Again in highschool, my mates would chortle after I’d handle to interrupt a shoe inside weeks of shopping for it. None of us fairly knew why it was taking place. Had been they too low cost? Was there one thing fallacious with my ft? Was I jinxed?
This curse adopted me into school, till it was lifted by a pair of crimson Keds. Lastly a shoe I might put on arduous all day, every single day. After discovering the Keds in my school and post-grad years, I’ve found different sneakers which have served me properly by means of later chunks of my life too: from the day-to-night-to-hike leather-based Clarks of my late-20s to my long-walk pandemic Nikes. I realized to be loyal and fewer frugal, repurchasing an identical pairs yearly or two.
This yr I entered my Teva period with the Hurricane XLT2 sandal—and I’m by no means wanting again. Snug, versatile, and flipping cute, these are my go-to sneakers for spring, summer season, and past (severely, I’m deciding if I can get away with the socks-and-Tevas look come winter). Listed below are all the explanations you might 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 had been discontinued, I’d been searching for one other sandal with arch assist. The Hurricane XLT2’s footbed is produced from light-weight and versatile ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, which offers good cushion and assist—in addition to efficient shock-absorption that retains my proper knee brace at house. 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 purpose 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 a whole lot of out of doors sandals.
Model
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 eternally embody Colorado cool lady vibes due to my school greatest 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 completely 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 maxidress, or mountain climbing shorts—I immediately obtain that laid-back summer season 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 need to be my greatest mates. Since I purchased these Tevas 5 months in the past, I’ve felt like I might put on them wherever. Vienna, the place I reside, has all types of terrain, from arduous 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 strong 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 season gown. And I’m going to proceed carrying them till it’s too chilly out, as a result of they’ve but to indicate 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 simple to scrub.
Backside Line
With its soft midsoles, grippy rubber outsoles, and safe straps, the Hurricane XLT2 sandal earns its consolation and sturdiness accolades. Greater than a mountain climbing sandal, it’s nice for strolling round city, water sports activities, music festivals—actually any form of sunny-day exercise. I imply, I packed three pairs of journey sneakers for a monthlong 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 an enormous win for these unhealthy boys). One pair ought to final me by means of my five-year shoe part (simply in time for me to recycle them by means of the TevaForever program) and select a brand new coloration for one more Teva chapter.
Associated: