Teva, marking its 40th anniversary since launching the first sport sandal in 1984, has introduced the Bureau of Adventure to blend its sandal heritage with cutting-edge footwear technology. The initial release from this new innovation hub is the Trailpeak shoe, which takes direct design cues from Teva’s classic sandals. Zack Paris, Teva’s director of advanced concepts and innovation, explains that the Trailpeak merges the brand’s outdoor legacy with modern materials to create a lightweight, nimble shoe geared toward shorter trail runs and races.

The Trailpeak’s design centers on simplicity and functionality, with 12 individualized anchor points in the upper’s support cage that mimic the adaptive fit of a sport sandal. This design locks the foot securely while allowing toe room and a close ground feel, recreating the barefoot feedback typical of sandals. The shoe’s midsole features the new Hyper-Comf+ foam, a supercritical foam layer that balances flexibility with comfort, enabling dynamic movements over varied terrain without the stiffness found in many trail shoes.

Teva’s roots stem from a river rafting guide’s innovation of strapping flip-flops with Velcro watch bands, which birthed the sport sandal category and evolved into hiking and running sandals by the early 1990s. The brand later expanded into shoes and lifestyle options in the 2000s and 2010s. This latest initiative revisits Teva’s original spirit, using the advanced foams and materials found today to build lighter, more versatile footwear that embraces a “choose your own adventure” ethos aimed at outdoor athletes and enthusiasts.

Looking ahead to 2027, the Bureau of Adventure plans to expand its lineup with additional models tailored for trail hiking, running, water sports, and camping. The Hydratrek non-slip outsole, rooted in Teva’s water heritage, will be a key feature for some products. Paris emphasizes that Teva distinguishes itself by prioritizing fun and personal adventure over competition, aiming to provide confidence and playfulness across its updated footwear offerings. The Trailpeak, priced at $160, is positioned as both an accessible training shoe and an exciting evolution of Teva’s iconic sandal legacy.