Teva Women’s Grandview GTX Low – Reviewed & Tested

Teva’s Grandview GTX Low is ready for any adventure you can dream up. Jess wore them every day for four months to see just how much they could take.

Hang on, aren’t Teva the sandals brand?

Yep! You’re right, Teva originally entered our collective consciousness with their range of comfy utilitarian sandals. And we love them. But this environment-loving brand that’s out to help us roam more freely has continued to innovate and delight us with new shoe products. A few years ago they started doing hiking boots, then there was the time they brought us a slip-on sleeping bag for our feet. And now, they’ve got the Grandview GTX Low. 

Where the sleeping bag slip-ons and the hiking boots were clearly targeted at specific activities, the Grandview GTX Low are the go-to choice for anyone who’s into the outdoors but less into committing to one hobby over another. Waterproof, rugged, and low profile – they’re ready for exploring any terrain you can throw at them.

I reckon they look really slick

Why am I the right person to do this review?

When I’m not putting away the kilometres at my walking desk editing content for We Are Explorers, I’m outdoors. I’m not solely a biker, a camper, a climber, a fisher, or someone who hikes on every weekend. But I love doing all of those activities, and I recognise immensely the value of reliable gear that’s suited to the task. 

Each of these sports has dedicated gear that elevates the experience, but I’m not on that Musk money so most of the gear I buy is required to spotlight in another hobby’s domain. The Teva Grandview GTX is a shoe that’s designed not just for adventure, but to be adventurous and it’s exactly the kind of product that gets me excited. I bought these for a non-stop action packed trip around Europe and Asia and have worn them just about every day since. Now it’s time to spill the beans. 

Clouds above and cushiony clouds of comfort on my feet

Quick Specifications

Weight: 365g (one shoe)
Colourway: Dark shadow/Moon Mist, Black/Grey, Bracken/Burlwood
Upper: Leather
Lining: Recycled polyester waffle knit
Midsole: EVA-foam
RRP: $300

Performance

Weather resistance

The Grandview GTX Low delivers on the promise to keep your feet dry, thanks to its waterproof leather upper and Gore-Tex bootie. Just make sure you remember that they’re a low shoe – I accidentally underestimated the depth of a puddle and while they’re waterproof on the outside, they’re not going to cope well if you submerge them!

The quick-dry 40% recycled polyester mesh on the upper prevents your feet from feeling cold when they do get wet.

Dust and moisture show easily on the black but a quick wipe with a damp towel is all it takes to restore them to an otherwise clean shoe

Versatility

I’ve taken these to city streets, cobblestones, mountaintops, riverbeds, boats, rollicking ferries, and polished restaurant floors. And they haven’t skipped a beat. In all honesty, I was expecting that these would fail me in one of these places (which is why I kept trying to find new and challenging environments), but they took everything I threw at them in their stride.

The Vibram Mega Grip sole kept me anchored to a slippery floor when all around me I was surrounded by people in runners falling over on a tumultuous ferry ride. It also kept me feeling secure on a steep mountain slope of loose scree. I’ve had dedicated hiking boots that have failed in similar situations so I’m quite impressed that these performed so well in both wet and dry situations. Take them anywhere, these are ultimate sidekick material.

Grip on grip on grip

Durability

I’ve been mercilessly punishing these for months now. The leather upper stitched with REPREVE® polyester yarn by Unifi® is showing proof that these shoes have seen some things, but as for actual wear and tear, particularly on the sole, they’re still looking fresh.

Comfort

Size

An important consideration if you’re buying these shoes online is that it’s highly recommended to size up. I’m usually an eight and have quite a narrow foot, but the perfect fit in the Teva Grandview’s was a size larger – the nine.

The legends at Paddy Pallin who helped me pick out this shoe assured me this was common with this particular shoe. If possible, make sure you get in store to try before you buy, but if you’re chasing an online sale price, going up one size above your normal fit should be just about right.

The wide toe box is great for allowing a natural splay of your toes but if the shoe is too small it won’t prevent your toes bumping into the front of the shoe

Cushioning

The Grandview GTX’s are fitted with an ESS shank in the outsole, which provides arch support and helps disperse impact across the shoe when you touch the ground. Coupled with the EVA-foam midsole and a responsive PU footbed (another name for the insole!), it’s no surprise that I felt like I was walking on air.

I tried on eight pairs of low-profile hiking and trail running shoes in the quest for these Teva’s and not a single pair came remotely close to the level of cloud-feel these offer. In hindsight, it’s probably not surprising that the brand that designed sleeping bag-esque shoes is good at delivering snuggly comfort.

I wore these for six hours the first time and didn’t get a single blister. And despite being blister prone (I talk about that in this guide to preventing them!), I still haven’t and doubt I ever will.

Despite all this hidden technology they look flat and unexciting inside. You’d never guess they feel like clouds underfoot

Design

Low profile

Low profile shoes typically mean your foot is closer to the ground which enhances stability on uneven terrain and improves ground feel. They make it easier to better place your foot on rocky surfaces and encourage more natural foot movement within the shoe. I definitely felt like I had more flexibility and freedom than in my beloved Moab 3 Mid Merrell Hiking Boots, though I also attribute this to the spacious toe box.

The grippy lugs on the sole ensure you’ve got plenty of traction

However, if you’re the kind of person who really needs ankle support or is a true sucker for extra hug of a taller boot, you might want to consider the high-top Grandview GTX. It’s also waterproof and has the same universal heel lock system. The high-top actually came first and the GTX Low was adapted from it.

