Starting out in the wonderful world of Disc Golf is an exciting time!
If you’ve just gotten into this fun yet competitive sport, you’ll probably be in the process of investing in a whole lot of new equipment. From the discs themselves to disc golf bags and even disc golf carts, it’s crucial to be prepared when you turn up to the course.
However, there’s one thing you may not have thought of, and it’s the importance of finding the right shoes to enhance your play and keep you stable and comfortable throughout.
Without suitable disc golf shoes, you could find yourself struggling to maintain a proper stance and posture, which has the potential to negatively impact your play and could even cost you a game.
Hiking shoes are some of the most popular shoes for disc golf because they maintain a good grip on all types of terrain as well as providing superior comfort and support for perfect posture and game-winning movements.
The Adidas Terrex Swift R GTX Hiking Shoes have received glowing reviews from disc golfers recently. Today, we’ll be leaving our own review of these popular disc golf shoes so that you can decide for yourself whether they will (literally and figuratively) be the right fit!
The Adidas Outdoor Men’s Terrex Swift R GTX Hiking Shoes
The Adidas Outdoor Men’s Terrex Swift R GTX Hiking Shoes were released in 2016, but in the half-decade since then, they have continued to satisfy and even shock customers with their high functionality and comfortable fit.
In today’s article, we’ll be discussing the main features of the Adidas Terrex Swift R GTX Hiking Shoes individually before giving you our conclusive verdict.
Gore-Tex Technology
One of the most exciting features of the Terrex Swift R GTX Hiking Shoes (so exciting that it features in abbreviated form in the product name) is the Gore-Tex technology used in the material construction.
Gore-Tex material is essentially a breathable membrane that acts as a comfort-enhancing liner as well as a moisture-wicking aid. Because it’s so lightweight and thin, it won’t make the shoes heavy and clunky like many hiking shoes are, but you’ll certainly be able to tell that it’s there by the cooling airflow and increased softness of the inside of the shoe.
Gore-Tex is also waterproof, so these shoes are perfect for playing disc golf in wetter conditions.
Traxion Rubber Outsole
The outsole of the shoes you choose to wear for disc golf will play a significant part in facilitating your movements and comfort on varying terrain, so it’s important to pay close attention to this aspect of shoe construction.
Traxion is a rubber material patented by Adidas. What makes Traxion stand out from the competition is its incredible durability and grip. It’s super-solid, so you won’t have to worry about premature splits in the soles or a lack of support.
Plus, this rubber material is non-slip and provides excellent stability, so even on wet grass or uneven terrain, the risk of slipping, falling, or twisted ankles is minimized.
The outsole sets the foundation of the overall drop of the shoe, as well as the width. The way that the outsole is angled in the construction of these shoes results in a heel-to-toe drop, which is ideal for active-wear shoes. An offset of this kind helps to promote better balance, stability, and weight transition.
However, we should mention that the overall width of each shoe is quite narrow, so they may not be the ideal fit for disc golfers with wider feet.
High-Density EVA Foam Midsole
The midsoles of the Terrex Swift R GTX Hiking Shoes are lined with high-density EVA foam to increase the amount of support the shoes provide while ensuring proper cushioning.
It can be difficult to strike the right balance between support and comfort with any shoe design. Anyone who’s been through multiple pairs of training or hiking shoes will know that there is a tendency for manufacturers to overdo the softness of the padding, compromising the support, or do the opposite and prioritize support over cushioning.
However, the Terrex Swift R GTX shoes strike the perfect balance, with the density of the foam providing enough support that the arches of your feet won’t drop, but enough cushioning to minimize discomfort.
Layered Mesh Upper Construction
Over the layer of Gore-Tex material that partially makes up the upper construction of these hiking shoes, you will also find a layer of mesh.
This isn’t just any mesh, however. The mesh used by Adidas in the construction of the Terrex Swift R GTX is highly wear-resistant, increasing the durability and longevity of the shoes.
