Teva sandals

“I'm looking into buying a pear of sandals. I like Teva's and will probably buy one of their models. I would be using them for just about everthing, especially river crossing. Any advice or suggestions would be helpfull, thanks!”

“I like the Teva Alp Pros I use paddling, the classic version that look sorta like Roman sandals because they have more straps around your heel and foot. No Velcro involved, just very adjustable quick release buckles. A lot less likely to come off in moving water.”

“Absolutely pekka. I saw the title of this thread and that's the first thought that popped into my head before I even saw the posts! I love my Alps, although I do have to say that they were better made before Teva bought them. Also Alaska, check out Chaco sandals, or something like that. I'm not too familiar with them, but I've heard great things. I think they're affiliated somehow with Dana Design.

pekka, what kinda paddling do you do? Is there anything but flatwater up there in Wisconsin?”

“Yeah...check out Chaco sandals. I bought my Tevas' a month before I ever knew Chaca's existed. I dug them! More posture-pedic for your feet, and cushy and comfy. Of course, I already had sandals.”

“I ordered a pair of sandals this past weekend. I will let you know how they feel, fit, and function.

Here is a link to the sandals

The price is listed as $9.97 and if you enter the discount code "SPG122" when you check out you save five bucks.

Shipping is $4.99

Ok so they are probably not Teva quality, but since I only wanted them for water crossings ten bucks is a bargain. Every pair of Teva's I have picked up are heavy as bricks. I am hoping these are lighter.”

“You can almost buy a pair of Chaco's for a hundred bucks.

Almost.”

“Alps are really light. Seriously. They're tough as hell too. I wear them all the time. In the pottery lab, they get all beat up and dirty and have clay particles ground into them and they're still alive and kickin.”

“I weigh everything. If these sandals are stable and weigh under a pound I will keep them until I find some that weigh less.

pisgah, How much do your Alps weigh?”

“You "Let(ing) your piggies out to play!", Mr.bacpac?

And I hear ya...my Tevas (Spider rubber and Fastex buckles) seem pretty heavy...for what they are!”

“Here's the down sides to the Teva's.
1. Made in China
2. If you are wading in sharp rocks, you are likely to cut up your feet. I like full coverage wading shoes that protect more of your foot.”

“My "Universal Approach" Tevas' weigh just over 2 lbs (pair)!”

“Dun, What brand of wading shoes? How much do they weigh? The wading shoes I have seen are heavy soled and do not dry quickly.”

“I've had a pair of tevas (don't know which model) for a couple of years and like them, but they are heavy. I just bought a pair of kmart copies for $6. They aren't as comfortable, but are very light. I'm hoping to try them out this weekend at wilson creek, weather permitting”

“tell you the truth bacpac, I dunno how much they weigh. I'm not too obsessive about individual weights of things, just the final product. The big 3 are the things I try and cut down on the most. Anyway, back to sandals. I don't worry too much about the open/closed toe thing. I use my Alps for camp shoes as well as river crossers and I've never had a problem. I will say that the pair I had (and lost! damn) that were made before Teva bought them out were much better put together. Ahhh, the joys of capitalism. . . : P”

“I live in sandles! I have a pair of Tevas that I hike in. They are the standard sandals. I'm not gay or a yuppie but I must say...I wish Birkenstock made sport type sandals. They are expensive but they are well worth it. I got a pair of leather clogs (known as "man clogs" in the gay community) and they feel like they were made for my feet. I'm waiting for my Arizona sandals to wear out so I can get another pair of Birkies.

BTW- anyone know when the new Idigo Girls CD comes out? LOL!”

“

Wow! Ask yea shall recieve! The Birkie Ottawa! Only $144! I'll take three pairs!”

“Teva's are great even though they're overpriced...but if you're buying them strictly for stream crossings I think something like 'water socks' that covers the whole foot might be better. It's a bitch getting rocks wedged between the sandal and the foot when you're trying to cross a cold, swift stream with a huge pack on your back!”

“pisgahforest, northern Wisconsin and the U.P. have some of the best paddling of all types. Want whitewater, try the Wolf, Peshtigo, Montreal, Ontonagon, Presque Isle, Brule, Bois Brule to get whatever level you are comfortable with, from Class 1 riffles to Class V canyons. The Wisconsin River, the Manitowish, and numerous others are available for moving water adventures, and the lakes are too numerous to inventory, but Sylvania Wilderness is only an hour north on the border. Come and enjoy. Our paddle and trail club meets tonight and everyone will be in a froth at the prospect of ice out on the lakes (the rivers are at flood stage). Supposed to hit 60 today!”

“Nigal...

Don't replace your Arizona's...re-sole 'em and keep on truckin. I think all Birks are re-soleable, even the water resistant ones. Check with the store where you bought them. Most stores can resole and repair them.”

“For water crossings, in my experience, I'd get shoes with toe protectors...cause' I always end up banging my toes on hidden cobbles (when wearing my Tevas')...and what Mr.Kleetn said!”

“I got my bargain sandals today. The look OK and seem to be reasonably well made, but they weigh 2.5 pounds!!!

Screwed again :-(”

“I have a pair of Teva Alp Pro sandals & I like them. They look really cool in my opinion, although that's probably not a good reason for buying gear. I also have a pair of Wal-Mart Laguna brand water socks, I like them a lot for kayaking and wading. They are extremely light and flexible, they stay on your feet in muddy water, and they dry quickly, since they have a removable insole and stretchy mesh uppers.”

