Behind the Design: Outflow Universal

Behind the Design: Outflow Universal

Discover the details behind the new Outflow Universal, our all-new water sandal that looks and feels like a sneaker.

Sneaker, meet water. The Outflow Universal is a bold new style designed with a progressive mix of performance features to take you anywhere and everywhere. We caught up with Teva Footwear Designer Seth Gerke and Product Line Manager Ashley Rezkalla to hear how the Outflow Universal is a new take on the closed-toe sandal.

Teva Footwear Designer Seth Gerke at work.

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELVES! WHAT DO YOU DO AT TEVA AND HOW DO YOU LIKE TO SPEND TIME OUTSIDE?

SETH GERKE: I work as a footwear designer for Teva, focusing mainly on outdoor performance products. One of my favorite things to do in the summer is to kayak with my family and friends or hike to some of the swimming holes in Red River Gorge, in northern Kentucky.

ASHLEY REZKALLA: I’m a Global Product Line Manager for Teva. I work as a liaison between sales and design to incorporate customer feedback and dream up new style ideas. I love being outside all the time. Snowboarding in the winter and camping in the summer are my favorites!

Teva Global Product Line Manager Ashley Rezkalla.

TAKE US TO THE BEGINNING: WHAT WERE SOME OF THE INSPIRATIONS FOR OUTFLOW UNIVERSAL?

SETH GERKE: The primary inspiration for the Outflow Universal design came from our own product archive. We felt it was a good time to modernize some of our tried-and-true closed-toe sandal styles, such as the Omnium 2. We used high-performance and quick-drying meshes and a comfort-focused footbed design. We’ve also injected the Grand Canyon inspiration, where our brand originated. Topographical lines and wavy striations are part of our brand DNA in referencing Teva’s heritage and our strong connection to nature.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE ACTIVITIES THAT OUTFLOW UNIVERSAL ARE MADE FOR AND WHY?

ASHLEY REZKALLA: Outflow Universal is designed for all the same activities as our beloved performance sandals such as Hurricane XLT2, with additional coverage. You can hit the pavement or the canyon. It is lightweight, made with water-friendly materials, and has a grippy Spider Rubber outsole which makes it the perfect shoe for all trails and terrains — wet or dry.

WHAT MAKES OUTFLOW UNIVERSAL UNIQUE FROM OTHER WATER SNEAKERS?

ASHLEY REZKALLA: Many closed-toe water sandals on the market provide protection but are heavy, stiff, and lack modern styling. We wanted to create a fresh and new water shoe that was lightweight, sporty, and looked good — but also performed in wet and dry conditions. We added our signature Universal Strapping System for an adjustable fit and Teva DNA.

Back in 1984, we created the original sport sandal to bring people together around their universal love of the outdoors. Teva is a leader in sport sandals — and closed-toe sandals are an extension of this. This style showcases that our brand continues to be a leader in innovation.

HOW LONG DID IT TAKE TO CREATE OUTFLOW? TAKE US THROUGH THE PROCESS FROM START TO FINISH.

SETH GERKE: This project began with a month of intensive ideation and material exploration. After reviewing with the broader teams, we begin compiling materials to bring the shoe to life, receive samples, make changes, create digital mockups, and then — finally — manufacture the final product. From sketching to the market release, the entire process spans about 18 months.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SPECIAL DESIGN DETAILS AND PERFORMANCE FEATURES ON THE OUTFLOW UNIVERSAL AND WHY WERE THEY CREATED?

SETH GERKE: We aimed to create a water sneaker that could provide the same flexible, yet supportive fit that our Original Universal sandals embody. The upper uses a comfortable, breathable mesh that’s perfect for summer, combined with our Universal Strapping System for an adjustable fit. Along with a comfort-focused midsole foam, we’ve made sure to include just the right amount of rubber to maintain durability and still be lightweight. What’s really great about this shoe is that your feet can feel free without sacrificing ground traction and stability.

WHAT IS THE MOST SURPRISING OR UNEXPECTED THING ABOUT THE OUTFLOW UNIVERSAL THAT OUR FANS WILL ENJOY?

ASHLEY REZKALLA: This style is so versatile and lightweight without sacrificing looking good and performance features. You can wear it as a casual shoe or you can really test it out on the trail. The Outflow Universal gives you the comfort, durability, and style to do anything you want to use it for. Also a signature to our brand, we made it in some classic colors as well as some bright colors so everyone can choose their own adventure.

Shop the new Outflow Universal HERE.