Mesh can often be one of the weaker materials in shoe construction, so it’s refreshing to see mesh that is built to last. Additionally, of course, mesh is a breathable material that adds to the moisture-wicking capability of the shoe design.
Padded Toe Boxes
The toes are one of the most commonly afflicted parts of the feet when it comes to shoe-related discomfort. A toe box that is too small or insufficiently padded can lead to blisters, ingrown nails, and all sorts of uncomfortable problems, so this is a very important feature to take into consideration.
Luckily, the toe boxes on the Terrex Swift R GTX Hiking Shoes are heavily padded, so your toes won’t feel crushed against a hard surface at any point.
However, some customers have reported finding the toe padding a little over the top, which can cause the shoes to feel unnatural to move in, especially before they’ve been broken in.
Elasticated Laces
Part of ensuring the perfect fit when it comes to outdoor shoes is the right set of laces. If your laces are complicated to work with or come undone easily, you’re likely to find yourself taking a lot of time out of your game to do them up again.
The elasticated bungee laces that come with the Terrex Swift R GTX shoes are fastened by pulling the laces through a lockable buckle instead of the traditional knot method. This saves a lot of time, and it’s much easier to secure the laces tightly because you don’t have to hold any knots or loops in place while tightening.
Protective Features
In addition to the structural and comfort-inducing features we’ve mentioned so far, the Terrex Swift R GTX shoes also incorporate several features designed to protect your feet.
For instance, built into the midsole are tough polyamide plates to minimize the risk of impact injury. Meanwhile, the wraparound heel cup helps to maintain stability at a potentially weak area of the foot.
Both of these features also help to enhance durability by reinforcing the structure of the shoe.
Color Range
For disc golf players who like to showcase their stylish side on the course, the Terrex Swift R GTX Hiking Shoes will be perfect.
Although the design is only available here in black, the shoes come in a wide variety of color accents, including bright shades of blue and orange, amongst others.
The range of available colors means that the Terrex Swift R GTX Hiking Shoes will suit the aesthetic preferences of many disc golf players. Whether you’re a fan of fun color schemes or prefer the simplicity of simple, dark shades, these hiking shoes will help you to feel confident and comfortable.
Overview
Advantages
- Made by Adidas – Trusted activewear brand
- Gore-Tex liner – Soft and breathable
- Traxion rubber outsole – Solid and non-slip
- EVA foam midsole – Provides support and comfort
- Wear-resistant mesh – Breathable and durable
- Elasticated bungee laces – Tight-locking and ergonomic
- Polyamide midsole plates – Reinforced and protective
- Wraparound heel cup – Supportive
- Padded toe box – Minimal discomfort
- Multiple colors available – Style flexibility
Disadvantages
- High levels of toe padding – May feel strange to walk in
- Narrow construction – Not the best fit for people with wider feet
Final Thoughts
We can definitely see what all the excitement surrounding the Adidas Terrex Swift R GTX Hiking Shoes is about!
These are high-quality, durably-built hiking shoes that are suitable for walking, running, climbing, and of course, playing disc golf!
The premium-quality materials used in the construction of Adidas’ Terrex Swift R GTX shoes ensure that their structural integrity and comfort-oriented features will remain intact for years to come.
Thanks to the patented Traxion rubber outsoles and the Gore-Tex membrane liner, these hiking shoes check all the boxes necessary for outdoor activities like disc golf.
The non-slip soles will help you to maintain a grip on your terrain, while the heel-to-toe drop enhances posture and balance, both of which are essential in the game. The Gore-Tex liner provides waterproofing as well as comfort and breathability.
In addition to this, the high-density EVA foam and polyurethane plates in the midsoles provide support, impact resistance, and foot protection, making injuries and fallen arches a thing of the past.
Finally, the elasticated bungee laces make these shoes a great choice for time-saving and ergonomic purposes.
The only downfalls to these shoes are the narrowness of the construction and the amount of toe padding, which can make the shoes a bad fit for buyers with wide feet or make the fit feel a little awkward at first.
