Our verdict
- Top pick in best hiking sandals
- Top pick in best water hiking sandals
Pros
- Highly versatile
- Well-cushioned
- Supportive footbed
- Durable for the price
- Grippy outsole
- Customizable fit
- Lightweight
- Quick-drying
- Affordable
Cons
- No toe protection
- Runs a little large
Audience verdict
- Top 25% in Teva hiking sandals
- Top 10% most popular hiking sandals
Comparison
The most similar hiking sandals compared
+ + Add a shoe | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audience score | 89 Superb! | 82 Good! | 81 Good! | 89 Superb! | |
| Price | $75 | $85 | $135 | $130 | |
| Trail terrain | LightModerate | Light | LightModerate | Moderate | |
| Weight lab Weight brand | 10.7 oz / 303g 11 oz / 312g | 10.8 oz / 305g | 11.6 oz / 329g 12.9 oz / 365g | 13.4 oz / 381g 14.2 oz / 403g | |
| Lightweight | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | |
| Use | Day HikingLight HikingMulti-sportWater hiking | Light HikingWater hiking | Day HikingLight HikingMulti-sportWater hiking | Day HikingMulti-sportWater hiking | |
| Construction | Strappy | Strappy | Closed toe | Closed toe | |
| Drop lab | 11.9 mm | 11.7 mm | 3.2 mm | 11.0 mm | |
| Size | True to size | True to size | True to size | Slightly small | |
| Midsole softness | Balanced | Soft | Firm | Balanced | |
| Stiffness | Flexible | Flexible | Flexible | Flexible | |
| Outsole hardness | Average | Average | Average | Hard | |
| Outsole durability | Decent | Decent | Good | - | |
| Outsole thickness | Average | Average | Average | Average | |
| Lug depth | 3.5 mm | 2.6 mm | 3.0 mm | 4.1 mm | |
| Heel stack lab | 30.9 mm | 29.2 mm | 26.2 mm | 29.4 mm | |
| Forefoot | 19.0 mm | 17.5 mm | 23.0 mm | 18.4 mm | |
| Heel tab | None | None | Finger loop | Finger loop | |
| Midsole width - forefoot | Average | Average | Average | Average | |
| Midsole width - heel | Average | Average | Very wide | Average | |
| Widths available | NormalWide | Normal | Normal | NormalWide | |
| Ranking | #4 Top 40% | #7 Bottom 30% | #9 Bottom 10% | #5 Top 50% | |
| Popularity | #1 Top 10% | #10 Bottom 1% | #3 Top 30% | #2 Top 20% |
Who should buy
We are convinced that the Teva Hurricane XLT2 has the potential to be a go-to sandal for someone who needs:
- a highly versatile sandal for light hikes, city walks, traveling, camp wear, etc.
- quick-drying footwear for swimming, kayaking, and other water activities
- a contoured footbed with arch support
- a sandal with minimalist aesthetics and plenty of color options
Who should NOT buy
If your toes frequently encounter rocks and roots on the trail, you may want to consider a closed-toe sandal instead. The KEEN Newport H2 is a highly-rated option which is a cross-over between a hiking shoe and a sandal.
On the other hand, if your outdoor activities aren't as demanding, you may want to go for a more minimal Teva sandal. The Original Universal is Teva's most lightweight, cheap, and simple model.
Cushioning
Shock absorption
NewThis section is a work in progress
| Hurricane XLT2 | 117 SA |
| Average | 105 SA |
Energy return
NewThis section is a work in progress
| Hurricane XLT2 | 52.0% |
| Average | 53.9% |
Heel stack
Even though it is a sandal, the Hurricane XLT2 comes with a rather generous amount of cushioning, akin to a hiking shoe. Measuring its stack height with a caliper, we found that it is 30.9 mm thick in the heel! For reference, that's the same stack as in the Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX shoe.
Our field tests proved that the XLT2 buffers the impact fabulously, even when hiking for several hours. This sandal is times more cushioned than the popular Teva Original Universal.
| Hurricane XLT2 | 30.9 mm |
| Average | 25.9 mm |
Forefoot stack
This Teva sandal doesn't skip forefoot cushioning either. With a caliper measurement of 19.0 mm, the XLT2 is actually closer to the average of hiking shoes than sandals.
| Hurricane XLT2 | 19.0 mm |
| Average | 18.1 mm |
Drop
Taking a step in this Hurricane sandal, the heel elevation was very apparent to us. And that's no wonder given its 11.9 mm drop! Aside from the straps, the XLT2 feels exactly like a proper shoe.
