Although i've worn Teva for roughly 30 years and won't switch, I could see a case where you are traveling and lose a pair. Given these results, it may actually make sense to find a temp pair at Walmart if you didn't have a good address for receiving packages and didn't want to spend time driving around looking for the genuine article.
Always feel the cheap segment is more interesting (see the same on project farm reviews). We all know the premium brand should be premium - and should get a kicking if it isn't. Then we lazily assume the budget brands are all built to the lowest possible cost and will all be crap - and get that warm glow when we realize that somebody in a chinese factory, ate a little bit of potential profit, to make a far better product than they were asked to. Hope they see the see the review and take a bit of satisfaction (and reference it in future bid responses for a brand trying to beat them down on cost)
You really can't trust reviews on Amazon. Most of their "top ranked" products are from fly-by-night Chinese companies who then write their own glowing reviews like the sandals shown here. If you make the mistake of buying one of these products, you get garbage that's ridiculously overpriced like these sandals.
Well I would buy something at Walmart before Amazon. I do not trust all this amazon stuff. Walmart isn't as bad as people think (talking how good their products are..not the politics of it). But I steer clear of amazon.
I've worn Tevas for over 20 years. I've had my oldest daughter "borrowing" them for years. She has worn them through EVERYTHING, as she is a competitive kayaker. Carrying boats up rocky paths among other tests. We both have donated Tevas after a few years, as they were still really great and we just wanted a new fresh pair (or two). Also for someone like myself with arthritis that can't wear a normal sandal, they are so wonderful. Adjust the straps to fit comfortably and no rubbing on sore toes and I'm glad they passed the test. I might say go with Walmart for small children that grow out of sandals quickly, but I am so glad to know the money spent (especially when the kids were young and budgets tight) was well worth it! THANK YOU!
This video is also really useful to know that your next pair of Tevas will be just as good as your current ones. There are so many formerly-good brands out there, where people have 20-year-old items (I'm thinking mainly appliances, but it applies elsewhere too) that will still be going strong after one that you buy today breaks.
I recently bought my first Tevas for hiking. I have pretty severe orthopedic problems with my feet (basically totally flat and instable ankle etc.) and these were the first hiking sandals that I didn't get friction lesions from after a couple of hours in hot & humid environments. I especially appreciate the wide sole (don't constantly rubb my foot on the edge of the sandal sole) and the adjustable straps!
As an ex white water kayaker with arthritis I am right there with you. I use skechers sandals right now because the straps go on more securely but the fact that the tevas have arch support is a massive plus point. The Teva soles give me way more confidence gripping on wet rock too that the budget brands I tried when I was a broke student. I once had to climb out of the Finstermunz gorge in Switzerland with my Kayak while wearing Tevas and the fact I am here to tell that story says a lot
The pair I bought was such a rip off. Not only did they take forever to put on every time, they were so uncomfortable. I went back to my old worn out Tevas just to get relief. Never again.
I recently bought a pair of tevas before going on a family vacation to Hawaii. I felt guilty about spending so much when there are cheaper alternatives but thank you for this video! I felt comfortable wearing them everyday and now after watching this video I have absolutely no regrets! 😄
As someone who has found her forever hiking shoe (teva grandview, the blue ones 😩🤣), you get what you pay for!!! I say this as someone who not only wears one pair of shoes until they die, but also as someone who HATES shoes, but loves hiking. Outs IDIOTIC for me to spend so much money on a shoe, but as it turns out, it’s been two years of daily wear, and the shoes are STILL perfect. Idk how (I have a German shepherd, chihuahua, and human toddler along with a pack for all their gear, so io have zero time to care for SHOES of all things 💀), but they’re amazing. Sometimes, it truly does all a difference!!! If you know your size, and it’s not changing, please check out websites for deals/sales!! Off-season is the best time to buy, and I’ve bought everything with at least a 30% discount (a lot of kids, so lots of money on THEM, means mommy gets to come last 😂).
Don't feel guilty about it. In Sweden, I spent about $70 US for Tivas, have had them 6 years, wear them daily 3 months as year. Do have a it of velcro I need to restitch, but the shoul last another 3-4 years. . I would have gone through at least 2 pairs of the cheap ones in that time. Better quality is better for our planet.
