Teva Tirra Review
Compare prices at 3 resellers Pros: Comfortable, lightweight, fits many foot types
Cons: Ankle strap rubs, lacks support for long days
Manufacturer: Teva
Our Verdict
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Teva Tirra | |||||
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| Price | Check Price at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $105 List Check Price at REI | Check Price at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $59.95 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | Check Price at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Pros | Comfortable, lightweight, fits many foot types | Comfortable, versatile, lightweight, fits many foot types | Stable and supportive, stylish, durable | Great traction, stable, stylish | Comfortable, good traction, stylish |
| Cons | Ankle strap rubs, lacks support for long days | Not as cushioned as other models, can't be worn with socks | Annoying to adjust, uncomfortable for the flat-footed, heavy | Short straps, difficult to adjust, can't be worn with socks | Very floppy sole, not suitable for rugged use |
| Bottom Line | This is a solid all-around performer, but an uncomfortable ankle strap knocks it to the middle of the pack | This is a minimalist workhorse sandal that can take on nearly anything | Whether you're hiking or rafting or hanging out, this classic design plays well for the long haul | This pared-down sandal delivers the performance wearers expect from a classic Chaco, but with less weight and bulk | This classic option can't hack it on super rugged terrain, but it's a great value pick for casual outdoor use |
| Rating Categories | Teva Tirra | Cairn Adventure | Chaco Z/Cloud 2 | Chaco Z/Volv X2 - W... | Original Universal |
| Comfort (20%) | |||||
| Traction (20%) | |||||
| Adjustability (20%) | |||||
| Stability (15%) | |||||
| Versatility (15%) | |||||
| Style (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Teva Tirra | Cairn Adventure | Chaco Z/Cloud 2 | Chaco Z/Volv X2 - W... | Original Universal |
| Weight (pounds per pair) | 1.12 lbs (size 9) | 1.06 lbs (size 9/10) | 1.44 lbs (size 9) | 1.23 lbs (size 10) | 0.73 lbs (size 10) |
| Footbed Material | Contoured EVA | Granite Grip | LUVSEAT PU with textured grooves | LUVSEAT PU with textured grooves | EVA |
| Midsole Material | EVA with nylon shank | Cairn Vibram | Women's specific LUVSEAT dual-density PU | Women's specific LUVSEAT PU midsole | EVA |
| Sole Material | Spider rubber | Vibram XS Trek Regolith | Non-marking ChacoGrip | Non-marking EcoTread rubber compound (25% recycled) | Rubber |
| Upper Material | REPREVE recycled polyester webbing | Polyester and nylon webbing | Polyester jacquard webbing | Polyester jacquard webbing | REPREVE recycled polyester webbing |
| Width Options | Medium | Medium | Medium, Wide | Medium | Medium |
Our Analysis and Test Results
Our testers thought the Tirra was a good, versatile shoe for someone who is looking to hit the trails while retaining some femininity and style in their footwear. With its elegant, thin straps, decent adjustability, and support, the Tirra is great for trail use, water use, travel, and a lot in between and is an all-around great option for a multi-purpose shoe.
Performance Comparison
Comfort
The Tirra has a soft footbed that feels great even after long days of standing. The compression-molded EVA footbed is cush enough to yield to the individual dimensions of each foot without compromising the stable structure of the shoe. This helps provide a really individualized fit, no matter the makeup of the foot. The Tirra has a stability shank and shock pads in the heel, and it shows in the smooth ride. Many will also appreciate the arch support of the contoured EVA midsole, which makes long walks on trail or pavement even more comfortable.
The shoe has enough structure to hike with confidence while retaining enough sensitivity to be able to give your feet feedback in really wet or adventurous terrain. However, testers don't love the ankle strap, which causes relatively severe pressure points and hotspots.
Traction
Teva's proprietary "Spider Rubber," which is used on the sole of the Tirra, is engineered for high-friction, high-performance situations. It is grippy on wet terrain and offers control on steep terrain. The supportive and secure foot straps, coupled with good traction, add to the performance of this sandal on adventurous terrain.
Adjustability
The Tirra is as easy to adjust as lifting its three Velcro straps. All of the straps have plenty of Velcro, so we never noticed any of them losing their grip or needing frequent readjustment. Two of the straps cross the forefront of the foot, keeping it from lifting off of the footbed while hiking or walking. Our reviewers were pleasantly surprised by how secure these straps made the front of the foot, noticing little slippage while hiking up and downhill. The third strap, placed just at the bend in the ankle, keeps the heel locked in place and prevents it from sliding forward. That said, if you have a wide calf/ankle, then beware: it is possible this strap could rub your leg if secured too tightly.
Stability
The Tirra has decent stability, with good arch support for testers with low to medium arches. The Tirra's arches are not quite as high as a Chaco model, but its sole is also more cushioned, so those with flatter feet can still be quite comfortable. Our testers felt confident walking on uneven and steep terrain in this sandal because its straps do a great job of keeping the foot in place. While many models sport a large front strap, we appreciated the thin, two-strap design of the Tirra that not only adds extra support but looks stylish, too.
Versatility
The Tirra is a water-worthy shoe that easily crosses over into town or the mountains. Its traction is great on wet surfaces, and it has a snug enough fit that your foot won't slide around in the footbed when the shoe is wet. It isn't our top choice for burly hiking trails, but it's more than adequate for most situations.
Style
We got generally positive feedback on the style of the Tirra. It has flattering diagonal straps that cut across the toes, and it comes in a decent amount of colors. We especially like the added touch of the haul loop on the back of the sandal; it's one more stylish reminder that this sandal is meant for bigger and better destinations. Unlike other stylish models, the Tirra is both good-looking and useful on a variety of terrain, which makes it a great, multi-purpose shoe. Whether paired with hiking pants or a dress, this sandal can go many places.
Value
The Tirra provides solid value, finding a middle ground between cheaper models that provide far less performance and more expensive products that perform a bit better, but not by much. However, its sibling, the Teva Original Universal, is just over half the price of the Tirra and outperforms it across the board, so if you're in it for value, check out that model instead.
Conclusion
The Teva Tirra is a great combo of adventurous and chic. It gives the support and traction you need for off-road adventures while still maintaining a slim enough profile to crossover for use in town. The ankle strap may be problematic for some feet, though, so if you can try this on before pulling out your credit card, we encourage you to do so.
— Miya Tsudome & Shey Kiester