Short verdict: the original Adidas Terrex Tracefinder is a sensible budget shoe for easy running and walking on firm trails, gravel, towpaths and short sections of light mud. Jack’s original pair felt comfortable and dependable across several months of mixed-terrain use, but its modest lugs were not the answer for deep bog or technical mountain ground. The newer Tracefinder 2 CLIMAPROOF is a separate waterproof model; Zone2 has researched it but has not run-tested it.
The important correction is that the current original Tracefinder uses LIGHTMOTION cushioning and a Traxion outsole. It is not listed with a Cloudfoam midsole or Continental rubber. Two older Zone2 articles mixed those specifications and competed for the same searches, so they have been consolidated into this tested-and-source-checked guide.
Zone2 verdict
Buy the original Tracefinder for: affordable mixed-surface running, park trails, canal paths, bridleways, everyday walking and a forgiving first step away from road-only shoes.
Consider the Tracefinder 2 CLIMAPROOF for: the same broad use when a manufacturer-specified waterproof upper is more important than the original’s open mesh. That recommendation comes from its specification, not a Zone2 wear test.
Look elsewhere for: deep UK mud, aggressive fell racing, highly technical rock, a light race-day shoe or a product with independently verified wet-rock grip. Traxion is the outsole design; it is not proof that every wet surface will be secure.
Which Adidas Tracefinder is this review about?
The first-hand part of this review concerns the original, non-waterproof Tracefinder. Jack bought a pair as a lower-cost shoe for muddy winter runs and recorded several months of use on mixed surfaces. The original notes describe real experience, but they were not a controlled laboratory test: there is no precise mileage log, measured outsole depth, wet-grip rig or weighed test sample.
Adidas now also sells the Terrex Tracefinder 2 CLIMAPROOF. It has a similar purpose but adds a weather-protective upper and changes some listed dimensions. Zone2 has not worn that model. The comparison below uses the current Adidas UK original Tracefinder listing, the official IH2930 specification, the current Adidas UK Tracefinder 2 CLIMAPROOF listing and the official Tracefinder 2 specification.
Original Tracefinder vs Tracefinder 2 CLIMAPROOF
| Feature | Original Tracefinder | Tracefinder 2 CLIMAPROOF |
|---|---|---|
| Zone2 evidence | Original pair used for several months on mixed UK terrain | Specification research only; not worn or run-tested by Zone2 |
| Checked UK price | £60 | £70 |
| Upper | Mesh with synthetic overlays | Textile and synthetic upper with CLIMAPROOF |
| Water protection | No waterproof technology listed | Adidas describes CLIMAPROOF as waterproof and breathable |
| Cushioning | LIGHTMOTION | LIGHTMOTION |
| Outsole | Traxion | Traxion |
| Listed weight | 347g in UK 8.5 | 11oz, approximately 312g; reference size not stated on the page checked |
| Heel-to-toe drop | 10mm | 0.39in, approximately 10mm |
| Listed stack | 30mm heel / 20mm forefoot | 1.14in / 0.75in, approximately 29mm / 19mm |
| Fit guidance | Regular fit; Adidas UK says true to size | Regular fit; Adidas UK says true to size |
Prices and availability were checked on 17 July 2026 and can change. The listed weights come from different official product pages and sample conventions, so the table does not prove that one shoe in your size is exactly 35g lighter. It does show that the old Zone2 estimates of 310g and 320g were not properly sourced.
How the original Tracefinder was tested
Jack’s original review notes cover several months of ordinary use rather than one staged outing. The pair was used on the mixed routes that make up much of everyday UK trail running: tarmac approaches, canal paths, packed earth, gravel, woodland paths, bridleways and patches of light mud. Runs were mostly easy-paced and up to roughly ten miles.
That context is useful because it matches the shoe’s likely role. It does not support a verdict on fell races, mountain scrambling, prolonged deep mud or very long ultras. Nor does it prove how every current colourway or later production run will wear. The observations below apply to the tested pair; current construction details come from Adidas.