They last you for years! Treat them well, with love, and they’ll pay you back for sure with comfy feet and many km of distance walking bringing you to awesome sight to discover. :)
I have terrible feet in fact I've had 2 surgeries since September. I buy a lot of 2nd hand and when I dobuh new it's nothing fancy but I will pay up for shoes because shoes are very important for me and you get what you pay for!! I paid $140 for some Birkenstocks that Are still in my closet waiting for my foot to heal!!
As others have pointed out, the most important thing is that Teva actually supports your feet. They last a lot longer, and your feet will be happy. I have a pair of Chacos, but they hurt my feet a bit. I suspect they are just as good, but the style I bought just didn’t fit my feet as well. Definitely worth the money to treat your feet well, and invest in a pair of shoes that last longer than a few months.
Chacos killed my feet too. I had this feeling like when someone hits your funny bone, only under my arch! With each step! I had to stop wearing them after a week, it was very painful!
I was worried about Chacos pulling my arches but they feel great for me. You’re so right that taking care of feet is important. I have 2 kids in orthotics because genetically they don’t have strong arches, so we have been talking about making sure to buy good shoes and taking care of your feet.
Chacos fit a very specific way and are not true to size. You have to try on many different sizes and widths and find a pair that fits the contours of your feet. Once they do, they are the most comfortable pair of sandals ever, but if they are even slightly off-size, they can wreak havoc on your feet, ankles, and knees.
I have had three pair of Tevas over the years, and have found they wore well and never let me down! Also, the grip was really good when walking on wet or other potentially slippery surfaces. Tevas IMHO are really worth the extra money because they last so much longer than other less expensive sandals. Thanks for putting Tevas to the test!
Agreed! I’m 42 & still have a pair from 7th grade. They don’t look new by any means so are relegated to kayaking, etc but functionally they’re still good as new!
I have a pair of hiking boots by teva and I LOVE them, they aren't my most stylish boots (they're ok) but they're definitely the ones I wear the most as they are so comfortable and lightweight (some hiking boots are too heavy lol). I spent almost the whole winter in them out in all weather (except heavy rain) everyday and they have held up amazing so far!
As a preschool teacher, I wear Tevas every day from the moment the snow melts to the first snow. I get some impressive foot tan lines. I also wore them to Disney World and they not only held up to 20,000 steps a day but my feet never once got sore!
I remember I was really frustrated at how expensive Tevas were when I was looking to buy a pair back in the early 2000s. I procrastinated because of the price. I still have them and wear them. The straps on both sandals have pulled out of the sole at all four corners over the years, and I have repaired them with shoegoo every time. Over 20 years and still going. I'd say I got my $30 worth.
The Walmart brand is a bit of a shocker. That being said, I’d spend the $55 for myself and the Walmart brant for kids that will outgrow them in a season.
The trick is to buy the kids big sizes with room to grow. Plus, having big shoes when they are small prevents them from running around easily, so you can control them better. It’s a 200 IQ parenting move
@@DarkMuj Messes up their balance and feet to step coordination, the best thing a kid can do is be bare foot but shoes wise definitely be their size, they can really get hurt.
I've had my tevas for years and they still hold up great. They're a bit sturdier of a model than the ones in the video and I felt guilt for a long time spending so much on sandals but they're my go-to sandals, highly reccomend them
This is a great video! While preparing our home for our Foster to Adopt daughters, we installed hardwood flooring on our stairs and all 4 upstairs bedrooms. Completely unaware of what plantar fasciitis is and how one gets it, I wore socks only while standing on hard flooring for days. Unfortunately, as a result, I developed plantar fasciitis. I was in quite a bit of pain every time i walked for a few hours or more. Being from So. California, I wear sandals for a good part of each year. I finally discovered Teva sandals. They are the most comfortable sandals I have ever worn and have helped me immensely with this issue. I wear the platform (thicker sole) sandals as they have a larger cushion area. I have purchased several pairs to have on hand and always have a new packaged pair for when one of my other pairs wears out. I was fortunate enough to find 1 pair at ROSS for $25.00! I bought my husband a pair and he is now a huge fan of Teva's as well! They are well worth the cost :)
My mum bought me a pair of Teva tirra 9 years ago. Ive worn them pretty regularly. Love thick and hard wearing the soles are strap are and comfortable. Best buy ever. I recently bought another pair this year to continue the Teva dynasty. Good to see an analysis on the sandals quality.
I’ve owned several pair of teva’s. I’ve been wearing them since childhood. They are very reliable and absolutely worth the money. I highly recommend them.