This is bad news for those who expect a more grounded, barefoot-like experience in their sandals. If that's the case for you, consider the Teva Original Universal with its 2-mm drop.
| Hurricane XLT2 | 11.9 mm |
| Average | 7.8 mm |
Midsole softness
It's not very typical for a hiking sandal to have soft cushioning. But Teva makes a very welcome exception in the Hurricane XLT2.
Pressing our durometer against the foam returned 21.6 HA which is a whole 63% softer than the Original Universal sandal! On the foot, that translates to a pleasantly cushy and even a little springy experience.
| Hurricane XLT2 | 21.6 HA |
| Average | 27.3 HA |
Size and fit
Size
Teva Hurricane XLT2 fits true to size (533 votes).
Toebox width - widest part
There is plenty of space in between the strap attachments to fit all kinds of foot shapes. Measuring the distance with a caliper, we got 101.8 mm. However, you can make that space even bigger or smaller depending on your needs.
This shoe follows methodology 1.7. It has been replaced with methodology 1.8 (the 'gel test') on more recently updated shoes. Results from the two methodologies cannot be directly compared, which is why you don't see recently tested shoes in the chart below.
| Hurricane XLT2 | 101.8 mm |
| Average | 102.6 mm |
Fit
All three straps on this Teva model are made adjustable. Yay! You can regulate every Velcro strap to really fine-tune the fit.
Traction / Grip
Traction test on rocks
NewThis section is a work in progress
| Hurricane XLT2 | 0.28 |
| Average | 0.29 |
Lug depth
Using a caliper, we found that the lugs on this Teva sandal are 3.5 mm deep. That's a little deeper than average and is actually comparable to some hiking shoes.
The lugs form a very effective triangular pattern on the XLT2. Our field tests showed that it grips rocks (even wet ones!), loose gravel, and shallow mud very well.
| Hurricane XLT2 | 3.5 mm |
| Average | 2.9 mm |
Flexibility / Stiffness
NewThe Hurricane XLT2 is a flexible sandal. We found that there is plenty of pliability in its sole to bend naturally with the foot.
But to be more specific, we put this Teva sandal in our shoe flexing tester and measured the amount of force it takes to bend it by 30 degrees. According to the machine, this sandal requires a very minimal force of 8.5N and it is notably less than the category average.
| Hurricane XLT2 | 8.5N |
| Average | 9.0N |
Weight
The Hurricane XLT2 is not the brand's lightest sandal but it sits exactly at the average.
Weighing it in a men's US size 9, we got 10.7 oz (303g) per sandal.
To give you some context, this is heavier than the Teva Original Universal (6.3 oz/179g) but is also way lighter than the closed-toe Teva Omnium 2 (15 oz/425g).
| Hurricane XLT2 | 10.7 oz (303g) |
| Average | 11.1 oz (316g) |
Stability
Lateral stability test
What sets the Hurricane XLT2 apart from other Tevas is the presence of arch support.
The sandal comes with a contoured footbed which has a cupped heel and raised arch. It is not as flat as most other cheap sandals. Its ergonomic design makes the platform feel like an orthotic, supporting the arch and keeping the heel secure.
Normally, you have to pay $100-110 for the same kind of support but Teva made it possible at a much more affordable price point.
For that reason, we can recommend the Teva Hurricane XLT2 to people with flat feet and/or overpronation.
Torsional rigidity
It takes effort to twist the sandal sideways given its stiff midfoot area with embedded arch support.
For that season, we rated its torsional rigidity as 3 out of 5, whereas the super flexible Original Universal sandal only got 1.
| Hurricane XLT2 | 3 |
| Average | 2.6 |
Midsole width - forefoot
Like most Teva sandals, the Hurricane XLT2 is built on a very broad platform. We measured the widest part of its forefoot at 120 mm.
For context, this is almost a centimeter wider than the forefoot of hiking shoes.
