Andy Mossack reviews the latest Teva Arrowood Riva hiking shoes
I have always considered Teva the go-to brand for sturdy walking sandals; perfect for trekking in hot countries when the going is sand, river or not too harsh terrain. For more arduous hikes I’ve tended to only use bootwear, because I want the added protection from rocks and water. The only drawback is they become cumbersome when I get back to town.
These Teva Arrowood Riva hiking shoes have changed that strategy forever. Now I’ve got a pair of shoes that will outmuscle reasonably tough hikes yet still be cool enough to wear socially.
There’s a toughness to them that is obvious from the start. The Vibram rubber outer sole is durable enough to tackle any terrain, after all, it’s a company that’s been producing rubber traction soles since 1937 and used by just about every professional climber there is. There’s extra protection from an additional rubber wrap-around toe cap. The leather uppers are waterproof courtesy of eVent, a membrane fabric that is both waterproof and breathable and the main ingredient in most waterproof jackets. A PU foam sockliner works in tandem with a FloatLite EVA-foam midsole to keep my foot cushioned and there’s a nylon shank to help with foot stability.
On test, the waterproofing stood up to everything I threw at it, and my feet remained dry as a bone.
Even with all of this foot tech to contend with, there’s still room for style. The Teva Arrowood Riva hiking shoes comes in two colours; walnut and my personal favourite olive; colours that can pretty much match any colour of trouser. Even the durable laces are colour matched and dotted with black specks for a dashing finish. There’s even a yellow pull tag on the heel to help me get them on, which isn’t really necessary but looks pretty cool.
The crowning glory is how they wear of course and for me, they were welcomingly comfortable straight out of the box. This bodes well as, from experience, I can tell you that once I wear them in they will only become even comfier.
So, the Teva Arrowood Riva hiking shoes is pair of shoes that feels at home on the mountain or in the pub, Teva Arrowood Riva hiking shoes will give you the best of both worlds.
Tell me more about Teva Arrowood Riva Hiking Shoes
Available from most outdoor shoe specialists and directly from Amazon. £145 UK sizes from 6 -13.
