Teva Hurricane XLT3 review

The Teva Hurricane XLT3 is very likely to be a perfect match for:

• active folks who need a sandal for all-day wear (with a shoe-like cushioning)
• outdoor enthusiasts who want a super grippy sandal for wet rocks and near-water adventures
• budget-savvy people who want lasting durability at an affordable price
• fans of the Hurricane XLT2 who wished for better impact protection

If you don't mind paying more in return for even better shock absorption in a much lighter package, try the HOKA Infini Hike TC.

And if you're not sure about exposing your toes to all the trail obstacles, have a look at the Hurricane XLT3 Closed-Toe version instead.

Satisfied with the impact protection offered by the previous Teva Hurricane XLT2, we were elated to find that the XLT3 offers even better shock absorption!

Comparing the lab measurements of both, we found that the new version increased from 118 SA to 124 SA in the heel, making it one of the best-cushioned sandals in our lab!

We enjoyed the cushy, fatigue-fighting feel of this Teva sandal, which made it comfortable enough for all-day wear on both the trail and city streets.

At 52.9%, the sandal's energy return showed insignificant changes compared to the XLT2. It can feel dull and lacking some rebound, but it offers a familiar, stable underfoot experience.

According to Teva, the XLT3's topsole grew 5 mm thicker, and that's exactly what our caliper measurements showed.

The sandal's heel stack increased from 30.9 mm to 35.5 mm, becoming the tallest hiking sandal in our roster! It even exceeded the chunkiest HOKA options like the Infini Hike TC (30.2 mm).

The XLT3 also grew taller in the forefoot, going from 19.0 mm to 23.6 mm. It is now one of the thickest-foamed platforms among sandals, offering great isolation from trail debris and sharp rocks.

Just like its predecessor, the Hurricane XLT3 features an above-average heel-to-toe drop of 11.9 mm.

It's not excessively elevated, but it puts the heel high enough above the toes to support a natural walking stride, promoting comfort for long hours of walking. It also helps to reduce stress on the Achilles tendon.

Pressing a durometer against the sandal's topsole, we got a rather firm reading of 46.7 AC. That makes the foot-to-sandal contact feel supportive from the off.

But even though the XLT3's overall ride feels firm, we noticed that it got a bit more forgiving compared to the XLT2.

That's because the XLT3's primary EVA midsole was made softer, resulting in a more balanced durometer measurement of 35.9 AC. That's a welcome compression that enhances comfort without compromising stability.

The Hurricane XLT3 features the familiar FuseLock and Universal Strapping System with three adjustable straps: one in the forefoot and two around the ankle.

The only notable difference is the XLT3's slightly redesigned strap edge, which is less prone to catching debris like grass and small twigs.

Otherwise, it fits exactly as you would expect from a Teva sandal.

A high friction coefficient of 0.69 confirmed that the Hurricane XLT3's outsole traction remains strong and tacky for various outdoor obstacles, including wet rocks and boulders. The wide, smooth nature of its lugs grips smooth surfaces quite effectively.

The sandal's tread depth didn't change from the previous version, showing a moderate 3.7 mm on our caliper. This is a perfect setup for city-to-trail use and mixed terrain with a little bit of everything - roots, logs, and light mud. A sweet spot for both rocky and slightly soft ground.

One noteworthy update, however, is the new lug pattern on this Teva sandal. Its treads have become slightly sharper, more angled, and more serrated and jagged to provide a stronger bite on hitty and soft terrain.

The increased forefoot stack of this Teva sandal surely reflects in its higher stiffness. Our test showed that at 11.9N, it now requires 40% more force to bend than the XLT2.

But don't worry, comfort-wise, there is nothing to worry about, as the XLT3 has a perfect amount of give to accommodate natural foot bending. In fact, a touch of stiffness is beneficial, as it doesn't overwork the foot on longer hikes and makes heel-to-toe transitions smoother.

On the downside, the added cushioning also made the Hurricane XLT3 almost 2 oz (57g) heavier than the predecessor.

But unless you're specifically looking for an ultralight pair of sandals, this shouldn't be a problem. It's not as cumbersome as some of those burly KEEN silhouettes.

Strappy sandals barely provide any lateral support in the upper, making the XLT3's platform the primary source of stability.

And we can't complain because this Teva retains a bottom-loaded nylon shank in its midfoot for added stability on hilly, rocky, and obstacle-laden terrain.

The nylon shank and increased stack helped the Teva Hurricane XLT3 reach a high torsional rigidity score of 4 out of 5. This is a great result for a multi-strap sandal, preventing unwanted or even hazardous foot and ankle twists on the trail.

The impressive stability of this Teva sandal wouldn't be complete without a broad midsole. Measuring the widest part of its forefoot, our caliper showed one of the highest readings in the category - 126.1 mm. That's plenty of contact area for a firm, planted stance!

The broadest area of its heel also measured a solid 92.3 mm, proving to be on par with most other outdoor sandals.

Judging by the results of our Dremel test, Teva also addressed the XLT3's outsole durability. After a demanding drilling session, we measured the depth of the dent at only 0.7 mm. This is a much better result compared to what we normally see in hiking sandals!

With an outsole thickness of 2.1 mm, we also found its rubber layer sufficiently thick for this footwear category. Not too thin to wear out quickly, but not too thick to limit flexibility either.

The XLT3's added benefits also came with an unfortunate price increase, from $80 to $100. But gladly, it still remains in the budget-friendly range of sporty sandals.

Intended for the great outdoors, the Teva Hurricane XLT3 shows respect for nature by featuring sustainable materials in its construction:

• Straps (100%): REPREVE recycled polyester
• Midsole (30%): recycled EVA
• Outsole (30%): recycled rubber