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10.3 oz. (293 g) for a US M9 / 8.6 oz. (245 g) for a US W7
32.5 mm in heel, 24.5 mm in forefoot (8 mm drop)
Tacklin’ trails on a budget
Mesh upper with TPU overlays, Lightstrike midsole, Continental rubber outsole
Available June 2024 for $130
JOHN: You don’t want a trail running shoe… you want a trail “running” shoe.
For context, Breaking Bad is one of my favorite shows ever. The way they introduce the Saul Goodman character when Pinkman tells Walt they need a “criminal” lawyer is one of my favorite moments in television history.
The $130 trail shoe scene is not as complex as what Walt and Pinkman are doing in the meth game, but it is tricky. Some gem trail shoes are out there with all-around good balance, but let’s face it, some can be clunky and feel like you’re redlining an RV/meth lab in your tighty whities through the desert.
So, how did the Agravic 3 do? Let’s find out!
JOHN: The Agravic 3 fits true to size right out of the box. The shoe is easy to put on, and you immediately feel the soft comfort of Lightstrike underfoot. The Abrasion-resistant mesh upper is extremely tough and additionally has TPU overlays that offer extra support and protection from all the ouchy things you find on the trail.
The Lightstrike midsole on the Agravic 3 feels incredibly soft and responsive, and the TPU stability plate is a key part of this.
The Agravic 3 drains water well. Overall, it’s good at draining water, drying fast, and keeping out debris.
I absolutely love the Continental outsole. Its bottom construction is pretty basic: no weird grooves or anything for rocks and sticks to get trapped or stuck in, 4 mm lugs throughout, and 5 mm lugs along the edges. Nothing is super aggressive here, but the shoe is serviceable on harder trails and an absolute pleasure to run in on easier ones.
This is an eye-catching shoe. I like that the Terrex branding is clearly visible on the shoe, so people don’t think it’s a Boost, a Supernova, or some other random Adidas. I feel like this branding helps people know what the shoe is and gives it an identity. The three stripes are still present on the inside of the shoe, distinguishing it as an Adidas runner, but having Terrex on the outside is great to identify it as a trail shoe. I really enjoy the look of this shoe, and it’s by far my favorite Adidas Terrex out of all the others I’ve reviewed.
The $130 price tag puts this shoe into my Yuengling of beers category. It’s like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s contract or even like picking up Jaylen Warren or Tank Dell off the waiver wire in fantasy football (I can’t wait for the BITR league to come back again). Let’s face it: trail shoes are expensive. If you don’t like paying more than $130 for a pair of shoes, you pretty much have to check this one out. The Agravic 3 does a hell of a lot for $130.
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JOHN: I’d leave this shoe at home on harder trails. It’s serviceable but I truly feel like where it works best is on easy to medium trails. I’d opt for a shoe with bigger lugs for more rugged adventures.
I bombed down a hill on a run, and my toe jammed in the toe box. This only happened one time, but I feel that, in the interest of full disclosure, I should mention it here. All around, though, the shoe felt great going uphill, downhill, and on the flats.
Also, the Agravic 3 isn’t too heavy, but if I had to nitpick some, I feel like this shoe could lose just a little weight.
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JOHN: If you are looking for an inexpensive shoe to run local trails on, look no further. I’d compare this shoe to two inexpensive trail legends, the Saucony Peregrine and the Altra Superior. The Superior is the same price as the Agravic 3 and less weight, but I like the lugs of the Agravic 3 and its softness over the Superior.
As much as I’ve enjoyed the Peregrine over the years and champion its low price point at $140 for such a serviceable shoe, I have to say, if you are tired of the Peregrine, definitely try out the Agravic 3. I like the lug pattern better on the Agravic 3. The Agravic 3 is slightly heavier, but it’s 10 dollars cheaper.
Fire up the Alltrails app and find a bunch of fun and easy-to-medium trails near you and party out on with the Agravic 3. (Just don’t get caught up on that free trial for the plus service they offer and get blasted with that unexpected annual 1-year subscription fee!) This shoe was an absolute pleasure to review. It’s extremely comfortable and feels a lot like a road shoe! I got some much faster paces running in the Agravic 3 than I anticipated, and if I had to run on bits of the road coming off the trail, it felt great.
I’d even go as far as to say this shoe is a great option for people who hate trail shoes, people getting into trail running, and grizzled, strange trail people like me. It’s a fun shoe and has something for everyone!
You can pick up the Adidas Terrex Agravic 3 for $130 from Adidas using the button below.
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An obsessed runner, John has run in most ultra races in the Mid-Atlantic area. Since he’s an ultra runner, it’s no surprise he’s also a lover of food. He’s also a dedicated father, caregiver, and veteran.
More from John
I saw a couple of complaints about the lugs, butno indication of what would make an acceptable lug depth. 4- & 5-mm seems pretty common, and plenty deep.
Hey Frank!
Yeah man I had no issue with the lugs at all. My biggest complaint is just the overall weight but for $130 it’s solid value.
I think this $130 shoe is not the best cheap option. My Adidas Terrex Speed Flow cost me ~$70, is a much much speedier and lighter shoe than this. Also my moms Terrex speed pro cost her ~$50, and even lighter and faster shoe than mine. See?
In comparrison these shoes are very cheap which makes this deal seem too expensive and a pro option if this should be a budget option. You get less shoe for more money buying agravic flow.
Thank you for the review, John. You stated a true to size fit, that is great to know. Any info you can dish on the forefoot width and size of the toe box? I have always wanted to try Terrex shoes, but the narrow fit has always been a concern for me. I was hoping this shoe might buck that trend.