Again in highschool, my buddies would snicker after I’d handle to interrupt a shoe inside weeks of shopping for it. None of us fairly knew why it was occurring. Have 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 onerous all day, on daily basis. After discovering the Keds in my school and post-grad years, I’ve found different footwear which have served me nicely 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 discovered to be loyal and fewer frugal, repurchasing 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 trying again. Comfy, versatile, and flipping cute, these are my go-to footwear for spring, summer time, and past (critically, I’m deciding if I can get away with the socks-and-Tevas look come winter). Listed here are all the explanations you could 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 searching for one other sandal with arch help. The Hurricane XLT2’s footbed is constituted of light-weight and versatile ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, which supplies good cushion and help—in addition to efficient shock-absorption that retains my proper knee brace at dwelling. The vast velcro straps are adjustable at three factors for a cosy, blister-free match, and my toes are free to wiggle round and splay out (good 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 to be able 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 number 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 eternally embody Colorado cool lady vibes due to my school finest good friend, who rocked everlasting Teva and Chaco tan strains (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 mountaineering shorts—I immediately obtain that laid-back summer time spirit after I throw on these footwear.
Efficiency and flexibility
I don’t have a automotive, so I stroll, bike, or take the practice in every single place. This implies my footwear need to be my finest buddies. 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 every kind of terrain, from onerous 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 slightly 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 indicate any indicators of tear and are past comfy.
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 clean.
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 mountaineering sandal, it’s nice for strolling round city, water sports activities, music festivals—actually any type of sunny-day exercise. I imply, I packed three pairs of journey footwear 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 dangerous 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 colour for an additional Teva chapter.
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