It's hot, it's wet, it's ideal conditions for the latest incarnation of the original rafting sandal. We take a look at the Teva Hurricane.
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Teva Hurricane
Tested
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Price: £29.99
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Weight: 612 grammes (pair size
43)
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Features:Patented
Universal Strapping System with padded heel, Microban
zinc-treated topsole, lightweight, two-part EVA midsole with
Shoc Pad in the heel for stability and impact absorption ,
River Rubber outsole.
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Comfortable, fast drying, well made, good for hot and wet
conditions.
Exposed toes, not really suitable for extended
walking.
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The Concept Tevas were invented by American river guide Mark
Thatcher as everyday rafting footwear. The idea was to produce a
rafting sandal that stayed on securely regardless, gripped well wet
or dry, floated if it did go overboard and was comfortable enough for
all day wear.
The Teva line's developed since then and diversified into fully
enclosed boots and shoes as well as more specialised products like
running sandals, but the Hurrican, part of the 'originals' range, is
the closest relation to the original Teva sandal albeit with a lot of
welcome improvements.
The name, apparently, since you asked, or didn't, is the Hebrew
word for 'nature' and pronounced "teh'-vah" .
Features They may look like glorified flip-flops, but there's
some serious technology and build going down in them their sandals.
Take the straps, which are continuous loops embedded right into the
sole unit to remove any chance of them pulling out.
The sole unit has moved on too, with dual density EVA providing
lots of shock absorption, plus a Microban-impregnated top-sole to
fight odours. The tough, but soft webbing straps are adjustable using
hook and loop patches and the heel strap is padded with Neoprene.
Finally the outsole uses Teva's 'River Rubber' for claimed grip in
wet or dry conditions.
In Action We first discovered Tevas in Ecuador in 1997 while
looking for travel footwear for the tropical north of Colombia.
Things have moved on from there though, the originals we bought then
were sparselely padded and had an unfortunate tendency to smell
distinctly nasty after a day or two.
The
Hurricane's are much more cushioned with the contoured top sole
offering great comfort for feet backed up by three-way adjustable
straps to give a great fit. The cushioned heel strap works too as do
the triangular link rings that don't dig into your foot or shift
around. The anti-microbial anti-smell treatment is a boon as well
with none of the cheesy foot pong of our old model making itself
known.
We found them excellent as camp sandals, for schlepping around in
hot weather when they're far more comfortable than any enclosed shoe
we've used, cultivating the distinctive travellers' 'Teva Tan' and
for stream crossings too, with the soles giving the promised good
grip and the sandal drying fast, also a boon on wet camp sites.
The Hurricane's aren't specialised walking sandals and don't
really offer the support you need for extended hikes, though a mile
or two proved no problem. If you do want a sandal for hot weather
walking, check out Teva's more specialised products and, in
particular, the running-specific Wraptor.
The only other drawback is the intrinsic sandal one of leaving
your toes vulnerable to impact with hard, rocky things, so if you're
the sort of person who scuffs shoes for England, you may be better
off looking elsewhere.
At 30 quid we reckon the Hurricanes are a bargain. Sling 'em in your
pack for evening camp wear, stream crossings and lounging on the
beach and chuck 'em on for hot weather touristing. It sounds like a
cliche, but sometimes the originals really are best.
We wouldn't suggest them for serious walking though, there are
others in the range that handle that better.
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Performance: 8/10
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Value: 9/10
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Pushed for time:
Rafting sandals with refinement, these are great for hot
weather touristing, slumming it on the beach, in mountain
huts or around the campsite after a hard day trekking.
Comfortable, tough, fast drying, they even float and better
still don't smell. Not for serious walking
though.
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