My Teva Terra walking sandals, £29.99 from SportsShoes, have been out on many an adventure with me this summer, and I am a big big fan. Dad sandals are officially cool now, you know.
Product description: “A three-point strap adjustment and open toe box enable the wearer to slide into the Teva Terra FI Lite Women’s Walking Sandal with considerable ease; the aforementioned open toe element also prevents water from pooling toward the front of the sandal should it become exposed to wetter terrain. A nylon shank keeps the foot stable and well supported, whilst a rugged, Spider Original Rubber outsole yields a tremendous amount of grip, even in wetter environments. The sandal has been finished with a Microban® zinc-based anti-microbial treatment that inhibits the spread of odour carrying bacteria.”
You’ll probably recognise Teva‘s iconic C shape design – these sandals are an outdoor cult classic. First developed in 1984, after the founder attached a watch strap to a flipflop and figured he was on to something clever, these simple sandals are now the favourite footwear of everyone from hardened climbers to fashion bloggers. The Terra version offers more support and a more rugged sole than the classic sandal, making them perfect for hiking and outdoor adventures.
Out and about: Comfortable and light, Teva’s simple straps sit well on your feet, cradling your ankle and staying put with no rubbing. The rubber soles are tough and grippy, even on wet rock, and the Terra’s cushiony upper sole feels comfortable whatever you’re up to – they’ve survived long days of walking, rockface belaying, river paddling and hanging out in VW vans. Sandals inevitably provide less protection from the elements than boots or aquatic shoes, but the light webbing of Tevas mean that they dry very quickly if you do get them wet. As for their magic anti-bacterial properties? So far they seem to smell acceptable – I’ll keep you posted.
Verdict: I straight-up love these sandals. Comfortable, rugged and nice to look at, they go everywhere from summer mountain hikes to city streets with no issues. They take me right back to the no-fuss footwear of childhood – do up the velcro and you’re ready to go. SportsShoes stock plenty of other Teva styles, too, all of which look nice enough to wear down the pub. Just don’t add socks.
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