Post #260757 by TikiJosh on Sat, Oct 14, 2006 11:29 AM

I'd like to state up front that this is all being said in the most friendly tone.
Having said that first, I too am guilty of owning Tevas, and I am neither stupid nor trying to be a Lonely Planet backpacker. I agree that they may not be the nicest looking sandals, but I'm a marine biologist, and Tevas are good for tidepooling. You ever wear flip-flops to the tide pools and slip? I have. It hurts. For the several years that I've been wearing Teva sandals to the beach, I've not slipped yet (knock on wood). Almost broke my neck in a pair of old shoes, though. :) Give me Tevas any day.
I was on Maui a few years at the Haleakala national park. You know where the Seven Sacred Pools are? At least that's what the tourists call them. Well, here's a shot I got from the areas you can access without clambering over rocks. Notice the bridge at the very top of the shot, where the road is. We're pretty far away right now.

Now, that's a nice picture, but I wanted to climb up to where the people are at like 3 pools up. It's practically impossible in sandals. I did it, but I was wearing Tevas. My wife opted to stay down below because she was wearing flip flops. Here's what I saw:

You can't really see the bridge anymore because the plants obscure it. I actually climbed farther over, and got behind the waterfall:

Wouldn't have been possible in flip flops. Period.
I also wear Tevas when I go diving. You ever schlep dive gear up a steep hill in flip flops? No thanks. :(
Okay, so Tevas are great for some things. So why do I only own Teva sandals, why not buy a nice pair of something for when I go out? Why? I'm a cheapskate. :) I have no shame admitting it. I buy my white T-shirts at Costco and my jeans at Walmart. They're just as good and comfortable as any overpriced name brand. Why pay all kinds of money for clothes that aren't any better than cheap ones?

I understand the sentiment about wearing some nicer shoes when one goes to a nice dinner event. At an event, I wouldn't wear sandals. At a wedding, sandals aren't appropriate no matter what kind of wedding it is. On the beach wedding, find yourself a pair of loafers or something. If it's an event where sandals are appropriate for guys, then who cares? Sometimes it isn't about style, or not having a clue. I've seen the tiki sandals and didn't want to cough up $40 for them. Would I rather have a nice pair of sandals so that you'll think I'm cool for the 5 minutes you see me, or would I rather have the Munktiki mug produced for Tiki Oasis? I got the mug so that I can look at it and remember what a great time I had at Oasis talking to people who didn't care what I was wearing. :)
I'm not trying to be a beacon of style, I want to be comfortable. And I want something that I can wear in a variety of situations, not just to the beach, or not just to a dinner event. Tevas fit that bill for me, and they have for several years.
Sorry if I came across a bit blunt. I'm not trying to put anyone down or whatever. My main point is that Tevas are useful, and they do serve a purpose. They're very good all purpose sandals.