Teva Original Universal Sandal Review

I’ve long been a Chaco sandal gal, but sometimes they feel a little technical for everyday use. Searching for something a little lighter and less clunky for a road trip recently, I rediscovered the Teva Original Universal Sandal. I rocked a pair of Tevas as a kid in the ’90s, and it turns out they’re still in style!

Whether I was logging long driving days, car camping, grabbing food with friends, or going on short hikes, it was easy to slip on the Original Universals. They pair well with most outfits; I can dress them up with cute sundresses but also strap them on for short hikes or chill climbing days. I can even wear them with a pair of cozy wool socks when the temperature drops.

When you’re trimming down your footwear options for a long road trip, the Teva Original Universals are a versatile sandal that will easily make the cut. Here’s what I learned during my travels about these OG simple sandals.

In short: The Teva Original Universals are a classic sandal for everyday outdoor adventures. For more rugged hikes or scrambles, they don’t quite compare to more robust adventure models built with Vibram rubber soles, but they are a great alternative for more casual outdoor excursions and everyday use. In this review, I’ll dig into performance, style, comfort, and fit to help you dial in your perfect summer footwear.

Looking for a new pair of hiking sandals? Check out how the Original Universals compare to the rest of our top picks in GearJunkie’s Best Hiking Sandals and Hiking Sandals for Women Buyer’s Guides.

Teva Original Universal Sandal: Review

I wore the Teva Original Universal Sandals throughout a spring season of road tripping and guiding in the Pacific Northwest. When I’m on the road, I’m constantly switching between activities: Leading weekend climbing retreats or courses at different destinations along the way, or seeing friends along my route. I wore the Tevas out to breweries and climbing crags as I made my way north. 

For low-key outdoor activities, I felt cute and comfy in the Original Universals. When I was heading out on more serious hikes or climbing approaches, I reached for something more secure. I wouldn’t replace my approach shoes with these, but I would consider pairing them with a dress for a casual outdoor wedding or family reunion.

With a lightweight and simple design, they make a great travel sandal, even if I wouldn’t wear them on my longest hikes. And the best part: these sandals only run $60. That’s a steal for the Teva design legacy you’re getting.

A Simple and Amenable Style 

One of the greatest strengths of the Teva Original Universal Sandals is the simple, versatile design. You can tell Teva found a winning style when it hasn’t changed much since the ’90s! The sandals aren’t too technical-looking, making them easy to pair with a variety of outfits and activities. The sole is low profile and less clunky than most Chaco or Keen sandals, giving them a less sporty look. 

The women’s Teva Original Universal Sandal currently comes in 17 different colors and patterns, all the way from a classic, all-black sandal to a funky desert mosaic. There is even a pattern with stars, suns, and moons.

If you’re looking for a slightly different style, you can also try the Original Universal Slim, which is a similar design with skinnier webbing straps. The brand even offers the Original Universals in a platform style, known as the Flatform.

Dialed-Back Performance 

When I needed my footwear to perform for more technical use, it was hard for me to choose these sandals over my Bedrock Cairn Evo Cs or Chacos. I wore these on several rocky approaches to climbing areas, and on more challenging hikes, the Original Universals simply don’t compare to sandals built with a Vibram sole.

While the EVA midsoles are soft and comfy, I can’t imagine hiking for a whole day in these sandals. After a longer day out, my feet hurt more than they normally do when I wear trail runners or sandals with more support. It is possible to adjust the fit with the Velcro straps, though the Velcro feels a little less secure than the buckle on a pair of Bedrocks or Chacos.

To be fair, Teva doesn’t claim that these sandals are made for all-day hikes; its Tirra Hiking Sandals have a burlier, more supportive footbed. The Original Universals are designed more for hanging at camp, light hikes, or water activities, and the sandals’ performance is totally acceptable for more low-key outdoor pursuits. The straps also dry quickly, so I liked wearing these while dipping in the river after a climbing day.

Fit and Comfort

The molded EVA midsole is soft and comfy, though it doesn’t offer as much arch support as I typically like in an all-day sandal. The Velcro straps don’t feel as secure as the sliding buckle mechanism of a Chaco or Bedrock sandal. My feet slid around a bit more on the sole, especially while hiking downhill. I do like that the strap design allows me to wear these sandals with socks when it gets chilly!

Featherweight and Packable

I love how lightweight the Teva Original Universal Sandals are. One sandal in a women’s size 7 weighs about 5.4 ounces. By comparison, a pair of Classic Chacos weighs roughly 15 ounces per shoe. They would make a great travel sandal, since they wouldn’t add much weight to your carry-on luggage, and they pair well with lots of different outfits.

On a short multi-pitch climb with an easy walk back down to the base, I stuck the sandals into a small backpack for the descent. They’re much lighter than a typical approach shoe, so they are a decent option for straightforward, easy hiking descents that don’t involve any off-trail scrambling or rappelling. I also would consider strapping them to the outside of my pack and bringing them as a cozy “in-camp” shoe on a backpacking trip. 

Teva Original Universal Sandal: Conclusion

Outdoorsy folks have loved the Teva Original Universal Sandals for decades, and for good reason. They have a classic, timeless style that just works, whether you’re splashing around at the beach, car camping in the woods, or going to an adventure wedding. You can express your personal taste with bold patterns or understated color palettes, platform soles or slim straps. 

These sandals won’t replace a hiking boot or approach shoe; if you’re looking for an all-day hiking sandal, I’d recommend something with Vibram soles and more support. The EVA foam footbeds are comfy for short-term use, but spending all day in them might lead to some foot fatigue. Something with a contoured footbed, like the Teva Tirra, would be a better option.

For your everyday outdoor and indoor activities, however, you’ll feel cute and comfy in the Original Universal Sandals. And at $60 out the door, it’s an affordable option that delivers decades of experience in sandal design.