There are very few places in this world where I like to test out a product to the extreme. Uganda is one of them. During my trip this past March, I decided to test out three different pairs of sandals in a Keen vs Teva vs Astral showdown. In Uganda, your footwear will go through a lot of wear and tear. There is a lot of mud, rain, and harsh climate, so I really put these sandals to the test.
As on that trip, I was walking all day, it was definitely the perfect place to try these sandals out. So, let’s get into the sandal reviews and discuss the three pairs that I took with me.
Teva Women’s Original Sandal
The first pair of sandals I tested out was the Teva Women’s Original Quick Drying Sports Sandals. I actually bought mine off of Amazon as they were on sale for $39—usually around $55—so they were definitely the cheapest out of my three options.
For me, having one around that price point was kind of important. You can spend a lot of money getting ready for these trips. So having an option that fits our budget is always key.
The first thing I noticed is that out of all the sandals I picked, the Tevas have the thinnest straps. The straps and material make these sandals the lightest of all the pairs. But they do also have the least amount of traction on the bottom. With them being so lightweight, however, it really did mean that they dried out quickly.
Keen vs Teva vs Astral: Teva Highlights
Some other highlights for me with the Tevas are that they are small, easy to pack, and lightweight for your luggage. When I was walking through town in Uganda, I was definitely grateful to have a lighter pair of shoes with me.
Now, I do have a wider food, and I did find that at times, particularly when I was dusty and dirty, the narrow straps of the Tevas could dig in a little bit. When I loosened the straps, I didn’t feel like my foot was quite as snug as I would have liked. But I mean, I have very wide feet, so that’s just me.
I really like the simplicity of the Tevas. And on top of all that, if you go online, the Tevas have a ton of positive reviews and a ton of fun colors to choose from. They are at a great price point, lightweight, and apparently quite durable.
Keens
I was excited to test the Keens because I’ve known about Keen for a long time. Keen is a brand I know and trust, and the sandals I tested were their new Keen Elle strappy sandals. The reason I was most excited to try these was because, to me, they’re the most multi-functional.
The Elles look like they could be dressed up a little bit, as well as being a sandal you can wear down by the river. They definitely have a much thicker, stiffer sole, so for longer days, that thick sole was nice. But with that being said, the grip strength of the Keens on rocks wasn’t the best. So I wouldn’t necessarily use them as my general river sandals, simply due to the fact that I did not feel super safe jumping from rock to rock.
If I was going out to dinner, walking around town, or exploring, however, the Elles were a great option. You can put them on, wear them throughout the day, and then feel slightly dressed up later in the evening.
And finally, two of the last things I wanted to mention about the Keens is the fact that they’ve got a cushion in the back strap, and they’re made from recycled materials. I’m a little bit of a toe walker, so I really appreciated the cushion, which kept my heel nice and locked in.
Personally, comfort is definitely of the utmost importance, so I’m really happy about these strappy sandals and the fact that they’re investing in recycled materials.
Astral PFD Sandals Webber W’s
And now, down to the third and final pair, which are the Astral PFD Webbers. Astral is a great outdoor brand that, like Keen, is investing in recycled materials. The price point of the PFDs was a little higher, as these were the most expensive of the three, but the upper canvas is all recycled.
With them being environmentally friendly, I didn’t have a hard time spending the money on them. At the end of the day, I know this company is investing in using recycled products. So for me, that’s a big win.
There are a couple of unique features when it comes to these particular sandals, like the buckles. The buckles are a little bit bigger, which helps with the fashion style and tightening the straps. I found the straps on the PFDs were tight, and they didn’t open and slip, so I was happy to see that. Again, because of my very wide feet, I was also worried that once my feet got wet, they would start slipping, but that was not the case.
The other huge bonus for me with these particular sandals is Astrals G rubber. The soles of the PFDs are the same soles that are on Astral’s river shoe. So the grip on these sandals was by far the most superior. I ended up wearing the PFDs the most out of all three pairs in Uganda because my day usually consisted of working at the non-profit clinic, walking around the villages, and then going kayaking.
When it comes to size, I normally go half a size up. But with the PFDs, however, I ended up getting my standard size, and because of the canvas and the buckle, I was able to loosen it enough that it wasn’t too narrow for my feet.
Similar to the Keens, I also really liked the back strap of the Astrals. While we were in Uganda, I actually ended up losing my booties. So, I wore my Astrals to go kayaking and rafting—they worked great!
Sandal Review – Wrapping Up
I was stoked to have tested all three pairs of these sandals as they all have different price points, come from different companies, and have different functions.
Which pair is the best, however, depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re looking for a cheap and lightweight sandal, then go with the Teva. If you’re after something a little bit more fashionable, then definitely check out the Keens. And if you want a pair of sandals that can hit the river, look into the Astrals.
If you want to check out my Uganda trip journal, please check out my article Uganda and Family.
Sandals: Teva Women’s Original Quick Drying Sports Sandals, Keen Elle strappy sandals, Astral PFD Webbers
