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Teva Hurricane XLT2 Sport Sandal Review: Is It Worth It?
The strap-sandal that walks a river trail, dries on the drive home and looks fine with shorts in town — Teva's classic hurricane, refined for 2026 comfort.
Quick answer: Yes — the Teva Hurricane XLT2 is worth it, and it's the sport sandal we'd recommend to most people looking for a do-it-all summer shoe. Comfortable for miles, waterproof-friendly, secure enough for a trail, casual enough for town. The default summer sandal for a reason.
Illustrative image — see Amazon for the actual product.
Our verdict
Yes — the Teva Hurricane XLT2 is worth it, and it's the sport sandal we'd recommend to most people looking for a do-it-all summer shoe. Comfortable for miles, waterproof-friendly, secure enough for a trail, casual enough for town. The default summer sandal for a reason.
The short version
Teva's Hurricane XLT2 is the sport sandal that quietly does everything summer needs: adjustable hook-and-loop straps that dial in to your foot, a contoured EVA footbed that's genuinely comfortable for miles instead of the flat plank of a flip-flop, and quick-drying webbing that shrugs off river crossings, showers and beach walks. It's Teva's classic Hurricane silhouette refined through 20+ years of iteration, and it's what outdoor guides, kayakers, festival-goers and dads-at-the-farmers-market all keep buying. Not the most technical hiking sandal on the market and not a fashion piece — the pragmatic middle of Venn diagram that's actually the summer shoe most people wear the most.
Pros & cons
Pros
- Three adjustable straps dial in secure fit
- Contoured EVA footbed comfortable for all-day wear
- Quick-drying webbing — walk out of a river, dry by lunch
- Grippy rubber outsole handles wet rock, sand and trail
- Machine-washable (cold, air-dry)
- Wide range of colors and patterns
Cons
- Straps can chafe on long days without socks
- Not as cushioned as a hiking sandal like a Chaco Z/Cloud
- Toe box is open — no protection from rock stubs
Why people love it
Adjust the three straps
Hook-and-loop closures on the toe, midfoot and heel let you dial in the fit — snug enough for a trail, loose enough for a beach walk.
Walk anywhere
The EVA footbed contours to your foot and stays comfortable for miles; the rubber outsole grips wet rock and dry pavement equally well.
Get them wet
Quick-drying webbing and drainage mean rivers, pools and downpours don't wreck them — walk out damp, be dry within an hour of sun.
Who it's for
- Kayakers, paddlers and river hikers
- Summer travelers who want one shoe
- Festival-goers and campers
- Anyone tired of flip-flop foot fatigue
Why the Teva Hurricane became the default summer sandal
Teva has a very specific origin story: in 1984, a Grand Canyon river guide named Mark Thatcher needed a shoe that stayed on his feet in whitewater but wasn't a boot. He rigged a strap system onto a flip-flop, and the strap-sandal category was essentially invented. Forty years later, the Hurricane is the direct descendant of that idea, refined through generations of iteration. The current XLT2 has better foot geometry, quicker-drying webbing, more grippy outsoles and better strap ergonomics than any predecessor.
What makes it the default is the compromise it strikes. It's more comfortable than a flip-flop over any real distance (the three-strap secure fit prevents your toes from clenching to keep the shoe on, which is what flip-flop foot fatigue actually is). It's more casual than a hiking sandal like a Chaco (lighter, thinner-strapped, less trekking-boot-visible). It handles water like technical gear and looks fine in a town or a restaurant patio. Not the best at any single thing, but the best at 'the summer shoe you actually reach for the most' — and that's why it sells year after year.
Teva Hurricane XLT2 vs Original Universal vs Universal Trail: what's different
Teva sells the Hurricane in several variants that cause first-time buyers to get lost. The XLT2 is the flagship — three adjustable straps, EVA footbed, general-use versatility. It's the pick for most people. The Original Universal is a slightly more casual version — cleaner look, thinner webbing, better for around town, less trail-focused. The Universal Trail adds a beefier outsole with more aggressive lugs — better grip on real trails, slightly heavier, still comfortable. The Hurricane Verge is the maximum-cushioned version — thicker EVA, more comfortable for long days, but heavier and less water-friendly.
For most people, start with the XLT2 — it's the middle of the range and the most versatile. Upgrade to the Universal Trail if you'll hike in them frequently on real trails. Downgrade to the Original Universal if you'll mostly wear them around town and want a cleaner look. Buy the Hurricane Verge if all-day comfort matters more than water performance. The colors and patterns don't affect the specs — pick whatever you like the look of.