Aesthetics

I purchased the black/grey women’s Grandview GTX Low colourway and while I really liked that it included the pop of yellow, the standout from an aesthetics point of view was the tan outsole. I hate having white outsoles on adventure shoes, and it’s a lovely change from the more common black. Both additional colourways are also really lovely.

Overall I think the shoe looks really smart and high quality. This was a key factor in my choice as I purchased them to be my go-to one pair of shoes for a three-week backpacking trip overseas. I needed them to be at home on the trails, on city walking tours, and in the occasional restaurant and hotel lobby. Thanks to the subtle colourway, low profile, and smart detailing this worked a charm.

A detail I didn’t like were the polyester straps around the heel, which seem to serve no purpose. I’m for all cool design, but these seem to be tacked on like bunting as additional deadweight. If it’s on the shoe, I expect it to serve a purpose. The shoelaces also seemed a bit short, but that’s being quite picky.

Materials

Teva has left no stone unturned in their material selection, and they’ve chosen everything we like to see in a technical shoe. From the PFC-free DWR waterproof leather and recycled polyester mesh upper above the toes, to the 100% recycled polyester waffle knit lining on the inside, and the Gore-Tex Leaf bootie, the fabric used is primo. These choices really prove Teva’s commitment to sustainability, but more on that later.

Double knots are just possible with the length of the laces but I’d prefer them to be a bit longer

The most interesting material choice was a peppermint-based antimicrobial to keep odours at bay. This is officially my first scented shoe! Honestly, I didn’t notice the peppermint. You can’t smell it. But I’ve also never noticed an aroma wafting off them so it must be working.

Heel Lock System

The universal heel lock system works to prevent your foot from slipping forward in the shoe when you’re hiking downhill. This has been a problem for me in every single pair of hiking boots I’ve owned, so much so that I’ve lost every one of my toenails (yes, every one) at least three times now.

While the Teva Grandview GTX Low heel lock worked better than the one in my hiking boots, I’ve come to the conclusion that no universal heel lock system is perfect. You need to make sure you’ve got your laces tied securely – if you just slip em on, you’ll be slamming into the toe box on the regular. On my hiking boots I’d normally also use the heel lock lacing technique, but this requires that handy extra hole you find on just about every hiking shoe.

The problem with the Teva’s is that they don’t have the extra hole. Initially, I thought the polyester webbing around the heel was a means of providing extra heel stability, but on closer inspection I realised it’s purely decorative – it doesn’t attach to the laces in any way and can’t be tightened. The only way to ensure you don’t slide around in these is to do up the laces securely every time and trust the universal lock to do its job – which about 80% of the time, it does.

If the straps served a function I’d be on board but they’re useless and the shoe would look better without them

Sustainability

At We Are Explorers we love a brand that walks the talk when it comes to sustainability. We don’t want token gestures, we want action. And Teva is all about action. Their sustainability initiatives include reducing water usage (by 1.3 billion litres since 2017), reducing packaging (by a casual 1.8 million kilos since 2017) and making products using recycled materials.

All their leather is sourced from Leather Working Group sustainability-certified tanneries, and they use vegan leather in some product lines. They support the largest cotton sustainability program in the world (the Better Cotton Initiative) and they encourage consumers to reduce their consumption. Seems kind of counterintuitive but what this boils down to is that they prioritise making products that will last. Fewer products needing replacement equals reduced consumption.

Spending a bit more far less often seems like a no brainer, especially when it means it’ll help places like this stay natural for longer

Price

At $300 RRP this is more than I’d normally pay for three pairs of shoes. Pretty obvious I’m not a trail runner, hey! I actually got these on sale for around $175 – you can too, but I’d be quick about it!

For the all-round adventurer who isn’t sold on just one hobby, at RRP these fall more heavily into the too expensive bucket, particularly from a brand without too many of this shoe-type out in the world.

Personally though, after wearing them and seeing just how well they hold up, I’d buy them again. The Teva Grandview GTX‘s are versatile enough to replace almost every technical shoe in your collection (not running shoes though – these are definitely for walking). Plus they’re rugged, waterproof, comfy, and evidently built to last so you won’t be replacing them in six months.

If you’re going on a trip that requires a lot of walking and need a MVP for a pair of shoes, these are absolutely perfect

Final Thoughts

The women’s Teva Grandview GTX Low is a high-achieving shoe that isn’t loud about it. Made by a brand dedicated to sustainability, they perform well in varying terrain, and keep you grounded and comfortable all day. If you like being in the outdoors, the Grandview’s are a great value choice.

FAQs Teva Grandview GTX Low

Are the Teva Grandview GTX Low available for men as well?

Yep! As well as the women’s version, you can also grab the shoe in a men’s fit.

What colours do the Teva Grandview GTX Low come in?

The Grandview GTX’s are available in three colourways: Dark shadow/Moon Mist, Black/Grey, and Bracken/Burlwood. Can’t say we’ve ever considered what ‘moon mist’ looked like but brands LOVE being creative with their outdoor gear colour names!

Is it better to hike in low profile shoes or boots?

Ah! You’ve opened the door into an argument older than you and I. We’ve talked about the pros and cons of hiking boots vs trail runners at length.

I don’t like low profile hiking shoes, can you recommend a mid-rise boot instead?

I’ve only got two mid-rise hiking boots in my recent history, but I’m a big fan of both. The first is the Moab 3 Mid from Merrell. I’ve taken those to the Overland, the Great Ocean Walk, and more overnight and day hikes than I can count and they’ve never let me down. The second pair is my Oboz Bridger Mid. They say red cars go faster and the same might be true for boots. These beauties are more flexible than the Merrells and are my go-to choice for flatter trails when I’ll be moving at a quicker clip.