Grip: good on firm mixed trails, limited in deep mud
The tested pair’s strongest quality was versatility. Its lugged outsole felt at home on packed earth, gravel, towpaths and woodland tracks, yet did not feel awkward during the road sections needed to reach them. Direction changes and steady descents on ordinary trail surfaces were predictable. Light mud was manageable when there was firmer ground beneath it.
The limitation appeared when the surface became soft enough for deeper penetration and mud shedding to matter. The lugs are not shaped like those on an aggressive fell shoe, so heavy clay and boggy ground can overwhelm them. Loose technical ground also asks more of foothold, protection and precision than this budget all-rounder is intended to provide.
One legacy article attributed the grip to Continental rubber. Adidas does not list Continental rubber for either current Tracefinder model checked. The accurate specification is a Traxion outsole. Jack’s positive observation concerns the tested shoe on the named surfaces; it should not be expanded into a universal wet-rock or “all terrain” guarantee.
Cushioning and ride
The original Tracefinder felt comfortable for easy mixed-terrain running. The ride was cushioned without feeling especially lively, which suited relaxed mileage and everyday walking better than speed sessions or racing. It absorbed ordinary trail chatter adequately during the reported runs, although sharp rocks could still be noticeable underfoot.
Adidas specifies LIGHTMOTION cushioning, a 10mm drop and a 30mm heel / 20mm forefoot stack for product IH2930. The old articles called the midsole Cloudfoam; that was incorrect for the product reference now checked. Midsole brand names do not establish comfort by themselves, but the geometry helps explain the conventional, heel-elevated daily-trainer feel.
At a listed 347g in UK size 8.5, the original is not a lightweight race shoe. Weight changes with size, and Jack did not independently weigh his pair. For easy outings the mass was not intrusive, but runners prioritising fast turnover or minimal weight have better-targeted options.
Upper and performance in UK weather
The original uses mesh with synthetic overlays and a textile lining. Jack found it breathable and reasonably quick to dry after getting wet. It is not a waterproof shoe. Rain, wet grass and puddles can reach the sock, and water can enter around the collar regardless of the upper material.
An older version of this review said the upper resisted moisture for about 20 minutes. That number was not measured under a repeatable protocol and has been removed. Weather, water depth, upper wear, pace and sock choice make a stopwatch claim misleading.
The Tracefinder 2 is the weather-protective option. Adidas says its CLIMAPROOF construction uses waterproof materials while allowing heat and sweat to escape. That is a manufacturer claim for the exact model, not a result Zone2 has reproduced. Waterproof uppers commonly feel warmer and may dry differently once water enters over the collar, so choose the 2 for a real need rather than assuming waterproof is always better.
Fit and sizing
The tested original pair was comfortable from the first wears, with a secure enough midfoot for its intended terrain. Adidas describes both current models as regular fit and its UK pages recommend ordering your usual size. That is a reasonable starting point, not a guarantee for every foot.
Try the shoes with the socks you use on trails. Check that the heel stays controlled on descents, the midfoot is secure without lace pressure and the toes have room when the foot slides forward. If a longer size creates heel movement, increasing length may not solve a width or shape mismatch. Adidas does not publish a universal internal-width measurement on the pages checked.
Feet can swell on longer outings, and a waterproof upper may flex differently from open mesh. Anyone switching from the original to the Tracefinder 2 should therefore treat it as a new fitting decision rather than assuming the same size will feel identical.
Durability: what we can and cannot claim
Jack’s original pair remained usable through the several-month test period and did not show an early outsole failure in those notes. That is encouraging for a lower-priced shoe, but the original article did not preserve a reliable mileage log, before-and-after measurements or photographs that justify an exact lifespan.
The duplicate article predicted that the midsole would feel flat around 400 miles. That figure has been removed. Shoe life depends on runner mass, gait, terrain, moisture, rotation and what counts as unacceptable wear. Inspect the outsole, upper, heel lining and changes in underfoot feel rather than retiring or trusting a shoe at one arbitrary number.
Who should buy the original Tracefinder?
- Good match: a newer trail runner wanting an affordable first shoe for parks, gravel, towpaths and maintained paths.
- Good match: a runner whose normal route mixes road approaches with non-technical trail.