And Teva really isn't that expensive either. I think their prices (ok last I looked was two years ago) have stayed almost the same since the 90s. Now maybe I am wrong but the way I remember it...they are about the same. I think I remember their sandals being 50 bucks back then. Sounded way way too expensive to me then but now..not at all.
I wore my Teva flip flops in Asia, walking 10-15 km every day in extreme heat and humidity and they were amazing. We were walking on concrete most of the time, so you’d expect I had sore feet/legs, but nope. I was super comfortable all of the time. They are the best flip flop I’ve ever owned. Worth the money.
Can I ask what kind/version you used? I just got a pair ( The Teva originals ) but was wondering if you got a different kind, like the platforms or the hurricane type, I'm just kind of asking to see how my pair is going to hold up and if I should consider getting a different pair in the future.
@@elizabethmilbury8470 I had the cheapest kind, the Mush flip flops. They have changes their styles though, so I’m not sure if they are still the same. My favourite flip flops though, hands down.
I purchased a pair of Tevas for my back packing trip through Australia and Southeast Asia in 1994. Paid nearly 65$ then and other budget minded travelers laughed as they bought knock offs in the Asian markets. Until theirs broke apart when pulling feet out of heavy-duty and other high test situations and mine remained intact. I rarely bought high end "name brand" stuff then but still feel that those Tevas were ine of the most worthwhile purchases I've ever made.
My parents bought me a pair of Teva's almost 3 years ago when they found out I was trying to decide on a new summer shoe. I hate closed-toe shoes so I wear sandals whenever possible, about 8 months out of the year for me. Those sandals look almost brand new to this day- I can comfortably recommend Teva's as a quality product :)
I bought my first pair of Teva's 26 years ago. I have gone through many, many pairs. I love them for their comfort (the padding on the inside of the plastic on the more expensive models makes all the difference when you're walking miles in them), the grip of the sole on wet, slippery stones, and the fact they still fit my feet despite being 6e width. I'm glad they showed to be better quality than the cheaper versions in the tests you did.
I bought my first(and only) pair of Teva sandals in 1998, for a school rafting trip over the summer. I bought them big, so I'd have room to grow. 25 years later I still have them and love them. I've worn them on every outdoor trip, camping and partying with friends, hiking, walking all day at water parks. The sole is a bit smooth, but they are still very usable and I love them.
I actually used Tevas for a long time. I live in a desert and they were the first brand that could handle the rocks and heat. They protected me from the nassive amount if thorns on the paths. I'd pull sticks and cactus chunks out when I got ready to go home. I only had one 4" cactus spine get through and it went right through the more vulnerable strap hole. [ They never melted to the sidewalk, which sneakers do a lot. ] After my first pair finally wore out, a strap was threadbare and the velcro was suffering, I tried a different brand and they broke in a couple months. There are few options for open sandals with an adjustable back strap(I have tiny ankles on giant feet) and no thong inner toe strap. Luckily, Tevas are able to fill those shoes and take a beating.
@@hypnagogue They can, but usually you're stepping on them and few touch the top of your feet. However, it is definitely a risk when walking close to plants, brushing the sides of your feet against the desert and plants. The sides are the weak spot, but I havent gotten stuck there very often. Closed shoes are very hot and sweaty, dehydrating, and thorns can pierce and become trapped inside- that's why you'd risk using sandals. Both have pros and cons.
Did you try Xero? I can't wear many types of sandals at all but they have an adjustable back one. It stays on through all kind of terrain, even though I haven't taken them to the desert yet but I want to.
This channel and these tests are so interesting !! I love learning about the in-depth quality that's indecipherable to the naked eye - like the quality of the sole rubber. Super interesting knowing the different that solid vs air-infused makes.
When you take into consideration manufacturing, shipping, customs, and all the other costs that go into getting those slippers on the shelves, they make almost no profit. Their profit margin is definitely less than $5. They make their money through people buying large quantities of things, as they don't bring in much net profit from individual items. They would have to raise the cost significantly, if they put a whopping $5 into improvements. People who complain about how materials and an immoral manufacturing process are too cheap to justify prices don't realize how many other costs go into imported products. Of course, there are way over priced items made in the exact same factories, MAYBE with slightly better quality materials, but complaints aimed at Walmart are mostly uninformed.
I got Chacos in a thrift shop 5 years ago and was amazed at the quality and fit. I ordered online a replacement pair in 2021 and the strapping was a softer fabric, not as easy to slip into as the pair I had, and sent them back. It's a shame when they have to change a good thing. I wear them 6 months straight.
