Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra

Outdoor

If you’re into blazing through ultra-distance trail races or floating along buttery singletrack, you’re definitely going to want to know about the Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra. This shoe isn’t just borrowing tricks from road racing shoes—it’s basically a road rocket in trail-ready clothes. From its barely-there weight to the zippy feel underfoot and snug, speed-focused fit, this is Adidas throwing down the gauntlet in the trail supershoe scene. And yes, we’ve put it through its paces: think weeks of tempo runs, rugged long hauls, and those back-to-back ultra weekends that really separate the hype from reality.

Design and construction

Adidas clearly went full throttle with the Speed Ultra. One glance and you know it means business. It’s built around a big, bold midsole, stuffed with Lightstrike Pro foam—the very same stuff that powers their elite road racing lineup. On trail, it delivers a ride that’s plush yet punchy, offering serious bounce and endurance-friendly efficiency, especially when the terrain’s not too gnarly. Add in a sharp rocker and PEBA EnergyRods in the mix, and you’ve got propulsion that feels natural, not rigid. No carbon plank here. Instead, you get a smooth, rolling stride that makes midfoot or forefoot running feel almost automatic. It really shines on undulating terrain, where you can get into a rhythm and just go. Once you find that groove, slowing down doesn’t even cross your mind.

Midsole performance

The midsole is the star of the show. Lightstrike Pro offers that just-right balance of softness and bounce, never veering into squishiness. What’s impressive is how consistent it feels, even deep into a long day out. The PEBA rods add some welcome pop, but in a way that’s more encouraging than demanding. Lab numbers suggest slightly above-average stiffness, and that aligns with the on-foot feel. Despite its towering 42mm heel and 34mm forefoot, the shoe stays surprisingly nimble and light. It’s no wonder you’ll spot them at the front of the pack in 50Ks and ultra events on smoother trails.

Push the pace, and this shoe responds. We noticed our cadence just… lifted, almost naturally, during speed sessions on packed dirt. Less effort, more turnover. Especially when you’re landing midfoot, the rocker makes it all flow. Uphills? Efficient. Flats? Silky. It’s like the shoe is egging you on, asking, «Why not a little faster?»

Fit and upper

The upper is as stripped-down as it gets—breathable, minimal, and purpose-built. No extra fluff, no overbuilt overlays, just a tight, race-tuned wrap that holds your foot in place. The midfoot and arch feel snug and secure, and once you dial in the laces, it’s locked. That said, the fit is on the long and narrow side. Runners with standard to slim feet will feel right at home. But if your feet run wide, or if you’re expecting some swelling during those longer efforts, it might feel tight up front.

One thing we picked up: the upper is happiest at speed. When you’re moving, it disappears. But when things slow down—say you’re power hiking a climb or grinding through a low-effort day—it doesn’t offer the plush comfort you might find in more laid-back trail shoes. It’s built to push, not to chill.

Outsole and traction

On dry trails, crushed gravel, or rocky paths, the Continental rubber outsole delivers. It’s sticky, grippy, and holds its own across long distances. The 2.5mm lugs offer just enough bite for those kinds of surfaces, but when conditions turn messy—think mud, slick clay, or steep slop—traction takes a noticeable dip. We’ve seen some runners change out mid-race when the trail turned to soup.

Still, durability is a win here. Even after 150km of mixed surfaces, the lugs stayed sharp, and the rubber looked surprisingly fresh. For a race-day build, that’s solid. But again, don’t expect it to perform miracles in alpine or technical terrain where deeper lugs and edge grip matter.

Stability

That high stack and pronounced rocker combo? It’s magic on clean trails. But take it into techy, rooty, or off-camber terrain, and you’ll need sharp footwork. Heel strikers in particular might find things a bit wobbly when the going gets rough. The shoe rewards good form—especially a mid-to-forefoot stride—but doesn’t forgive bad habits.

On smoother routes and fireroads, though, it’s a blast. Like strapping on a rocket booster. But if you’re navigating uneven ground or your legs are shot, that extra height and curvature can make things feel less grounded. It’s not built to baby your feet through sloppy terrain.

Durability and long-term feel

For something this light and speedy, the Speed Ultra holds up better than expected. The Lightstrike Pro foam doesn’t flatten out fast, and the outsole rubber has proven it can take a beating. It keeps that road-shoe energy even as miles pile up on the trail.

We were especially impressed by how fresh it felt even after long back-to-backs. The foam stays springy, and the PEBA rods keep delivering that toe-off energy hours into a run. That’s not just performance—that’s performance that lasts.

Final verdict

The Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra knows exactly what it wants to be. It’s not trying to please everyone. It’s made for trail racers who want road-shoe speed with just enough trail chops to handle dry, flowing routes. If you’re a confident, midfoot-striking runner chasing fast times on non-technical trails, this could be your next favorite shoe.

But if your runs lean muddy, rocky, or you like a roomier toe box and cushier fit, there are better options. This is a purpose-built speed machine—nimble, exciting, and built to race. If you match its vibe, it might just blow you away.