Before I explain the unique splendors of the Teva Aventrail R2T and why trail running in sandals isn’t as crazy as you think, let’s turn back the clock to 2001. 

Depending on your perspective, that was either the golden age or the dark age of trail running — or perhaps before you were of age to be interested in trail running — but it was also a time when trail running shoes were in their infancy and a lot of brands were trying to make their mark.

Teva, a So-Cal sandal company known for both beachy and crunchy outdoor vibes, was eager to jump into trail running, and, well before it released its legit X-1 trail racing shoes, it launched the Wraptor trail running sandal. I actually really enjoyed running on mild dirt trails and gravel roads in Wraptors, and even took them to task by hiking up and running down 14,440-foot Mt. Elbert (Colorado’s highest peak) while wearing a pair. 

Although other brands like Luna and Xero eventually made their own models of trail running sandals, the Wraptor faded into history and so did Teva’s interest in trail running footwear. That is, until last year, when Teva dropped its new Aventrail running sandal. That one featured a cushy, responsive midsole foam and a durable, grippy outsole like a modern trail running shoe, but it also had an open-air, three-strap closure system similar to the design of that erstwhile Wraptor. I tried that one, but it was a bit too heavy and too bulky, not really conducive to running with a smooth, consistent cadence.

Fortunately, that’s where Teva’s new Aventrail R2T ($120) trail running sandal excels. Launched in early June, it’s lighter, softer, and much smoother-riding than the original Aventrail. I’ve taken it out for a half dozen runs, and am pretty impressed with how it performs on dirt trails and gravel roads.

Teva has also released the fully enclosed shoe called the Aventrail Trail Running Shoe ($160) that is similar but, in my opinion, not as impressive or unique as the R2T running sandal. (Last summer, Mike Wardian wore pairs of the Aventrail Trail Running Shoe to complete the entire 2,197-mile Appalachian Trail in 60 days, which is a new record for a runner 50 or older.)

What’s New: The Aventrail R2T is a more runnable take-down of last year’s Aventrail sandal. It’s considerably lighter, in part because there is just less material in it. There are basically just four components: A breathable neoprene fabric that provides moisture-wicking comfort under the nylon and polyester strapping system, plus a thick near-maximal LITE-COMF dual-density EVA-blend midsole, and a durable, semi-tacky rubber outsole with an array of 3.5-inch lugs for traction. The midsole/outsole chassis has a notable rockered geometry, creating some inherent forward propulsion in every stride no matter your pace.

Fit/Feel/Ride: The Aventrail R2T sandal fits true to size with a somewhat narrow interior volume, at least from the point of view that the stretchy mesh swatch of breathable neoprene fabric over the forefoot snugly secured my feet to the midsole platform even before I cinched it down with a Velcro strap. That setup gave my toes a little bit of wiggle room, but not much.

That stretchy fabric continues up the medial side and top of each foot, helping create a partial upper that is secured by another strap over the midfoot and one more around the rear of the heel. All of that combines for a comfortable and secure step-in feel — both cool and airy from the open-toe design and soft and connective from the platform of the sockliner-free midsole chassis.

Running on gravel roads or dirt trails, the ride feels soft and moderately responsive, much like a road running shoe with an EVA blended midsole. And to that point, it feels smooth and electric on paved roads and concrete pathways. The outsole lugs were great on most types of trail terrain — especially dirt, gravel and flat rocks — but there I definitely encountered some exposure issues on more technical, rocky terrain. (See below in the “Con” section for more.)

Teva Aventrail R2T Specs

Price: $120
Approximate Weights: 6.7 oz. (women’s 8); 8.2 oz. (men’s 9)
Heel-Toe Offset: 8.5mm; 38.5mm (heel), 30.5mm (forefoot) 

Why It’s Great: It’s great because it mostly feels and performs like a lightweight trail running shoe. Is it an actual trail running shoe? No, that’s what the enclosed-toe Aventrail Trail Running Shoe is all about. This is a versatile sandal, and viewed through that lens, I like how it blends comfort and utility and allows me to run sock-free. (You could wear socks when you run in these, but to me that just looks and feels awkward.)

Surprisingly, I very rarely had any bothersome fragments of gravel, pebbles, or other trail debris get lodged under my feet or between my toes — and certainly no more than what I typically get inside my shoes while running on the same types of terrain. Yes, lots of trail dust, but that’s to be expected. Overall, it’s a good running experience on mild to moderate off-road terrain.

Why You’ll Love It:  There are a few key ways you might love the Aventrail R2T, aside from the fact that it’s a lightweight, comfortable option for running over mild dirt trails and other non-technical terrain. First, if you live in a hot climate and want a way to run in footwear that doesn’t get as hot as your typical trail (or road) running shoes, this could be a good option.

Secondly, this sandal could be a great option if you live near a lake or ocean and running to a beach or lakeshore to take a mid-run or post-run dip in the water is a fun way to cool off without having to deal with wet or sandy shoes and socks. Thirdly, if you’re going on a trip and you want to reduce the number of pairs of shoes you’re packing in your luggage, the Aventrail R2T can double as a legit running shoe or a casual lifestyle/walking shoe.

Pro: For me, the Aventrail R2T is a fun, versatile, and relatively affordable shoe to add to my quiver. I really enjoyed running on dirt trails and gravel roads in these kicks. It conjured up the memories of how I liked the original Wraptor sandal so much 24 years ago, but it also makes me appreciate the advancements in midsole materials, too. It offers a bit more underfoot structure and support than typical soft and mushy flip-flops, plus the cushy midsole and durable outsole combo allow it to be a legit running shoe in a pinch.

Con: While most of my runs in the Aventrail R2T have been on a mix of mild trails, gravel roads and paved/concrete surfaces, I also took it on some rather technical and rocky trails, including Mesa Trail and Mt. Sanitas in Boulder, Colorado. That took some keen focus and nimble foot placements, and while it wasn’t a disaster, running downhill on rocky terrain and loose gravel in the Aventrail R2T definitely exposed my feet to potential harm. It felt a bit precarious running and rock-hopping down angled terrain, and truth be told, I bloodied my left pinky toe amid an inadvertent stumble.

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Senior editor Brian Metzler has wear-tested more than 2,500 running shoes and is the author of “Kicksology: The Hype, Science, Culture and Cool of Running Shoes” (2019) and “Trail Running Illustrated” (2019). He has raced just about every distance from 100 meters to 100 miles, but he’s most eager to share stories about his experiences pack burro racing in Colorado.