Teva Grandview Max GTX Boots – Reviewed & Tested

Teva has just released its new and most technical pair of hiking boots. Pippa and Connor gave the Teva Grandview Max GTX boots a spin over both an overnight hike and a day hike, before taking them out on the real test – 14 days on the Larapinta Trail.

Teva is known for its high-quality, versatile sandals. While we’ve seen some crazy pics of people hiking to high altitude wearing nothing but a pair of Teva sandals, sometimes it’s helpful to have an enclosed toe. 

Read more: A Love Letter To My Teva Sandals

So Teva branched out into hiking boots. The brand introduced the Grandview hiking shoe line in February 2020 and has just expanded it to include the Grandview Max Sandal, the Grandview Max Vent, and the Grandview Max GTX – the boot we’re reviewing today.

Introducing the Teva Grandview Max GTX… what a good lookin’ boot!

We were both somewhat sceptical about how good Teva hiking boots could be, considering the brand is so strongly associated with river sandals. However, the Grandview Max GTX both surprised and impressed us. 

Why are we the right people to do this review?

Between us, we’ve tried every type of hiking shoe available. 

From the heavy (but durable) leather boots I used while working as a hiking guide, to Connor’s flat-footed Vans, which were the only shoes he packed for a six-month trip hiking around South America. 

We’ve also tested out all the combinations in between, from trail runners to synthetic hiking boots, and a lot of time spent barefoot, of course. 

Read more: Hiking Boots v Trail Runners

Hiking the Larapinta Trail in the Teva Grandview Max GTX

Quick Specifications

Weight: 880g (Womens US7)
Stack height: Not listed
Drop: Not listed
RRP: $370

Super waterproof, no matter how many puddles we jumped in

Performance

Durability

I’m going to jump right in. Unfortunately, this is a tricky one, as we’ve only had the Teva Grandview Max GTX boots for a couple of months. 

However, hiking for 14 days on the famously tough Larapinta Trail is a very good test, and we noticed some signs of initial wear and tear. While it didn’t affect our experience on this hike, we did feel worried about how well the boots would last over time.

The first warning sign was that the rubber toe cap started to peel back, exposing the mesh underneath. This creates a weak point, with debris getting caught beneath the layers and increasing wear, potentially shortening the lifespan of the shoe.

The toe starting to separate. By the end it had separated on both toes

Also, while the Gore-Tex did a great job of keeping us dry walking through puddles, from my experience, this form of waterproofing typically doesn’t last longer than a couple of years. The combination of pressure and dirt means the Gore-Tex will eventually compromise, regardless of the brand. However, cleaning them regularly and reapplying DWR (durable water repellent) will help keep them waterproof for as long as possible.

Another flaw we noticed was the durability of the rubber grip on the bottom of the shoe; it’s soft and wore down significantly over the hike. This is surprising for Vibram Megagrip, which features in the Hoka Anacapa series as well as many trail runners, like the Hoka Mafate X. It’s super grippy, but possibly too soft to go the distance, especially with a big pack on your back.

Read more: 10 Tips You Need to Know Before Hiking Central Australia’s Larapinta Trail

The ‘LITE-COMF’ midsole also got scraped up, with chunks of rubber falling out along the trail. The durability of the cushioning was likely a compromise made to ensure the boot is lightweight and comfortable; however, it still seems to be a significant flaw, at least it’s for tough Australian hiking trails.

Teva offers a one-year warranty for faulty boots.

The midsole started to chunk away, likely due to the softness of the rubber

Comfort

I’ve found the Teva Grandview Max GTX boots to be a nice happy medium between hiking in my old leather hiking boots and my new(er) trail runners. They’re considerably lighter and more comfortable than my old boots, which makes for easier walking (I’ve always referred to the saying ‘1kg on your feet equals 3kg on your back’, to put it in perspective). 

They’re nowhere near as light as my trail runners, but that’s to be expected, and I’d consider it a worthwhile trade for the increased grip, ankle support, and toughness.  

Comfort-wise, they were great from the moment they came out of the box. Out of the ten friends we hiked the Larapinta with, we were the only ones who didn’t get a single blister.

Blister-free views – how good!

It’s also worth noting that I found them to be on the shorter but wider side – I normally wear a women’s US 8.5, but I had to size up to a US women’s 9 in these boots to prevent toe-bang. The boots are also known for their wide fit, and as I have fairly narrow feet, I was concerned this would be an issue. However, they ended up feeling quite comfortable despite being roomier than my usual shoes.

