Tipping the scales at just 11.4 oz (323g), this shoe is 2.5 oz (72g) lighter than the average for this category. We found it most noticeable on our longer hikes when our legs had plenty of energy to spare at the end of the day. All the stiffness might sound scary but the shoe is actually quite flexible, 7% more than the average! We loved this because it let us enjoy the outdoors in more natural strides. One big improvement in the design of the R3 compared to its predecessor is the traditional lacing system which has replaced the pull-tab drawstring of the R2. There is also the addition of a wider set of eyelets at the bottom of this design, which allows the shoe to be pulled in more tightly around the top of the forefoot, giving a more secure and personalised fit. This is a feature I’m particularly impressed with because I have very thin feet and it allows me to adjust and tighten the laces for extra precision. Weighing in at just 13.3 oz (378g), its featherweight translates to more mileage on our hikes before our feet get tired. When we compared it to our lab-tested waterproof hiking shoes, we found it is 5% lighter than average. It even sneaks in below the average for non-waterproof shoes. Impressive for a completely watertight shoe! We even tested its impermeability by standing in a stream, and our feet stayed totally dry. That’s a win for the Gore-Tex! From the moment we put them on, the Adidas Terrex shoes felt stiffer compared to the other hiking shoes we tried. When worn on its own, the Swift's synthetic and cloth top is unyielding, and we discovered that the ankle collar gave the foot great support. 2. Withstanding submersion in water

Nonetheless, Gore-tex hiking shoes continue to outperform the rest. But why is Gore-tex so good? Because the science of Gore-tex is astonishing. Our SportsShoes Trail & Hiking ambassador, Ben Mounsey, has been busy putting the adidas TERREX Swift R3 GORE-TEX Walking Shoes to the test. Here he provides a detailed review and compares them to the adidas TERREX Free Hiker. If the show is waterproof but does not include GTX, then it uses other materials for its waterproofing. Is Gore-tex the only waterproof fabric? Swift R3 GTX gets the "best stability" medal because, in the world of Gore-Tex hiking shoes, we don't want just superb waterproofing but also a super stable platform that allows us to hike over wet and slippery terrain with no ankle twists, slips and falls. And the Swift R3 GTS nails it! No, shoe manufacturers incorporate many other waterproof fabrics into their hiking shoes. For example, Columbia Sportswear uses its patented OutDry and Omni-tech technology to waterproof footwear. With that being said, however, Gore-tex continues to be the industry’s gold standard when it comes to waterproofing, which explains its higher cost.There are numerous elements contributing to the overall stability of this shoe and we thank our lab tests for documenting all of them. The most important one, for sure, is the torsional rigidity test that showed us why this shoe feels as stable as a hiking boot. Because we weren't able to twist the shoe, we rated it with 5 out of 5, 5 being the stiffest. Both the Free Hiker and Swift R3 hiking shoes feature the trusted Continental™ rubber grip on the outsole, a standard feature of all adidas Terrex trail shoes. However, the Swift R3 has a slightly more aggressive grip pattern and a slightly deeper lug. Both models have a 10mm drop but the outsole is divided into two parts on the R3 with a deeper heel than the Free Hiker. The good news is for most people, weight differences are pretty negligible. For example, the Salomon Ultra 4 GTX weighs 380 grams, and the nonwaterproof Ultra X 4 weighs 360 grams. Gore-tex membranes are now synonymous with waterproof shoes. So much so that many attribute any shoe marketed was waterproof to be Gore-tex; however, that may not be true. Some hiking shoe manufacturers will use different waterproof technology.

Bob Gore understood that he was onto something with great potential. In 1970 Gore applied for a series of patents to make Gore-tex fabrics more seriously. And shortly afterward, in 1976, he started marketing their family brand, Gore-tex. At the time, it was the first waterproof and windproof fabric. High-quality materials are used in Adidas TERREX items to ensure you are ready for any weather. GORE-TEX®, for example, is both waterproof and breathable, making it excellent for long journeys. Polartec Alpha also performs well in terms of moisture control and breathability, ensuring that you keep warm without overheating. Starting in 1958, Bill and Genevieve Gore were onto something special. They were curious about a revolutionary and new polymer called polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). PTFE is a synthetic polymer called a fluoropolymer. It’s well known for being hydrophobic, having a high melting point, and resistant to abrasion via a high tensile strength. The other hidden talent comes courtesy of the Terrex Swift’s Gore-Tex membrane, which keeps feet reliably dry even in pounding rain. You’ll still need to take care not to dunk your foot in a stream or deep puddle – not least as the Gore-Tex layer is almost at good as keeping water in as it is keeping it out – but your feet will remain comfortable and dry if you avoid any of those obvious pitfalls. A decade later, in 1969, the Gores’ son, Bob Gore, discovered what eventually became known as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, or ePTFE for short. To create ePTFE, Gore stretched the PTFE under certain conditions. What he created was a heat-resistant, hydrophobic, and thin fabric.

