The Adidas Terrex Agravik SL is my favorite trail running shoe

I recently moved from New York City to Zurich, Switzerland. And, like most runners, my first instinct upon arrival was to buckle up and hit the road. But after getting out for a few miles and linking up with a local run club, I soon realized that although the roads here are absolutely fine, this town – surrounded by dense forest and surrounded by vast expanses of farmland – is all about its trails.

Make no mistake, I was shocked. I love trail running, and Manhattan isn’t exactly famous for its singletrack. But I have a shoe problem. Of course, there is no shortage. As an active trail runner, I have literally tons of pairs, including about a dozen trail and gravel options. (Cue footage of me apologizing to my movers in New York when they discovered another closet full of trainers.)

However, as I move towards becoming a Swiss trail runner, I’m struggling to wear the Adidas EVO SL—a road shoe that I, like many runners, have become completely and hopelessly crazy about. For me, there is no other road shoe currently on the market – and certainly no trail shoe – that comes close to the light, fast and every bit as satisfying experience of running in the EVO SL. That is, until I tried the new Terex Agravik SL.

Adidas Terrex Agravik SL

weight: 9.84 ounces
Pile Height: 39-33 mm
drop: 6 mm

A fan favorite, but make it wild

I love the Agravik SL because it is very close to its trail version EVO SL As you will find. This seems to be entirely by design, considering that the EVO SL has sold over 10 million pairs, and will likely be remembered as Adidas’s most consequential and well-received running shoe since the 2013 Boost. Built on the same Energetic Lightstrike Pro midsole as the adizero Adios Pro 3 (minus the supershoe’s ride-stiffening Energy Rods), it’s fast, supportive, comfortable, and smooth. It epitomizes the versatility of a running shoe. And it looks absolutely sharp.

The Terex Agravik SL is an exercise in restrained design. It updates the EVO SL just enough to be able to tackle the trails, but not more than a stitch. The most notable modifications are to the outsole and upper. While the EVO SL features a thin, smooth layer of Continental rubber that only partially hides its exposed Lightstrike Pro midsole, the Agravik SL is completely outfitted with a sturdy, serrated outsole, with a dual combination of 3.5mm and 4mm lugs. In keeping with the EVO SL’s approach of incorporating niche technology into an everyday trainer, it features the same outsole as the brand’s premium trail racing shoes – Agravik Speed ​​Ultra 2. On the topside, the EVO SL’s engineered mesh upper is reinforced with abrasion-resistant TPU overlays around the toe box, laces and heel for added durability.

Same ride, new map

Based on what updates Adidas made from the EVO SL to the Agravik SL – and, more importantly, which ones the brand chose to leave as is – my guess is that the goal was to translate the running experience in the EVO SL as closely as possible to off-road terrain. And, seeing this as the goal, I’d call the Aggrevik SL successful: the reworked outsole and reinforced upper effectively preserve the fast, light, and agile feel that makes the EVO SL great for many different types of runs (and runners), protecting it from the pitfalls of the interior and the rigors of the trail. Just as the Agravik Speed ​​Ultra brought the propulsive power of the Adios Pro to the trails, the Agravik SL EVO opens up a world of singletrack and switchbacks to SL fans. Essentially, what the EVO SL is to the Adios Pro 3 – a more versatile and accessible ride with the same premium materials (and, crucially, no energy rods) – the Agravik SL is to the Speed ​​Ultra 2.

Besides the obvious changes to the outsole and upper, some more subtle changes help make the Agravik SL feel like a purpose-built trail shoe. The Lightstrike Pro midsole, while similar in structure to the EVO SL, has been shaped into a more exaggerated rocker that now extends through the heel to ensure the shoe’s fluid turnover translates across all types of terrain. The foam base is also a bit wide – in both the forefoot and heel. These wider dimensions match the outsole, and the net effect of this increased surface area is a more stable base. The Agravik SL has a markedly more locked-down feel than the EVO SL, thanks to the new winged tongue and braided laces, and this added structure is nicely balanced by a touch more padding around the heel collar.

Who is the Adidas Terrex Agravik SL for?

If you’re a fan of the EVO SL and are looking for a comparable option for trail running, the Agravik SL is it. Likewise, if the idea of ​​a more versatile, forgiving version of the Speed ​​Ultra 2 that you can use for daily miles is exciting to you, you can go ahead and get your credit card ready now.

Of course, even if you haven’t had the pleasure of racing in an EVO SL or Speed ​​Ultra 2, and you have no idea what I’m talking about, there’s a very good chance you’ll enjoy the Aggrevik SL – for the same reasons that its smooth-riding, pavement-pounding counterpart has been such a hit. That said, versatility comes at the expense of specificity, and for runners who want a leaner, more connected, more stable ride — especially over rugged technical terrain — a thick slab of Lightstrike Pro foam probably isn’t the answer.

At the end of the day, like the EVO SL, the Terrex Agravik SL is a shoe you can feel good wearing for any kind of run, from racing to recovery and most everything in between. And, according to reviews, it seems to work well for most sizes of feet. It’s got comfort when you want it and it’s got speed when you need it – all wrapped up in a clean, simple design that stays out of your way so you can enjoy running.