chcoa
2010-04-14 05:08:26 UTC
Sent this once but haven't seen it so here it is again.
html version here...
http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/test/TESTS/IR%20-%20Teva%20Itunda%20Sandals%20-%20Jamie%20D/
Woman’s Itunda Sport Sandals
From Teva
Reviewed by Jamie DeBenedetto
April 13th, 2010
Report Contents
INITIAL REPORT
April 13th, 2010
Reviewer’s Information
Product Information & Description
Arrival Condition & First Impressions
--------------------- Initial Report -----------------------
--------------------- April 13th, 2010 ----------------------
Reviewer's Information
Jamie J. DeBenedetto
Female, 36 years old
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
Weight: 160 lb (73 kg)
Shoe Size: Woman’s 11 or 11.5 (US)
Email: jdeben(at)hotmail.com
Personal Website: www.MyDog8AZ.com
Location: Phoenix, Arizona - The Grand Canyon State
Background/Experience
I began backpacking over twenty years ago after a childhood loaded with all sorts of outdoor adventures. At present I work as a hike leader so I’m trekking in some capacity about twenty times a month. The majority of my trips are day-hikes but I take an occasional overnighter with my family here and there too.
When backpacking, I prefer to sleep in a hammock and I gravitate toward multifunctional gear that will enhance my comfort level with minimal weight. My total pack weight year round is rarely above 25 lbs (11 kg) for outings of two to three days.
Product Information
Manufacturer URL http://www.teva.com
Year of Manufacture Presumed 2010
Made in China
Color and Size Tender Greens / Women’s 11 (UK 9.5, EU 42, Japan 285)
Weight as Received 1 lb 7.5 oz (0.67 kg)
MSRP $100.00 (US dollars)
(Specifications - Taken from the manufacturer's website or packaging)
Weight per Pair None given
Other Color Options Ashley Blue and Wood Rose
Care Instructions None given
Warranty Limited 1 year from date of purchase
Product Description
The women's Itunda Sport Sandals are labeled by Teva as sandal-shoes that will transition easily between “hiking the trails and navigating the rapids”. The pair I received is a mix of various shades of grey, green, and black and they do look very sporty. The toe is closed in and protected by an abrasion resistant material called TPU. It feels a bit like rubber but apparently it’s some kind of high-tech plastic. The body of the shoe is a mix of materials. The part contacting the bottom of the foot, the heel strap and half of the arch strap are made of EVA foam, which is also a little like rubber and somewhat spongy feeling. The other half of the arch strap is a nylon strip with adjustable buckle used to secure the sandal to the wearer’s foot. Below the arch strap, covering a bit more of the top of the foot and upper toe section is a synthetic “mesh-like” material. This material is very stretchy and soft on the skin. Running across the base of the toe section is another adjustable nylon strap. The bottom sole of the shoe is made of Teva’s Spider Original™ rubber and while it doesn’t look overly aggressive, Teva claims this type of rubber provides “uncompromised grip in wet environments”. Set above the outer sole at the heel is something called the “ShocPad”. I gather this provides shock absorption for those rocky patches. Lastly, also at the heel section there are four little holes in the EVA foam that appear to extend into the foam and come out at corresponding holes (six total) on the side of the shoe just above the ShocPad. I’m assuming this is the “Drain Frame™ technology” mentioned in the product description on the manufacturer’s website.
Arrival Condition and Informational Material
The Teva Itunda’s arrived on April 3rd, 2010 in what looks like perfect condition, nothing of consequence to report at this time.
Only the standard shoe box info was included with the sandals; product name, size, color, etc. They’re shoes so pretty straight forward as far as how to use them and adjust them. Most of the technical details on the shoe I found on the Teva website and on a YouTube video they had linked from their site. The “Technology” tab wasn’t working on the website but the YouTube video was very helpful specifically with regards to the drain holes. I honestly had no idea that’s what they were until I saw the video and read the corresponding commentary listed with it.
Expectations and First Impressions
The Itunda’s are nearly exactly what I expected from the website. The primary exception was the amazing out-of-the-box comfort. Having owned Teva sandals since the 90’s I’ve come to expect an initial break-in period where the straps are a little stiff. The Itunda’s went on my bare feet about five minutes after they arrived at my door and I wore them in blissful comfort for the next seven hours. I’ve since worn them off and on for the last week, just around the house and town, with no change in comfort level. I can’t wait to see how they feel after they are properly “broken in”.
I do have one observation I’d like to mention as one of several things I will be keeping my eye on during the field testing. After wearing the Itunda’s for just a few minutes (without socks) I noticed my feet becoming very hot and sweaty. This is quite uncomfortable when wearing them for an entire day. It also brings up concerns about foot stability inside the shoe if I were to say, be walking down a sloped route.
The issue, I believe, stems from the EVA foam. A large portion of the inside of the shoe is made from EVA, which is not breathable or hydrophilic. Obviously at this stage I cannot tell whether or not this will be problematic until I get into the wild with them but I will be keeping a close watch and reporting about this and anything else of consequence in my Field Report. Please check back in two months for this installment of this test series.
