Teva Hurricane Trailsetter review

We believe that the Hurricane Trailsetter deserves your attention if:

• you need a go-to-trail shoe for runs and hikes on easy trails
• you want a max-cushioned trail shoe with above-average shock absorption
• you are after a reasonably priced trail shoe with solid performance and durability

The Trailsetter works best on light terrain and easy paces, but if you need a more advanced and performance-ready trail running shoe, consider the Saucony Peregrine 15 or the ASICS Trabuco 14.

And if you need a sturider, hiking-oriented pair for more demanding terrain, and a backpack, Teva also offers the Hurricane Daybreaker.

Right off the bat, the Teva Hurricane Trailsetter impressed us with its top-tier shock absorption of 137 SA. Not that many trail running shoes mute out the impact quite as effectively, which makes it an excellent option for long-distance runs and hikes.

According to Teva's product description for this shoe, its HYPER-COMF cushioning blends supercritical foam with regular EVA for a mix of responsiveness and support.

But as our energy return test showed, the Trailsetter doesn't offer quite as much rebound as the most responsive trail shoes in our roster. At only 53.6% in the heel, it is even slightly below the category average, which is surprising given the presence of a higher-end foam.

To be fair, it doesn't feel completely dead either, but similar to a typical trail workhorse.

The shoe's abundant shock absorption is largely made possible thanks to its substantial stack height. Where the brand's stats list 36.5 mm in the heel, our own standardised measurements showed as much as 38.3 mm!

That massive platform is, in fact, comparable to the New Balance Fresh Foam X More Trail v3!

The Trailsetter's forefoot stack also falls into the upper range with a serious calliper reading of 30.3 mm (true to the stats, by the way).

It's going to be a saving grace for runners and hikers with ball-of-foot pain or toe-joint pain who rely on that generous buffer underfoot.

Based on our stack height measurements, the shoe's heel-to-toe drop is slightly higher than the stated 6 mm.

However, 8 mm is still on par with the average and likely to feel at home for most runners, as it accommodates all foot-strike patterns. And it doesn't strain the Achilles tendon either.

Considering the presence of EVA, we are not surprised that the shoe's HYPER-COMF midsole returned a moderately firm reading of 37.9 AC.

But it doesn't make it to the firm range (42 AC or more) and offers a balanced experience with a mild give that doesn't compromise a sense of plantedness and stability.

Our feet never had to beg for space in the Teva Hurricane Trailsetter.

In fact, when we measured the gel mould of its interiors in the widest part (ball of the foot area), our calliper recorded a wide reading of 98.1 mm! That makes this Teva shoe a viable option for outdoorsy folks with wide feet.

However, the shoe's toebox showed just a standard width of 73.2 mm, reflecting its moderately tapered shape.

And as for its vertical space, the Trailsetter leaves sufficient wiggle room for the toes with a toebox height of 25.7 mm.

There are no pressure points on top of the toenails but it's not excessively roomy either.

Looks like Teva nailed its Spider Rubber Endure blend used for the Trailsetter's outsole. In our traction test, we measured its friction coefficient at a solid 0.63, which is a perfect result for a trail shoe.

This shoe knows its way around both dry and wet terrain, including some slippery patches like smooth rocks.

With a lug depth of 3.5 mm, we believe the Hurricane Trailsetter is better suited to lighter terrain with little to no obstacles. It can also keep you company on mossy roots, downed trees, light mud, and moderately soft ground.

The shoe's directional, moderately spaced lugs also helped us feel more confident on hilly terrain, especially when braking on descents and climbing uphill.

We didn't expect much forefoot flexibility from a 30+ mm forefoot stack, so we weren't surprised that the Hurricane Trailsetter needed a whole 17.6N to bend by 30 degrees. Stiffer than the average trail running shoe, it is only second to the carbon-plated models.

However, the shoe's moderately rockered toe helps to compensate for the stiffness by smoothing out the foot transitions.