“Just back from paddle & trail club, where the program was on a local fellow's 52-day canoe trip down the Thelon River in Canada's Barren Lands. With the constant in and out of the canoes, he relied on featherweight nylon Red Ball stocking-foot hip waders inside leather boots with good drainage. The waders are certainly super light compared to neoprene, and they've lasted him 8 years of wilderness treks.

I have a pair of Hi Tec water shoes that I use when canoeing where there are more stone/stick threats to toes than the Alps would handle, or more support would be needed for portaging.”

“pekka-
About a year and a half ago, 2 friends and I did a 5 day trip through Sylvania. One of my favorite trips ever. It's great to be able to paddle on lakes without motorboats. And there weren't many people around either. I think on the whole trip we saw maybe 10 people.”

“Carry a light enough pack and you can hike in a good pair of Tevas.

Some days I like to go hiking in my Tevas... and nothing else!!

8-)”

“"Don't replace your Arizona's...re-sole 'em and keep on truckin."

It's the cork beds that are ripping and the sole is glued directly to the cork bed. I don't think I can get them redone. They've lasted me about 4 years now and have been great.”

“CHACO's for life!! Not as comfy as some of the others.”

“Trailbuster, did you try any of the catch and release action on smallmouths while on the Sylvania lakes? Sylvania is our own mini-Boundary waters. It has hiking trails around the lakes too, so backpackers are welcome. Fall is gorgeous, though I did get caught by an early snow there one September.”

“Nigal, you can get them resoled if you want - I had a pair that the cork was totally broken down, took them back, and since LLBean wasn't carrying that style anymore they told me I could have them resoled, so I did. Saved having to break in another footbed. Birkenstock style shoes are the best things for you're feet and the knock offs are just as good.”

“Teva's are over priced and over rated in my book. One should not pay over $15 for a pair of sandals. I got a cheap pair from Kmart. Route 66, they'er long enough to protect against stubbing the toes, they have a great outdoorsy sole and have plenty of lateral support. Don't know the weight probably too much. When I pack them, I'll normally wear Gtex socks to keep feet and socks clean and dry.”

“I lost my Teva's! I think they were in my kayak that I sold to this chick in NC! Damn it!”

“Check these out, only 6.5 oz!

Nike Aether”

“The Aether's look like they'd be comfy, but they are a bit pricey too.

I love my Tevas - they weren't expensive either. I think I paid 20 bucks for 'em through sierratradingpost.com - maybe they are called "terradactyls"? I honestly don't remember, but I hike in them a lot and they are great.

Briar - I had a pair of those K-shoes and they gave me blisters. They look just like some teva models, though. I gave 'em to my friend and they work great for her for casual walking.”

“Yeah you bought me mine too, when you used to love me :( sob!”

“For functionality, you can't beat water shoes that cover your toes & feet for water crossings. Sandals just leave too skin much exposed. I have a pretty gory fish-hook in the toe story (fortunately not my toe) for any doubters.”

“Do tell wanderer....”

““ ,,,I will say that the pair I had (and lost! damn) that were made before Teva bought them out were much better put together. Ahhh, the joys of capitalism. . . : P”
pisgahforest

I have an original (70s) pair of alp sandals that I still wear today ... they have a tire tread type sole, leather insoles and the laces are somewhat complicated but form the body of the sandal. There was an ad in a "Backpacker" magazine that I ordered them through.

I've often wished I could find another pair like this, but to no avail. Was the company that made my sandals the one that was bought out by Teva?”

“I've been quite happy with my Source sandals, since my other pair blew up during a frizbee match.

Source Sandals

The 'About & Credo' section of the company's web site is worth reading. One unique thing is that the sandals are warranted by a wear dot on the sole rather than a time period.... a good idea for seasonal footwear I thought

I found a pair for 1/2 price, which was about 20% the price on the Tevas I had looked at
last edited: 6/17/06 6:42:35 PM”

“Ross [sort of like TJ Maxx] has the original
Tevas for $19.99”

“I need to sew new pieces of Velcro onto my Tevas, otherwise they're in perfectly good shape. I've also had good luck with some no-name sandals from Walmart, the advantage being if they die they're not expensive to replace. I've already had to replace them once, but that was because the dog ate the first pair, after I'd had it less than a week. These sandles have a nylon buckle in addition to Velcro. Since I'm not undoing the Velcro all the time, it's good as new, and I know I can put new buckles on if ever I need to.”

“Teva's at Sierra Trading Post. $29.99. Pretty much the same as I bought6+ years ago.

I wouldn't go hiking with a heavy load--few straps. They are great fo *shhh* canoeing!
last edited: 6/17/06 9:48:35 PM”

“I suggest trying the Tevas on and comparing them before buying. I chose a pair of Tevas at a store one time to buy. Then the clerk suggested I try a different model (more expensive of course). What a difference there was in the fit and feel. It was well worth it to me to buy the more expensive pair.

BTW, for the last 15 years I have been pronouncing it tee-vah. I recently found out that the correct pronunciation is teh-vah.”

“I'm not going to change how I pronounce it, especially since everyone else I know pronounces it the same way.”

“I believe it's Tev-ah.”

“Same here Ruby, but I still say tee-vah anyway.”