This shoe finds the perfect balance in the midsole - not too soft and not too hard. What this means in practice is that we get a good amount of ground feel whilst still keeping our feet protected and supported. We measured the midsole for softness by pressing a durometer to it. No surprises there - it showed 32.5 HA, the average for hiking shoes. In a combination of lab tests and getting out on the trail, we found the Hoka Anacapa Low GTX to be the Gore-Tex hiking shoe with the best cushioning. With a midsole so plush that it feels more like a running shoe, it doesn’t neglect the stability required for a quality hiking shoe either. With such a plush shoe, it is possible for the stability to be compromised, but the Hoka Anacapa Low GTX has it covered. The widest platform ever to have passed through our lab, the 113.2 mm wide forefoot and 93.1 mm wide heel compensate for the softness of the midsole, making it next to impossible to roll our ankles when hiking on rough trails. Thanks to a tried and reliable Gore-Tex textile lining, these hiking shoes are waterproof. Although they only have a flood height of 3 inches, they keep water out of your shoes when crossing shallow creeks and muddy pathways. 3. Traction

Both GORE-TEX versions of these respective models offer excellent protection from wet weather, although breathability is greatly reduced in hot conditions. Therefore, I would opt for the non-GORE-TEX version of either shoe if you want increased ventilation and airflow, particularly during the summer months. In first appearance, the Swift R3 looks very much like a trail running shoe, but as you start to look more closely it becomes obvious that this is built for hiking on serious trails. Unfortunately, we would have to say no to this one. The main reason is that no hiking shoe, even models with Gore-tex, can prevent water from entering the shoe from above. For example, water can get inside the shoe if you step into deep water or mud. For this special selection, we employed our outdoor expertise and hiked hundreds of miles to field-test all the Gore-Tex hiking shoes in our inventory. That means wearing each pair on actual hiking trips, covering 30+ miles across wet trails and muddy routes. Our selection process includes: The unique mesh and synthetic materials of the TERREX shoe range contribute to a comfortable foot environment. Perspiration is routed away, to ensure a dry and comfortable shoe even after hours of jogging. Both adiPRENE® and TORSION® provide extra heel or midfoot stability, for traction on all types of surfaces. Even after many hours of exertion, the EVA midsole softly cushions every step. Final verdict

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Can a Gore-Tex hiking shoe be lightweight, comfortable, and supportive? It sure can! Our best overall Gore-Tex hiking shoe is the Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX, which takes first place for its instant comfort straight out of the box, perfect cushioning, and first-rate support.

After comprehensive lab tests and putting a number of waterproof hiking shoes through their paces, we declare that the Merrell Moab 3 GTX is the most comfortable Gore-Tex hiking shoe! They are delightfully comfortable straight out of the box, keep our feet completely dry on our wet hikes, and are designed with wear and tear in mind. While we enjoyed previous iterations of this shoe, the Terrex Swift R3 GTX fell a bit short of the mark for us overall. In traction and support, it does quite well, so it is best suited for those who desire a stiff and stable shoe. In comfort and versatility, we felt it to be of only average performance. Once they are broken in, a benchmark that we were unable to reach during our testing period, they may offer better versatility. Still, it will take much longer to break in these stiff uppers than most models that are ready to go pretty much right out of the box. We feel that these are not too expensive, but they are kind of a niche shoe for the price. Other models may do as good a job or better, for less money. If you're looking for an all-around hiking shoe, we think you can find better value elsewhere. What Other Hiking Shoes Should You Consider? The adidas TERREX Swift R3 GORE-TEX Walking Shoes are specifically made for light and fast hiking and aimed at anyone who prefers the fit and feel of a trail shoe, rather than a traditional mid-height hiking boot.

It didn’t take long for Gore-tex to get involved in footwear. In 1982, the first Gore-tex fabric bootie was submerged in water for testing. This test eventually led to the creation of the Gore-tex waterproof liner– a thin and lightweight waterproof membrane sewn into the shoe’s interior. Puddles, streams and wet grass are no match for the Merrell Moab Speed GTX’s impermeable lining. As an added bonus, our feet didn’t even sweat while hiking! In the lab, we pumped smoke into the shoe to test for breathability. Smoke exited fairly easily through the breathable tongue, which explains the air circulation in the toe box. We awarded it a 3/5 for breathability - an improvement on the waterproof hiking shoe average of 2.3. The toe-box has a particularly wide set of lace eyelets, which helps pull that area in tight, and it’s easy to get a good fit without fiddling around with the lacing too much, which is aided by the friction of the tube-style lace grommets. The top pair of eyelets are nicely-finished aluminium through-rivets, which should stand up to a lot of punishment. There isn’t a lot we would change here – the only issue we noted is that the Adidas Terrex Swift isn’t the most breathable hiking shoe in the world, due to its sturdy build and waterproof membrane. Personally, we’d save it for use from autumn through to spring, and switch to a more lightweight and breathable hiking shoe such as the Salomon Vaya for hiking mountain trails in hot dry weather.