@@timvandermey4792 china is not communist but slave labor is still bad and leads to worse quality in items and obviously quality of life for the people being used to produce these products. most things we buy in stores now come from sweatshops where kids as young as 4 work for maybe a penny a day, and it’s sad we’re running out of options.
I recently found a pair of Tevas in a thrift store. And in my size, too. I only paid $4 for the pair. The original owner probably only wore them once or twice. The sandals are absolutely clean, and there is no wear on the soles. What a great find! This will be my first pair of Tevas, so we'll see how it goes. The charity thrift store near me always gets a lot of cool stuff donated to them. It's near an upper middle class area, so they get a lot of high quality clothes and household goods.
A very big plus with Teva is the waterproof feature- as you hike you can go in the water with them and also they are less slippery in water or rocks than sneakers
I love these comparison videos man. Taking an established name brand and putting them up against some no named stuff purchased in two of the largest retailers in basically the world. I’d imagine the amount of similar looking sandals on Amazon alone is staggering.
I bought a pair 9 years ago and they are the best shoes I have ever had in my life. Those tevas have seen many roads and they did great in everyone of them. I went to hiking with them, walked through fast flowing rivers, walked in sea, etc. The bottom started to fall this summer, after 9 years, but I can still walk comfortable with them. I'm going to buy a new pair in a few days (even they are more expensive in my country) and I recommend to everyone.
I’m on my third pair of Teva’s and each time it gets harder to find a pair as good as the last. 😢 my first pair were Teryx and they were awesome. I hiked through miles and miles of rain forest in Hawaii, Asia, and Central America with great grip in wet conditions. Even the lava rock in Hawaii didn’t hurt them. My current pair is getting worn, but still going strong at 7 years and I wear them almost every day year round (I live in the deep south).
I have a pair of Walmart "Tevas". They're the higher platform style. They're pretty comfy! Glad to know they are actually pretty durable (except for the fire, lol). But my favorite part of this video (aside from the Teva buckle test) is the footwear modeling, haha!
Every pair of Tevas I've every owned has lasted 8 years or more. And the thing about them is that they mold to the soles of your feet better than some random brand of unknown foam construction, and their straps wear the same way so you know if they will dig into you or not. I just miss when they had more variety in construction. The Teva Zilch sandal was my favourite, minimalist flip flop/sandal hybrid. I wish they would bring that back.
I'm really rough on shoes, and I am also picky about them, and I own several pairs of Tevas, but mostly the ones that look dressier than the adventure sandals, including two pairs of wedges that you would not know are Teva's that are my "outdoor wedding shoes" that I use for violating the "no heels" suggestion at every outdoor wedding I attend. They are 100 times more comfortable than any dress flat I have ever worn. I have a pair of waterproof dress boots with 2.5 inch heels made by Teva that I wind up wearing walking the dog in the rain because they are more waterproof and comfortable than the Merrells I bought for that purpose. I am not remotely surprised that Tevas are worth the money. This was a good one! Hey if you read this, I have a request: women's steel toe work boots are IMPOSSIBLE! Thourogood stopped making my favorite and for whatever reason the men's thorogood I bought to replace it are terrible, and I am pretty sure it is the fit. Red Wing women's boots are a joke, and fall apart within days. I'm dying to find a decent replacement for my Thorogood double track oxford steel toe. I even wrote them. I'd love to see a women's work boot episode.
I don't have any experience with women's shoes (it seems rather problematic that women's sizes don't have many good quality work boots), but it is interesting that I used to wear work boots with a higher heel than you described
@@garethbaus5471 That is interesting! A lot of people think I am taller than I am because I am usually either wearing work boots or if I am dressed up I am wearing wedge heels, I seem to find them more comfortable than flat shoes. I'm surprised you would have work boots with an over 2.5 inch (around 60mm) heel though. My men's boots have about a 35mm heel.
My daughter works as a carpenters apprentice/reno, she has had great wear with P&F workware ladies workboots and moxie trades workboots. Comfortable, longwearing
So happy to see you are getting positive feedback to your question. A few months back (maybe a year?) I posted something similar, requesting a review of women’s boots. Viewer responses were overhelmingly, “Just wear men’s boots!” 🤦♀️
A Keen sandal comparison could also be really helpful for summer! My Whispers are going bad after 4 years of service & it would be great to know if it's worth it to splurge on the name brand again.
