Women’s Teva Original Universal Hiking Sandal Review

Bottom Line

The Teva Original Universal is an excellent option for anyone looking for a lightweight, adaptable sandal suitable for various light outdoor activities and everyday use. At just 11 ounces per pair, these sandals are highly portable, making them a great secondary option for water crossings or as camp shoes. The dual Velcro straps facilitate easy on-and-off and adjustment, guaranteeing a comfortable, secure fit each time.

While their traction and support are not robust enough for rugged terrain or steep, slippery surfaces, they’re some of the best hiking sandals for mild trails, sand, grass, and gravel. The neutral footbed and moderate midsole support may not be ideal for individuals requiring substantial arch support or those with very wide feet. However, these sandals are durable and flexible, maintaining their quality even after years of heavy use. Priced reasonably, the Original Universal provides great value for adventurers seeking an “everything sandal” that excels for errands, river outings, and light hikes.

How We Tested

Our tester has been wearing Original Universals for several years, selecting them for warm-weather days around town, relaxing walks, and moderate hikes in warm or wet conditions. She subjected them to a focused round of testing for this review, assessing them against six key performance metrics: comfort, stability, durability, traction, ease of use, and packability.

Comfort

Our lead tester has worn Teva Original Universals for years; she honestly can’t say how many miles she’s logged in them—well over 200, at least. She has used them for various activities, including hikes, neighborhood or city walks, running errands, a day at the beach, paddling, and yard work or gardening. 

Their overall performance has led us to choose them as a go-to “everything” sandal. The main reason is that they are incredibly comfortable and lightweight. Plus, the straps are pliable and never dig into our skin—not even with a brand-new pair. 

The midsole has a moderate width, and while it doesn’t provide the most robust arch support, it is supple and supportive enough for light activities. The footbed is neutral; it may not be suitable for individuals with very wide feet, but for those with narrow feet, the Velcro forefoot strap can accommodate any slack in the fit.

Stability

The midsole on the Teva Original Universals has a moderately supportive structure with minimal arch support. They’re not quite minimalist sandals, but they might feel unsupportive if you’re accustomed to a more robust, rigid shoe, such as the Ecco Yucatan or even the Chaco Z/1 Classic. 

As far as terrain is concerned, the Original Universals are best suited for mild trail surfaces. We’ve found them to lack stability on “chunky” terrain, such as larger, sharper rocks and river rocks. For that reason, we don’t love them for challenging water crossings. We wouldn’t recommend them for, say, The Narrows in Zion, where you’ll be stepping over large, slippery rocks under water. 

On dirt, gravel, wet and dry sand, and grass, they perform exceptionally well, and we appreciate feeling a stronger connection to the ground in them compared to sturdier sandals.

Traction

The tread on these is mild; the triangle-shaped lugs are only about 2 millimeters deep. The Teva brand itself states they are best suited for around-town wear and water activities, though we would give them a bit more credit than that. 

They grip the ground just fine on drier, relatively packed surfaces, like sand, dirt, and gravel; however, the Original Universals definitely struggle on scree slopes and any silty surfaces at an angle. We’ve found that they have respectable traction up to moderate angles on bare rock. We wouldn’t feel comfortable wearing them for steep slickrock sections.

Durability

Our tester has owned a pair of Original Universals for three years and has put them through the ringer with daily wear for errands, yard work, and walking the dog, as well as various recreational outings, from paddleboarding to hiking. They’re holding up well, without any frays in the straps. The Velcro still works perfectly, too, despite being regularly exposed to sand and dirt.

Weight & Packability

Weighing just 5.5 ounces per shoe, the Original Universals are incredibly packable as a second pair of sandals for stream crossings or as camp shoes. Their low profile and flexibility make them easy to pack, even when you’re tight on space.

However, as we mentioned before, I can’t confidently recommend these for water crossings that are more treacherous than a shallow creek or small brook. We personally wouldn’t feel comfortable fording a river in them due to the lack of substantial tread and somewhat minimal security. As camp shoes, though? 100%.

Ease of Use

These sandals couldn’t be easier to use. Thanks to the dual Velcro straps, they are incredibly easy to put on and take off, making it hassle-free to do so multiple times on the trail. They’re also quick to readjust, and you don’t even need to sit down or remove your pack to make a swift adjustment to the straps.

Should You Buy the  Teva Original Universal?

If you’re in the market for an affordable, lightweight sandal that’s easy to pack and perfect for light outdoor activities, the Teva Original Universal is a fantastic choice. Durable and versatile, it is a reliable option for everything from moderate hikes to city walks.

However, if you need a sandal with exceptional traction, arch support, or rugged terrain capabilities, you may need to look elsewhere. For those seeking an everyday adventure companion at a low price, though, the Teva Original Universal is hard to beat.

What Other Women’s Hiking Sandals Should You Consider?

The Teva Original Universals are some of the most versatile hiking sandals. In case you’re looking for something similar, but perhaps a bit more rugged, consider these alternatives.

Teva Hurricane XLT2 Review: Essentially a mightier version of the Original Universal, the TEVA Hurricane XLT2 features a thicker, more rigid midsole, a larger heel-to-toe drop, and deeper outsole lugs for enhanced traction. 

Chaco Z/1 Classic Review: Chacos, specifically the Z/1 Classics, are a staple for adventurers around the globe. Like the Teva Original Universals, these feature a simple nylon strap design, but the midsole is stiffer and more supportive. The Z/1 Classics also provide better traction than the Original Universals. Instead of Velcro, the Z/1 Classics use a single-bar buckle closure with a single-strap adjustment system.

Luna Mono Winged Edition Review: For something minimalist yet sturdy, try the Luna Mono Winged sandals. Inspired by the barefoot movement, these feature a 15-millimeter stack height for support but maintain a zero-millimeter heel-to-toe drop to encourage natural foot flexion and movement. They also utilize a thong-style strap rather than Teva’s forefoot strap.