I always like to have a pair of trainers that are technical enough for countryside trails whilst looking stylish enough to pass as everyday trainers. So I was keen to conduct this Teva Arrowood review, and to find out if these super soft ultra light hiking trainers live up to their billing.
Teva Arrowood review
Most people know Teva for their excellent trekking sandals. I have a pair that are still going strong after more than a decade of wear. I also have a pair of Teva Links Mid mountain bike shoes which are exceptionally good for riding. In my experience Teva make great footwear.
The Teva Arrowood uses their innovative new FloatLite™ technology to make them lightweight and very soft. The material should provide more comfort, improved rebound and better cushioning. But still be durable and provide good traction.
The Arrowood is aimed at adventure-seeking trail users who want to do a bit of everything in stylish footwear. They have produced super soft ultra light hiking trainers that are at home everywhere from train to trail, pub to park and metropolis to mountain.
First impressions
Straight out of the box they look like ordinary trainers rather than hiking footwear. They are so light and flexible I immediately knew they were not suited to proper hiking. Putting them on they feel super soft and spongy, they feel exceptionally comfortable but not very supportive.
To wear them in they become my everyday trainers. Taking the kids to school, a sneaky trip to the pub and doing the shopping etc. Overall they were comfy and did a great job, particularly keeping my feet dry in the rain. They are so soft and light that the Arrowood’s remind me of wearing really soft flip flops.
My plan had been to properly test them on a hiking trip in the Brecon Beacons in Wales. But we would be on some hard going trails and I knew they would not be suitable. So I took them with me for the short hike to and from the pub each evening.
They were very comfortable, particularly after wearing hard boots all day. However, although super soft I could feel every stone I trod on. So I was pleased I had not worn them on the proper hiking as the trails were very rough in comparison to the path to the pub.
Teva Arrowood review: First hike
On the final day of the trip to Wales we planned a short hike around some touristy waterfalls, so I wore the Teva Arrowood super soft ultra light hiking trainers. We only walked about 7 km, but on the back of two days of over 20km of hard trails everyone wanted to take it easy.
My feet and knees were already quite painful from my old hiking boots – that to be honest need replacing. So I thought the soft and spongy Teva Arrowoods would help avoid any additional pain.
At first I loved them, they provided good traction on wet rocks and the extra bit of give was good for my joints. Unfortunately, on rougher sections – for example we climbed over some jagged rocks – they were quite uncomfortable and didn’t provide enough support.
Their grip in muddy sections and on roots was not very good at all. In places I know boots would provide suitable traction the Arrowoods slipped and made hiking difficult.
On the plus side they are much lighter so less effort to walk in, making them great on paved or easy trails. Furthermore, the cushioning from the FloatLite™ technology helps ease the impact, which was easier on my aching knees then my hiking boots.
However about halfway around I developed blisters on the underside of my toes, I think sinking into the spongy FloatLite™ was causing the shoes to rub. However, my toes had hurt a little the day before so perhaps the hiking boots had given the blisters a head start.
It took a while for my feet to recover, but when they did I headed out again in the Tevas. I have worn them a few times walking up to five kilometres around town and I have not had any more blisters. So perhaps it was a case of wearing them in for longer – like i normally would for hiking shoes.
Conclusion: Super soft ultra light hiking trainers
I am not going to beat around the bush in this Teva Arrowood review. I don’t feel these shoes are suitable for hiking. They are fine for walking around town and even getting out in the countryside on non muddy or rough trails but not for proper hiking.
They look really good, are very soft and on the whole comfortable. They’d make good trainers to take traveling as they are very light and flexible enough to squeeze into your pack. And being waterproof they are good in wet conditions – as long as it is not muddy.
To conclude this Teva Arrowood review I’d say they are not supportive enough for hiking more that easy going trails in good conditions. So ultimately, these super soft ultra light hiking trainers are more suited to everyday wear than hitting the trail.
Finally, if you are a fan of wearing soft flip flops and your do not look forward to wearing shoes in winter, then get a pair of Teva Arrowoods. They look good, feel as close to flip flops as shoes can and they will keep your feet dry.
Teva Arrowood come in four earthy colours and cost £90-100. You can find out more here: www.teva.co.uk
