Teva Grandview Max GTX Mountain climbing Boot Evaluate

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 mountaineering boot, the Grandview Max GTX, is its most bold closed-toe providing thus far.

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 mountaineering boot. However can it compete with standard boots reminiscent of Merrell’s Moab 3?

Teva has been manufacturing mountaineering boots since 1994, however 30 years later, it’s nonetheless identified primarily for iconic sport sandals. The Teva Grandview Max GTX is, in accordance with Teva, the model’s “most technical” hiker thus far. The boot can be half of a bigger Grandview line that features a mountaineering/working sandal and a extra breathable, non-GORE-TEX mountaineering boot, the Grandview Max Vent.

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

Briefly: The Grandview Max GTX boot appears to be like very like different sneaker-like mountaineering boots. It has a rugged Vibram outsole and thick midsole. However whereas it appears to be like aggressive, the very vast match and mushy sole that make it imprecise on even barely technical terrain. This boot could also be value contemplating for these with very vast toes. In any other case, it lacks plenty of the help and proprioception accessible in competing boots on the $185 worth vary. It’s a good alternative for light trails and pavement when thick, mushy cushioning and a really vast platform are desired.

Teva Grandview Max GTX Mountain climbing Boot Evaluate

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 surprising, 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 mountaineering 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 present a complete evaluation, as it is a main launch for Teva.

Boot Traits

Vast Toe Field

The very first thing to level out concerning the Grandview GTX is it has a super-wide match. When you have vast toes and battle to search out boots that suit your foot form, you can be stoked to study these. They’re a number of the widest manufacturing mountaineering boots I’ve examined, not simply within the forefoot, however even within the heel.

This may very well be good for folk with vast toes. For these with much less vast toes, it may very well be an issue.

The model notes that the boot adopts the vast toe field that made Altra path trainers de rigueur for thru-hikers and standard as around-town footwear. I’m not precisely a thru-hiker, as I’ve solely achieved 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 footwear 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 provides you that room to plant your forefoot however gives a stiffer, closely cushioned midsole than the extra “pure” or “zero-drop” choices.

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

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

For people that solely persist with well-marked trails, the vast platform must be largely factor. Should you fish, hunt, or simply take pleasure in bushwhacking off-trail, the dearth of precision goes to be an issue except you will have actually vast 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’

Probably the most visually apparent parts of these boots is the Safe Heel Lock System, which ports over from the model’s sport sandals, albeit in a a lot completely different type. A hook-and-loop strap system permits 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 workforce of editors) have examined with this sort of “adjustment” system. And sadly, it feels principally 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 function ought to have gone again to the drafting board.

Informal Lacing

The Grandview Max GTX’s lacing system has a simplicity which will enchantment to extra informal hikers and for on a regular basis use, nevertheless it comes up quick in case you like a extremely safe match. Whereas it didn’t trigger me many issues throughout testing, the lacing system, as designed, doesn’t let you cinch the mushy tongue flat in opposition to 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 situations, this can 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 challenge.

Moreover, this sort of open-top mouth on the boot appeared to open wider with time on path and I discovered myself often cranking down on the laces which had the aspect impact of making a gentle pinch level on the prime 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-compulsory eyelet or hook to drag the tongue again in opposition to the ankle and to extra evenly cinch up the highest of the boot would go an extended strategy to treatment this challenge. On the plus aspect, the simplicity of the lacing system has me reaching for them extra usually for on a regular basis errands.

With one velocity hook on prime, they’re super-easy to slide on and go. You may even depart them unfastened sufficient to drag on and off with out coping with laces in any respect. Whether or not that’s factor or not will depend upon the way you put on them.

Cushioned Midsole

Whereas the vast 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 isn’t a shank (a protecting piece of metallic or plastic positioned within the midsole layering to guard the foot). This shall be 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.

Should you’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 by the soles, although I personally adjusted rapidly and felt lots nimble after the primary few miles.

In line with the general profile of the shoe, I feel this closely cushioned midsole is at its greatest on well-defined, easy trails. The rugged Vibram outsole offered loads of grip on moist rocks throughout spring mountaineering and, together with all that foam and a easy path floor, permits 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 supply some safety, however, once more, it won’t be your best option in case you’re vulnerable to plenty of off-trail exploring.

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

Should you plan on sporting them indoors or throughout mid-summer in a warmer area primarily, I’d think about the extra breathable Grandview Max Vent.

Ultimate Ideas: Who’s It For?

Regardless of adopting the vast toe field most well-liked by long-distance hikers, I feel the Teva Grandview Max GTX is best-suited for infrequent hikers searching for a light-weight, fashionable hiker that they will put on casually for each day, non-hiking use.

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