Sport Sandal Technology

Sandals have come a long way in the last 20 years. Below we will take a closer look at the technology behind sport sandals, highlight a few particular sandals that use the newest and most innovative materials yet, and help you find the appropriate style sandal for you outdoor adventures.

Sport Sandals | Sport Sandal Anatomy | Finding the Right Sport Sandals | Teva Technology | Sport Sandal Profiles

Sport Sandals

There were many outdoor enthusiasts who doubted the sport sandal from the very beginning, but it has continued to increase in popularity as a worthy and unique piece of footwear for any activity. Much of this success is due to the innovative design improvements and construction ideas from major investments from companies such as Teva. These advancements have established a place for sport sandal footwear in just about every outdoor sporting activity.

The original sandals we extrememly simple - die-cut stock sheet rubber sole units with flat nylon webbing - but the basic concept has been expanded a long. In the sport sandal world today, consumers can choose sport specific sandals for almost any type of activity including rafting, sailing, running, walking, hiking and even aerobics!

Sports Sandal Anatomy

Sport Sandal Outsole

All sport sandals have some kind of anti-slide material that grips the wet and dry surfaces outdoors. This material is normally able to shed mud and dirt easily, and be abrasion resistant maintaining its durrability.

The rubber material that composes the outsole is what determines the level of grip. The ousoles are designed in different patterns for different activities, and all outsoles are designed to not hold on to mud and durt. (This would descrease their gripping capebilities.) When you choose a sandal based on traction, there is a bit of a trade off as grippier soles have a tendency to wear out at a faster rate while soles that are less grippy tend to last longer. Teva uses a material called "Spider Rubber" that is made from a material that allows sandals to have a wonderful grip in wet and dry enviroments but lasts longer than even harder outsoles.

Sport Sandal Midsoles

The sport sandal midsole (or "dual density midsoles") comfort the foot and act as a shock absorpbing pad in rough environemtns. The midsole is made out of EVA. Sometimes, sport sandal midsoles will have a sorbothane-type shock absorption plug (ShocPad) and an even more dense plug inside the heel area to protect the foot and ankle rolling inwards.

Sport Sandal Outsole

Sport Sandal Topsole

The final portion of the sport sandal sole is the topsole, the part you foot rests on. It is imperative this material is comfortable to your foot while still providing a decent amount of traction so your foot is not sliding all over especially in wet environments. In hot weather conditions your feet can sweat a signifacant amount and as sport sandals are generally worn without socks, we have a good equation for bad smelling sandals. Teva and other premiem sandal footwear brands normally utilize a topsole that absorb the bad smelling bacteria inhibitor to allieviate this problem. Teva uses a silver-based, antimicrobial compound that absorbs these odors, whilie similar competitors are using synthetic organic chemicals to reduce sandal stench.

Sport Sandal Arch Support

Any healthy sandal will assist your foot in keeping the proper shape. This particular shape keeps the heel, ankle, and lower leg in the correct alignment, preventing immediate foot fatigue and pain in the ankle and knees.

Sport Sandal Straps

There a strapping system that is patented which is most commonly used and appropriately named the "Universal Strapping system". However, there is a wide varity of strapping materials, from synthetic sport sandal straps (nylon, polypropylene etc.) to leather (full grain, waterproof, suede etc). The most important factor of any strapping system is the comfort and support is allows your feet. These factors are nroamlly unique to each individual, but many sandal comsumers find that nylon straps are best for harder environments (like water), while leather is used for casual comfort.

Synthetic straps need to be soft on your skin. The tubular nylon is woven very tight and made to dry fast. Of all synthetic strapping materials, nylon is the premier. Polypropylene is often used but does not last as long as nylon when exposed to sunlight for an extended period of time. Cheaper sandals use this material more often. Be sure to also check that the sandal straps extend all the way under the heel and under the front of your foot so they cannot be removed or come undone.

Leather is best used for less harsh environements. It can streach, but look for leather with nylon backing that helps the strape keep its shape. Waterproof leather will absorb less water and dry faster. Suede is sometimes used with other types of fabrics (such as neoprene or mesh) to keep the straps lightweight and still comfortable.

