Article by Dominique Winebaum
Teva Aventrail Trail Running Shoe ($160)
Introduction
The Aventrail Collection illustrates the merging of footwear brands under the umbrella of Deckers Brands, where a Teva sandal is now built much like a HOKA running shoe. The Aventrail trail shoe is the latest addition to the Aventrail Collection, which made its debut in June 2024 with the Aventrail trail running sandal (RTR Review).
The Aventrail Collection is part of a new generation of footwear geared toward an “elevated experience of freedom,” something that I experienced with the HOKA Infini Hike TC Sandal and that is bound to catch on walking, hiking or running on gentle trails.
HOKA Infini Hike TC Sandal
Applying the analogy of gentle yoga versus Bikram yoga to the Aventrail Collection, which is intended for trail running, I would also recommend gentle trails versus rugged trails, including walking, fast hiking, hiking, along with some mellow trail running in the Shoe.
There are 3 offerings in the Aventrail Collection: the Trail Running Sandal; the R2T Trail Running Sandal; and the Trail Running Shoe. Personally, I prefer the concept of the Aventrail Trail Running Sandal versus the shoe, especially if one is to go for that “elevated experience of freedom.” I tested its cousin, the HOKA Infini Hike TC sandal l (RTR Review),, and have first-hand feedback from Sam, who has been testing the Aventrail trail running sandal.
My experience is that the sandal delivers a better fit and a plusher underfoot feel. The sky-high breathability factor in the sandal cannot be matched by the shoe along with the fact that I struggled with the fit of the shoe, so please read on!
Pros:
A trail shoe offering, in addition to their sandals, from the Teva Aventrail Collection
Engineered mesh upper provides excellent breathability
HYPER-COMF midsole with supercritical foam as a coere and EVA for support provides ample cushioning with good energy return
Midsole has a nylon plate enhances the propulsive feel of the ride, especially on uphills
Spider Rubber® outsole with tiered traction for good grip
100% recycled mesh upper
Cons:
Fit is problematic as strapping system - velcro - is not aligned when pulling straps for a secure fit for my medium width and volume feet
Velcro straps without an adjustment buckle, unlike my HOKA Infini Hike TC sandals, where the buckle helps adjust the fit without having to pull the velcro straps further out
W Strapping System does not provide the lockdown of a shoelace system for trail running on rugged terrain.
Midsole feels better underfoot when walking/hiking than running as it is on the stiff side
Better adapted for fast hiking, hiking, and walking, than trail running
On the pricey side at $160 for a trail shoe that is not specifically a trail running shoe or a hiker, but a blend built up from the Aventrail trail sandal
High stack height - 37.5 mm/31.5 mm makes the shoe feels a little clunky.
Stats
Sample Weight: 10.1 oz / 286g US W9
Stack Height: 37.5 mm heel / 31.5 mm forefoot
First Impressions, Fit and Upper
The Aventrail trail running shoe builds on the Aventrail trail running sandal (RTR Review), but with a major difference; namely, the foot is fully enclosed, shoe-like. It also features a higher stack height than the sandal and includes a plastic plate and thus delivers a stiffer underfoot feel, especially when trail running.
The fit on the Aventrail shoe has been problematic for me as I need to pull the velcro straps so far out in order to get a secure fit, which results in the tail end of the velcro not gripping on anything and dangling. The fit may be better adapted for men who tend to have larger and higher volume feet than for women, but perhaps Teva should consider a women’s specific lower volume fit or modifications to the strap system.
For short walks the straps can be left looser. For long day walks/hikes, and trail running, as shown below they have to cinched down beyond their limits
Once I am able to adjust the velcro, tant bien que mal, the fit is good and comfortable, though not as secure as a running shoe with a shoelace system.
In short, there is room for improvement in the W Strapping System in order to provide a secure foothold. The straps are lightweight and not as sturdy as the one on the sandal, in addition to not having enough velcro adequately positioned when in need of a tighter fit. I understand the need for lightweight straps given the thin gusseted tongue with minimal padding as sturdier straps would put too much pressure on the forefoot.
A nylon band in the center holds the W strap system in place, but the system is overwhelmed as designed and by the volume of the shoe.
On the upside, both the padded collar and heel counter do a good job of delivering a secure foothold, which is further secured via a velcro strap around the heel of the shoe.
The upper provides protection for your toes, especially in comparison to the sandals, however, this is not a feel good upper with a perfect hold that one would expect for trail running on less than smooth terrain..
Midsole & Platform
The midsole is the same HYPER-COMF technology as inthe Aventrail trail running sandal, but with a higher stack height - 37.5 mm/31.5 mm for the women’s, which is 4 mm higher than the sandal. (Specs were provided to us by Teva’s representative and are not available on the catalogue.)
The Aventrail has HYPER-COMF, a dual density midsole combining the responsiveness of supercritical foam in the center and supportive EVA as an outside cage along with a nylon plate designed to deliver “a propulsive ride.” Without a doubt, the midsole is very protective providing ample rock protection, cushioning and stability, but the underfoot feel is on the stiffer side, especially when trail running.
It does not have the same plush feel that I experienced with the HOKA Infini Hike TC sandal, or as also reported by Jeff and Allison Valliere, in their review of the Aventrail trail running sandal.
The midsole feels a bit clunky when trail running and I find both the upper and the midsole better adapted, and more enjoyable, when walking and fast hiking than when trail running.
Outsole
Spider Rubber® outsole with 4mm lugs that I have not tested on wet surfaces given the lack of rain, but too date, it has provided good traction. It is the same outsole as in the trail running sandal. Not designed for running on pavement.
The profile of the lugs is holding up well after a mix of 40+ miles of walking, hiking, and trail running including lots of pavement
Ride, Conclusions and Recommendations
The Aventrail shoe has a versatile and comfortable platform, perhaps one not primarily for trail running, for which it was designed.
It was perfect for walking in Montreal on a hot summer day as we hit the trail system to hike to the top of Mont Royal and then walked back through the city for a total of 8 miles.
Likewise, I enjoyed hiking 8 mellow miles on the Appalachian Trail in Norwich, VT, and then back to the town of Hanover, again on a hot summer day.
If I had not been testing the Aventrail shoe, I would have worn my HOKA Infini Hike TC (RTR Review) as I find them to be quite interchangeable, though having my toes well protected is always a plus when hiking. Likewise, the look of the Aventrail shoe fit our more urban activities in Montreal, even as those included some mellow well groomed trails hiking.
On the downside, I have reported issues with the fit of the upper and the W strap system along with a stiff underfoot feel when trail running.
It's not exactly dirt/dust resistant in my Marshmallow/Marigold colorway.
After 40 miles of testing with no mud along the way, my Aventrail shoes are fully stained. T
he price tag at $160 is high, and in my opinion the Teva Aventrail sandal ($145) or the HOKA TC ($140), are better values nd more satisfying.
In short, the Aventrail Collection is part of a new generation of sandals/shoes with a special niche for warmer temperatures that can become part of your summer rotation for travel, walking, hiking, or even trail running.
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Tester Profiles
Dominique has run for over 45 years, consistently about 25 miles per week at paces between 11 and 12 minute miles and once a week down in the mid 9 minute miles. She races rarely, but always surprises more hard core runners in her age group when she does. She has a 1985 marathon PR of 3:16 in her second marathon which at the time put her on the top 10 Swiss women’s lists. An avid hiker and trekker, she has been around Mont Blanc 3 times, hiked Chamonix to Zermatt, and completed the 48 New Hampshire 4000 footers. She is the mother of two grown children, both runners post college, and also enjoys nordic and alpine skiing, tennis, and gardening.
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