Teva Grandview Max GTX Hiking Boot Review

Teva, a model named with the Hebrew phrase for “nature” has lengthy been synonymous with sandals for raft journeys, paddleboarding, and jam-band live shows. However its new mountain climbing boot, the Grandview Max GTX, is its most formidable closed-toe providing to this point.

It pairs a mid-height boot construct with a GORE-TEX waterproof liner and some touches from the model’s sport sandals for an informal mountain climbing boot. However can it compete with common boots equivalent to Merrell’s Moab 3?

Teva has been manufacturing mountain climbing boots since 1994, however 30 years later, it’s nonetheless recognized primarily for iconic sport sandals. The Teva Grandview Max GTX is, based on Teva, the model’s “most technical” hiker to this point. The boot can also be half of a bigger Grandview line that features a mountain climbing/working sandal and a extra breathable, non-GORE-TEX mountain climbing boot, the Grandview Max Vent.

A number of GearJunkie editors acquired samples to check in a wide range of locales to see if the massive claims translated to a greater boot.

Briefly: The Grandview Max GTX boot seems to be very like different sneaker-like mountain climbing boots. It has a rugged Vibram outsole and thick midsole. However whereas it seems to be aggressive, the very broad match and smooth sole that make it imprecise on even barely technical terrain. This boot could also be value contemplating for these with very broad toes. In any other case, it lacks a whole lot of the help and proprioception obtainable in competing boots on the $185 value vary. It’s an honest selection for light trails and pavement when thick, smooth cushioning and a really broad platform are desired.

Teva Grandview Max GTX Mountaineering Boot Assessment

How We Examined

I first examined the Grandview Max GTX at a launch occasion for outside journalists in Tennessee the place we did a 5-mile out-and-back hike on a well-liked, well-worn path within the Nice Smoky Mountains Nationwide Park.

We then spent a number of hours within the close by Dollywood theme park which, whereas sudden, rounded out a different all-day consolation state of affairs for testing the boot. I additionally wore the boot extensively at dwelling within the excessive Rockies in spring mud and snow, each for mild mountain climbing and working round city.

In the meantime, two different GearJunkie editors — Will Brendza and Sean McCoy — additionally examined variations of the Grandview, together with the GTX and the Max Vent. We in contrast our testing notes to offer a complete overview, as it is a main launch for Teva.

Boot Traits

Extensive Toe Field

The very first thing to level out in regards to the Grandview GTX is it has a super-wide match. When you have broad toes and wrestle to seek out boots that suit your foot form, you may be stoked to find out about these. They’re among the widest manufacturing mountain climbing boots I’ve examined, not simply within the forefoot, however even within the heel.

This might be good for people with broad toes. For these with much less broad toes, it might be an issue.

The model notes that the boot adopts the broad toe field that made Altra path trainers de rigueur for thru-hikers and common as around-town sneakers. I’m not precisely a thru-hiker, as I’ve solely accomplished shorter sections of the Continental Divide Path, however I’ve logged as many as 50 miles on a visit and 20+ miles in a day.

Like about 80% of the opposite thru-hikers I noticed, I did so in Altra path trainers. Particularly, I’ve historically worn the Expertise Wild path runner for longer days, piling up miles on a well-worn path.

There are many wide-toe field sneakers available on the market now, and the draw is that your forefoot and toes are allowed to unfold extra naturally as in case you have been strolling barefoot. The Grandview Max household offers you that room to plant your forefoot however offers a stiffer, closely cushioned midsole than the extra “pure” or “zero-drop” choices.

The draw back of the construct of Altras and plenty of different path runners on this vein is that they lack the help required for off-trail and particularly off-angle exploration. The dearth of construction within the higher of the shoe means your foot slides to the edges and off the midsole, resulting in a scarcity of stability in conditions equivalent to traversing throughout a steep hill.

I used to be involved the Grandview Max would have the identical issues. It actually is roomy and did enable for some sliding round inside. However with correct lacing, it saved my midsole within the heel fairly.

For folk that completely stick with well-marked trails, the broad platform ought to be largely an excellent factor. For those who fish, hunt, or simply get pleasure from bushwhacking off-trail, the dearth of precision goes to be an issue until you will have actually broad toes. For a path runner-style hiker on this vein with a narrower, extra athletic, and safe match, take a look at the SCARPA Rush 2 Mid GTX or the Salomon X Extremely 4.