I love Tevas - my last pair lasted over 10 years and that was with 1 full velcro replacement. I only switched to Xero Z Trail because I don't hike in Tevas and wanted something lighter in the pack.
@@tcoker0416 I like them so much I bought a 2nd pair of the Z Trails. I am flat footed so I hate arch footbeds (most Tevas these days) so the Z Trails work for me and super light. I did need to ask my shoemaker to grind the little heel cup flush with the foodbed - a $5 fix. The sizing template is accurate if you used that.
@@daniel-lee888 this is exactly what I wanted to hear. I'm also flat footed and was curious how they were for that. I gave up chacos years ago bc of their arches are ridiculous. Tevas are now starting to bother me. Looks like I'm splurging on some new sandals!
@@tcoker0416 if you don't get them soon they might be gone because they run out of sizes a lot. But you know, you can wait until they go on sale if you get it right at the beginning before the size you want runs out. But those go fast too. I got some of my kids zero shoes last year and really stocked up, so we had a lot of boxes of them under the tree ( having to return a few that didn't work out for certain family members.) At Christmas I expanded to the two new styles. I bet the Z trail is the best. With my adjustable sandals, the only thing is when it's wet or muddy it has great grip, but your feet in the shoes can slide around a little bit when running. So I have to strap them down a little tighter then. The Colorado shoes and the running and hiking shoe are better water shoes in water and mud, but the sandals are the ones I pick for everyday sloshing over the hiking shoe since no problem smelling bad from being wet. I think the sandals and hikers have been going for about 2 or 3 years and that's really without wearing other shoes much ( until I got the new ones for Christmas)
I've worn Tevas since I was a child for a reason. I wear my hiking sandals out, as I do a lot of river hiking, so my feet slipping in the sandal puts more strain on the straps. I've tried knockoffs and nothing compares. Keen and Chaco are good too, but for the price, nothing beats Teva. Thanks for putting things to the test, I'll definitely be checking out more of your channel, as I feel it's more more important than ever to shop smart.
I have never tried real tevas but fell in love with the Walmart ones last summer when I was pregnant and my feet were too swollen for all my shoes. These were the only thing I could comfortably wear because apparently they had just the right amount of support for me and with the Velcro straps I could adjust them throughout the day as my feet were more or less swollen. I got them in almost every color, lol. I still wear them now and love them.
I tried Teva flip flops for the arch support a few years ago and now I will never go to another brand sandal. They are so comfortable and have so many to choose from! Thanks for the video. It confirms my choice!
I was struggling to pull the trigger on a pair of Tevas, but then I saw a pair of Teva Sport sandals I liked on sale at Soft Moc for like $10 more than regular Tevas. If you can swing it, get go for the Teva Sports.
I have had a pair of tevas for over 10 years and they’re still going strong! I’ve gone hiking, to the beach, gone running, shopping, basically everything under the sun. And they’re one of my most comfortable shoes, even more than my sneakers. I might even choose my tevas over my hiking shoes, depending on the location and weather.
I've found some vintage 80s Tevas on a flea market for 5€ I loved them so much I bought myself a second pair from their current stock and I must say they are quite different. they are the same size but the sole is made from a different material I liked the old one more and the straps are slightly moved which for me gave me two sore spots which I didn't expect after the first served me so well with no problems. it's difficult to describe but the feeling while walking feels so much more sturdy and secure in the old ones. If those two break I will definitely look for something else
Thank you so much for this! I have invested in Teva and it truly is an expensive pair of sandals, but I have continued to find comfort and value in them. So glad to see this! We appreciate your experiments, thanks again.
The biggest issue with Tevas in Australia is the sole comes off as the glue never lasts in this country. For whatever reason the glue always fails after about a year. It makes paying extra for a name brand like teva a bit harder to justify. I'd love to see Teva come out with a 'tropical shoe/sandal' line that has adhesive which is designed for places like Australia so the shoes are not needing replacement or reglueing (reglueing also doesn't last long as the adhesive issue is still present). This issue is also prevalent in hiking shoes/boots, but they tend to last maybe 2 years versus sandals. Just good for thought.
Very interesting. I'd never heard of Teva, but I use this type of sandal as a summer work shoe, and straps pulling out is the #1 way they fail. I'll have to give Teva a try. Thanks!
I've had my Tevas (a different model with a sturdier sole and leather straps) for at least 4 years, maybe longer, and they are still going strong. I wear them several times a week living in the south, and they are just as comfortable as when I got them. I would buy them again.
