Teva Grandview GORE-TEX Review

Analysis and Test Results

The Teva Grandview GORE-TEX is a good-looking boot that impressed us with its comfort and water resistance. These boots are a great choice for long walks – especially so for those with slightly wider feet. However, if you are interested in backpacking or heading off the beaten track into the backcountry, you might be better served by a more rigid and supportive boot.

We also had some concerns about the durability of some of the material choices. None the less, we think that many hikers could be very happy with these boots plus we feel like they have the looks that would make them suitable for day-to-day wear too.

Performance Comparison

Traction

The Teva Grandview GORE-TEX uses a Vibram ‘Mega Grip’ sole that gives excellent traction across a variety of surfaces. The traction felt positive and really helped provide a sense of ‘sure-footedness’ with these boots. Of course, no footwear has perfect traction in all conditions and muddy surfaces, smooth wet rock and of course ice can better the grip on these soles. 

Breathability

The Teva Grandveiw GORE-TEX features some large panels of synthetic material in the upper section. There’s tightly woven nylon around the toe and also a softer mesh material around the tongue and heel cuff. These mesh areas certainly do allow for some breathability, but it’s worth pointing out that if you want an extremely well-ventilated hiking boot, there are better options out there as these prioritize water resistance and insulation over absolute breathability.

If you’re hiking in mixed weather conditions, we think that trade-off is more than acceptable and, if you want to control how hot or sweaty your feet feel during a long hike, then wearing socks made from a moisture wicking fabric like Merino wool can really help.

Ankle Support

The Teva Grandview is a mid-high boot, so straight away, it does offer better ankle support than a hiking shoe. The Ankle cuff is not as high as on some other boots we’ve assessed and therefore the ankle support is not as high as on some competitors. The Ankle cuff is well-padded. Look at these boots side-on and you’ll see a distinctive y-shaped arrangement of webbing straps that form a cradle around the heel. This isn’t just for looks and is actually a way to adjust tension around the heel and ankle – you do this by adjusting the tension on the lace eyelets that join the straps. Salewa use a similar system – though theirs looks quite different and is based on wire cables – in their Alp Trainer 2 which we have assessed elsewhere in this round-up.

Arch Support

Out of the box, the Teva Grandview GORE-TEX provides fairly neutral arch support. They’re on par with most of their competitors in this regard. We think that the arch support will be a non-issue for most buyers, but, if you do want or need more, then it’s trivial to swap out the supplied insoles for something that’s more heavily shaped to provide this.

Fit

The Teva Grandview is offered in sizes ranging from US 7/UK 6/EU 39.5 through to US 14/UK 13/48.5. They are offered in a single width and are generally suited for wearers with normal to slightly wide feet. They fit true to size. These boots have a reputation for comfort and the fit is therefore slightly more roomy and relaxed.

Materials

These boots use a combination of leather and synthetics for their upper section. These are durable materials that none the less still allow for some breathability.

Appearance

We think the Teva Grandview are good-looking boots. The styling looks to our eye like it’s inspired by ‘70s or ‘80s vintage hi-top basketball boots and the heel support system is certainly an interesting visual feature that’s also rooted in practicality. The boots are offered in a number of color options – all fairly neutral or earthy.

We think that many will like the fact that these don’t look like typical hiking boots and manage to retain their minimalist feel whilst still being distinctive.

Durability

These boots are made from materials with a reputation for toughness. The leather and synthetic webbing used throughout the upper gives us no cause for concern. The vented material used on the heel cuff and tongue is another matter. Whilst we didn’t experience this in our tests, we have experienced similar materials in other shoes and boots ripping and fraying.

Given that this material is used around the heel cuff where it will experience substantial stress during wear, we are slightly concerned that this could be a weak point in the build.

Sustainability

As with most manufacturers, Teva are committed to improving their sustainability credentials. They are aiming to reduce their overall carbon footprint as well as cutting back on the use of water in their manufacturing. The company is also involved in corporate philanthropy and donates to a number of outdoors organizations. Teva also states that the polyester in the upper section of these boots contains 40% recycled material.

Water Resistance

As the product name clearly indicates, the Teva Grandview GORE-TEX features a gore Tex membrane to help with water resistance. The Gore Tex helps keep moisture out of the boot whilst allowing the inner to be breathable. Couple with gusseting that runs up the tongue of the boot, these offer excellent water resistance – enough to keep your feet dry in heavy rain or even if you need to cross a shallow stream.

Remember, though, that water can still enter these boots via the ankle cuff or if it soaks in through your socks.

Weight

These boots weigh-in 964g/2lb 02oz. Whilst we have assessed lighter boots, we’re impressed that the Grandview achieves this figure whilst using a leather upper – many still consider leather to be more durable, though it is also generally heavier than synthetic alternatives. The Grandview is definitely at the lighter end of the scale in terms of leather boots, but it’s worth bearing in mind that many of the other, heavier leather boots we’ve assessed – such as the Zamberlan 996 Vioz GTX and Asolo Fugitive GTX – are more substantial and supportive boots suitable for hiking in more extreme conditions than these.

Insoles

These boots come with a fairly generic set of padded insoles. Most buyers probably won’t give these a second though, but, if you want to add extra cushioning, arch support or to adjust the fit if you fall between sizes, then the supplied insoles can easily be switched out for a third-party or custom-made alternative. 

Break-in Period

We don’t think that any footwear – no matter how comfortable it seems – is totally without a break-in period. These boots are comfortable straight from the box, and whilst you could wear them straight out on a hike, we’d always advise wearing them on a few shorter walks or at least around your home for a while to ensure the fit is right before taking them out on a bit adventure.

Lacing System

The Teva Grandview uses regular old laces. Whilst this might not seem very exciting, they are a very versatile way to adjust the way your boots fit – and in the case of these boots, they are also used to control the tension on the heel cup. It’s also possible to experiment with different lacing patterns to further refine the fix of your boots.

Toe Protection

These boots feature a reinforced rand around the toe and the sole also extends up at the front to form a toe cap. Combined, these two do a decent job of soaking up the knocks and bumps your toes will experience on the trail.

Conclusion

Teva are best known for their sandals, so hiking boots might seem like a bit of an odd departure for them. However, we were impressed by the Grandview GORE-TEX. This isn’t a boot for intensive or extreme hiking.

If you want to venture onto more extreme trails – or off the trail entirely – or venture out in very bad weather, then a boot that takes itsdesign cues from more rigid technical footwear is probably a better choice. Similarly, if you want the absolute lightest footwear, there are lighter options. However, many hikers aren’t so bothered with these requirements and just want a comfortable, reliable pair of boots for long walks and day hikes and in this regard the Teva Grandview is an excellent option.