I’m a sucker for Mary Janes. Maybe the side-fastening footwear style reminds me of my (happy) childhood. Or maybe I like them because current fashion trends say it’s okay for a 40-year-old mom to sport this cute style. Or maybe I just like shoes that stay on my feet (unlike flip-flops).

Regardless, the Teva Westwater definitely falls under the “cute” category, and they are functional, too. Teva marketing materials say they can go from the river straight out to dinner on the town. Frankly, I think they are too nice to wear on any sort of kayaking or rafting trip — I’m certainly not going to subject mine to the Colorado River this summer. It’s nice to know they are made with a quick-drying/mesh upper (the spring-green color above), but I’m wearing my pair for sightseeing, shopping and those restaurant dinners during my travels in the coming warm-weather months.

That said, the Westwaters don’t offer a lot of arch support, so I can’t forsee sporting them on day-long  treks. And the strappy sides cut into the side of my foot just a bit — not enough to forego wearing them, but they’re certainly not cushioned, nor are they the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn.

But there are way too many plusses going for the Westwaters for me to abandon them all together — not when they go perfectly with my Lucy Activewear Solaris Crop pants! Truly, I dig these casual summer shoes, and I just hope they last through the season. Knowing the Teva brand, and the fact that my husband has worn the same Teva sandals for the past seven years, I’m guessing the women’s Westwater style is built to last, too.

Teva Westwater women’s sandals retail for $70 and come in four colors.

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Teva Westwater Shoes from REI