An ultralight solution to the footwear needs of the everyday adventurer
A great looking, technically competitive hiking boot, or a high top sneaker with adventuring capabilities? Read on to see why the Teva Arrowood Lux Mid ‘sneakerboots’ may just be the answer to the footwear conundrum of the everyday adventurer.
Teva Arrowood Lux Mid WP Boots: the stats
| Weight: | 600g per pair (UK size 5) |
| Waterproof: | Teva TIDE membrane |
| Uppers: | Leather |
| Outsole: | Floatlite |
Features of the Teva Arrowood Lux Boots
Uppers
The full-grain leather of the uppers are fully waterproof with an additional waterproof membrane to keep out splashes and rain.Outsole
The shallow lugs provide good grip in dry conditions. And the new Teva Floatlite foam compound of the outsoles creates an incredibly lightweight base for the boots that is also highly durable and comfortable.
Laces
The ghillie lacing system means that the laces sit on top of the boot opening, rather than looping inside the boot. This makes for a more comfortable feel across the top of the foot and prevents the laces from being felt on the foot.
Lace eyelet
Two large metal eyelets top the lacing system on each boot. The lacing system is designed so that you can get the boots on and off without unlacing beyond the top metal eyelet. So lacing up couldn’t be easier — just loop around the top eyelet and tie up!
Gusseted tongue
The tongue is attached to the boot on the sides, as well as the bottom. This useful feature helps prevent dirt, mud and water from entering the boots through the laces.
Pull loops
There are two large webbed loops — one on the top of the tongue and one on the heel of the boot. These make pulling the boots on really easy.
Teva Arrowood Lux Mid boots review
A first look at the Arrowood’s and it would be easy to dismiss them as a fashion boot only suited to everyday wear. Couple them with a flannel shirt and faded jeans (which I’ll have to admit, I do!), hang out at the beach — local craft ales in hand, (yep, I’m all over that too), and the picture is complete. Well done Teva — you’ve basically styled me up perfectly!
But any old casual boot could do that right? I mean these boots are by no means unique on the fashion front. Technically, however, the Arrowood’s are a different story. A closer look reveals an exceptionally lightweight walking boot that is also waterproof, mega comfortable and highly durable.
So I swapped the jeans for hiking tights, flannel shirt for a base layer, and craft ales for a hydration reservoir. Off I trotted in my stylish ‘girl about town’ boots (as I like to call them!) and suddenly I was comfortably hiking the coastal trails in all but the worst weather conditions.
The performance
As mentioned, the lugs on the outsole are shallow, making them fill very quickly with mud on wet and muddy trails, thus losing grip and stability. On dry days or on rocky, gravel trails, however, the grip performs in the same way that any other hiking boot does — sticky and stable.
When descending steep terrain I certainly don’t feel as confident as I do in my mid-weight high ankle hiking boots — to be expected. But interestingly, I also lack confidence in them compared with my low cut hiking shoes. The mid cut of the Arrowood’s almost trick me into thinking that they are as stable as a high top boot, but unfortunately they fail to deliver in this department. I would rather rely on my own ankles for stability in low cut shoes than relax into the false security of mid cut boots.
However, I do really like that little bit of protection the mid cut tops give my ankles. I’m a little prone to kicking my own ankles as I walk, and the cushioned cuffs bat away any ankle bashing attempts, with ease!
The boots are also exceptionally comfortable and feel very luxurious on the inside. The fit isn’t quite right for me (read on to see why), but my arches feel very well supported and each step is wonderfully cushioned by the responsive PU sockliner and Floatlite outsole.
What I love the most about the Teva Arrowood Lux Mid Boots
These boots are incredibly lightweight! They feel like sneakers on and, unlike heavier hiking boots, they make me feel very nimble on my toes. I’ve happily ran sections of my hiking routes in them and found them to be as supportive and comfortable as running shoes.
What I don’t love so much about the Teva Arrowood Lux Mid Boots
The fit isn’t quite right for me. I have fairly regular shaped feet (not especially wide or narrow), but I find that there is very little room across the widest part of my toes. If my feet are already cold they feel restricted in this area and they struggle to warm up.
I also feel that when I tie the boots tightly right to the top for maximal ankle support, the cuff is tight and uncomfortable on my ankle bone. This may be because I usually wear high boots or low hiking shoes and it’s simple a case of me not being used to the mid height. However, for the boots to be comfortable I have to wear the laces loosely at the ankle, thus lowering the level of support.
Verdict
If you’re after a summer walking boot disguised as an about town high top sneaker then the
Teva Arrowood Lux Mid boots are most definitely for you! They are the ideal balance of function and style that stand up strongly to summer hiking on easy to moderate terrain. Although they lack good ankle support and grip compared with more technical walking boots, these great looking ‘sneakerboots’ offer the versatility that most outdoor shoes and boots fail to bring to the trail.
A great boot for everyday adventures.
Find the latest price at:
Teva
Disclaimer: Cool of the Wild received this product free in return for an honest review. We only recommend gear that we love from companies we trust and we are under no obligation to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are that of the reviewer and we are in no way influenced by the brand or company.