Teva Grandview: Quirky ‘Heel Lock’

One of the crucial visually apparent parts of those boots is the Safe Heel Lock System, which ports over from the model’s sport sandals, albeit in a a lot totally different type. A hook-and-loop strap system helps you to crank down the heel cavity simply above the heel bone (calcaneus) the place your Achilles tendon attaches.

Straight up, that is the one boot that I (or any of GearJunkie’s group of editors) have examined with this type of “adjustment” system. And sadly, it feels largely like a gimmick. The stiffness of the boot, mixed with the dearth of mechanical benefit, makes altering the inside quantity of the boot with that little Velcro strap unrealistic.

And the design introduces a possible failure level. Whereas the nod to Teva’s iconic sandal historical past is intelligent, this characteristic ought to have gone again to the drafting board.

Informal Lacing

The Grandview Max GTX’s lacing system has a simplicity that will enchantment to extra informal hikers and for on a regular basis use, but it surely comes up quick in case you like a very safe match. Whereas it didn’t trigger me many issues throughout testing, the lacing system, as designed, doesn’t will let you cinch the smooth tongue flat towards the entrance of your ankle joint.

Mixed with the truth that it is a pretty low-height hiker to start with, I fear that in sure circumstances, this may make it simpler for grime and particles to enter the shoe. Normally people look to maneuver from a low-top to a real boot just like the Grandview to keep away from this concern.

Moreover, this type of open-top mouth on the boot appeared to open wider with time on path and I discovered myself sometimes cranking down on the laces which had the aspect impact of making a light pinch level on the high of the shoe. It wasn’t painful on shorter hikes, however I’d have considerations about this side in case you went over about 8 miles of path in a single go.

For future fashions, including one other non-obligatory eyelet or hook to drag the tongue again towards the ankle and to extra evenly cinch up the highest of the boot would go a protracted option to treatment this concern. On the plus aspect, the simplicity of the lacing system has me reaching for them extra typically for on a regular basis errands.

With one pace hook on high, they’re super-easy to slide on and go. You’ll be able to even depart them free sufficient to drag on and off with out coping with laces in any respect. Whether or not that’s an excellent factor or not will depend upon the way you put on them.

Cushioned Midsole

Whereas the broad toe field will really feel acquainted to Altra loyalists, the thick EVA foam midsole is rather more substantial than most Altra fashions and different low-drop path runners. There is no such thing as a shank (a protecting piece of metallic or plastic positioned within the midsole layering to guard the foot). This shall be an excellent factor for lovers of HOKA-style cushioning, because it protects your toes and retains them from getting beat up on longer hikes in the event that they’re not accustomed to abuse.

For those who’re used to zero-drop or comparable path runners with minimalist, versatile midsoles, the Grandview Max line could really feel clumsy at first, because it’s more durable to really feel the terrain via the soles, although I personally adjusted rapidly and felt a lot nimble after the primary few miles.

Consistent with the general profile of the shoe, I believe this closely cushioned midsole is at its finest on well-defined, easy trails. The rugged Vibram outsole supplied loads of grip on moist rocks throughout spring mountain climbing and, together with all that foam and a easy path floor, helps you to hike with out having to consider every step.

One draw back of the uncovered foam midsole is that it gained’t maintain up as nicely to bushwhacking as boots with a totally wraparound outsole. The Grandview Max’s Vibram MegaGrip sole extends out and up sufficient to offer some safety, however, once more, it may not be your best option in case you’re vulnerable to a whole lot of off-trail exploring.

It’s additionally nice for working round the home and working errands from fall via spring when the climate isn’t nice, and also you want one thing waterproof, supportive, and simple to get on and off. These elements of the Grandview Max boots are what make me assume they’ll fill an analogous area of interest to the Merrell Moab line, which is a lot succesful on-trail, however has discovered devotees who use them for day by day put on.

For those who plan on carrying them indoors or throughout mid-summer in a warmer area primarily, I’d contemplate the extra breathable Grandview Max Vent.

Last Ideas: Who’s It For?

Regardless of adopting the broad toe field most well-liked by long-distance hikers, I believe the Teva Grandview Max GTX is best-suited for infrequent hikers in search of a light-weight, fashionable hiker that they’ll put on casually for day by day, non-hiking use.

The quick and simple lace-up system could depart hardcore hikers wanting, but it surely makes the boot excellent for rapidly slipping on, whether or not you’re going for a fast stroll or hike, or simply strolling as a part of day by day life. I see similarities to the extraordinarily common Merrell Moab mountain climbing boot, however the Teva Grandview Max has a extra fashionable, trendy sneaker-like aesthetic that transitions higher to asphalt.