Teva shoes review, tested by an experienced hiker

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!