Jamie D. - 2010
------------------------------------
html version here...
http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/test/TESTS/IR%20-%20Teva%20Itunda%20Sandals%20-%20Jamie%20D/
Woman’s Itunda Sport Sandals
From Teva
Reviewed by Jamie DeBenedetto
April 13th, 2010
Report Contents
INITIAL REPORT
April 13th, 2010
Reviewer’s Information
Product Information & Description
Arrival Condition & First Impressions
--------------------- Initial Report -----------------------
--------------------- April 13th, 2010 ----------------------
Reviewer's Information
Jamie J. DeBenedetto
Female, 36 years old
Height: 5'11" (180 cm)
Weight: 160 lb (73 kg)
Shoe Size: Woman’s 11 or 11.5 (US)
Email: jdeben(at)hotmail.com
Personal Website: www.MyDog8AZ.com
Location: Phoenix, Arizona - The Grand Canyon State
Background/Experience
I began backpacking over twenty years ago after a childhood loaded with all sorts of outdoor adventures. At present I work as a hike leader so I’m trekking in some capacity about twenty times a month. The majority of my trips are day-hikes but I take an occasional overnighter with my family here and there too.
When backpacking, I prefer to sleep in a hammock and I gravitate toward multifunctional gear that will enhance my comfort level with minimal weight. My total pack weight year round is rarely above 25 lbs (11 kg) for outings of two to three days.
Product Information
Manufacturer URL http://www.teva.com
Year of Manufacture Presumed 2010
Made in China
Color and Size Tender Greens / Women’s 11 (UK 9.5, EU 42, Japan 285)
Weight as Received 1 lb 7.5 oz (0.67 kg)
MSRP $100.00 (US dollars)
(Specifications - Taken from the manufacturer's website or packaging)
Weight per Pair None given
Other Color Options Ashley Blue and Wood Rose
Care Instructions None given
Warranty Limited 1 year from date of purchase
Product Description
The women's Itunda Sport Sandals are labeled by Teva as sandal-shoes that will transition easily between “hiking the trails and navigating the rapids”. The pair I received is a mix of various shades of grey, green, and black and they do look very sporty. The toe is closed in and protected by an abrasion resistant material called TPU. It feels a bit like rubber but apparently it’s some kind of high-tech plastic. The body of the shoe is a mix of materials. The part contacting the bottom of the foot, the heel strap and half of the arch strap are made of EVA foam, which is also a little like rubber and somewhat spongy feeling. The other half of the arch strap is a nylon strip with adjustable buckle used to secure the sandal to the wearer’s foot. Below the arch strap, covering a bit more of the top of the foot and upper toe section is a synthetic “mesh-like” material. This material is very stretchy and soft on the skin. Running across the base of the toe section is another adjustable nylon strap. The bottom sole of the shoe is made of Teva’s Spider Original™ rubber and while it doesn’t look overly aggressive, Teva claims this type of rubber provides “uncompromised grip in wet environments”. Set above the outer sole at the heel is something called the “ShocPad”. I gather this provides shock absorption for those rocky patches. Lastly, also at the heel section there are four little holes in the EVA foam that appear to extend into the foam and come out at corresponding holes (six total) on the side of the shoe just above the ShocPad. I’m assuming this is the “Drain Frame™ technology” mentioned in the product description on the manufacturer’s website.
Arrival Condition and Informational Material
The Teva Itunda’s arrived on April 3rd, 2010 in what looks like perfect condition, nothing of consequence to report at this time.
Only the standard shoe box info was included with the sandals; product name, size, color, etc. They’re shoes so pretty straight forward as far as how to use them and adjust them. Most of the technical details on the shoe I found on the Teva website and on a YouTube video they had linked from their site. The “Technology” tab wasn’t working on the website but the YouTube video was very helpful specifically with regards to the drain holes. I honestly had no idea that’s what they were until I saw the video and read the corresponding commentary listed with it.
Expectations and First Impressions
The Itunda’s are nearly exactly what I expected from the website. The primary exception was the amazing out-of-the-box comfort. Having owned Teva sandals since the 90’s I’ve come to expect an initial break-in period where the straps are a little stiff. The Itunda’s went on my bare feet about five minutes after they arrived at my door and I wore them in blissful comfort for the next seven hours. I’ve since worn them off and on for the last week, just around the house and town, with no change in comfort level. I can’t wait to see how they feel after they are properly “broken in”.
I do have one observation I’d like to mention as one of several things I will be keeping my eye on during the field testing. After wearing the Itunda’s for just a few minutes (without socks) I noticed my feet becoming very hot and sweaty. This is quite uncomfortable when wearing them for an entire day. It also brings up concerns about foot stability inside the shoe if I were to say, be walking down a sloped route.
The issue, I believe, stems from the EVA foam. A large portion of the inside of the shoe is made from EVA, which is not breathable or hydrophilic. Obviously at this stage I cannot tell whether or not this will be problematic until I get into the wild with them but I will be keeping a close watch and reporting about this and anything else of consequence in my Field Report. Please check back in two months for this installment of this test series.
Jamie D. - 2010
------------------------------------