When the the Agravic Pro trail running shorts arrived the first thing that got me was how remarkably lightweight they are. They are a regular fit, have built in briefs, side mesh pockets and back zip pocket on the waist. Made of 73% nylon and 27% elastane plain weave. There is a drawcord on the elastic waist to allow for a personalised fit and they are Aeroready.
I have run well over a hundred miles in these over the last couple of weeks in some hot and humid weather conditions and I can say that they are a comfortable pair of shorts. The bit where they say Aeroready refers to the material blend and the fact that they have ventilation areas, plus areas of higher durability. Yes it really does work, remaining comfortable throughout many distances and terrains in temperatures in the region of 25c and 90% humidity.
Like most, I have had some bad experiences with the integrated pockets in shorts over the years, most struggling to hold a set of keys let alone something the size of a soft flask securely but in these there was no issues. I loaded them up with car keys, a soft flask and mobile phone – and more incredibly than them being able to hold all this, there was no uncomfortable bounce either.
The only issue I did have with this was my phone would get a bit damp and sweaty as the fabric wicked the sweat away and into the pocket to be trapped by the phone, but it really was a small price to pay. The fabric has quite a lot of stretch to it to allow for a large range of movement that is great when faced with steep ascents up large bolder fields or even having to get your leg up and over a gate.
They do have integrated pole loops on the waist at the back that I haven’t used as I very rarely run with poles, but if they are up to the standard of the rest of the features on these shorts they will work superbly for this. You can also stuff a jacket in these loops to have at hand should the need arise.
Which neatly brings me on to the second part of this review, the Agravic Windweave pro jacket, this ½ zip wind stopper packs a cracking punch in an ultra-light, supremely packable bundle.
With the weather we’ve been having for several weeks I waited for a good opportunity to put this through its paces and the wait was worthwhile. I had a great test with 13-14c, drizzle and blustery rain squalls early one evening. The Agravic W/W pro is 50% lighter than the previous version with a durable water-repellent coating.
The body mapping technology creates differential air permeability to block out wind and rain while simultaneously letting body vapour escape. I believe this is the technical way to say it stops the wind and wet getting in, but also when you take it off you do not have to wring the sweat out of every other layer that you are wearing as if you have been wearing the equivalent of a bin bag over them.
On this it definitely does succeed. Having the ½ zip allows for greater control of any ventilation that you may want, and the close-fitting hood allows for a precise fit that does not flap or blow off your head at every opportunity. The fabric is transparent but opaque and you can easily see a bib number through it for race day.
It folds away to an incredibly small size in a little stow pocket that means it is no problem to keep in a belt or vest pocket just in case on every run.
The Agravic Pro trail running shorts retails at £70 pounds and the Agravic Windweave Pro jacket for £150. Although at the upper end of the price bracket for these types of kit, I have to admit I have paid the same for other brands that don’t have the same performance of these. I will definitely be putting a great deal more miles into both of them.
Review by Steven Coles
TERREX Agravic Windweave Pro Windbreaker
£150
TERREX Agravic Pro Trail Running Shorts
£70
