The summer sandals I have not taken off my entire holiday
A pair of comfortable shoes when you're travelling is a must. With all that exploring and wandering, you more than smash your daily 10,000-step count, so it's not the time to be wearing your old thongs or a new pair of boots that haven't been worn in.
However, summer is hot, especially this year. When planning my European holiday, I couldn't stomach the idea of wearing sneakers. It wasn't going to work for me, especially since I was visiting a lot of beaches and swimming spots across Europe, where sandy shoes were not going to cut it.
I had heard plenty of hype about the brand Teva, specifically about their Universal sandals. My friend Ash wore a pair on a trip to the Northern Territory with me years ago, and I laughed at her when she wore them for a hike up to a waterfall. "Those are sandals, not hiking shoes," I said then. How wrong I was.
For this trip, I decided to road-test a pair. They were on sale at The Iconic (but you can get them discounted on Amazon, right now), so it seemed like the right time to invest. I bought the Midform Universal Women's style because it has a slight platform, and I knew I would be walking across all terrain, including through rainwater and sand. Ideally, I'd like to keep my feet from getting covered in drain water or schnitzelled at the beach.
NOTE: Prices are accurate at time of publishing.
Teva Midform Universal Women's Sandal
I knew I would be wearing them on this trip because as I road-tested them in Australia, I found myself reaching for them more and more. But what I didn't expect was that they would become the only footwear I would wear. Here's why that is.
They're easy to get on and off
Teva Universal sandals are entirely designed with velcro. There is a front strap across your toes and one that wraps around your ankle, with added support for the heel and side of your feet. Because of this, they're really adjustable (making them perfect for those with narrow or wide feet), but also so easy to slip on and off. If I go on a longer walk, I'll tighten the front and ankle straps to be extra sturdy. For the beach, I just throw them on without thinking.
They're indestructible
Well, nothing is indestructible, I suppose, but Teva Universal sandals pretty much are. The sole is made of moulded EVA material that's bouncy and supportive but also is durable and can handle rocks, gravel and all those damaging surfaces. Strap-wise, Teva Universal sandals use quick-dry recycled polyester webbing (each pair actually saves four plastic bottles from landfill).
You can also wear them in the water – great for pebbly beaches in Europe.
They're surprisingly comfortable
You wouldn't expect shoes made of recycled polyester, velcro and EVA to be that comfortable, right? We've been taught that leather is the most comfortable for footwear, but somehow Teva has done it because I didn't even get blisters while wearing these in. Perhaps it's to do with the placement of the straps or the adjustable fit. Whatever the case, I've done 20,000 steps in these in one day and had no blister or red patch.
Everyone can wear them
While I bought the Universal Midform Women's Teva sandals, there are the Original Universal Teva sandals for men, plus even little ones for babies (which are far too cute, oh my gosh). Another pair I've been eyeing is the more heavy-duty Hurricane XLT 2 design, which features a nylon shank for dealing with rougher terrain with ease. While I find I can do hikes in my Universal Midform sandals, I feel like this sturdier version might be even more effective.
Teva Hurricane XL 2 Women's Sandal
Want more? Here are some other similar styles of sandals that might suit you if you feel the Teva designs are not for you.
Camel Crown Men's Closed Toe Sandals
If you're doing more intensive hiking, you may prefer a closed-toe sandal so your feet can stay cool, but your toes are protected. "Comfortable and sturdy," wrote one buyer on Amazon, while another praised the arch support.
Aere Crossover Leather Footbed Sandals
Can't get past the idea of leather? These chunky sandals by Aere have a leather upper and inner, so they'll mould well to your feet. The thick sole and moulded support will also keep you going on long walking days.
Reef Fanning Baja Le
Designed for comfort on the climb, the Reef Fanning Baja Le sandals have adjustable leather straps, built-in arch support, and a moulded rubber outsole to keep your feet protected from bumps and scratches.
Skechers Reggae Slingback
If you want a bit of fun with a hiking sandal for the holidays, the colourful straps on these Skechers will suit. We love the easy clip-together design, shock-absorbing midsole and 100 per cent vegan construction.
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