I’ve only just heard of Tevas but they were suggested on the packing list for an adventure holiday in the Middle East feat. desert hiking and watersports. I’m feeling pretty good about spending 40€ on some sandals now.
Many years ago, I purchased 3 pairs of Tevas at the same time. One was a basic model. Very comfortable. These were the squishiest. The next one was an upgraded model, with hard rubber soles. The top of the line was the Sci-fi. It was almost like a sneaker,. It had the hard sole, and it had hard rubber "posts" for the straps. The posts were padded on the inside part. That model was indestructible. At least until the sole unglued from the foam. But they lasted for quite a few years. Money well spent. I wore all of them all summer long. Hiking, canoeing, hanging out, .
Having worn a lot of these kind of sandals over the years, Tevas are definitely worth the money. They last much longer, and keep looking decent even after quite a bit of abuse. More importantly, the finishing on the plastic parts and straps is a lot better, causing fewer blisters and sores from rubbing against sharp edges (something very important that's not taken into account in this test). Even if they didn't last as long as a cheaper one, I'd choose the more comfortable product any time. It's no fun walking for hours or even days with open sores and blisters on your feet from rubbing straps and buckles, and that's something that can very well happen with cheap sandals.
I've literally worn holes through Teva sandals because I wore them year round as my only leisure shoes (I live in the South), but it took about 5 years.
I've worn Tevas for years... I wish the sole was made of a thicker "Vibram" tread. The currently available Tevas are designed to wear out quickly. The older models lasted for years and years. Thank you for the video. : )
I bought a Walmart pair on sale for $5... They lasted me three years, and I wore them everyday of summer and often other times of the year. So comfortable. Best $5 I ever spent. I bought a more expensive pair to replace them and honest to God I prefer the Walmart ones.
A win in durability, but also a win in comfort. Ive owned all 3 of the shoes evaluated, and Tevas are the only shoe that doesn't cause blisters, and feels good on my fallen arches.
Very interesting to learn about the "slipper loophole." I've wondered why the outsoles of cheap shoes were so flat and "felty." After trying on a pair or two and almost slipping and falling IN THE STORE, I now always check the outsole to see how "grippy" it is. I can't afford to fall on my butt, I'm too old for that crap. I wonder if felted surface on the TEVAs wears off after awhile.
Cheap shoes also have outsoles that may look "grippy," but are in fact super hard and slippery. There's no give in the plastic at all. It's a no for me.
I love my Teva Universal Trail sandals! Incredibly comfortable from the get go! Vibram mega grip outsole! Had them for 2 years now and they've held up well! $100 well spent!
One of the best things about tevas is that they're super grippy on wet. They're totally worth every single cent IMHO. I want to try the bedrock, but compared to tevas, I don't know if you're getting more than twice the sandal.
I’ve had my black pair of Tevas for 7 years now. Wear them basically everyday in the summer. The bottom tread has almost no wear. I fricken love my Tevas!
KILLING IT yet again! Ive always hated and despised these sandals lol but yalls in depth dissection and review had such great info i now see partially why they are so popular! Another great vid!
My fav campsite sandals when backpacking are the xero z-trail. I bought a second pair last summer I loved them so much. Curious how well those would fair next to the tevas since they are very similar style but $20 more msrp
I've had the Teva Tirra sandals for about 12 years. I wear them a lot in summers, have worn them hiking, in a river, at the sea, just walking. They are great, comfortable and durable sandals. The velcro straps on the pair I have, have started to not stick so well after so much use, but otherwise they're in great shape. If I get a new pair to replace them, it will be one of the same sandals.
I bought a pair of Chaco sandals after Tevas, and they have pluses and minuses compared with the Tevas. The soles both delaminated on the Chacos after a few years (lots of walking on hot rocks, tho': not really their fault) - the upside was that I learnt that they are resoleable. So I glued the heaviest duty Vibram sandal soles I could find on them, and they've lasted ever since.
I love your content, but I'm worried about this flame test. I don't think the manufacturers really had fire in mind when making these, and I worry that burning these sandals may release some poisonous or carcinogenic compounds that you could be breathing in.
Love the channel and content, I have been trying to watch all of the videos in order (oldest to newest), so I do not know if this has been mentioned before or not, but it appears that the engine/crane scale in this video is set to kg, not lbs. This does not changes the results, from least to most, because the scale is set that way throughout the entire video. However the results are unstated, for instance the Teva buckle test was stated at 285 kg, which is actually 628 lbs. Impressive results for sure.