Finding the Right Sport Sandals Before you buy sport sandals, determine what you will use them for the most. Summer strolling or crazy white water rafting on the Colorado River? See below for some different activies and the best sandal that suits their conditions.
Rafting, kayaking, or any other water sport:	When you get out of the water, you want your feet to dry! Try and find sports sandals with fast drying nylon straps. Of course, dont forget about a comfortable footbed that has a strong grip for wet surfaces.
Hiking:	Support your legs with good arch support, a thick cushioned midsole and a heel shock pad. You want to find deep traction cleats to assist your stability in unpredictable terrains.
Backpacking and Trekking:	Find light weight sandals that are constructed with durablity in mind. It is a good idea to avoid using leather or synthetic leather footbeds because these styles tend to be less durable. Straps that are permanent and cannot be removed will prevent a possibly drastic situation way out in wilderness!
Casual Walking:	If youre choosing sport style sandals for casual walking, choose leather. Find waterproof leather if youre casual walking can turn into something a little more agressive. Base your decision on comfort, so look for padded or soft straps, good arch support and heel shock pads for total leg comfort.
Running:	If you plan on running in your sandals, the most important thing to keep in mind is support. Look for a secure fit and no movement of your foot. A highly cushioned midsole and some traction adequate traction on the outsole is also very important.


Teva's Technological Advancements in the Sports Sandal Industry
"All-Weather Leather" An extra step during the tanning process to make the sandals easy to care for and stain resistant while protecting the look and feel of the leather. The waterproofing is accomplished by closing the areas between the grain in the leather, yet maintain breathability, much like waterproof breathable fabrics.
Shoc Pad A blended polyurethane/EVA unit in the heel cup that evenly transfers the energy of impact throughout the footbed and away from the heel. This energy return actually provides greater spring with each forefoot push-off.
Microban Zinc An environmentally friendly zinc technology that fights the growth of odor causing bacteria and fungus. Built in antimicrobial product protection provides continuous odor control that won't wash off or wear away.
River Rubber Non-slip outsole material is designed for use in and around the water. This offers superior grip on even smooth wet surfaces such as rocks, fiberglass, or raft rubber.
Traction Rubber Highly durable and abrasion resistant, this non-slip outsole material is designed for extra rigors of land use.
Universal Strapping System A patented closure system that secures the foot to the footbed through four anchored points of connectivity and lateral straps. The result is an open sandals with the athletic fit required for outdoor wear- the signature of Teva.
Spider Rubber A patented process that produces a super, sticky, non-slip rubber outsole material for use across wet and dry terrain.
ALF Anti-Bacterial Applied to microfibers and suedes, ALF anti-bacterial inhibits the growth of odor-causing bacteria.
I.P.T.- Infinite Polymer Technology A blended silicone and polyurethane unit added to the midsole that disperses energy of the heel strike to enhance the efficiency of the natural stride. I.P.T. resists compression for longer lasting shock absorption.
S2 Rubber Spider Rubber squared, this rubber is designed with our highest coefficient of friction to be sticky on any surface and under any condition, the stickiest of all Spider Rubbers.
Wraptor Technology A patent-pending 360 degree, continuous strapping system that simultaneously secures the instep and the arch shank to the foot. This creates a noticeable 'at-oneness' between shoe and foot that provides heel-to-forefoot stability and motion support.
DSR Outsole Dual-density Spider Rubber outsole with a strategically-placed pod of S2 Rubber in the arch for improved traction on wet, slippery surfaces such as rubber rafts and rocks.

Sandal Profiles

Teva Original Sport Sandals

The Terra-Fi® is proven performance for use in water, on land or wherever adventure may take you. The signature of Teva is the universal strapping system; it secures the foot through four points of connectivity and lateral straps. The result is an open sandal with an athletic fit required for outdoor performance.

Material :
Lightweight, Durable Jacquard Webbing

Outsole:
Spider Rubber

Midsole:
Dual Density EVA

Weight:
10.9 oz (Approximate weight of one shoe)