Adidas is no stranger to super shoes — those lightweight, marathon-ready platforms built on stacked foam, carbon-plating, and rocker-shaped soles. The three stripes have delivered some of the most lauded designs, like the Adizero Adios Pro 3 — read our review of it here — or the legendary Adios Pro Evo 1.

But the complexities of unpredictable surfaces in trail running make it a much different beast than hitting a stride on paved roads, and brands have struggled to bring the success of super shoes over to the mountains. That’s what makes adidas’s latest running shoe to arrive on Zalando, the Agravic Speed Ultra, its Terrex line’s greatest success to date.

THE AGRAVIC SPEED ULTRA IS IN

Key details of the sole include: dynamic rocker design, energy rods, Lightstrike Pro foam, and a Continental Rubber outsole for grip. Shop it now in two fresh colourways of “Lucid Lemon / Core Black / Dash Grey” and “White / Impact Orange / Dash Grey”.

THE AGRAVIC SPEED ULTRA IS IN

Key details of the sole include: dynamic rocker design, energy rods, Lightstrike Pro foam, and a Continental Rubber outsole for grip. Shop it now in two fresh colourways of “Lucid Lemon / Core Black / Dash Grey” and “White / Impact Orange / Dash Grey”.

The story behind this tried and tested success

A technological achievement, the Agravic Speed Ultra succeeds as a super shoe for the trails. It blends comfort and durability with (you guessed it) speed, making it the perfect companion for winning those extreme ultra distances. It wasn’t given the “speed” in its name on no account either — adidas designed it throughout a two-year collaboration with Terrex professional runner Tom Evans. While wearing a prototype, Evans would win the Western States Endurance Run in 2023, as well as ultrarunner Ruth Croft in 2022. The shoe would go on to grace the podium in other major races like Chamonix, and as of September 2024, the Leadville 100 where David Roche shattered the record time by 16 minutes.

Evans has described it as “A shoe that is capable of pushing the boundaries of what people think is possible.” And popular trail runner and content creator Billy Yang has said “These are not your everyday trainers: they are like the sports car in your garage: Something that you want to reserve for special occasions like weekend driving and of course, races.”

Fit, flex, feel and support

Built for a racing pace, the Agravic Speed Ultra weighs in at 270 grams (size UK 8.5) and cuts unnecessary weight without additional padding surrounding the tongue, heel collar and counter. You can expect a snug, hugging fit courtesy of the gusseted tongue — while sidewalls line the heel to help with smooth landings.

The midsole drop measures in at 8 millimetres, and it features a thick stack height of 42mm / 34mm, spread widely to ensure added stability atop uneven surfaces. Given the sole's energy rods and thickness, there’s an added flexibility seen, which differs from the stiffness found in standard, road intended super shoes.

Dynamic rocker + energy rods

You might’ve already noted the pronounced, geometric shape of the shoe’s rockered sole. It’s sculpted to support rolling the foot gait forward, toward the energy rods, enhancing speed and propulsion through the forefoot.

The energy rods — a signature adidas alternative to carbon-plating — are made from Pebax, a lightweight plastic polymer that’s the same material used in the PEBA foam found in many super shoes. As you’ll see in the third image above, the iteration used in the Agravic Speed Ultra consists of six independently placed prongs — four on the forefoot and two on the heel — spread wider than in the brand’s road shoes to provide more for stability on the trails.

Midsole/Outsole: foam + grip

Expect lightweight cushioning thanks to the premier Lightstrike Pro foam — built from a supercritical (gas-infused) TPEE (thermoplastic polyester elastomer). The three stripes’s premium material is known for raking up long distances and an excellent return on energy — as well as slight firmness in lower temperatures and softness in the summer.

As for the outsole, you’ll find it’s made from the extreme grip of rubber manufacturer Continental, who along with adidas running shoes, are well-known for crafting tyres. It features 2.5 mm shorter lugs, with 3.5 mm lugs along the edges for increased bite when cornering — topped off with a striking melted crayon stylisation.

Upper/Breathability

The upper is made from an abrasion-resistant synthetic knit mesh, complete with seamless overlays for added support and durability. Its thinness and woven construction supports breathability for those long, ultra distances.

Look and style

Finally, we’d be remiss not to examine the Agravic Speed Ultra’s appearance in its two latest colourways of “Lucid Lemon / Core Black / Dash Grey” and “White / Impact Orange / Dash Grey”. See both versions here, paired with functional head-to-toe apparel for the total Terrex experience. You can shop the Agravic Speed Ultra, plus the matching tops, tights, shorts, and accessories today.