A wider landing area is crucial for hiking sandals as they are often worn on rocks, sand, and other uneven terrain to keep you surefooted.
| Hurricane XLT2 | 119.9 mm |
| Average | 118.9 mm |
Midsole width - heel
As for the widest part of the heel, it turned out to be rather average. At 88 mm, it is still rather wide but not exceptionally so for hiking footwear.
| Hurricane XLT2 | 87.9 mm |
| Average | 91.1 mm |
Durability
Outsole hardness
For the moderate price of $75, Teva didn't compromise outsole durability in the XLT2. One of our ways to predict that durability is by measuring the hardness of the rubber.
Using a durometer, we got a reading of 84.5 HC. This is nearly the same as the average of our lab-tested hiking sandals. Thus, we expect an average shelf life from this Teva sandal.
| Hurricane XLT2 | 83.9 HC |
| Average | 80.5 HC |
Outsole durability
But we also have a more brutal way to test durability...
With the help of a Dremel, we drilled the sandal's outsole for 22 seconds at the speed of 10K RPM.
We then measured the damaged area with a tread gauge. The tool showed 1.43 mm of depth which is a fairly average result for a hiking sandal. We believe that with moderate use, the Hurricane XLT2 is going to last well over one season.
| Hurricane XLT2 | 1.4 mm |
| Average | 1.6 mm |
Outsole thickness
Finally, we measured the sandal's outsole thickness to see how much rubber is guarding the sole. The caliper showed 2.3 mm of rubber excluding the lugs.
This is actually the same amount of outsole thickness as we've seen in hiking shoes.
| Hurricane XLT2 | 2.3 mm |
| Average | 2.6 mm |
Misc
Reflective elements
An important fact for those hiking in the dark hours. There are no reflective elements on the Teva Hurricane XLT2.
| Hurricane XLT2 | No |
Upper material thickness
Based on our caliper, the strap on top of the instep is 8.2 mm thick. We believe that it's a perfect amount of strap padding to prevent blisters and chafing without adding bulk to the sandal.
We also highly appreciated the extra pad around the heel. Given how blister-prone this area is, we are wondering why it's not added to every hiking sandal.
| Hurricane XLT2 | 8.2 mm |
| Average | 4.3 mm |
Teva Hurricane XLT2 review
I am fortunate to live in a part of the United States where the coast is right nearby, and beach-access trails abound. I was looking for a shoe that could get wet and at the same time, be used for serious outdoor activity like hiking or kayaking.
If you are looking for a water-friendly shoe that can take on just about any outdoor challenge, look no further!
I had purchased another pair of hiking sandals, the KEEN CNX, which didn’t quite measure up in this department. After trying the Teva Hurricane XLT2, I retired the KEEN CNX to beach-only status.
The Teva Hurricanes were just that much better for actual hiking and other outdoor activity.
I have tested the Teva Hurricane XLT2 on plenty of trails as well as tidepool areas by the beach. I have walked in them for miles.
Solid support
My impression of this shoe is solidly positive. I was surprised by how well this model supported my feet across multiple types of terrain.
Amazingly comfortable
These sandals have been comfortable for me despite my being flat-footed with recurring plantar fasciitis issues. Below you will see the details as to why I recommend this shoe so highly!
What should you look for in a water-friendly hiking sandal?
As one who enjoys outdoor activities that take me in and out of the water as well as hiking-friendly terrain, there are some particular features that I look for in a water-friendly hiking sandal to ensure that I am as safe as possible from injuries.
1. A rugged outsole: The outsole must offer some grip on the terrain to minimize slips and falls. I also like to make sure that the outsole works on wet rocks. This requires some lugging or raised bumps that offer traction across multiple surfaces.
2. A supportive footbed: A sandal doesn’t need to be as rigid as a hiking boot since I am not going to use it as my regular day-hiker, but some support around the midsole is helpful.
I always buy water-friendly hiking sandals that have some contoured footbed with a cupped heel and raised arch. The ones that are completely flat (and that’s many of them!) tend to hurt my feet after only minimal wear.
3. A protective, adjustable, water-friendly upper: It’s easy to scrape a foot when crossing wet rocks or hiking on loose dirt or gravel. The upper should be made of a rugged material that will offer excellent protection from the elements.
