Adidas Kanadia 8 Trail Running Shoes Review

GRIPPY SHOES BUILT FOR TRAIL RUNNING.

I have been looking forward to testing the 2017 update of the Adidas Kanadia for quite some time. The Adidas Kanadia 8 features claims their men's running shoes and innovative design gives you traction and stability on the trail. The durable and supportive runner features a cloudfoam midsole that provides ample cushioning. A tough TRAXION™ outsole gives you multi-directional grip.

• Weight: 275 g (size UK 8.5); Runner type: neutral; Midsole drop: 8 mm (heel: 27 mm / forefoot: 19 mm)
• Synthetic and air mesh upper for maximum breathability
• Durable forefoot overlays
• Breathable mesh lining
• cloudfoam midsole for step-in comfort and superior cushioning; Enjoy the comfort and performance of OrthoLite® sockliner
• TRAXION™ outsole for maximum grip in all directions

8th generation shoe from Adidas. After 8 generations you may question what is left to improve.

Fit

I have purchased the same size as my Kanadia 7. And the length is just fine, however the front of the shoe is definitely pulling tight on my big toe area. I have fairly narrow feet. Photographed side by side the version 7 and 8.

They look almost identical from the bottom but I didn’t every have a problem with the 7s. Parking this issue aside they fit the back/heel area of the foot incredible well.

Photographed above. The Adidas Kanadia 7 and Kanadia 8 (below - pre run clean!)

Cushioning

I have been reading what other Adidas reviewers have posted about the Kanadia 8 and I have been surprised to people saying they do not have enough cushioning. When running on hard surfaces I could not believe how much spring there is with each strike. I do not heel strike, more of a forefoot runner so maybe that is where some of the complaints have been, but for an off road shoe the cushioning is truly amazing.

Photographed above their generous Cloudfoam sole. Plenty of technology into the cushioning more than enough for most runners. 

Comfort

I guess comfort comes down to everything else. Fit, cushioning heel support. As the shoes feel like I need to move to the next size up I am reluctant to say they are uncomfortable. But I don’t think Adidas would like a return of these now I have put them through their paces.

Grip

To test the grip, you need some really slippery surfaces. In their 2016 version I really put them through the paces and I will continue to update this post as I test harder.

Overall

So for me trail running is all about versatility. The Kanadia 7 testing included ice, hard surfaces. Sand. Even a Nuclear race. And if you don’t know the Nuclear races are where you are in and out of ditches and bogs, the biggest test to be if they stay on as you pull your legs out of knee deep bogs.

Running Surfaces

A typical off-road run for British countryside includes gravel pathways, concrete pathways, soft mud, grass and short sharp hills. Of course the beauty is for every run you can make it your own track.

Test one for the Kanadia 8 included ultra soft rained hills. Hard surfaces and gravel. Flat boggy ground. And slippy canal paths. I think for most runners these sorts of terrains will cover off your day to day.

Running on hard surfaces for Trail Running Shoes is maybe the greatest challenge. A shoe with spikes is arguable the best sole/grip to deal with soft mud. But as soon as you hit something solid then you will slip straight off it.

The sole of the shoe is where their years of development really take things with off road running to a new level.  Their tough TRAXION™ outsole gives you multi-directional grip. Designed and developed (as we covered in our review of the Kanadia 7) to work in all directions. That covers up, down and on flat hard surfaces.

Testing Surfaces

The biggest test for off road shoes is maybe pathways

Short, steep downhills on soft wet mud. The staple diet of trail running shoes

Wet Woodland. Puddles and soft slippy mud

Soft slippy mud

Upgrade?

As an upgrade of the 7 to the 8 do you notice? On soft ground I would say there is not that much of a difference, but on hard ground the newer Kanadia 8 feel like a softer run. Less like you are wearing a barefoot shoe with no padding, to a more of a cushioned run that you would expect from a typical road shoe.

There are some amazing offers online for the kanadia 8. Especially if you are not fussy about the choice in colour. Finish off your run with some Sundried Roteck leggings for that perfect, sweat wicking performance keeping you running your best in all conditions.