Converting the Hurricane Trailsetter's weight into the men's US size 9, we got a standard reading of 10.2 oz (289g). We were pleased to see that its weight doesn't exceed the trail shoe average and also falls right within the average of max-cushioned options.

Equipped with a super-light and airy mesh upper, this Teva shoe is a great option for summer runs and hikes.

The smoke we pumped through its toebox in our breathability test escaped immediately and in large billows, raising our breathability score to 4 out of 5.

Our light test further confirmed that the Trailsetter's ventilation pores are present throughout the vamp and quarters, ensuring airflow across a large area.

A closer inspection revealed that the shoe's pores are completely see-through with no underlying padding to block the heat and moisture.

The Hurricane Trailsetter is a neutral shoe with no special stability components to prevent excessive inward rolling of the foot. And yet, we found that it's built with a good deal of firmness and stiffness to keep the foot and ankle alignment in its lane on non-technical terrain.

Having cut this Teva shoe in half, we found no stiff shanks or rock plates. And yet the shoe surprised us with its high torsional rigidity, which we assessed as 4 out of 5.

Pushing and squeezing the shoe's heel counter, we felt a good balance of structure and give, and rated its stiffness with a middle-range score of 3.

Together with the generous collar padding, it offers a secure heel hold without being too harsh on the heel bone.

The Trailsetter's towering stack height would feel awkward and wobbly without a sufficiently wide base to support it.

That explains the slightly above-average dimensions of this Teva shoe, measuring 119.3 mm in the widest area of the forefoot.

The heel, on the other hand, is not much further than the average at 91.4 mm in its widest part. This is a perfect contact area for runs and hikes on easier trails, where foot manoeuvrability is not so essential.

The Trailsetter's upper mesh is protected by a nice and wide synthetic rand that also extends far to the sides of the shoe. It's a welcome layer of protection, but, alas, it didn't show the best results in our durability test, scoring only 3 out of 5.

This is good enough for light terrain, but it won't fare well against any serious abrasives like rock edges or sharp vegetation.

However, the shoe's interior mesh was a nice surprise, showing practically no wear and tear in our Dremel test. Earning a high durability score of 4 out of 5, it proved to be ready for constant in-shoe friction against socks.

And boy, did the Trailsetter's outsole durability amaze us! Considering this Teva shoe's moderate price point, this is pure gold for the money!

After a demanding drilling session, we measured the newly created dent depth at only 0.6 mm! It's not even visible to the untrained eye!

With a decently thick 1.9 mm outsole, we have no concerns about this Teva Hurricane shoe's long-term durability whatsoever. Especially if you limit its use to the intended moderate terrain!

The insole doesn't contribute much to this Teva shoe's massive stack height, showing just a standard 4.5 mm thickness in the heel.

It can be replaced with an orthotic of similar thickness or slightly thicker if necessary, as the shoe's toebox space allows it.

Considering this Teva shoe's high breathability and open mesh upper, it won't be one's first choice for winter runs and hikes. And yet, if you take it out on a chilly morning or evening, you should know that its HYPER-COMF midsole will get a bit firmer.

Our lab test showed a 14% change in firmness compared to room temperature.

The synthetic overlay on the shoe's heel counter proved mildly reflective in our dark-room test. Perfect for getting out in the dusk hours.

The Trailsetter's tongue padding also proved merely average at 7.2 in its thickest top section.

Again and again, this Teva shoe delights us with its well-thought-through design at such a reasonable price!

Featuring a fully-gusseted tongue, the Hurricane Trailsetter never gave us any trouble with containment or tongue sliding mid-run.

A large, unbreakable finger loop is very handy for putting on this Teva shoe.

We are impressed at what the Teva Hurricane Trailsetter has to offer at a moderate retail price of £130. It scored high on all fronts - comfort, performance, and durability!

The shoe's bungee laces are easy to regulate, and there is a practical lace pocket for storing the excess cords.