The biggest test for sandals should be to test the adhesive used because when that fails the rest of the sandal falls apart, which has consistently been the problem I've run into.
This is my first time visiting your channel, and I gotta say...I'm really impressed by the lengths you went to in order to test these shoes! Very helpful for people who want to be smarter with their money and go quality over quantity whenever possible. I'm a recent college graduate and I made the mistake of buying several cheap pairs of shoes from places like Walmart in the past, when in reality it would have actually saved me money if I invested in the more expensive shoe. I know better now! 😊
it were the best shoes for winter or walking I ever had. Love to have new pair! had no idea they were American, bought them on holiday in Canary Islands and the used them every winter.
Stepped off the bus, someone had left a pair of muddy Tevas in a plastic bag right there. Mine now, all pristine. By the way, skydivers use them because they are reliable and durable.
I used to have a pair of either WalMart or Target Teva knock-offs. They lasted a long time, surprisingly. I think the front strap finally separated from the foam. It didn’t wrap under. They were my daily walkers for a few years, though.
Although I liked this video, for me a more interesting comparison would include another sandal company with a similar or superior rating to Teva. I would really be interested in a teardown comparison between Chaco and Teva Sandals.
Generally speaking, you get what you pay for. Just ordered my third pair of Teva Hudson heavy-duty sandals. Comfortable and sturdy. I also like Source sandals. I am hard on footwear, but these don't let you down.
My motto has always been that, in most circumstances, you get what you pay for. Particularly a brand known for quality over time. I have a pair of Teva flip flops that get nearly daily wear in the summer months, and not only can you walk around in them for hours without your feet hurting, there’s no rubbing, there’s no indication of the sole wearing down or the straps fraying or becoming discolored, and these shoes are not babied. My husband has a pair that are more like “shoes” and again, over ten years, constant use in the summer…his are starting to show some wear (and mainly just discoloration of the tan cloth/leather from staining.) I don’t remember what they cost, and they certainly weren’t inexpensive…but, they have stood the test of time, and were and are, well worth the money (if you have it, obviously.) I was pretty surprised that the Wal-Mart shoes held up as well as they did under your tests. Looking at them, my biggest concern, since they were pretty sturdy for $13, was that the sole appeared to be very thin, and they did not look like they would be comfortable for long. Also, for shoes like these, the care in the stitching so that blisters and painful rubbing doesn’t happen, would be another concern (obviously beyond the scope of your tests.) I personally don’t shop at Wal-Mart at all because I believe they treat their employees horribly, have destroyed small town America and independently owned businesses, do not provide their employees a living wage, and do not provide employee benefits. Unfortunately, particularly for people in more rural areas, the options for shopping are pretty much limited to Wal-Mart at this point, so I am glad that at least this product had some decent quality to it.
I would love for you to cut some walk London premium hiker/eagle boots in half, they seem very well priced for the perceived quality but there's not alot of information out there about their construction. Could be an interesting video. Thanks for all the great content. Cheers.
I have the same pair of patterned Tevas and I take them everywhere. I’ve hiked over 50 miles in them and taken them to the beach, through rivers, and filled them with sand, but they still look and feel brand new. Also, I got mine for about $30 at Off Broadway.
There are so many kinds of teva. I creek walk, and the non slip sole ones are my go-to. (Currently I have "pretty rugged nylon II's" and they are atleast 8 years old) worn near daily in summer. They last ten plus years, I get them from a discount place online when they eventually do wear out.
I have the amazon pair and will say its a perfect Florida shoe! Great for kayaking and wading in rocky waters! Plus a great theme park shoe. Ive worn them for long periods with lots of walking and they feel great!
A pair of suicoke would be super interesting to compare, maybe less about duration and more luxury and design but definitely would be worth the comparison
I wore the same pair of Tevas for like a decade, and only moved on when I decided Keens were more comfortable. The first pair of Keens lasted about 5 years (worn every day for 4-5 months/year), I had them professionally repaired but was left with a seam under my foot that was uncomfortable to walk in so I bought new ones.
Paid $70 for some Fancy Tevas from Nordstrom five years ago and I’ve worn them in fancy shopping malls in Hawaii to hiking down rivers in the Rogue wilderness and they look just as great today as they did back them. Birkenstocks and Tevas are totally worth the money. 💰