I spent 2 weeks running in the Teva Aventrail trail sandals – it's not as crazy as it sounds

As a trail runner and hiker, I'm always interested in trying different types of trail running shoes to see how they can improve my time outdoors. That's why last summer I found myself running around the low-lying hills near my hometown in a pair of Teva Aventrail running sandals.

There's certainly nothing conventional about these shoes, even in the world of hiking sandals, and I definitely got some surprised looks. But from my first run, I realised they were more than just a gimmick. The Teva Aventrail running sandals are surprisingly comfortable and stable, and great for hot weather.

I won't pretend that I've thrown all my regular running shoes away in favour of these sandals, but I do still reach for them for warm-weather hikes and runs, and I think they deserve a place in the shoe rack of anyone seeking a fun summer outdoors.

Teva Aventrail Trail Running Sandals review

Specifications

• Size range: 3 - 9
• Weight: 270g per shoe
• Stack height: 33.5 - 27.5 mm
• Heel to toe drop: 6 mm
• Lug depth: 3.5 mm
• Waterproof version available: No
• Materials: EVA foam midsole, nylon shank, 88% textile/12% TPU upper, Spider Rubber outsole

What are the Teva Aventrail Trail Running Sandals like for running?

Teva has gone for a suitably summery approach to its colourways, and the purple, blue and green colourway I tested looks right at home at the beach, but I wanted to see how it fared on the trails.

I tested these on rolling and mostly soft grassy trails with boggy stretches if there was a lot of rain, and I wore them without socks to get the benefit of the breeze between my toes.

Straight away, I was impressed with how comfortable they are. The enormous foam rocker midsole looks and feels a lot like a cushy pair of Hoka Bondi 9 running shoes, and they offer arch support, which is great for me. This meant ongoing comfort underfoot when I was out on the trail, and even over a short tarmac section. After two hours, I didn’t have tired feet and really enjoyed the airy sensation, even in boggy areas.

Teva has combined its W strap system, which offers three points of adjustability with hook-and-loop fastenings, with a stretchy knit bootie. This means none of the strap touches your skin. The result is a surprisingly snug fit. My foot doesn’t move around as much as you might expect, though I found that it wasn't totally free of rubbing.

The only issue I’ve had with these sandals is that after about an hour, they start rubbing my outer pinkie toe. It left me with a small blister and wasn’t too serious, but it made me nervous about wearing these for longer days. I think wearing socks would help, but surely the appeal of these shoes is that barefoot-and-free feeling?

The Spider Rubber outsoles have tiered traction lugs, which suffice for the terrain I’ve used these sandals in. I’ve never slipped while wearing them, but the trails have been fairly straightforward and non-technical.

Because I’d never run in sandals before, I started out really gingerly and made a point of using my hiking poles for stability. I couldn’t believe that the high stack would be that stable and thought my feet would be slipping around, but amazingly, these performed pretty well. As the miles went by, I started to get more confident and run faster and more naturally, even on steeper downhill sections. The only time I had any issues with my feet sliding around was when I reached a particularly narrow bit of singletrack.

What are the Teva Aventrail Trail Running Sandals like for hiking?

This might have been my first time running in sandals, but I've had lots of experience hiking in sandals. Except for the rubbing of my pinkie toe, I think these are great for walkers.

Sandals and protection don’t exactly go hand-in-hand, but I haven’t had any problems with toe stubbing. I think it’s because the wide geometry essentially acts like the bumper of my car and deflects any rocks or roots. That said, I haven’t had these out on really rocky trails, and the thought of it still makes me nervous.

I was fully expecting them to constantly trap small particles of dirt between my foot and the sandal, which has been a problem in the past when I've tried hiking sandals, but I had no such problems. It seems like the knit bootie works to keep grime out – or perhaps I'm just towering so high above the ground that no gravel reaches my feet.

I really like the Aventrails for summer walks that involve a little bog or shallow stream crossings, because, of course, my feet have a chance to cool off, and they drain and dry quicker than squelchy trainers.

Who are the Teva Aventrail Trail Running Sandals for?

Basically, these shoes are for anyone who loves the barefoot-and-free experience of sandals and hates having their feet imprisoned inside sweaty running shoes.

They're not the only running sandal out there, but others tend to be extremely minimalist. The Aventrails are for you if you don't want to sacrifice comfort or protection while baring your feet to the elements.

If you’re a sandal fanatic, these shoes could be the ones you’ve been waiting for. They somehow manage to combine the bounce of a maximalist shoe with that fresh, open-toed feel, but the rubbing on the pinkie toes could pose a problem.

The w&h verdict on the Teva Aventrail Trail Running Sandals

These sandals provide a solution to adventure holidays where you want to travel light. If I were going somewhere warm and wanted to run, hike, and get in the water, but I didn’t want to check in a bag, I could realistically wear these shoes on the plane and use them for all my activities.