Connor reckoned they were the most comfortable hiking boots he’s worn. They have a good amount of cushion to prevent feeling rocks digging into your feet, while also being able to judge your steps. There’s also plenty of cushioning over the toe, preventing toe bang without needing to crank the laces around your heel. 

Design

I reckon the Grandview Max GTX are lookers. I brought them with me on a day hike, and happily wore them to an art exhibition afterwards.

I love the detailing on the midsole, which reminds me of map contours, and immediately gets me excited to take them outdoors.

Detailing on the midsole looks like map contours

I found the laces slightly frustrating – they are very thick, which makes it difficult to adjust them to the correct tightness, because they don’t pull through the holes smoothly. 

The laces are thick, making them difficult to adjust

Connor loved the design, both practically and aesthetically. One unique feature is that they have a wide sole, which seems to be aimed at delivering extra stability, and it works! It was something I needed to get used to, as I found that on narrow, rutted tracks, my feet would occasionally get caught passing each other. However, after a bit of time, I settled into the feeling.

Both Pippa and I found their ‘Patent pending Universal Heel Lock System’ feature relatively useless. It’s meant to hold the heel back to prevent your toes from hitting the front of the shoe on downhills, which can cause pain. Most of the time, people will do up their laces tightly before descending to help mitigate this and lock the foot in the shoe. The heel lock is meant to pull the foot forward without needing to adjust the laces. While I love the concept, I found the heel had no room for give when tightening, no matter how hard I pulled on the strap. There isn’t enough stretch in the heel to enable it to squish, making this a relatively useless addition.

We found the heel-lock feature didn’t make much of a difference

Sustainability

Teva has some great sustainability initiatives. These boots have 100% recycled polyester webbings and a 100% recycled mesh upper. The leather used in these boots is sourced from tanneries certified by the Leather Working Group, an organisation that promotes sustainable environmental practices in the leather industry.

More broadly, there’s a heavy focus on recycled plastics and minimising water use, with actual numbers, which we love to see. That being said, Teva’s rating on good on you sits at ‘It’s a start’ and the sustainability page on the website doesn’t feature any large third-party commitments like 1% for the Planet or B Corp, just some smaller textile commitments and a kind of vague video.

When you look this fashionable, it’s important to have a light footprint

Price

These boots sell for $370 a pop, which is on the higher end for a waterproof hiking boot, but mid-range for one with Gore-Tex waterproofing and Vibram grip. It’s significant for someone just getting into hiking, and I’d say Teva’s target market is people who love the brand, hiking, and exploring the outdoors.

POV: You’re a rock about to be gripped onto by the Teva Grandview Max GTX boot

A bonus of these boots is that they’re quite adaptable; they can be used in different terrains and weather conditions, so you don’t need to break the bank buying multiple specialised pairs of hiking shoes. 

They’re lightweight, comfy, and served us well on the Larapinta. If you don’t want to risk blisters ruining your hike, they’re a good option. However, if you need them to last a long time to justify that high price point, or are tackling tough terrain, we’re less confident they represent good value for money.

Check ‘em out!

Final Thoughts

The Teva Grandview Max GTX is a great all-rounder hiking boot. 

Lightweight but sturdy, they’re a perfect trail companion whether you’re heading out on a quick day hike or a multi-day trip with a heavy pack. 

They’re comfy straight from the box, so you don’t have to spend weeks patching up blisters just to wear them in. They’re ideal for anyone who wants to look equally stylish both on the trail and sitting at the pub afterwards. 

However, if you’re looking for a boot that’ll last you the next ten years, this probably isn’t the one. While they’re lightweight and comfy, the questionable durability of the Teva Grandview Max GTX is unfortunately its biggest downfall. 

Lightweight and comfy straight outta the box

FAQs Teva Grandview Max GTX

Do the Teva Grandview Max GTX boots fit true to size?

These boots tend to run short but wide. Pippa usually wears a US women’s 8.5 but sized up to a 9 to avoid toe-bang. Hikers with narrower feet may find the roomy fit surprisingly comfortable.

Are the Teva Grandview Max GTX boots worth the price?

At $370, they’re mid-range for Gore-Tex hiking boots. They’re lightweight, stylish, and comfortable right out of the box, but possibly not the best option if you need boots to last for many years.

How durable are the Teva Grandview Max GTX Boots?

While they may last far longer on easier trails, on tough trails, Pippa and Connor noticed concerning signs of wear after two weeks of use, including peeling toe caps, losing chunks from the midsole, and quickly wearing rubber on the sole.

How waterproof are the Teva Grandview Max GTX Boots?

Completely. No water came in when immersed in puddles and the quality Gore-Tex membrane choice means this should last for many years with care.

Compare the Pair of Boots

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