The Teva Original Universal Sandals. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
The Teva Original Universal is a jack-of-all-trades sandal that can handle just about anything you throw its way. Whether you’re setting out on a hike, heading to the beach, roaming the city streets, or heading out on an aquatic adventure, the Original Universal Sandals have got you covered.
This well-loved design has been around for a while thanks to its timeless design, incredible value, and packability, making it a great choice for adventurers and travelers alike. The Original Universal ($55) is also a top value pick in many of our sandal guides like The Best Hiking Sandals and The Best Water Shoes.
| Pros | Cons |
| Versatile | Not a lot of support |
| Affordable, costs half as much as many other sandals | Not enough traction for technical terrain |
| Packs small | Footbed is on the narrower side |
First Impressions of the Teva Original Universal
I spent seven years working at a summer camp in the San Diego mountains and wore the same pair of Teva sandals each summer, as well as for various activities throughout the year. After over a decade of wear, I was due for a new pair and my parents gifted me the Teva Original Universal Sandals for Christmas.
I’m not sure which model my first pair of Tevas was, or if they’re even still sold, but my first impression of the Universal sandals in comparison is that they sport a much slimmer profile. As such, they’re more stylish than my old pair but I was worried they wouldn’t provide enough support and traction underfoot for hikes. Looks are great, but not if they sacrifice functionality. I was curious how they would fare on the trails and was eager to set out.
The Original Universal Sandals can be worn hiking, to the beach, or around town. Photo: Maddie Bryan//The Inertia
Notable Features
Available In: Men’s, Women’s
Weight: 13 oz
Outsole: Rubber
Midsole: EVA Foam
Upper: REPREVE recycled polyester
The Original Universal Sandals sport uppers made from REPREVE recycled polyester, sourced from plastic bottles. The polyester webbing is durable and dries quickly when wet.
The sandals feature a hook-and-loop closure system, meaning they have an adjustable strap that goes over the top of your foot as well as an adjustable strap that secures around your ankle. The strap design makes it easy to take the sandals on and off quickly. It’s also simple to adjust them and find your perfect fit. However, it does mean these are not slip-on shoes, and you’ll need to do up the straps every time you want to put them on.
The velcro straps allow for easy adjustments. Photo: Maddie Bryan//The Inertia
The Universal Sandals claim to have a Standard B width. My feet are on the narrow side, and they fit me nicely, but I have some spare room so I could easily see them working for someone with wider feet as well. If your feet are extremely wide, then they may be too narrow.
The midsoles of the sandals are made from EVA foam, which feels soft and comfortable underfoot. The rubber outsoles are reliably durable and provide traction for mild to moderately technical hikes.
Rounding out the final miles of the Na Pali coast in the Universal Sandals. Photo: Rebecca Parsons//The Inertia
I’ve had the Universal Sandals for about four years now and have found that they do indeed work well for a wide range of activities. I wear them kayaking, river rafting, and exploring tide pools. I also wear them regularly on walks with my dogs and on shorter hikes. Thanks to their versatility and slim profile they’re a no-brainer to throw in my bag and have become my go-to sandal when traveling.
The grip on the Universal sandals is decent but it’s not reliable enough for technical terrain. Photo: Maddie Bryan//The Inertia
Drawbacks
As feared in my first impression of the sandals, the Original Universal sandals don’t provide a ton of support underfoot. Through my testing, I found that they work well for shorter hikes, but I typically don’t wear them for anything over four miles as there is no arch support.
The rubber outsoles do provide some traction, but they don’t fare well on anything too technical. If your hike involves lots of scrambling or steep sections, you might want to opt for a pair of hiking shoes. However, the Universals have enough traction to safely navigate stream crossings and are a great pick for hikes that navigate in and out of water.
Finally, the EVA foam midsoles are squishy and comfortable, but we found that thorns or fox tails easily got wedged in them. On most hikes this is a non-issue, but if your hike involves the right (or wrong) kind of foliage, some of it may wind up in your sandals.
The Competition
While the Teva Original Universal Sandals are extremely versatile, stylish, and affordable, they aren’t our favorite overall sandal. In our reviews of The Best Hiking Sandals and The Best Men’s Sandals, the Chaco Z/1 Classic took the crown for Best Overall thanks to its excellent grip and durable design. That said, they also cost $50 more, are heavier, and are not as packable or stylish.
If you prefer a more stylish sandal that doesn’t fare as well on the trails, Olukai’s Tuahine is the best overall flip flop in our Best Men’s Sandals review thanks to its timeless design and comfort. In our Best Beach Sandals for Women guide, we chose the Birkenstock Arizona Essentials EVA as the top pick thanks to its incredible durability and comfort. Neither is as grippy or as geared toward hiking as the Tevas, but they work well for beach days or town treks.
The Universal Sandals work on a wide range of terrains. Photo: Maddie Bryan//The Inertia
Final Thoughts
We all know the saying: Jack of all trades, master or none. The adage sums up the Teva Original Universal Sandals nicely. They are stylish and incredibly versatile, working as hiking sandals, water shoes, beach sandals, and more. But they aren’t the top choice in any category. However, like we said they perform well across the board, are extremely packable for travel, and are wallet-friendly at $55. So if you’re looking for a lightweight pair of sandals that do it all, the Original Universals are it.
Check Men's Price on REI Check Women's Price on REI CHECK Women's PRICE ON Backcountry CHECK Men's PRICE ON BackcountryEditor’s Note: Getting out on trail but need a little more protection? Check out our guides to the Best Hiking Shoes, Best Women’s Hiking Shoes, Best Hiking Boots and Best Women’s Hiking Boots. Looking for water-specific shoes? We have guides for that too: Best Water Shoes and Best Women’s Water Shoes. For more gear reviews and features on The Inertia, click here.
