The Itundra have a strange name and also an unusual take on the traditional sport sandal. What makes these a bit different is the closed toe design. They are still a sandal though and one that is specifically aimed at both water sports and land use, albeit one that looks a bit more shoe like.

They have plenty of cut-outs making them airy enough for me and quick draining. Some may prefer a more open style though. There are extra drainage holes in the heel that ‘vent’ to the sides rather than straight to the bottom. Whilst this seems sensible in that grit and mud cannot come in through the bottom – do they really allow better dissipation of water than no holes at all? I’m not convinced they are necessary, but they don’t have a negative impact.

Now, one reason they feel slightly less sandally and more akin to a shoe is the nicely sculpted footbed – it is certainly the comfiest sandal sole I have used. In fact, barring a small blister on top of the big toe in particularly sweat weather they have been the comfiest sandals I’ve worn to date. They are pretty light too considering the additional upper material and the extra support – at least as light as some ‘normal’ sandals I have owned.

Having said they are the comfiest sandals I’ve worn I should qualify that to say, I have always found sandals to be a bit annoying when it comes to grit and gravel – often to be seen with a Ministry of Silly Walks approach trying to flick a tiny piece of grit from under my foot. These sandals have meant I have had to adopt a new approach – with the closed toe you can’t shake debris out the front… you have to wiggle it out the back instead. I’m not sure this is any worse, just a different solution to the age old problem – maybe it’s just me!

However, the closed toe does provide benefits; I feel much happier scrambling in these than a traditional sandal – although clearly not teh most ideal footwear for such things, they cope well, have a reasonably grippy sole and it is nice to not slide out the front or side and catch toes on rock.

Overall: a good, supportive, secure sandal. If you think you’d benefit from a closed toe on your sandal or are just after a good supportive sandal these are definitely worth trying out.

Reviewed by Steve Hodges

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Teva Women's Tirra sport sandals – colour: Grape Shake

I have owned my Tirra sandals for approximately 4 months and have interspersed wearing them with other brands of sport sandals throughout the summer. I found them to be generally very comfortable for walking over a variety of terrains. The sole is flexible enough in the forefoot to allow scrambling over rocks but rigid enough in the mid-foot area to support the foot on uneven ground. The cushioning under the heel provides adequate shock absorption for a gentle jog.

My only gripe is with the ankle strap; it sits a little too high on my foot. However, I have high arched feet so this may not be such an issue for wearers with lower arches. The Velcro can be repositioned but this impacts on the grip of heel strap, resulting in some heel slippage and I have been unwilling to risk wearing them on an all-day walk.

I have enjoyed wearing the Tirra’s and they have performed well in both wet and dry conditions. They were easy to clean using cold water and a nailbrush, even after being plunged into a Peak District bog.
The strap configuration, colour and general styling definitely make the Tirra’s my most girlie-looking sport sandal; I’ve even felt comfortable wearing them with a skirt.

Reviewed by Deb McCart

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At £20 (actually listed at £16 on their website at the moment) value for money has to be the first thing to mention about this jumper. Marketed as the 'Outside Jumper' this is a vague play on the fact that it is both reversible, and, when worn one way, it looks inside-out but actually isn't. It's 80% combed cotton, 20% polyester, so it's not a fleece, but a proper good-old fashioned fleecy jumper if that makes sense. Not sure about the text printed on the smooth side - I generally wear it rough side out, but it probably appeals to some. My only vague issue is over the sleeve size. They are a little on the tight side, especially for somebody like me who likes to roll them up. I suspect that there are one or two male climbers out there whose forearm prowess would mean that this would actually cut off circulation! I got mine on the small side (a medium actually) so it fits nice and snug, keeps me warm, and doesn't get in the way whilst doing important stuff like climbing. 

Where else can you get a decent outdoor jumper for under £20 that isn't a cheap and nasty fleece that will end up bobbly within a few months?

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