NEW! YOUR LOCAL RUNNING DROP
Get after it with nearby recommendations just for you. Sandals With Light
NEW! YOUR LOCAL RUNNING DROP
Get after it with nearby recommendations just for you.
Not your typical trail-running shoe, by any means. Photo: Cory Smith
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When it comes to trail running shoes, protection, stability, and a secure fit are absolutely crucial. However, these qualities are not typically the strong points of sandals, which, by nature, prioritize breathability and lightness over support and protection. So when I found out I’d be testing a new pair of sandals designed specifically for trail running, I was intrigued but skeptical.
In a move to reconnect with their outdoor adventure roots, Teva quietly launched a new pair of trail running sandals earlier this month. (It’s not the first time Teva has created a trail running sandal. In 2001, it launched the original Wraptor running sandal, which received good reviews for its runnability—except for the fact that it couldn’t keep dust and gravel from getting under runners’ feet.) I had the opportunity to experience the Aventrail firsthand during a launch event at the Marin Headlands outside San Francisco. Here are my initial impressions.
Price: $145 Weight: 11.9 oz (men’s), 9.7oz (women’s) Stack Heights: 33.5 mm heel, 27.5 mm toe Drop: 6 mm
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As a runner who favors protective and cushioned trail shoes over those with a more minimal feel, I was cynical upon hearing I’d be testing a pair of running sandals. In my experience, most running sandals, such as those made by Luna or Xero, offer a minimal, barefoot-like running experience, which doesn’t go well for me. So, when I arrived to see that the Aventrail had a relatively thick sole resembling a traditional running shoe more than a minimalist sandal, I felt relieved and excited.
From the very first step, the overall feeling exceeded expectations. The footbed was exceptionally soft and comforting, offering a good amount of arch support—almost like a recovery sandal. A breathable, stretchy, engineered knit bootie—reminiscent of Nike’s FlyKnit—serves as a protective layer to keep the straps from touching directly against your skin. Along the back, in addition to the knit bootie, a heavily padded piece wraps the heel and does a great job of easing the strap’s pressure on the Achilles tendon.
Since running in sandals was a new experience, we were advised to wear socks, which, in my mind, defeated the purpose of running in sandals, but I abided. Our run started off with a quarter-mile hike up a long set of stairs and I was immediately impressed with the sandal’s comfort. It felt like an airy sandal with the underfoot cushioning of a running shoe.
The midsole is similar to those found in a modern running shoe. It features a combination of a supercritical foam layer that sits atop a supportive EVA base, with an embedded, flexible nylon plate for propulsion, stability, and rock protection. The ride reminded me a lot of a Hoka, which makes sense because Teva’s parent company, Deckers, also owns Hoka, and Hoka founder Jean-Luc Diard is said to have had some influence on the Aventrail design.
As we reached the top and began our run, I continued to be impressed with how well the sandals performed. I had never run in sandals before, and there was a fun sense of playful freedom, having my toes out in the open air. At this point, however, the terrain was flat and quite mellow. The real test would come when the surface underfoot got rougher.
As the trail became more technically demanding, with loose rocky accents and descents, the sandals started showing their weaknesses. I found my feet consistently sliding around, causing me to stop regularly to adjust the straps tighter to feel secure. At one point, I had them as tight as the Velcro straps would allow and I was still sliding sideways inside the sandals.
I consider myself to have an average-width foot, so I imagine a lot of runners would experience the same insecure feeling I did. Having the ability to tighten them down further would go a long way. At this point, I decided to remove one sock to see if it was contributing to the rather sloppy ride. This helped to some extent, but I still experienced significant slippage.
The outsole is made of a proprietary rubber with flat, sparingly spaced, tiered 5-millimeter lugs for traction. The trail consisted of the typical dry California kitty litter, loose dirt, and rock, which is notoriously challenging to grip. The Teva didn’t fare well. Like the upper, the sole left me sliding around quite a bit. I believe more densely spaced, thinner lugs would go a long way in providing a better grip. The combination of the loose fit and lack of outsole bite caused me to cautiously check my pace often, fearing I may fall.
Our run finished on half a mile of road, which was where the sandals felt best all day. Most of the insecurity I felt on the trails ceased, and I was able to run freely. At one point, we got down to a six-minute pace, and, except for the air blowing over my toes, they felt almost like a regular running shoe. Their chops on the road are so adept, professional runner Michael Warden recently ran a 16:50 road 5K in a pair.
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Current running sandals cater to a niche group of runners who, in my experience, mostly prefer them for the near-barefoot running experience. So where does the Teva Aventrail, a highly-cushioned running sandal that’s best suited for smooth, flat trails fit in? While I’m not a thru-hiker, I can envision these appealing as a thickly cushioned sandal for moving relatively fast on the trail but not fast enough to generate large lateral forces. Until the security issues are addressed, however, it doesn’t succeed as a technical trail-running sandal. It’s more suitable as a highly cushioned, very comfortable road-running sandal with the capability to venture onto tame trails when needed—for those who really like to feel the wind between their toes.
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