Our verdict

We appreciate how the Teva Hurricane XLT2 performs exceptionally on our hikes despite coming at a bargain price. With its superb arch support, nicely tractioned outsole, and customizable fit, this sandal gives excellent value for money. Because of its versatility, we even dare say that this sandal can replace three other types of shoes for your summer adventures.

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

89
Great!
  • Top 29% most popular hiking sandals

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

Teva Hurricane XLT2 review

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.

Teva Hurricane XLT2 lab test

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.

Teva Hurricane XLT2 Outsole hardness
Test results
Hurricane XLT2 83.9 HC
Average 79.2 HC
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 7 hiking sandals
Number of shoes
50.5 HC
Outsole hardness
85.5 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.

Teva Hurricane XLT2 outsole durability test

Test results
Hurricane XLT2 1.4 mm
Average 2.1 mm
Compared to 5 hiking sandals
Number of shoes
0.0 mm
Outsole wear
2.0 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.

Teva Hurricane XLT2 Outsole thickness
Test results
Hurricane XLT2 2.3 mm
Average 2.4 mm
Compared to 7 hiking sandals
Number of shoes
0.0 mm
Outsole thickness
3.6 mm

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).

Teva Hurricane XLT2 Weight
Test results
Hurricane XLT2 10.69 oz (303g)
Average 11.11 oz (315g)
Compared to 7 hiking sandals
Number of shoes
6.31 oz (179g)
Weight
14.60 oz (414g)

Cushioning

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.

Teva Hurricane XLT2 Heel stack

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.

Test results
Hurricane XLT2 30.9 mm
Average 26.5 mm
Compared to 7 hiking sandals
Number of shoes
15.9 mm
Heel stack
30.9 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.

Teva Hurricane XLT2 Forefoot stack
Test results
Hurricane XLT2 19.0 mm
Average 18.6 mm
Compared to 7 hiking sandals
Number of shoes
13.8 mm
Forefoot stack
22.6 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.

Teva Hurricane XLT2 Drop
Test results
Hurricane XLT2 11.9 mm
Average 7.9 mm
Compared to 7 hiking sandals
Number of shoes
2.1 mm
Drop
11.9 mm

Midsole softness

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.

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.

Teva Hurricane XLT2 Midsole softness
Test results
Hurricane XLT2 21.6 HA
Average 27.0 HA
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 7 hiking sandals
Number of shoes
21.6 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
35.1 HA

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.

Teva Hurricane XLT2 arch support

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.

Test results
Hurricane XLT2 3
Average 3.2
Compared to 5 hiking sandals
Number of shoes
1
Torsional rigidity
5

Midsole width in the 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.

Teva Hurricane XLT2 Midsole width in the forefoot
Test results
Hurricane XLT2 119.9 mm
Average 119.6 mm
Compared to 7 hiking sandals
Number of shoes
112.6 mm
Midsole width in the forefoot
125.1 mm

Midsole width in the 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.

Teva Hurricane XLT2 Midsole width in the heel
Test results
Hurricane XLT2 87.9 mm
Average 91.8 mm
Compared to 7 hiking sandals
Number of shoes
81.6 mm
Midsole width in the heel
100.5 mm

Flexibility

Stiffness

The Hurricane XLT2 is a flexible sandal. We found that there is enough pliability in its sole to bend naturally with the foot.

But to be more specific, we have put a force gauge to use. According to the tool, it requires a force of 13.7N to bend the sandal to a 90-degree angle.

For reference, it takes hiking shoes 36.4N on average (166% more!).

Test results
Hurricane XLT2 13.7N
Average 23.3N
We use an average of four tests. The video shows one of those tests.
Compared to 7 hiking sandals
Number of shoes
7.0N
Stiffness
36.8N

Grip / Traction

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.

Teva Hurricane XLT2 Lug depth

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.

Teva Hurricane XLT2 outsole

Test results
Hurricane XLT2 3.5 mm
Average 3.0 mm
Compared to 7 hiking sandals
Number of shoes
0.0 mm
Lug depth
4.1 mm

Size and fit

Size

Trying the XLT2 in our regular men's size, we found that the sandal runs a little long.

Yes, this type of footwear is supposed to have some extra sole length to prevent your toes from touching the ground (especially on descents, when your feet are pushed further forward). However, we found that there was too much dead space upfront and opted for one US size smaller in the end. It was just perfect.

Teva Hurricane XLT2 strap

Fit

All three straps on this Teva model are made adjustable. Yay! You can regulate every Velcro strap to really fine-tune the fit.

Teva Hurricane XLT2 straps

Toebox width at the 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.

Teva Hurricane XLT2 Toebox width at the widest part
Test results
Hurricane XLT2 101.8 mm
Average 102.2 mm
Compared to 7 hiking sandals
Number of shoes
89.6 mm
Toebox width at the widest part
109.4 mm

Comfort

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. 

Teva Hurricane XLT2 Tongue padding

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.

Teva Hurricane XLT2 heel cushioning

Test results
Hurricane XLT2 8.2 mm
Average 4.4 mm
Compared to 7 hiking sandals
Number of shoes
1.5 mm
Tongue padding
8.2 mm

Misc

Reflective elements

An important fact for those hiking in the dark hours. There are no reflective elements on the Teva Hurricane XLT2.

Teva Hurricane XLT2 Reflective elements
Test results
Hurricane XLT2 No