They do wear out eventually....
June 2nd
I am still (just) on my first pair of Teva's. I bought the Bedrock Sandals on 5th July 1997 - so not quite as old as some of the others on the site. I kept the packing slip with the date on, as past experience suggested sandals would not last long. Do some rough walking and a strap breaks, or get them wet and they crumble. So, I wanted to be prepared to complain when they fell apart. Not Teva's!!
I can't say I have done some of the extreme stuff others have dished out. I have worn them virtually every day though. As outdoor/hiking/general wear in summer and around the house in winter. More comfortable than any hiking boot I've ever had and in warmer weather, just as grippy, but ventilated! Also, the shop advised me well on the size and proper fit, so I have never stubbed a toe whilst wearing them, nor suffered any blisters, even after many miles in a day. The soles have now simply disappeared but the straps are still intact. The insole has started to part company and get rucked up, so I have just consigned them to the bin. Checking your website for local supliers to get replacements, so thought I would add my comment - and thank you for such a great value product!
Andrew Loades,
Derbyshire, UK.
Dear Teva
June 2nd
I have journeying with a pair of your mighty sandals for 6 years. They spent many summers with me, hiking high, covering valleys, even swimming with me. Recently they came to Mexico with me. They suddenly changed status from seasonal footwear to year-round. I went up a mountain by Mexico City and celebrated with them the highest I've ever been! I crossed miles of sandy beaches, although, admittedly that is not Teva's favorite terrain. I did a multitude of sightseeing, thy definitely carried my excited feet all over mayan ruins feeling certainly as lifted as I. Then it was a Guatemalan volcano - the scent of lava emnating into the depths of Teva's rubbery soles. It must've been that shocking event that later in Nicaraguas rainforest brought on a surprise to me by my up till then relieble friends. Tevas decided to ease into retirement by letting loose it's left back strap. My lonely feet did not want to part with the loving safety and protection my Tevas delivered so I turned to man's best fix-it-all tool: Duct tape. Of course it worked. I knew it would. But I felt a bit shabby for not at all respecting the wishes of my ageing Tevas. I wanted them to be young again! Flexible, springy, vibrant, and energetic! They sighed and reluctantly came out of retirement also because they knew I'd be stranded in Central America without them. They held on well and supported me all the way back from Costa Rica to Canada. Here, at the backdrop of the Rocky mountains they took to their last hike up a mountain and waterfall. They decided to see Vancouver once more before their LEAVE, but then I sneaked them into my bag while I was packing to go to Pemberton festival. I thought "well surely they'll enjoy it once they see the fun & dancing that's there!" I was wrong. I should have read between the steps and asked first. They let me down in Pemby. Thy werent accepting Duct tape as a fix-it-all tool anymore. Dust was their way out and there was no bartering with them. They resigned. And I understand. Nothing lasts forever. Not even Tevas.
-Tamara Hajsky,
currently living in Nanaimo, BC.
Teva Stories
June 2nd
In 2005, I started suffering from depression relating to my dad's cancer. My dad started me out in the outdoors at 6 months old and I
have kept up with it since then. i am a huge outdoor activist and I
contribute it all to my dad. Since then, i have had a whole new perspective on life itself, which I contribute not only to my dad, but also to Teva's philosophy of Go. Do. Be.
I was going through a hard time and didn't know what to do at the time. I was so lost. So I turned to what I knew would help me relax...nature. All through my "environmentalist outdoor" career, I
had always tried to keep up on the newest gear and clothing.
Unfortunately for me, I had never owned a pair of Tevas.
I begged and begged and begged my parents for a pair of Tevas, so they finally got me a pair for my birthday. After getting them, I looked through the packaging and saw the philosophy of Go. Do. Be., but didn't think much of it at the time.
As time went on, things got a little harder. I was wearing my Tevas EVERY DAY. I wore them rain, sleet, snow, dry, it didn't matter. For some reason, the philosophy came to me while thinking one day and I thought, "How can I apply that to my life for the betterment of myself?" I didn't change the philosophy, rather added in what I needed to comfort myself. Go Anywhere. Do Anything. Be Anybody. By repeating that during my hardest times, I was able to get through my struggles.
I am now depression free and have been for 2 years. My Tevas have been with me through the whole journey and I would not even think of changing them. In 4 years, I have had 4 pairs of Teva Sandals, a pair of Teva booties, and a pair of casual shoes by Teva. Teva to me is more than a shoe. Teva is an adventure for the soul. One to enlighten and one to inspire. I hope that others can find the relief that I have through this philosophy.
Nicholas Carter
Born 11/03/1988
Outdoors Experience: 19.75 years
Biggest Accomplishents: Eagle Scout, Philmont Scout Ranch, Cheoah River