How to make Teva Hurricanes last 5+ years
Sport sandals can last years or die in one season depending on care. The three things that kill them fastest: staying wet for extended periods (breeds mildew in the webbing and rots the glue holding the outsole), sand and grit trapped against the strap where it meets the foot (grinds fabric into fibers), and prolonged UV exposure (weakens the webbing over time). Address these and a pair of Hurricanes will last far longer than the price suggests.
Practical maintenance: rinse them after any beach or dusty day, even if they didn't get soaked. Don't leave them wet in a backpack or in the trunk of a hot car. Every couple of months, run them through a cold cycle in the washer inside a mesh bag, and air-dry them out of direct sunlight. Store them in a dry, ventilated spot in the off-season, not a plastic bin. If the outsole starts wearing thin on the heel (the usual failure point), Teva offers resoling on some models — check current programs before tossing an otherwise-fine pair. Treated well, a $70 pair of Hurricanes will outlive multiple pairs of $30 flip-flops.
See Teva Hurricane XLT2 on Amazon
Check the latest price, photos and buyer reviews on Amazon.
Check Price on Amazon →Sold and shipped by AmazonFrequently asked questions
Teva Hurricane XLT2 vs Chaco Z/Cloud vs Keen Newport H2: which sport sandal should I buy?
Three excellent sandals with different personalities. The Teva Hurricane is the most versatile and most 'sandal-like' — lightweight, low profile, three simple straps, quick to slip on. The Chaco Z/Cloud is heavier and more cushioned with the iconic single-strap Z-lacing — better for long hikes and rougher terrain, but hotter and slower to break in. The Keen Newport H2 has a closed-toe design — best protection from rock stubs, best for kayaking or scrambling, but more shoe-like and less breathable. Teva for versatility and light use, Chaco for serious trail miles, Keen for closed-toe protection.
Are Teva Hurricanes actually good for hiking, or just casual wear?
Good for moderate hiking, less good for serious backcountry. On flat-to-rolling trails, dirt paths, riverbeds and easy scrambling, the Hurricane's rubber outsole grips well and the adjustable straps keep your foot stable. For serious mountainous hiking, technical descents or extended trail days with a pack, upgrade to a Chaco Z/Cloud or a proper trail runner — the Hurricane's minimal cushioning means longer distances beat up your feet, and the open toe box is vulnerable on rocky terrain. As a 'take everywhere in summer, occasionally hike a few miles' sandal, they're perfect.
Do Teva Hurricane XLT2 sandals cause blisters or chafing?
Sometimes, and it's usually one of three things. First, the fit is off — straps too loose let the foot slide (chafe), too tight causes pressure (blister). Fine-tune all three straps until snug but not tight. Second, breaking in — for the first few wearings, the webbing is stiff and can rub. Wear them for shorter walks first, then longer. Third, water and grit — walking wet or with sand caught under a strap accelerates chafing. Rinse them out after beach days. Once broken in and dialed to your feet, most people wear them all day without issue.
How do I clean Teva Hurricanes, and are they machine washable?
Yes, machine washable — Teva officially blesses cold water, gentle cycle, no dryer. Put them in a mesh laundry bag or pillowcase to keep straps from tangling, use a small amount of detergent, and air-dry. For everyday cleaning, rinse under a hose or in the shower and towel-dry the straps. For odor (a common issue with any wet sport sandal), spray the footbed occasionally with a diluted vinegar solution or a shoe-specific deodorizing spray, and don't leave them wet in a bag.
How should Teva Hurricanes fit, and should I size up or down?
Standard sizing works for most people — order your normal shoe size. Fit should be snug in all three strap positions with about a quarter-inch of room at the front (toes shouldn't hit or hang over the front). If you're between sizes, size up for wide feet or if you plan to wear thin socks with them; size down if you have narrow feet. The straps have significant adjustability, so small size mismatches are usually workable — big mismatches aren't.
Do the colors and patterns matter, or should I just pick black?
Practical answer: black or dark charcoal Hurricanes work with almost every summer outfit and hide dirt best. If you want them to look 'active' or beach-friendly, pick a brighter color or pattern. The webbing is genuinely durable across all colors and patterns — Teva has been printing sandals for years and the color quality is consistent. For a first pair, black is the safest and most versatile pick; second and third pairs can lean into pattern.
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