Adidas Terrex Agravic Ultra Review (2024): Carbon Mode Engaged

Aurore Rousseau

Published on 12/01/2023

Updated on 12/19/2023

Our Verdict

Introduction

And here’s the first carbon-plate Adidas trail running shoe!

Released just in time for the UTMB 2023, the Adidas Terrex Agravic Ultra was at the feet of the brand’s sponsored athletes. The shoe can boast more than respectable results, including 4th place on the TDS for Ekaterina Mityaeva. It was an important success for the Russian runner, who took an active part in developing this new model and its technologies.

All the more reason to arouse the curiosity and expectations of trail running enthusiasts like ourselves. But is the hype worth it? That’s what we’re going to find out in this in-depth review, with various test runs in rainy, muddy autumn conditions (over 100 km/62 miles)!

Grip

The outsole of the Terrex Agravic Ultra uses Continental rubber, renowned for its durability and resistance. The lugs are not very deep (4 mm) but extremely effective. Their inverted construction ensures responsive traction on hills.

The full-coverage sole, on the other hand, translates into a certain rigidity. The camouflage design is the only fun detail on the shoe!

The cut-outs are a downside to this well-balanced outsole. Debris and mud tend to accumulate, which is paradoxical for a shoe designed for rocky trails.

Types of terrain

The Terrex Agravic Ultra’s grip is impeccable, whether on wet or dry terrain. As a result, the shoe offer is impressive on loose ground, steep terrain, forest trails, roots, and rocks. In short, typical mid-to-high-mountain surfaces are its preferred terrain.

Cushioning

The midsole of the Adidas Terrex Agravic Ultra is a combination of 3 technologies with complementary qualities:

• a little Boost foam for softness
• lots of Lightstrike cushioning for protection and durability
• a bio-sourced carbon plate for stability, responsiveness and energy savings

This is an excellent combination for runners who want to take on ultramarathon running. The midsole is comfortable but not very flexible, with rather firm cushioning despite its comfortable stack (34 mm in the heel, 26 mm in the forefoot for a drop of 8 mm).

Energy return

The combination of carbon plate, rocker, and 8 mm heel-to-toe drop is effective for a smooth ride. The resulting forward propulsion promotes responsive bounce… but mostly on rolling terrain! It’s a bit paradoxical for this Terrex Agravic Ultra, designed for the mountains.

The weight of this shoe is the price to pay for protection and robustness. At 320 g/11.3 oz for men (302 g/10.6 oz for women), it’s certainly not lightweight and doesn’t help with smooth riding!

Foot lockdown

The prevalent sensation of the Adidas Terrex Agravic Ultra upper as you first try it and run for the first time with it is its stiffness. It takes a few runs for the fit to adjust and for your foot to get the hang of it (around 30 km/18.6 miles in my case). In the meantime, you’ll have to put up with a little friction around the ankle’s malleolus and Achilles heel – and suffer a bit!

On the plus side, the foot lockdown is impeccable once you’ve found the right fit. Reserve a few minutes before going out, as the shoe is difficult to put on. The laces are flat and easy to manipulate while the tongue is simple and effective, resting without movement on the top of the foot.

The single-layer plastic mesh is fairly thin and airy and seems durable. Sizing is standard: this model runs true to size but with a rather narrow toe box that may not suit wide feet.

Protection is excellent, with the toe bumper and mesh overlays. You barely feel the ground under and obstacles around the foot. The Adidas Terrex Agravic Ultra is a real tank!

The breathable mesh ensures good breathability, especially in the forefoot area.

Note: there’s no waterproof version like Gore-Tex. However, the shoes easily repel small amounts of water like rain and puddles.

Use

Its sturdiness, high level of protection, and comfort make the Adidas Terrex Agravic Ultra a trail running shoe designed for long distances with (very) technical and uneven sections, such as medium or high mountain terrains. The foot placement and lockdown as you hit the ground is precise, and nothing stands in its way!

You would expect the carbon plate to be the Adidas Terrex Agravic Ultra’s main asset, providing responsive performance and insane speed. But no! Its primary function is not performance but running economy. In other words, it saves your legs, especially on hills. It does so by taking the strain off your joints with its forward propulsion effect.

Other possible scenarios

Apart from the specific use described above, the Adidas Terrex Agravic Ultra configuration leaves little room for other possible scenarios. Forget about it for your fast-paced speed sessions. Its lack of lightness and agility make it unsuitable for this type of workout.

We didn’t have the chance to test the shoe in technical conditions such as snow or sticky mud. These are certainly limitations, given the relative thickness of the lugs.

Quality and durability

Everything about the Adidas Terrex Agravic Ultra exudes toughness and durability. Full Continental rubber coverage promises long hours of wear-free running. You’ll probably be exhausted from running before the outsole shows the first signs of weakness! The upper is equally tough, with durable mesh. This shoe is built to last. Let’s bet on 1,000 km/600 miles!

Finally, given the quality of the materials and the carbon plate, it represents good value and should appeal to many trail runners.

Carbon footprint and animal welfare

The Agravic series is Adidas’ range of footwear made from eco-friendly materials. For example, the upper of the Adidas Terrex Agravic Ultra contains at least 50% recycled materials, including:

• mesh made from recycled plastic recovered from ocean waste
• the bio-sourced TPE plate, made from 90% renewable carbon fibers

This model is not vegan.

Conclusion

In short, the Adidas Terrex Agravic Ultra is a top pick if you’re looking for a trail running shoe with plenty of protection, sturdiness, and stability for your long-distance runs and races.

It’s a good first model that deserves a few improvements in terms of comfort and weight to make it an absolute ace card for mountain ultras.

Facts

Technical Specs

Cushioning

Technologies

Use