Teva Trailwinder Review: Wait, it’s not a Sandal?

What You Need To Know

Introduction to the Teva Trailwinder

ALLISON: Teva creating something that isn’t a sandal? I don’t know if I can hardly believe it. Anyway, I was more than a little curious to check out the Trailwinder after my adventure in the open-toed Aventrail. In fact, I think Teva might have read my review while making the Trailwinder. Well, alright, probably not, but I’d like to think they did because of how much more I enjoyed the Trailwinder than the Aventrail. Anyway, see for yourself in the rest of the review.

MICHAEL: Like Allison, my prior knowledge of Teva consisted of “sandals that aren’t Chacos.” I already knew that the open-toed offerings were perfect for stumbling around the slippery rocks that dot the creeks and swimming holes of northern Alabama. So, logically, Tevas (and other adventurous sandals) should be perfect for the hiking required to enjoy these summer excursions. Unfortunately, though, summer doesn’t last forever, and eventually, there comes a point in the Southeast when the water gets a little chilly, and the time spent hiking to swimming holes changes to evening hikes and chasing sunsets.

It’s for these brief, wonderful evenings that Teva created the Trailwinder, a light and fast hiker that’s perfect for short, familiar trails — hopeful ones ripe with great conversations with close friends. The vibes that the Trailwinder is after are undeniably some of the best, so now it’s time to see if it can live up to them.

What we like about the Teva Trailwinder

ALLISON: First, the wavy, colorful upper immediately stood out to me. The earthy tones not only look great against the backdrop of nature, but they also blend seamlessly with the trails, making them a stylish yet functional choice. The combination of muted greens and browns really resonates with the outdoor spirit, which I appreciate.

Another standout feature of the Trailwinder is how breathable it is. On those warmer days, my feet stayed cool and comfortable. I did appreciate the mesh toebox, allowing my toes to splay as I went about my run. The lightweight design makes it feel like you’re barely wearing anything at all, which is a huge plus since some trail shoes can be quite cumbersome (a big complaint I had about the Aventrail).

And let’s talk about value — this shoe is incredibly affordable without sacrificing quality. You get all the performance you need at a price that won’t break the bank and a shoe that doesn’t feel cheaply made.

MICHAEL: First things first — wow this shoe is comfortable! The Trailwinder’s LITE-COMF midsole really shines here. With a lightweight, airy, and plush feeling, it reminds me of some versions of Topo Athletic’s ZipFoam. Typically, when I go for a short hike, I reach for something more minimal, like an Altra Lone Peak, but for more recovery-focused outings or when you’re descending steep terrain, this choice of midsole makes for a lovely, smooth ride.

In the same vein as the midsole performance, the outsole held up admirably in wet and dry conditions alike, featuring what seems to be a lightweight rock plate in the forefoot for added protection. Also, while the lugs were noticeable on evening walks on neighborhood streets, they were in no way cumbersome or felt like they got in the way of the Trailwinder’s stride.

Lastly, this shoe looks great. If you’re looking for something you can wear to the office (depending on the office, of course) and then quickly transfer to the post-work hike with friends or dog park adventure, the Trailwinder is perfect.

What we don’t like about the Teva Trailwinder

ALLISON: My biggest complaint about the Trailwinder was that the midsole felt a little too snug. I don’t know if it was an intentional part of the design, but that’s how I felt on my run. I agree with the description that this isn’t made for long runs or anything technical, but it should be fine for a short 4-5 mile run or a little longer hike.

MICHAEL: Contrary to Allison, I actually found the Trailwinder to be much too roomy. Maybe it was because my US M9.5 ran about a half-size large, but to be honest, I simply never noticed the internal bootie that was meant to lock my foot in place. Despite absolutely wrenching down the laces, my midfoot and heel were still kind of all over the place. I think an extra eyelet for the shoelaces would go a long way in boosting security.

I guess this would be totally fine for an evening hike with friends, but it seriously limits how long you can push the Trailwinder. It wouldn’t work for an extended trip, especially one where you had to wear a heavy pack. Sorry, gang, no peak bagging here.

Final thoughts on the Teva Trailwinder

ALLISON: Considering the Aventrail felt way too bulky, I appreciate the Trailwinder’s lightweight feel. It is a fantastic choice for trail enthusiasts looking for comfort and style on a shorter run or a nice walk. Happy trails!

MICHAEL: The Teva Trailwinder is a great outdoor lifestyle shoe in the truest sense of the word. It’s flexible, perfect for comfortable dog walks on trails and then heading to the coffee shop and looking cool afterward. While my personal preference for short and sweet hike footwear would tend towards something more minimal, the Trailwinder makes those summer sunset hikes with friends (two or four-legged) more comfortable, cushioned, and enjoyable than ever.

You can pick up the Teva Trailwinder for $130 from Teva by using the buttons below.