Adidas Terrex Skychaser GTX 2.0 £160

Though they have stylish fashion trainer looks and the same Boost midsole technology as Adidas’s premium running shoes, these trail shoes are most definitely built for the mountains.

They offer plenty of stability and protection underfoot thanks to a stiffened plate, which is sandwiched between a layer of bouncy EVA foam and a firm rubber outsole. As well as fending off debris when crossing broken or uneven ground, it also makes these shoes more adept on steeper terrain. They even have a small climbing zone at the toe for edging on rock.

You also get a rigid heel cup and toe bumper, plus a Gore-Tex lining for waterproofing. All in all, it makes for a sturdy feeling shoe, which inevitably also adds a little weight.

Ellie didn’t find they offered great out-of-the-box comfort, perhaps due to that aforementioned stiffness, taking a few days to break in. She also had to lace them fairly tightly to overcome a little initial heel slip.

And talking of slips, the Continental rubber outsole is a fairly hard compound, which promises good durability, but didn’t grip as well as softer rivals on the slickest rocks.

On the other hand, the widely spaced, angled lugs did well in the sticky stuff, shedding mud effectively without clogging.

IF WE’RE BEING FUSSY

On test, these weren’t stellar performers in terms of overall comfort or grip. They’re not as light as they look either – in fact, they were the heaviest of all the women’s trail shoes Ellie tested.

■ WEIGHT 690g (women’s 5.5) ■ UPPER Textile mesh with synthetic overlays ■ MEMBRANE Gore-Tex ■ OUTSOLE Continental ■ MEN’S SIZES 5.5-13.5 ■ WOMEN’S SIZES 3.5-9.5

Verdict

Protective, supportive and sturdy, with decent cushioning, yet lacking in terms of all-day comfort and traction underfoot.

“Stylish & sturdy mountain shoes”