Again in highschool, my associates would giggle after I’d handle to interrupt a shoe inside weeks of shopping for it. None of us fairly knew why it was taking place. Have been they too low cost? Was there one thing incorrect with my ft? Was I jinxed?
This curse adopted me into faculty, till it was lifted by a pair of pink Keds. Lastly, a shoe I might put on exhausting all day, daily. After discovering the Keds in my faculty and post-grad years, I’ve found different sneakers which have served me properly by way of later chunks of my life, too: from the day-to-night-to-hike leather-based Clarks of my late-20s to my lengthy stroll pandemic Nikes. I discovered to be loyal and fewer frugal, re-purchasing an identical pairs yearly or two.
This 12 months, I entered my Teva period with the Hurricane XLT2 sandal— and I’m by no means wanting again. Comfy, versatile, and flipping cute, these are my go-to sneakers for spring, summer time, and past (critically, I’m deciding if I can get away with the socks-and-Tevas look come winter). Listed below are all the explanations chances are you’ll end up enamored with these sandals, too.
How the Teva Hurricane XLT2 Match and Really feel
Boy, oh boy, are these cozy. I can stroll all day in my Tevas with out my ft feeling achy. I’ve excessive arches, and ever since my fave Clarks have been discontinued, I’d been on the lookout for one other sandal with arch assist. The Hurricane XLT2’s footbed is comprised of light-weight and versatile ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, which supplies good cushion and assist—in addition to efficient shock-absorption that retains my proper knee brace at dwelling. The extensive velcro straps are adjustable at three factors for a comfortable, blister-free match, and my toes are free to wiggle round and splay out (excellent for hikes with moist or rugged terrain),
It took a day or two to essentially break in and get the straps good, however as soon as they’re set, so are you. Now, all I’ve to do is launch the velcro on the ankle with a view to slip my foot out and in. Lastly, the neoprene cushion within the heel strap is my favourite little contact because it prevents that annoying chafing above the heel widespread in quite a lot of outside sandals.
Type
Tevas had their second within the ‘90s, one other resurgence again in 2018, and a present surge due to everybody’s love of the ugly shoe. For me, Tevas will endlessly embody Colorado cool lady vibes due to my faculty finest pal, who rocked everlasting Teva and Chaco tan traces (one of many few drawbacks of the shoe).
The Hurricane XLT2 is available in greater than 10 totally different colours and patterns, from muted pinks and greens to vibrant psychedelic prints. I selected a sunflower yellow, and the Millennial in me is happy that they’re colourful and chunky sufficient to match the throwback Gen-Z aesthetic, whereas satisfying my want for stability and luxury. It doesn’t matter what I’m carrying—a patterned jumper, a silky maxi costume, or climbing shorts—I immediately obtain that laid-back summer time spirit after I throw on these sneakers.
Efficiency and flexibility
I don’t have a automotive, so I stroll, bike, or take the prepare in every single place. This implies my sneakers must be my finest associates. Since I purchased these Tevas 5 months in the past, I’ve felt like I might put on them wherever. Vienna, the place I dwell, has every kind of terrain, from exhausting paved sidewalks to tough cobblestone paths to muddy trails. I sport them within the metropolis and on hikes within the Austrian countryside as a result of they’re sturdy, light-weight (clocking in just below one pound), and have stable traction for a sandal. I put on them for swims within the Danube as a result of they’re quick-drying and close-fitting. I put on them out to dinner as a result of they appear cute with a beaded anklet and summer time costume. And I’m going to proceed carrying them till it’s too chilly out, as a result of they’ve but to point out any indicators of tear, and are past snug.
Two downsides, although: The deep grooves of the rubber tread make it simpler for small rocks or canine poop to get caught, and the velcro straps can catch plant particles and pet hair. However these are minor annoyances, particularly since they’re tremendous straightforward to scrub.
Backside Line
With its comfortable midsoles, grippy rubber outsoles, and safe straps, the Hurricane XLT2 sandal earns its consolation and sturdiness accolades. Greater than a climbing sandal, it’s nice for strolling round city, watersports, music festivals, actually any form of sunny day exercise. I imply, I packed three pairs of journey sneakers for a month-long journey down the East Coast—together with strolling round New York, tenting in Maryland, and kayaking in South Carolina—and ended up solely carrying my Tevas (a packing fail, however a giant win for these unhealthy boys). One pair ought to final me by way of my five-year shoe part (simply in time for me to recycle them by way of the TevaForever program), and select a brand new colour for an additional Teva chapter.
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