Backside Line
The Teva Unique Common is a wonderful choice for anybody in search of a light-weight, adaptable sandal appropriate for numerous gentle out of doors actions and on a regular basis use. At simply 11 ounces per pair, these sandals are extremely moveable, making them an important secondary choice for water crossings or as camp footwear. The twin Velcro straps facilitate simple on-and-off and adjustment, guaranteeing a snug, safe match every time.
Whereas their traction and help aren’t sturdy sufficient for rugged terrain or steep, slippery surfaces, they’re a few of the finest mountain climbing sandals for delicate trails, sand, grass, and gravel. The impartial footbed and average midsole help is probably not superb for people requiring substantial arch help or these with very vast ft. Nevertheless, these sandals are sturdy and versatile, sustaining their high quality even after years of heavy use. Priced fairly, the Unique Common supplies nice worth for adventurers looking for an “the whole lot sandal” that excels for errands, river outings, and light-weight hikes.
How We Examined
Our tester has been sporting Unique Universals for a number of years, deciding on them for warm-weather days round city, stress-free walks, and average hikes in heat or moist situations. She subjected them to a targeted spherical of testing for this evaluation, assessing them towards six key efficiency metrics: consolation, stability, sturdiness, traction, ease of use, and packability.
Fast Specs

Teva Unique Common
Finest price range mountain climbing sandal
CleverHiker Score:
4.7/5.0
Value:
$60
Weight (Pair):
11 oz.
Adjustment Factors:
2
Closure Mechanism:
Velcro (forefoot and heel)
Execs
- Light-weight
- Simply packable for water crossings or as camp footwear
- Simple to get on and off
- Very adjustable
- Versatile, tender midsole
- Sturdy regardless of their gentle weight
- Able to dealing with minor water crossings
Cons
- Not superb for rugged terrain
- Traction isn’t nice on moist or slippery surfaces
- Not advisable for deep or fast-moving water crossings
Consolation
Our lead tester has worn Teva Unique Universals for years; she truthfully can’t say what number of miles she’s logged in them—properly over 200, a minimum of. She has used them for numerous actions, together with hikes, neighborhood or metropolis walks, working errands, a day on the seashore, paddling, and yard work or gardening.
Their general efficiency has led us to decide on them as a go-to “the whole lot” sandal. The primary motive is that they’re extremely snug and light-weight. Plus, the straps are pliable and by no means dig into our pores and skin—not even with a brand-new pair.
The midsole has a average width, and whereas it doesn’t present probably the most sturdy arch help, it’s supple and supportive sufficient for gentle actions. The footbed is impartial; it is probably not appropriate for people with very vast ft, however for these with slender ft, the Velcro forefoot strap can accommodate any slack within the match.
Stability
The midsole on the Teva Unique Universals has a reasonably supportive construction with minimal arch help. They’re not fairly minimalist sandals, however they may really feel unsupportive when you’re accustomed to a extra sturdy, inflexible shoe, such because the Ecco Yucatan and even the Chaco Z/1 Basic.
So far as terrain is anxious, the Unique Universals are finest suited to delicate path surfaces. We’ve discovered them to lack stability on “chunky” terrain, equivalent to bigger, sharper rocks and river rocks. For that motive, we don’t love them for difficult water crossings. We wouldn’t advocate them for, say, The Narrows in Zion, the place you’ll be stepping over massive, slippery rocks beneath water.
On dust, gravel, moist and dry sand, and grass, they carry out exceptionally properly, and we admire feeling a stronger connection to the bottom in them in comparison with sturdier sandals.
Traction
The tread on these is delicate; the triangle-shaped lugs are solely about 2 millimeters deep. The Teva model itself states they’re finest suited to around-town put on and water actions, although we might give them a bit extra credit score than that.
They grip the bottom simply high-quality on drier, comparatively packed surfaces, like sand, dust, and gravel; nevertheless, the Unique Universals undoubtedly battle on scree slopes and any silty surfaces at an angle. We’ve discovered that they’ve respectable traction as much as average angles on naked rock. We wouldn’t really feel snug sporting them for steep slickrock sections.
Sturdiness
Our tester has owned a pair of Unique Universals for 3 years and has put them by way of the ringer with every day put on for errands, yard work, and strolling the canine, in addition to numerous leisure outings, from paddleboarding to mountain climbing. They’re holding up properly, with none frays within the straps. The Velcro nonetheless works completely, too, regardless of being often uncovered to sand and dust.
Weight & Packability
Weighing simply 5.5 ounces per shoe, the Unique Universals are extremely packable as a second pair of sandals for stream crossings or as camp footwear. Their low profile and suppleness make them simple to pack, even whenever you’re tight on house.
Nevertheless, as we talked about earlier than, I can’t confidently advocate these for water crossings which can be extra treacherous than a shallow creek or small brook. We personally wouldn’t really feel snug fording a river in them as a result of lack of considerable tread and considerably minimal safety. As camp footwear, although? 100%.
Ease of Use
These sandals couldn’t be simpler to make use of. Because of the twin Velcro straps, they’re extremely simple to placed on and take off, making it hassle-free to take action a number of instances on the path. They’re additionally fast to readjust, and also you don’t even want to take a seat down or take away your pack to make a swift adjustment to the straps.
Ought to You Purchase the Teva Unique Common?
In the event you’re out there for an reasonably priced, light-weight sandal that’s simple to pack and ideal for gentle out of doors actions, the Teva Unique Common is a improbable alternative. Sturdy and versatile, it’s a dependable choice for the whole lot from average hikes to metropolis walks.
Nevertheless, when you want a sandal with distinctive traction, arch help, or rugged terrain capabilities, chances are you’ll must look elsewhere. For these looking for an on a regular basis journey companion at a low worth, although, the Teva Unique Common is tough to beat.
What Different Girls’s Climbing Sandals Ought to You Think about?
The Teva Unique Universals are a few of the most versatile mountain climbing sandals. In case you’re in search of one thing comparable, however maybe a bit extra rugged, contemplate these options.
Teva Hurricane XLT2 Overview: Basically a mightier model of the Unique Common, the TEVA Hurricane XLT2 contains a thicker, extra inflexible midsole, a bigger heel-to-toe drop, and deeper outsole lugs for enhanced traction.
Chaco Z/1 Basic Overview: Chacos, particularly the Z/1 Classics, are a staple for adventurers across the globe. Just like the Teva Unique Universals, these function a easy nylon strap design, however the midsole is stiffer and extra supportive. The Z/1 Classics additionally present higher traction than the Unique Universals. As a substitute of Velcro, the Z/1 Classics use a single-bar buckle closure with a single-strap adjustment system.
Luna Mono Winged Version Overview: For one thing minimalist but sturdy, attempt the Luna Mono Winged sandals. Impressed by the barefoot motion, these function a 15-millimeter stack top for help however keep a zero-millimeter heel-to-toe drop to encourage pure foot flexion and motion. Additionally they make the most of a thong-style strap relatively than Teva’s forefoot strap.