Teva Omnium 2 Review
Cons: Not the most comfortable or breathable sandal
Manufacturer: Teva
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
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Teva Omnium 2 | |||||
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Price | $89.95 at Amazon | $105.00 at REI | $66.83 at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $89.95 at Amazon | $99.95 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers |
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Star Rating | |||||
Pros | Protective coverage, three points of adjustment | Lightweight, versatile, excellent traction | Very comfortable, good support, grippy outsole | Solid construction, comfortable and adjustable, good traction, weighs less than typical Chacos | Comfortable, rugged, grippy on variable surfaces |
Cons | Not the most comfortable or breathable sandal | Not best for high arches | Pricey, dad-style design | Adjustment can be tedious | Expensive, somewhat heavy |
Bottom Line | Our testers find this shoe adequate, but we ultimately prefer other models | This lightweight sandal is comfortable, durable, and capable of handling anything out on the trail | Consistent performance and high-end comfort combine to make these classic sport sandals one of our favorites | This sandal packages everything you love about Chacos into one of their lightest fully-featured offerings | Tough to go wrong with a Chaco classic, especially when it's geared for comfort |
Rating Categories | Teva Omnium 2 | Bedrock Cairn Adventure | ECCO Yucatan | Chaco Z/Volv 2 | Chaco Z/Cloud |
Comfort (25%) | |||||
Traction (25%) | |||||
Stability (20%) | |||||
Adjustability (15%) | |||||
Versatility (15%) | |||||
Specs | Teva Omnium 2 | Bedrock Cairn... | ECCO Yucatan | Chaco Z/Volv 2 | Chaco Z/Cloud |
Weight per Pair (pounds) | 1.80 lbs (size 12) | 1.10 lbs (size 10) | 1.51 lbs (size 43 EU) | 1.65 lbs (size 10) | 1.81 lbs (size 9) |
Width Options | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium, Wide |
Footbed Material | Synthetic Microban | Granite Grip rubber | Dual-density EVA | LuvSeat PU | LuvSeat PU |
Midsole Material | EVA | Rubber | PU | LuvSeat PU | LuvSeat PU |
Sole Material | Spider Rubber | Vibram XS Trek Regolith | Rubber | Non-marking EcoTread | ChacoGrip rubber |
Upper Material | Synthetic | Premium webbing | Nubuck leather | Webbing | Polyester jacquard webbing |
Our Analysis and Test Results
Teva refers to the Omnium 2 as a "wet-dry hybrid shoe" — utilizing the same outsole material as seen on any other Teva models. But our testing proved that this 'hybrid' feels more like a shoe and doesn't play as well in the water as we had hoped.
Performance Comparison
Comfort
A bonus of closed-toe sandals is their greater coverage and protection that enables more confident bushwhacking, trailblazing, or activities that would otherwise be challenging in sandals. The toe box of the Omnium 2 is certainly protective, though it offers so much coverage that breathability becomes an issue. Similarly, during aqueous adventuring, we found that the shoe is slow to drain and to thoroughly dry.
We also aren't wild about how the heel strap of the Omnium rubs against the bare skin. The comprehensive coverage may help protect you from snags, but it also makes it more challenging to get pebbles or sand unstuck from inside. Worn with socks, both of these issues are mitigated, but socks also aren't the best with this swampy toe box.
Traction
The Omnium 2 features the proprietary Spider rubber found on most of Teva's active footwear. The outsole has tough black rubber around the foot perimeter with a strip of beige non-skid rubber in the middle. The tread is angular but not fully lugged out.
Ultimately, we weren't terribly impressed by this model's traction performance. Though it fared well in favorably dry conditions, we found that the rubber has a tendency to give up once it becomes wet. This is sort of a deal-breaker for a shoe that claims to be a "wet-dry hybrid." Other Teva models that we've tested seem to have better traction than the Omnium 2.
Stability
Despite being reasonably lightweight, the Omnium 2 provides a decent level of overall stability. While there are stiffer, more robust soles to choose from in this review, our testers thought that the Omnium was capable of handling sporty approaches.
Full-coverage sandals may offer more protection, but that doesn't necessarily equate to more security. Because of how the Omnium is shaped, and the relative lack of secure straps or webbing, we found our feet sliding around in this sandal more than we like.
Adjustability
This sandal has more total adjustment points than many other models that we tested, but our testers preferred other models that are quicker to adjust, easier to release, and hug the foot better than the Omnium.
Using a velcro heel strap in the heel, a buckling velcro strap over the instep, and a small loop of elastic laces, the Omnium 2 has all the bells and whistles for dialing in a good fit…or so you'd think. Our experience with these shoes has proven to us that, when it comes to sandals, simplicity is preferred to extravagance.
Versatility
Being that they offer enhanced coverage and protection, the Omnium 2 may seem like a clear choice for those in need of a do-it-all hybrid shoe. While it is certainly capable of handling a good blend of outdoor excursions, we wouldn't recommend it as an all-purpose footwear option.
The materials and design of the Omnium aren't conducive to draining water from the footbed or drying quickly after getting wet. This is a huge bummer if you plan to use these as multi-sport shoes where you will undoubtedly be getting wet.
Value
The Omnium 2 is less expensive than some of the higher-end models included in this review. However, we assert that your money is better spent on a different shoe with better overall comfort and performance.
Conclusion
We were ultimately disappointed with the performance of this sandal. With a swampy toe box and faux-leather materials, it's tough even to call it a sandal. While it offers great protection on the trail, there is something left to be desired in the Teva Omnium 2 after our intense testing. If your objective is to find an all-purpose sandal capable of handling missions on the water as well as land, you'd be wise to look at the other models in this review first.
— Nick Bruckbauer and Rob Woodworth