I have always liked Tevas sandal strapping. Since turning barefoot or to be honest, mostly using minimalist shoes, I have missed a minimalist sandal that has the classic Teva strapping since I really don´t like the thong thing between my toes on huaraches.
I have from a distance followed Tevas crawling attempts to close in on the minimalist market with the Zilch sandal. They looked kind of ok, with 10 mm sole and zero drop. But they had some kind of velcro strap to fasten the big to. So I waited.
This spring I finally saw that Teva had listen to my prayers. The Teva Northridge was released. A 10 mm sole, old school, sort of, Teva strapping, and good looks. So I ordered a Pair from Texas (I live in Sweden)
Now 3 months later I´m not that excited. The sole is pretty ok, 10 mm, the ground feel is not super but ok for 10 mm. But the shape of the sandal. First of all, they are to slim. I have some trouble fitting my, not that wide, feet in the strapping without bending the velcro. Second, the straps are made of plastic. It´s really annoying. Plastic strapping means no breathing and after a while in them my feet are soaking in sweat under the straps. Third, the big toe attachment of the strap are angeled inwards, wich forces the big toe to angle inward. If Teva had understood anything of the barefoot moovement and what barefooters want in a minimalist sandal is that we dont want to have our toes cramped together in a bundle. We want them to have room to move without anything forcing them in any direction what so ever.
So Teva, if you read this. One time is no time. I will give you one more chance to make it right. The sole is ok, could be a couple of mm thinner, but to slim. The plastic strapping is horrible. Please change to standard fabric strapping drawn in standard old school fashion. And let my toes moove freely. Then I will buy another pair.
I have from a distance followed Tevas crawling attempts to close in on the minimalist market with the Zilch sandal. They looked kind of ok, with 10 mm sole and zero drop. But they had some kind of velcro strap to fasten the big to. So I waited.
This spring I finally saw that Teva had listen to my prayers. The Teva Northridge was released. A 10 mm sole, old school, sort of, Teva strapping, and good looks. So I ordered a Pair from Texas (I live in Sweden)
Now 3 months later I´m not that excited. The sole is pretty ok, 10 mm, the ground feel is not super but ok for 10 mm. But the shape of the sandal. First of all, they are to slim. I have some trouble fitting my, not that wide, feet in the strapping without bending the velcro. Second, the straps are made of plastic. It´s really annoying. Plastic strapping means no breathing and after a while in them my feet are soaking in sweat under the straps. Third, the big toe attachment of the strap are angeled inwards, wich forces the big toe to angle inward. If Teva had understood anything of the barefoot moovement and what barefooters want in a minimalist sandal is that we dont want to have our toes cramped together in a bundle. We want them to have room to move without anything forcing them in any direction what so ever.