Adidas is a well-known brand in the athletic shoe realm, and it has also been a champion of sustainable design with its 5-year partnership with Parley for the Oceans. Now, Adidas has released three new products that incorporate sustainable features, including upcycled ocean plastic from Parley, as a means to take the heat off the planet and transfer it into sweat on the trail.
The first shoe in the PROTOHYPE series is the Adidas Terrex Two Ultra Parley. It features a roomy fit, a “Continental” rubber outsole for ultimate grip on both wet and dry surfaces and a rocker design that facilitates foot motion during use. This shoe was designed specifically to provide cushion and comfort while on the trail. The stretchy, breathable upper portion is made from Parley Ocean Plastic, a material made from plastic waste collected on islands, beaches, coastal communities and shorelines before it can reach the ocean.
The second shoe option is the Adidas Terrex Two Parley. This version is more of a multipurpose selection with many of the same features as the similarly named Adidas Terrex Two Ultra Parley. The cushioning, comfort, rocker design, upcycled Parley Ocean Plastic upper and fit are all alike in both styles. The main difference is that the Ultra offers a different type of energy transfer in the midsole to better adapt for rocky terrain.
The third option in this release is the Adidas Agravic BOA, which is designed for protection and stability on rocky, technical and rough terrain. These feature an easy tightening mechanism and an abrasion-resistant TPU molded toe cap to offer protection from rough surfaces. The Agravic BOA uses “Dope” dye, a process where dye is injected directly into raw materials, conserving water compared to the typical dying process.
Adidas Terrex Two Parley review
I hate buying shoes. Always. With narrow feet, a high arch and back issues, I don’t have the option for cute at the cost of function. So when Adidas offered to send me a pair of the new Terrex Two Parley sneakers for review, I was bracing myself for the inevitable pinching, rubbing, squeezing or lack of support I typically encounter during shoe hunts.
In short, I was blissfully surprised.
Although I appreciate an eye-catching shoe, the bright colors had me feeling a little self-conscious at first. However, I did feel safe that I would be easily noticed as a pedestrian, and I quickly adapted to the look as I headed out with my pup for a neighborhood walk.
The shoes are easy to get on and off with a flexible yet snug slide-on design. The laces are more for looks than function, because the shoe fits like a glove on my foot. I found the foot bed to be narrow where it needed to be (the heel) and roomy at the widest point without allowing too much extra space on the sides. This cut combined with outstanding heel support makes for an extremely comfortable shoe.
In fact, I slipped them on right out of the box and trekked two miles. In subsequent days, I’ve put another 10 miles on them across both gravel and pavement. The traction is reliable on all terrains I’ve tested so far, and the thick sole makes it feel like there is no difference between varying surfaces.
Most surprisingly, I experienced zero rubbing and they required no “break in” period to get comfortable. I will admit the price point is more than I typically pay, but I’ve discovered there are comfortable and cute shoes on the market after all.
Images via Adidas and Dawn Hammon / Inhabitat
Editor’s Note: This product review is not sponsored by Adidas. All opinions on the products and company are the author’s own.
