After four years in the creating, the Teva adventure brand has brought out their new footwear, which claims to “revolutionise walking and running by helping to create a smoother and more natural stride, while improving stability in a lightweight package". The shoes are for “outdoor enthusiasts who face a diverse terrain and obstacles in their pursuits”.

TevaSpheres are so-called because of a unique “spherical heel design”, which is combined with a “pod-arch system”. The theory is that by lowering the point of impact on the ground, the shoes help to create a more natural and smoother foot strike, without the user having to change their walking or running style.

The theory goes further: “The lightweight shoes help to reduce how much the foot brakes during each step, which allows a more effective transition from one stride to the next, whether going uphill or downhill.”

All shoes in the range feature the Teva’s Spider365 Rubber sole for extra grip, even on wet terrain. In addition to this, the TevaSphere Trail Event and Trail Mid-Event models have waterproof membranes from eVent.

My thoughts on the TevaSphere running shoe

The shoes look – and feel – a bit odd. There is a fat section on the sole, between the forefoot and the heel, and when you first put them on they feel wide and clunky. These wide bits are called stabilising "wings". The other strange part of the shoes is the ball-shaped heel, which is meant to discourage heel striking when you run, a current no-no trend for runners. More efficient runners run on their forefoot, it's said.

Running on the pavement in TevaSpheres feels very odd indeed. The shoes feel too structured and there isn't much room for movement. This comes in huge contrast to the recent "other" trend for barefoot running shoes, which allow for masses of ankle and foot movement.

However, when you move on to less predictable and muddy terrain, the TevaSpheres seem to make a lot more sense. Your feet can’t help but land flat and firmly in the TevaSpheres and so, rather like a tank going over rocky ground, you feel like you can run over and through anything without the slightest bit of trouble. The wide wings aid this feeling of utmost stability and “flatness”.

When it comes to the spherical heel feature it wasn’t so easy for me to make a good judgment. I am forefoot runner already. I tend to run quite upright and on my toes having been taught to run this way by a triathlon coach some years ago. It takes time to get this right but when you do it feels far lighter and free flowing. It can cause calf muscle soreness for months while you try to get used to this runing style.

I think the spherical heel will most help people who tend to be mid-foot strikers. When I extended my stride rather unnaturally I could feel how the shoes forced my foot strike forward. For many people, the shoes would help to create a more flowing style of running but I would guess that this might take some getting used to.

It’s worth noting, too, that this new style of sole isn’t particularly light. TevaSphere Trail eVent weighs in at 366g per shoe, which is in the mid-range of running shoe weights.

What is a bonus is that Teva has used their eVent technology in two styles of their shoes, so your feet will benefit from a waterproof, breathable membrane upper.

Where to wear the TevaSpheres

I would not recommend wearing the TevaSpheres on hard surfaces, such as pavements, and when your run includes hard trails or road sections as well as off-road and rugged. They shoes feel too firm and stable and there isn’t enough room for movement. Off-road, however, is where these shoes are designed to go and they do offer a tank-like robustness. Combined with the innovative non-heel strike technology I think a lot of people will feel as though they are running more solidly in TevaSpheres. There is less need to llok where you are running because you can trust the shoes to "go through" off-road obstacles. 

What I'm not so sure about

I am not sure these trainers are for me, however. I prefer a barefoot/minimalist shoe for off-road running. I like to feel where I am placing my feet and I enjoy picking out my own route through rough terrain and mud. I am not so keen on my footwear dictating my foot "flatness". I can see the advantages of these shoes for some types of runners though. I guess it depends on how you like to feel the terrain: Barefoot-style or "don't feel, just run".

Where to buy the TevaSpheres

Cotswold Outdoors are selling the TevaSphere exclusively from this month and until March 2014. The TevaSphere includes the TevaSphere Speed Shoe for men and women (£90), the TevaSphere Trail Mid-Event Shoe for women and men (£120) and the TevaSphere Men’s Trail Event Shoe (£110).

See in-store and online at Cotswold.

Note: This article was restored from the archives. It's published creation date is inaccurate.