Since receiving the Terrex WMN MID RAIN.RDY Hiking Shoe I was initially intrigued to see how this lightweight shoe endures, in particular with the striking design of the light ‘Sand Strata’ colour but in all honesty I have been impressed. [editor note: the sand strata colour is not part of the current colours] It has been refreshing to try a shoe that not only looks good but performs too. Despite trekking through the mud in the boggy Welsh mountains or carefully stepping through damp forests in search of wild garlic these shoes still look nearly as good as new. Furthermore the Rain.Rdy technology truly lives up to its name. Despite many of my adventure companions vocalising the same thought I initially queried, of how these stunning shoes would stand up to the test of adventure, time after time my companions and I were pleasantly surprised with just how dry and clean these shoes stayed but also more importantly my feet.
Not only have these shoes been completely waterproof, with even the comfortable padded ankle collar repelling water effectively, on terrain they have not disappointed. The shoe’s outsole consists of Continental™ Rubber which provides excellent grip and traction especially across slippy algae-covered slate in Eryri and on uneven loose ground on a hilly dog walk. It's been incredibly reassuring to know that my feet will stay dry and supported regardless of the weather or trail conditions.
Considered in the design, was the female foot anatomy and it clearly shows. As someone who has previously struggled to enjoy wearing hiking shoes, due to my narrow feet and over-flexible ankles leaving me feeling unstable on terrain or with huge blisters at the end of a hike, I have relished the chance of looking forward to wearing my footwear whilst hiking. The lightweight, well-thought-out cushioning and grip on these shoes have provided me confidence and comfort for short sprints chasing a sunset to long hikes.
In terms of aesthetics to go alongside the shoe Adidas Terrex released a women-focussed apparel range which consisted of the TERREX XPLORIC RAIN.RDY HIKING JACKET, TERREX Multi Full-Zip Fleece Jacket, TERREX Multi Allover Print Leggings and TERREX MULTI T-SHIRT. Again like the shoes, it is a collection that boasts a sleek and stylish design whilst combining muted earth tones with subtle pops of colour. This look provides fundamentally a sporty look but with personality that certainly generated a conversion or compliment during a dog walk, run or hike.
Firstly with the fit I wear size 12 and typically order outdoor/active clothing in a medium. With the help of the Adidas sizing guide, I was able to avoid disappointment in sizing as it advised I instead went for a Large or size 14. Although this questions why Adidas clothing comes up smaller than other brands in my case I was very happy with the fit of the outfit. To start, the Terrex Multi Allover Print Leggings were adaptive and comfortable for a multitude of activities from hiking, outdoor group fitness, yoga or a run. The high-rise extra-wide waistband hugs your body without digging in so that you can move without the annoyance of your leggings slipping down. Additionally despite impressively the Yarn containing 50% Parley Ocean Plastic these leggings are breathable no matter the intensity of activity. Lastly, and this is key for confidence, these leggings are genuinely squat-proof, a big issue that usually light-coloured leggings provide me with. So although I was initially dubious about the choice of Silver Violet I would happily have the confidence to go back and order the ‘Wonder Steel’ Blue or the ‘Grey Five’ Charcoal colour too.
Moving onto the Terrex Xploric Rain.RDY Hiking Jacket, like the shoes this jacket provides excellent protection against the elements whilst being lightweight. Compared to similar jackets from brands such as Rab this coat is on the pricier side at £280. However with the cost does come with the quality, a two-way full zip provides versatility in the jacket, whether you use it with a harness whilst climbing or to shut yourself away from the cold and rain during a thunderstorm, it is certainly practical. Further to this, the chest pockets with an Aqua Guard zip are useful for keeping the valuables dry and accessible. Again like the leggings the fit is very good, with adjustable cuffs, hood and hem to provide an even more personalised wear. Lastly, despite the hardiness of this jacket it is breathable and endured well even on a very humid and wet run, the only addition I would have loved to see from the jacket was the inclusion of pit pockets.
Designed to wear alongside the Jacket, Legging and Shoes I was fortunate to try both the Terrex Multi Full-Zip Fleece Jacket and Multi T-Shirt. As outlined in the name both of these garments were extremely versatile and comfortable. In the past, I have struggled with the cut and fit of sleeves on outdoor garments but for both the fleece and t-shirt these aspects had been well designed. Both garments offer a practical and flattering fit with the t-shirt offering a tapered fit with a drop-tail hem and the fleece providing secure, well-placed pockets and a slim fit that creates a streamlined look without sacrificing comfort. The fleece is offered in a range of 5 differing colours and through testing the lightest shade of the collection the only notable downside is that any darker-coloured clothing worn underneath the fleece would show through. With that in mind paired with the light-coloured options offered for the T-shirt range, this problem could be avoided. For those colder days or windier conditions, the fleece offered great insulation, despite the lightweight and thin feel of the fleece it was very effective at trapping body heat. Overall both garments were breathable and helped to manage sweat and prevent unpleasant odours due to their moisture-wicking properties, making them ideal for prolonged outdoor use, casual walks or strenuous exercise.
In Summary, it is clear that this range was designed for women, the anatomy of women has been carefully considered whilst still offering an aesthetically pleasing outfit. The range pairs perfectly with an outdoor active lifestyle as well as a working week where you find activity through a dog walk or a yoga session. Although I was impressed with the whole collection the shoes stood out in terms of design, comfort and value for money, I would therefore highly recommend investing in the shoes.