I like to pick a model with a toe bumper to minimize the all-too-frequent toe injuries that come from trekking near the water. I also want to make sure that the upper dries quickly to keep the shoe from becoming too waterlogged throughout a day by the shore.
Finally, the upper must be adjustable for a proper fit.
4. A sufficiently roomy toebox: Pinched toes are no good! I always make sure that my outdoor footwear (of any kind) offers ample room for my toes to flex and bend.
Now that you know what to look for when choosing a water-friendly hiking sandal, it’s time to see how the Teva Hurricane XLT2 measures up.
Minimalist look of the Teva Hurricane XLT2
The Teva Hurricane XLT2 has a minimalistic look that hadn’t changed much since the 1990s when I bought my very first pair of Teva sandals.
The sandals are comprised of a set of adjustable synthetic straps, which are connected to a rubber footbed, and that’s all. The straps typically carry some design or pattern on Teva sandals.
The Hurricane XLT2 model possesses a rugged, beefed-up sole with lugged traction and added arch support. Back in the 1990s, I would see Teva sandals like the Hurricane worn often in the beach communities along the San Diego coastal area near where I live.
Nowadays, I see them worn less often (flip-flops have long since taken over with the beach-going crowd), but Tevas are still timeless as far as I am concerned.
Size runs large
The fit is the one aspect of the Teva Hurricane XLT2, which could use some improvement.
I have a size 9 standard-width foot, but the size 9 in this model was very long and loose. I had to exchange for an 8 to achieve a proper, snug fit with the arch support located under the correct part of the foot. Once I found the correct size, the fit of these sandals is pretty much perfect.
I like that each strap can be adjusted to ensure that the foot is held in place. This feature ensures that these sandals will fit pretty much any person with an average width foot.
Also, as you can see from this picture, my feet are pretty flat. The support falls right where it needs to, and for me, it’s essential for comfort!
The Teva Hurricane XLT2 is lightweight
The Teva XLT2 is a lightweight shoe. The sole is beefed-up and supportive, but it does not make the shoes feel heavy or bulky. I can walk for miles in the Teva Hurricane XLT2 without feeling weighed down at all.
Admirable upper design and material
The upper straps are made of synthetic material with Velcro under each adjustable strap. This material is water-friendly and fairly minimalistic. The straps are held together by plastic pieces.
I do not find that the straps or plastic strap-connectors dig into my feet at all. The straps are well-cushioned without adding any bulk to the shoe.
The heel strap is particularly comfortable, with an extra pad that adds cushioning and helps keep the heel of the foot in place. You can see this feature in the picture.
Amazing arch support
The footbed is where the Teva XLT2 really shines, and what makes this shoe my favorite-ever hiking sandal. The arch support on these sandals is nothing short of amazing.
As a decades-long plantar fasciitis sufferer with flat feet, this feature makes all the difference for me. The contoured footbeds on these sandals function like an orthotic, holding up the arch and keeping the heel centered in the shoe.
As a result, I can hike in these sandals pain-free. Finding a sandal with this kind of support is often an expensive proposition (for example, the Chaco brand).
But, the Teva Hurricane XLT2 somehow manages to be packed with support at a very reasonable price. This is why the Teva Hurricane XLT2 is one of my top picks among budget hiking footwear for performance in actual challenging terrain.
Grippy outsole
The outsole is where the rubber hits the road for any adventure shoe. The outsole of the Teva XLT2 is made for gripping rocks and loose terrain.
The triangular lugging in the middle of the outsole was particularly useful when climbing over rocks. At no point, while wearing these shoes, did I ever feel like I might slip off of anything I encountered, from wet rocks to loose gravel.
That’s really something, especially in a sandal. The textured rubber on the outsole of the shoes does not cover the toe area at all but does extend forwards to prevent toe stubs.
Budget-friendly hiking sandal
Lastly, a word on price. Although prices for this model vary depending upon where you find them, I have found that you can get a great deal on these sandals.
I would say that the Teva Hurricane XLT2 model is affordable for most active people, even those on a budget. Given all the excellent features that these sandals possess, they are a true bargain and good value.
If you plan to do light hiking regularly in a warm climate (or during a warm time of year), these might just be the only pair of hiking shoes you need!