- Good match: a walker who values cushioning, breathable mesh and a lugged outsole for everyday outdoor use.
- Possible match: an experienced runner wanting a lower-cost easy-day shoe for firm trails.
- Poor match: regular deep mud, fell racing, technical mountain terrain or a lightweight race-day brief.
- Poor match: someone who needs a waterproof upper; compare the Tracefinder 2 CLIMAPROOF instead.
Should you choose the Tracefinder 2 CLIMAPROOF instead?
Choose between them primarily on weather protection. The original’s mesh is the simpler choice for breathability, quicker drainage and general mixed-surface use. The Tracefinder 2 adds Adidas’s waterproof CLIMAPROOF construction while retaining LIGHTMOTION and Traxion. Its current UK list price was £10 higher when checked.
Do not infer that “2” makes it universally faster, grippier or more durable. Zone2 has not compared the shoes side by side, and the official pages do not establish those outcomes. The 2’s published sample weight is lower, but the different reference details prevent a clean like-for-like mass comparison.
If most runs are short, firm and warm, the original remains the more straightforward option. If repeated cold rain and saturated vegetation are the main problem, the CLIMAPROOF model deserves a try-on. For deep mud, changing to the 2 does not change the listed Traxion platform into a specialist fell outsole.
Value and buying advice
At checked UK list prices of £60 for the original and £70 for the Tracefinder 2 CLIMAPROOF, both sit below many premium trail shoes. Price is a genuine strength only if the fit and terrain match. A discounted shoe that slips at the heel or cannot grip your normal route is poor value.
Compare the exact product code, because retailers can group old and new versions under similar names. Confirm the returns policy, try both shoes indoors and avoid buying solely from a star rating. Zone2 has no paid placement or affiliate weighting in this review.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Adidas Tracefinder good for trail running?
Yes, for non-technical trail running. Jack’s original pair worked well on packed paths, gravel, towpaths, bridleways and light mud. It is less suitable for deep bog, aggressive fell running or highly technical mountain terrain.
Does the Adidas Tracefinder have a Continental rubber outsole?
No Continental rubber is listed on the current original or Tracefinder 2 product pages checked. Both specify a Traxion outsole. Some other Adidas Terrex shoes use Continental rubber, which likely caused the older article’s mix-up.
Does the original Tracefinder use Cloudfoam?
No. Adidas lists LIGHTMOTION cushioning for current product IH2930. The previous Cloudfoam description has been corrected.
Is the Adidas Tracefinder waterproof?
The original Tracefinder is not listed as waterproof. The separate Tracefinder 2 CLIMAPROOF is described by Adidas as waterproof and breathable, but Zone2 has not independently tested that claim.
How much does the Adidas Tracefinder weigh?
Adidas lists the original IH2930 at 347g in UK size 8.5. The Tracefinder 2 page checked lists 11oz, approximately 312g, without stating a reference size. Your pair will vary with size.
Is the Adidas Tracefinder true to size?
Adidas UK recommends the usual size for both current models, and Jack’s original pair fitted comfortably. Use that only as a starting point: check heel hold, width and toe clearance with your normal trail socks.
Is the Tracefinder suitable for walking?
Yes. Adidas positions the original for running or walking, and its cushioning and lugged outsole make sense for everyday paths and light trails. For remote hiking, choose footwear from the route, load, weather and support requirements rather than the Tracefinder name alone.
Final verdict
The original Adidas Tracefinder earns its place as an accessible mixed-terrain shoe. Its real strengths are ordinary ones: comfortable easy running, enough grip for firm trails, road-to-trail versatility and a relatively low UK list price. It should not be promoted as a Continental-rubber technical trail shoe, because that is not what Adidas specifies and not what the test supports.
The Tracefinder 2 CLIMAPROOF gives wet-weather buyers a clearly named alternative, but remains untested by Zone2. Pick the original for breathable, general-purpose use; try the 2 when waterproof construction is genuinely useful; choose a more aggressive model when the ground itself is the challenge.
For a wider shortlist, use the Zone2 running shoe matcher. Newer trail runners can continue with the UK trail and fell running hub, while runners planning longer outings can explore the long-distance guides and the trail running pack finder.