I Walked One Million Steps in Adidas’s Top Hiking Shoes. The Results Surprised Me

It took me roughly four months to walk one million steps in my Adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2.0 Lows. I aimed for 10,000 steps a day, and I wore these shoes the entire time. My mission was inspired by both the (marketing) hype around that magic number as well as a woman who decided to walk 20,000 steps a day, just to see what it felt like.

Not only did walking 10,000 steps a day for four months change my body — almost more so than any other workout I’ve tried — but it changed my outlook on footwear. We tend to think of hiking shoes’ lifespan in years; reframing my perspective to consider every single step I took made me realize just how long lasting some shoes can be, while others fall short.

Scott Seiver

There’s a reason I chose these particular kicks for this experiment: After wearing them a few times, I found myself enjoying the ride, and I wanted to see how they’d hold up over the long haul. I toyed with the idea of walking shoes, but I’m a hiker at heart; I wanted a test that aligned with my interests. After spending almost every day with these shoes for a third of a year, I have some thoughts.

Editor’s note: This morning, adidas Terrex announced the launch of the Free Hiker 2 Low, a new model that incorporates the comfort-first approach of the Free Hiker 2 Low Gore-Tex, minus the waterproofing. It’s $20 cheaper, over an ounce lighter and presumably a bit cooler, so if you tend to hike in warmer locales where rain and mud are less common, it’s worth a look.

To learn more about our testing methodology and how we evaluate products, head here.

The Adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2.0 Low GTX: What We Think

ADIDAS

Adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2.0 Low GTX

The Free Hiker 2.0 Low GTX is one of the most comfortable, well-equipped low hikers to come on the market in the past five years. It combines a sturdy yet lightweight foot feel with thoughtful features and construction.

Specs

Materials	Abrasion-resistant mesh upper, Boost midsole, Gore-Tex membrane, Continental rubber outsole
Weight	15.5 ounces (men’s size 9)

Pros

• Incredibly comfortable; no break-in required
• Gore-Tex repels all water without overheating the feet

Cons

• A little heavy compared to other low hikers

• 
  $180 at Adidas

adidas Terrex

Adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2.0 Low

The Free Hiker 2 Low features a breathable and abrasion-resistant upper, a flexible EVA frame and a low silhouette designed for fast and light hikes, without the ankle friction.

Specs

Materials	Mesh upper, EVA frame, Boost midsole, Continental outsole
Weight	14.4 ounces (men’s size 9.5)

Pros

• Comfortable and light construction

Cons

• Not waterproof

• 
  $160.00 at Adidas

I expected at the end of one million steps to see more wear and tear. Instead, these shoes are seemingly unchanged, aside from the dirt and dust that’s coated them. They’re still supportive, still comfortable and have no defects or issues. I’d have been equally surprised if they were trashed, but I was impressed with just how well they held up. They’re not perfect, but the pros far outweigh the cons when it comes to these hikers.

Scott Seiver

I take no credit for the shoes looking this good — in fact, I did everything I could to make them look worse. I walked in rain and mud, dry and dusty dirt, over asphalt and concrete and everywhere in between. I never wiped them off or cleaned them. I didn’t protect them or treat them preciously or any differently than my other hiking shoes — outside of wearing them every single day.

Durability and Flexibility: The Foundation

Scott Seiver

Scott Seiver

A few key components helped the shoes stand up to a million steps, led by the upper and the outsole. The abrasion-resistant mesh upper with seamless overlays is at once flexible and durable — I could bend and move easily and without discomfort, but I was protected from rocks, sticks and other trail hazards. The upper isn’t designed to place breathability above durability — more the opposite — but I never experienced overheating, even in September (which is always hot in Southern California.)

Scott Seiver

The Continental rubber outsole is grippy and lightweight, without feeling delicate. Even after one million steps, some of those over broken asphalt and concrete, and it doesn’t look chewed up at all. The lugs are a little worn down, but that’s to be expected — and it’s not nearly the amount of wear I had anticipated.

Comfort: The Deciding Factor

I don’t care how cool, innovative or unique a shoe claims to be. If it isn’t comfortable, I won’t wear it — and you shouldn’t either. The best shoe for your hikes is the one you want to wear. That’s where the Low version of the iconic Free Hiker makes a step in the right direction (and into last year’s GP100). The higher-cut original version was hugely popular, but it just didn’t work for me. The toe box was gargantuan, the ankle cuff was stiff and uncomfortable and the entire construction of the shoe felt off.

Scott Seiver

All these issues have been corrected in the Lows. My foot isn’t sliding around in the shoe anymore, my toes are properly situated and the exclusion of the ankle cuff means no blistering or hot spots on the trail. The proprietary Boost midsole is cloudlike and springy but overall the shoes still have some heft; they weigh 15.5 ounces, which doesn’t make them the lightest option on the market. They are just present and physical enough to make me feel safe in tricker terrain without feeling weighed down. The external heel clip and EVA stabilization frame provide ample support; no rolled ankles here. The Gore-Tex membrane keeps them dry but as I said before, they don’t really overheat. Perhaps the lower height is a factor here as well.

Do I like everything about these Free Hikers?

Not necessarily, although my qualms are more tied to personal preference than structural issues with the shoe. Spending four months straight with a shoe would be pretty difficult if I didn’t really like how they fit and felt. Still, as I said, they are a little on the heavy side; they’re not the shoe I’d recommend if you’re into lightweight, ultra-minimal hiking shoes.

The fit still leans toward being slightly larger rather than true to size; I found this to be a bonus when my feet had swollen up at the end of two hours’ worth of walking, but if you’re kind of an in-between size, I’d suggest favoring the smaller size or trying them on in person, if possible.

Scott Seiver

All told, after dedicating a third of my year to these hikers, I’d recommend them to anyone looking for a well-built, comfortable, durable hiking shoe. They’re easy to wear, the laces don’t constantly come untied (a problem I often run into with hiking shoes and boots — anyone else??), the styling is attractive and after a million steps and counting, I can attest to the fact that yes, these shoes will go the distance.