish, a rare combo in the trail running world.
The Bad:
- Podium – If you’re not aiming for the podium and pushing the pace, this shoe might be too much. When I tried to go at slower paces, the adidas TERREX Agravic Speed Ultra felt awkward, and my calves started to feel sore. It’s like taking a Ferrari to a Sunday drive – these shoes are made for speed, not leisurely strolls.
- Technical Trails – With the large stack height, small lugs, and the use of super critical foam, taking this shoe on gnarly East Coast trails felt like bringing a butter knife to a sword fight. This shoe was designed with Western States in mind, where the trails are more forgiving. But in Pennsylvania, where rocks and roots are part of what makes us Beast Coast trail runners, it just didn’t cut it.
- Comfort – Similar to road super shoes, you will compromise comfort for speed. The adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra is no exception. I found the rocker of the shoe to be a lot and, at times, awkward to power hike or go slow in. The upper is stripped down with little to no padding for additional comfort during long days on the trail. Something that doesn’t seem to matter as much for the pros running 15 hours at Western States!
- Lockdown – It took me a handful of runs in the shoe before I felt like I got a great lockdown. Once I implemented the runner’s knot, the heel slippage went away. Just something to note.
The Pro:
“Since getting a pair of the Agravic Speed Ultras last summer, it’s been my go-to shoe for faster trail runs and races. The thick slab of lightstrike pro really helps save your legs in big mountain races with a ton of descent!” – adidas TERREX pro, Eric LiPuma
“A complaint many of us had when the ASU’s finally came out was that it made us hate our previous favorites… and there’s a great deal of truth to that! I’ve raced everything from an 8 mile trail race to the Cascade Crest 100-mile in the shoe and it continues to perform and impress me. I know it comes with a price tag, but I’ve also found the shoe to be incredibly durable easily putting 500+ miles into a pair.” – adidas TERREX pro, Corrine Malcolm
The Verdict:
If you have podium aspirations and are looking for that trail super shoe experience, the adidas TERREX Agravic Speed Ultra is a buy. For folks who prioritize comfort in a trail shoe, you may want to look elsewhere. This shoe is made for speed, as the name clearly spells out.
*** Disclaimer – The Agravic Speed Ultra was provided by adidas TERREX for review. Adidas TERREX did not pay for this review, all opinions are our own.***