Teva Hurricane XLT3 Closed Toe review

We believe that the Teva Hurricane XLT3 Closed Toe might appeal to you if:

• you want a shoe-sandal hybrid that protects the toes
• you need the best outsole traction for dry and wet surfaces
• you expect premium durability for the price

If you don't want to settle for merely average shock absorption in a closed-toe hiking sandal, try the HOKA Hopara 2 instead.

And if you want total freedom for the toes, get the open-toe Hurricane XLT3.

The sandal's name made us think it was built on the exact same platform as the open-toe Hurricane XLT3, but our lab tests showed that it's not the case.

The first major difference showed up in the two sandals' shock absorption. The Closed Toe version returned a lower reading of 110 SA in the heel, which is just a normal amount of impact protection for a hiking sandal.

The open-toe XLT3, on the other hand, showed a higher reading of 124 SA.

But when it comes to energy return, both sandals proved to be rather dull. At only 51.3%, there is hardly any bounce in the XLT3 Closed Toe's ride. It's more of a stable and grounded experience.

Teva added more midsole material to both versions of the Hurricane XLT3, raising their stack heights well above the average. But based on our calliper measurements, the Closed Toe version is slightly lower at 33.2 mm.

We also recorded its forefoot stack height at an above-average mark of 22.2 mm. This adds a notable buffer between the foot and the ground, muting out some of that sharp debris.

Comparing the two stacks, we get an above-average drop of 11.0 mm. This is a universal, rather ergonomic offset that is more optimal for long walks and hikes. It provides more cushioning under the heel and takes the strain off the Achilles tendon.

Another notable difference in the platform design of the two XLT3 sandals lies in their reversed foam softness.

In the Closed Toe version, the firmer compound is used for the primary midsole layer, or the core of the platform. Our durometer recorded its firmness at 44.5 AC.

The topsole, on the other hand, is made of softer EVA with a durometer reading of 34.5 AC. Although it can't be described as plush, it is notably softer than the topsle featured in the open-toe Hurricane XLT3 (46.7 AC).

Two hook-and-loop ankle straps helped lock our rearfoot in place inside the Hurricane XLT3 Closed Toe. Meanwhile, a bungee lace regulates midfoot tightness, allowing us to achieve a pretty fine-tuned, secure fit.

The sandal's toe space never felt limiting, and we got sufficient wiggle room with no pressure points.

We recorded the sandal's friction coefficient at a high 0.73, underscoring its tackiness.

Whether it's wet rock, a slick boardwalk, or post-rain concrete, the Teva Hurricane XLT3 Closed Toe has got the grip to minimise the risk of slipping.

But please note that this Teva sandal is meant for light terrain and wouldn't be your best companion on soft ground, deep mud, or rocky trails.

We measured its lug depth at a moderate 3.0 mm, which is a sweet spot for light hiking and city-to-trail use.

The sandal's lugs have a wide, blocky shape, working best on smoother ground. However, its central lugs received a slightly more angled and serrated configuration, making the XLT3 Closed Toe better equipped for steeper ascents and descents.

It is only natural for a closed-toe sandal to be stiffer than a strappy one, so we weren't surprised to see an above-average result of 13.3N in our flexibility test.

The XLT3 Closed Toe requires as much force to bend by 30 degrees as the KEEN Newport. But if you think of it in the context of hiking shoes, that's actually quite flexible.

We were utterly surprised to find that despite the added upper materials, the Hurricane XLT3 Closed Toe actually weighs just as much as the open-toe version!

Both sandals came in at 12.6 oz (357g) when converted to a men's US size 9, but that's not the lightest weight for hiking sandals.

With all the added upper materials, the Hurricane XLT3 Closed Toe offers a bit more lateral support than the stripped-down sandals.

However, the major stability factor here is, of course, the platform. Made with firm foam, a nylon shank, and a raised midsole topline, it forms a steady base for the foot.

The midfoot nylon shank is stiff and bottom-loaded (placed between the midsole and the outsole), which is reflected in the sandal's high torsional rigidity.

Assessing its stiffness on a 1-5 scale, we readily gave it a 4 out of 5. This reduces the likelihood of ankle rolls or awkward foot placements out on the trail.

Another notable difference between the regular XLT3 and the XLT3 Closed Toe lies in their platform dimensions.

Measuring the closed-toe version's widest area of the forefoot showed only 116.2 mm, which is a whole 10 mm slimmer than the open-toe sandal! But we can't complain, since it remains a rather stable option without excessive bulk.

The widest part of its heel, on the other hand, is just as broad as the category average at 92.0 mm.

The closed-toe design adds protection to the feet and toes, with synthetic materials on top and a rubber toe bumper up front.

To test how well its synthetic overlays may last, we applied a Dremel with a sandpaper tip to the top of the sandal's toebox. Considering the minimal wear, we rated the XLT3 Closed Toe's toebox durability with a high score of 4 out of 5.

We were even more pleasantly surprised with this Teva sandal's outsole durability, as its rubber stood up to our Dremel like a champ!

At 0.6 mm, the dent was so shallow we could barely record it with a tread gauge!

Considering this sandal's abrasion resistance, we're not even that worried about its below-average outsole thickness of 1.9 mm. It promises great longevity for easy hikes and city-to-trail wear.

Having cut the Teva Hurricane XLT3 Closed Toe in half, we found that its upper materials are fairly thin, showing 4.0 mm in the most padded area.

Two finger loops, one in the heel and one in the front, help get inside the XLT3 Closed Toe a bit more quickly and easily.

Teva charges £30 more for the sandal's closed-toe version, which makes sense given the added materials and elements. That way, it falls into the same price range as the HOKA Hopara 2.

We've had no concerns about our feet getting too hot and sweaty inside this sandal's interior, as its mesh layers have pretty wide ventilation pores that let heat and moisture escape more quickly.

But at the same time, we also noticed that small debris and tiny pebbles don't get inside the sandal so easily.

This is thanks to the lining beneath the mesh.