Teva might seem like the new kid on the trail running block, but the brand is more of an OG. Founded in 1984 by river guide Mark Thatcher following time in the Grand Canyon, Thatcher recognized the need for something of a hybrid outdoor shoe and created the brand’s iconic adventure sandals. 

But it didn’t take long before Teva began exploring the idea of a running sandal — and in 1993 it launched one.

The evolution from sandal to trail running shoe took a few years, but when Teva did enter the space with the Teva X1 Racer, it was to accolades. By 2005, the X1 Pro Racer represented one of the lightest trail shoes on the market and to further its investment in the trail running space Teva became sponsor of the U.S. Mountain Running team in 2002. It then added its name to the annual Teva Mountain Games, as well. 

Despite the early successes in trail running, the Teva leadership team decided to pivot around 2012, putting more emphasis on lifestyle products. There it remained until 2024 — now, Teva is all in with trail running, offering a full lineup of products and using high-profile athletes to tell its story. 

Meeting runners where they are

In keeping with its sandal heritage, Teva created a lineup that includes not just traditional trail running shoes, but running sandals as well. The sandal-to-trail shoe pipeline remains clear in all its designs and runners can choose between the two depending on preference. 

“We are excited to offer several levels of running product across our line in 2026, with more to come in 2027,” says Taylor Zanelotti, director of Americas. 

This feeds into the brand’s approach to selling, as well. 

“As Teva has built out a trail line architecture that includes more run product, we have been able to complement a robust outdoor specialty distribution with more engagement in the run specialty world,” says Zanelotti. “Overall, we partner with larger national wholesale accounts for their reach and presence across the country, whereas our specialty partners offer high-touch service, credibility, local knowledge and amazing community involvement.” 

Current models include the Aventrail sandal and shoe, something of the workhorse and all-around adventure/trail running sandal; the Aventrail R2T, which can easily move between gravel trails and off-road trails; and the Hurricane Trailsetter, which fits a more traditional trail running model. 

The Bureau of Adventure

At the heart of Teva’s trail running initiative is its aptly-named Bureau of Adventure, a collective of outdoor athletes who push boundaries, as well as weigh in on product development. Here, “all the products are athlete and adventure led,” explains Niklas Benzer, senior product manager, innovation. 

Leading this charge are long-time barrier-breaking trail runner Mike Wardian and mountain endurance athlete Erin Ton. For decades, Wardian has been a (literal) trailblazer, taking on adventures that include seven marathons on seven continents in seven days and pushing through the Appalachian Trail in just 60 days. 

Ton, on the other hand, is just 28 but has already racked up more than 100 fastest-known-times all over the world. Together, they spread the Teva message and love all over social media and at various events. 

“The first year we partnered with Mike in 2024, we created a new shoe together,” says Benzer. “Mike was getting ready for his AT run and he gave a lot of input and product testing to develop the sandal he used.” That project led to the Aventrail sandal, which remains a popular choice for the customer base. 

Ton also collaborated with Teva to create a trail runner that will debut in the fall. The new Trailpeak will be built with speed and agility in mind. “Erin does a lot of mountain running and scrambling, so this shoe takes that into account,” says Benzer. “She likes to feel the ground and the Trailpeak delivers that.” 

The resulting shoe features A-TPU foam, which is lighter and delivers energy return like many of today’s fast road shoes. It also offers a lower (6 mm) heel-to-toe offset and stack height than many of the trail shoes on the market today and comes in at just eight ounces. The upper is customizable and allows for rapid water drainage, too. 

“We have six points of adjustability on the upper so that you can find a secure fit,” says Benzer. 

When the brand officially rolls out the Trailpeak in September, it will do so with a select set of 10 wholesalers to start. “Our specialty partners will be able to tell the shoe’s stories and educate their customers,” Benzer explains. “After that launch, we’ll roll it out across the country.” 

Teva is making its presence known at high-profile events, too. The brand represented at The Running Event last December, where it debuted the Trailpeak. It also hosted run demo events for Tuckfest, in conjunction with the National Whitewater Center and Great Outdoor Provision Company. Zanelotti says this marries up the brand’s DNA of water with trail and meets the customer where they are today, craving in-person events.

Being the comeback kid can be a tough role to play, but in the trail running space, Teva shows it knows just what it’s doing.