Advnture Verdict
Intended primarily for use on fairly short and fast trail-running routes in warm conditions, the Terrex Agravic t-shirt is super lightweight and ultra breathable, with a mesh panel extending right across the back providing lots of ventilation. We have some concerns about the shirt’s long-term durability if it’s worn with a pack, and about the potential buildup of odors over time, but the top is comfortable to wear and quick to dry if you get caught in rain.
Pros
- +
Lovely and light
- +
Extensive ventilation on the back
- +
Dries quickly
- +
Made from mostly recycled material
Cons
- -
Minimal thermal protection
- -
No anti-odor treatment to prevent build-up of bad smells
- -
No reflective safety features on the rear
- -
Limited colors
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Adidas Terrex Agravic Trail Running t-shirt: first impressions
This decent-looking t-shirt is part of the new Agravic trail-running range from Terrex, the off-road-oriented wing of titanic Teutonic sports brand, adidas (the motherbrand is only mentioned very subtly in the inside rear of the shirt, but the signature three-stripe logo on the front gives away the open secret that it’s an Adidas top).
Agravic means to have no gravity, and while it can’t claim to float in the air, this entire range has been designed to weigh very little. The Adidas Terrex Agravic Trail Running t-shirt is especially light, not least because the entire back panel is made from a mesh material, intended to both provide ventilation and reduce heft.
I’ve been trail testing the the Agravic Trail Running t-shirt over the last couple of months to see how it compares to the best trail-running tops on the market.
Adidas Terrex Agravic Trail Running t-shirt: design and materials
• List price: $45 (US) / £38 (UK)
• Gender specification: Men’s and women’s versions available
• Sizes: XS-XXL (women's); XS–XL (women's)
• Weight (men’s large): 100g / 3.6oz
• Materials: Polyester (70% recycled)
• Colors: Black / White / Pulse Blue
With a crew neck and slits in the hemline to help with unimpeded movement, this running t-shirt is made entirely from polyester, a minimum of 70% of which is recycled (we give adidas reasonably high marks for this, but I can’t really see why it’s not made from closer to 100% recycled yarn). Being synthetic, this material is hardwearing and long lasting, as well as being light. It’s also hydrophobic, so it won’t take on water and grow heavy if you get caught out in the rain, and if it does get wet, it won’t immediately lose its thermal properties, and will dry out very quickly.
That said, the aforementioned thermal properties are clearly a secondary concern for the designers of this top, which features a mesh back panel intended to help the wearer stay cool when they’re tackling tough terrain or running in hot conditions.
As far as I can tell, the material hasn’t been treated with Polygiene or a similar antibacterial product to combat the accumulation of odors, and this is a concern, particularly with synthetic garments – unlike Merino tops, which naturally deal with bacteria and bad pongs, polyester Ts tend to get seriously smelly after a while, even if you wash them regularly.
Meet the reviewer
Pat has hiked all over the world, his adventures taking him to Mont Blanc, the roof of Western Europe; the Norwegian Alps; the highest peaks in Australia; and New Zealand’s Great Walks – among others. He’s also an experienced tester of running gear, and gives kit a thorough thrashing before reviewing.
Adidas Terrex Agravic Trail Running t-shirt: on the trails
I’ve been testing the Agravic Trail-Running t-shirt during the worst of the winter months, which is definitely not the kind of conditions the designers had in mind when they brainstormed this garment. The mesh back is an excellent feature when you’re running in the heat – and I still manage to sweat when I run up hills, even on sub-zero December mornings, so I have felt the benefit of it first hand – but it does allow chilly breezes in as well. That’s obvious, though, and not a criticism – just something to be aware of.
A bigger concern for me with the mesh back is how durable it will prove to be over time, especially if the t-shirt is being worn with a hydration vest or running pack. I haven’t noted any deterioration in the material so far, but the mesh extends right to the shoulder, where a harness strap will definitely rub it, and I think, as with the MT shorts in this range, this T is intended more for shorter, faster runs, rather than longer endurance events where packs need to be worn.
Overall, though, the top performs well when worn in the conditions it’s been designed to be worn in.
