I was in the middle of a steep climb to the top of a waterfall in the Tetons when I realized my feet weren’t sweaty. The sun was baking the road, but the heat was not rising inside. Teva Grandview Max Vent ($165) Just as it often happens in waterproof boots. Its mono-mesh upper – a thin, single-layer mesh that allows heat to escape – keeps air moving.

Meanwhile, the wide forefoot allowed my feet to spread out rather than crush my toes. Just to be sure, I took my shoes off over the top, and guess what? Despite the fact that the rest of me was boiling, my socks were completely dry.

I tested the Grandview Max Vent for 4 months, putting over 150 miles on them during the cold spring that led to the still scorching heat in Grand Teton National Park and the forests around Jackson, Wyo. I’ve worn the shoes on dry dirt, clay, and long snow trails. Right out of the box they felt light and comfortable. Underfoot, Teva’s LITE-COMF midsole uses lightweight foam to soften each step without feeling heavy.

In short: The Teva Grandview Max Vent is a lightweight, highly breathable hiking shoe with instant comfort and ample room through the forefoot. It works best for warm-weather day walks, although its comfortable fit feels loose on low-rise legs. Skip it if you need the weather protection you need for consistently wet hikes or the precision you need for tricky trail sections.

Compare the Teva Grandview Max Vent with other models tested in our guides to the best hiking boots for men and the best hiking boots for women.

weight (paired)

1 pound, 12.2 ounces.

Pros

Excellent breathability for hot hiking
Instant comfort with smooth, cushioned ride
Roomy toe box and forgiving fit
Handled muddy spring trails better than expected

Shortcoming

Not accurately or adequately locked to technical terrain
Not waterproof for constantly wet conditions

Chris Cassar

I hiked over 150 miles on these shoes in the Tetons to test their breathability and comfort on the trail; (Photo/Elk Raven Photography)

Light comfort from the first step

Some hiking shoes require walking out several times before the upper softens and the midsole feels natural. But, not the Grandview Max Vent. As soon as I laced them up, these shoes felt good underfoot and noticeably light. The flexible mesh upper adds a little volume, while the LITE-COMF midsole provides soft cushioning and a smooth transition from heel to toe.

It feels closer to a padded trail shoe with extra ankle coverage than a stiff, traditional boot. I didn’t notice pressure points, stiff seams, or rubbing around the ankle. The upper is naturally flexible from day one, and the lack of a break-in period is a big plus.

Out of the box, the flexible mesh upper and LITE-COMF midsole require zero break-in time; (Photo/Elk Raven Photography)

More room without crooked toes

The wide shape contributes as much to comfort as it does cushioning. The front foot gave enough room for my toes to spread naturally.

As the miles went on, that extra width became more noticeable. My toes could flex while climbing and move a little while descending without hitting the front of the boot. I never experienced that cramped feeling that narrow models have.

Teva doesn’t offer this shoe in a dedicated wide size, but the standard fit is remarkably accommodating. Hikers who often find traditional shoes too confining will appreciate the extra space.

However, the roomy fit continues through part of the boot where I didn’t need or want it. Because I have a low-volume foot, the upper didn’t wrap tightly enough around my instep, resulting in a slightly sloppy feeling.

Testing in the Tetons takes you to some wild places; The comfortable forefoot gives your toes enough room to spread naturally when navigating deep mud along Grizzly Tracks; (Photo/Elk Raven Photography)

Day hiking support

The wide platform creates a stable base, and the midsole provides enough support for day trips with light loads.

However, this is not a sturdy backpacking boot. Its flexible construction is suitable for light walks rather than carrying heavy luggage or spending long days on rocky roads.

Compared to the Salomon X Ultra 5 Mid GTX, the Teva is softer, wider, and cooler in hot weather. However, the Salomon grips my narrow feet more securely and provides better control when the going gets tricky.

The wide platform creates a stable, balanced base when stepping over logs and other trails; (Photo/Elk Raven Photography)

Better grip than expected in spring mud

The Vibram MegaGrip outsole handled the sloping spring conditions incredibly well. On partially thawed trails around Jackson, it held firm on soft dirt, a mix of clay and snow, and on exposed ground.

The generous footprint also helped the shoes feel planted on normal trail surfaces. I can confidently walk through muddy sections without the sole slipping or feeling vague underfoot.

The aggressive lug pattern provides excellent traction and sheds mud well as you move; (Photo/Elk Raven Photography)

Breathability over waterproofing

The Grandview Max Vent forgoes a waterproof membrane in favor of maximum ventilation. On exposed, sunny hikes, that tradeoff paid massive dividends. The heat dissipated quickly, so it’s not uncommon to feel a damp, sticky feeling inside waterproof shoes.

However, the upper mesh does not stop water from raining or while crossing rivers. My feet stayed dry during brief trips through wet grass fields, as the exposure was low and the thick midsole kept me lifted from the mud. However, when I deliberately walked straight into a creek to test them, my socks immediately got soaked. Reverse? The same ventilated mesh allows them to dry incredibly fast when you’re hiking.

Hikers who like this platform but need protection from the weather should check out the Teva Grandview Max GTX. That version offers a similar padded feel with a waterproof membrane, though it won’t release heat as efficiently.

While the ventilated mesh upper dries incredibly fast, it offers zero water resistance – my socks got instantly soaked during creek stomping; (Photo/Elk Raven Photography)

room for improvement

The snug fit caused my feet to move more than I wanted on the descents. The lacing system uses standard eyelets and works fine mechanically – it never fails or slips – but it may not tighten enough to secure low-volume feet.

Teva adds a rear Velcro strap to help secure the back of the foot, using what it calls a Heel-Lock System. Unfortunately, I was not able to get it to bring any meaningful change in stability.

Even after adjusting the laces and rear strap, I still felt slight movement in the heel and midfoot. Hikers with medium or high volume feet will find much better lockdown, but those with narrow profiles should try them out before committing.

Teva’s Velcro strap, which it calls a heel-lock system, helps keep the back of the foot secure. Unfortunately, this didn’t make any meaningful difference in stability for me; (Photo/Elk Raven Photography)

Teva Grandview Max Vent: Who is it for?

Teva Grandview Max Vent A strong choice for warm-weather hikers who prioritize ventilation, low weight, instant comfort, and room to stretch their toes. Its comfortable forefoot, flexible upper and cushioned midsole perform excellently on predictable terrain and casual day hikes.

Hikers who need a precise fit or more support for technical trails should consider this salomon x ultra 5 mid gtx. For a similar experience with waterproof protection, the Teva Grandview Max GTX is the closest option.

If summer heat waves are making you miserable on the trail, the Grandview Max Vent provides ample airflow and toe space to rekindle your spirit of adventure.