Born on the banks of the Colorado River in the 1980s, Teva’s original sport sandal was created by a rafting guide who strapped a watch band to a flip-flop to stop it floating downstream. Decades later, the brand has become synonymous with adventure-ready footwear, and its latest hurricane collection builds on that outdoorsy DNA with styles – from walking boots to low-profile trail shoes – designed for both coastal walks and hikes.
At the lighter end sits the hurricane XLT3 sandal, which is a take on the original Teva sandal, this time with extra cushioning and a grippier sole suited to long summer rambles. Meanwhile, the hurricane XLT3 closed-toe sandal offers a more protective hybrid design for those tackling rougher ground – or simply, stinging nettles – without wanting the bulk of a full walking shoe.
For me, it’s the trailsetter shoe that warrants shouting about. Offering 90 per cent of the supportive benefits of a standard hiking boot boiled down into a lightweight trainer, the shoes seriously impressed me after an all-day ramble through the Sussex South Downs. I assessed everything from waterproofing to grip and, below, you’ll see how the brand’s comfort-first approach held up across loose gravel paths, uneven terrain and more.
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Teva hurricane trailsetter hiking shoe
Rating: 4.5/5
Sizes: Men's UK 6-13, women's UK 3-9
Materials: Rubber, foam, recycled polyester
Why we love it
- Cushioning eases impact on knees
- Bungee cord tightening makes it quick and easy to take on and off
- Gives good ground purchase, even on loose scree
Take note
- Not waterproof
Kitted out with our Teva hurricane trailsetters in the respective men’s and women’s varieties, my partner and I set off on a loop walk through the South Downs.
Immediately we were both impressed with how spongy the shoes felt, having upgraded from the Craghoppers adflex low 2s. In my experience, the adflex shoes provided the brunt of their support via a firm fit, which secured the foot solidly in position. By contrast, I’d argue the trailsetters went one step further in planting my feet and ankles, combining an anchored feel with the brand’s ‘hyper-comf’ sponge to absorb reverberation and counteract the impact of hard, unpredictable ground.
As any well-versed hiker and tamper knows, loose scree and dry, dusty paths can leave you slipping and sliding all over the place, so a reliable tread and grip is essential. Along with your grip, you want to feel as though your ankles aren’t at risk of rolling as you traverse boulders, ditches and the like. While a hiking boot provides the utmost ankle support, a low hiking shoe like the trailsetter can be enough – so long as it’s been well designed.
The trailsetters are equipped with directional lugs (3D traction pads) on their soles, which ensure you’re able to brake from the heel and pick up speed from the toe. On top of the stop-start improvements these bring – specifically, I was able to come to firm halt after quickly descending a steep track – the lugs give your feet more purchase to bear your weight over tricky terrain, without rolling any ankles or, worse, taking a tumble.
Circling back to the appeal of a low hiking shoe (instead of a boot), you can’t overlook the ease putting them on and off. On my year spent travelling New Zealand, including hiking a number of its great walks, my accommodation spanned scant tents and a low-roofed van. This meant that the task of donning my cumbersome hiking boots with their 16 lace-eyelets wasn’t the most appealing when I simply needed to run to the campsite loo in the early hours.
If you’re someone who frequently plans multi-day hikes, I’d urge you to consider the trailsetter’s low profile. You simply have to slide your foot into the shoe and pull the handy bungee drawstring. No water-logged laces, no impenetrable knots and a significantly lighter weight in your rucksack.
Admittedly, the trailsetters aren’t a perfect pick for marshland and extreme rain given they’re not waterproof. That said, with a rubber reinforcement across the toe, they’re definitely up to the task of April showers and muddy paths. In fact, they kept my feet entirely dry through a long, grassy field that was covered in morning dew.
Ultimately, at £115, Teva’s trailsetters – for both men and women – are a great mid-range pick. They’re not quite base camp material, but they won’t let you down on easy to moderate hikes such as Snowdon or the Seven Sisters. Providing, that is, that it’s not raining cats and dogs outside for the entirety of your excursion. Happy adventuring!
Buy now £115, Teva-eu.com
Are Teva hiking shoes good?
After testing Teva’s hurricane trailsetter shoes across the rocky, muddy and steep inclines of the South Downs, I’d confidently recommend them to anyone seeking a lighter alternative to bulky hiking boots. The cushioning was a marvel and helped to soften the impact of harder ground without sacrificing stability, while the grippy directional lugs gave me more confidence on uneven terrain.
Importantly, I finished a full-day hike blister-free – something I don’t say lightly as someone who’s Compeed’s number one fan. They won’t replace a heavy-duty waterproof boot for extreme conditions, but for moderate hikes, coastal paths and multi-day trips where weight and comfort matter, they strike an excellent balance.
How we tested
Alongside my partner, I put Teva’s hurricane trailsetter shoes through their paces on a long circular route through the South Downs, paying close attention to comfort, grip and all-day wearability across mixed terrain. During testing, I assessed the following:
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Lucy Smith is a senior shopping writer here at IndyBest and has covered a number of outdoor gear topics, from the best changing robes to the best inflatable kayaks. She enjoys adventuring in her personal time and, gaving spent a year travelling across New Zealand and Australia – including tackling the entirety of the Routeburn Track – she’s tested my fair share of affordable and high-end hiking footwear in wildly varying conditions. As such, she was just the person to put Teva’s new hurricane collection through its paces.
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