Chaco sandals?

Ben,

The straps are one continuous strap, they run freely through slots between the footbed and sole. They're heavy, but very durable and comfy. My current pair has seen untold daily use since 2004, and is still alive, which is nothing short of remarkable.

I'd never use them for serious hiking, for two reason:

-Can't keep gravel and dirt from getting between my feet and the sandals.
-Rub of feet against straps is significant enough to cause blisters.

Obviously #2 can be taken care of with socks. However, IME having the Z1 sandals (ie no toe loop) creates a third problem, that to keep fore-aft and especially side-to-side movement to a minimum the straps have to be so snug that they're uncomfortable.

If you're seriously going to try this out, I'd get the Z2 vibram models, and some Injinji toe socks to go with them.

Some people do serious hiking in sandals (Joe from Zpacks did the CDT with some), but it's not for me.

If you're having toe contact with the front of your shoes, I find it hard to see that as anything other than your shoes not fitting.

http://www.chacousa.com/us/en-us/static/sandaladjustments.mvc.aspx

It's one continuous strap run through the footbed, so you get slack in one area by pulling it from various parts. It's kinda hard to describe without actually holding the sandal, but the above visual is pretty good. It's pretty intuitive once you do it. I wear mine all summer, and as early as I can in the spring and as late as possible in the fall. They are my 3rd pair in about ten years. Plus they're resole-able. And you can replace the nylon strap if you get attached to the footbed.

I believe unaweep is the more aggressive sole option. The pro is smoother, better for water sports.

Thanks, David. That was a very detailed and helpful post! What do you use your Chacos for? Walking around town? Water sports?

The issue of getting pebbles, etc., between feet and sandals hadn't occurred to me. Actually my current shoes let a ton of trail crud in. I'm constantly having to take them off and dump out pebbles and grit.

I probably shouldn't have said that my problems were definitely with contact between toes and shoe. Actually I'm not really sure. Anyway, it could be that I just have the necessary calluses now, and this is all going to be a non-issue in the future.

Thanks, Paul!

"I believe unaweep is the more aggressive sole option. The pro is smoother, better for water sports."
I'm not quite clear on what you mean by "aggressive" here. Is this referring to the tread? The stiffness?

Ben, my Chacos are my around town shoes until the snow flies. Great for warm weather boating and fly fishing, too.

Not sure about the terminology, but I'd get the vibram/more aggressive tread option for sure. Will last much longer.

I wear mine whenever the weather permits. In the heat, there's nothing more breathable, and nothing feels better than a cool stream crossing. They also work great as camp shoes – I loosen up the straps a bit, move down the toe strap, and put on my wool socks for extra warmth.

IMO, the added toe strap in the Z/2 is great. I don't think they'd be nearly as effective without it.

I've gotten some funny comments from folks when I show up to a group hike with sandals. "You're hiking twenty miles in sandals? What are you thinking?"

Biggest drawback, as others have mentioned, is rocks and debris getting in under my foot. I've learned to adjust them better to where this happens less and where my feet get off the sole a tad to let them out, but it still happens. If you don't have tough feet, prepare to put up with some sharp pain until you do.

Chacos are awesome. I have gone through three pair since I found out about them. They last for a LONG time, are re-soleable, and hike well. I use them for technical canyoneering, hikes (even long hikes), rock climbing approaches, running, light climbing. They take some adjustment to get used to (you need to be more aware of where your feet are, but I think that's a good thing anyway). Definitely go with the Z2 if you get some. The toe strap makes things a lot nicer. Their flip flops aren't too shabby for around town use either.

To Chaco, or not to Chaco-that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The pebbles and twigs of outrageous trails
Or to wear boots against a sea of troubles
And by opposing end them.

(forgive me Mr. Shakespeare)

If you are going to wear sandals, I think Chacos are a good choice. I have both Chacos and Keens. The Keens give more protection, but trap gravel and they have to be removed to get it out. Chacos are heavy, but give the best arch support of any sandal I know of.

Buy them from a vendor like REI and see how they work. I wouldn't shy from fair weather day hikes with light loads, but I would have to be a real convert to take on multi-day trips with rough trails and cold mud. I once walked over old grainy snow for 1/2mile or so in Tevas and it was very *refreshing* on a hot summer day.

Getting back to your "toe bang" issues with your shoes. I question the fit and lace adjustment. Your foot shouldn't move around that much. If you have a long steep descent, adjusting the laces over your instep may help. I think they were just too big and allowed too much movement.

I wear my Chaco's almost everyday and my current ones are over 2 years old and they are still in pretty good condition. I have done plenty of long distance hiking in them and have never had a problem with blisters or rocks/sand under my feet. If I retired them today they wouldn't owe me a penny. I am not sure how much they have changed since mine are Proudly Made In Colorado. The new ones are Made In CHINA :(

I've been wearing Chacos since 1993 when the company was still called "Gecko". I've never found other sandals that could replace them. The strap system is simple, effective, and sturdy (I only once bought the Z-1's and didn't like the wider straps. I prefer the Z-2's, which you can rig to strap up as a toe-less system by pulling the toe strap tight to the footbed… this allows you to wear regular socks), and the soles just work well for hiking. I've worn mine everywhere, including way up in alpine regions in the scree and boulders. Occasionally have problems with debris getting under my feet, but not often enough to be a problem. The upswing of the front of the sole is just right to protect the toes (the curve grows more pronounced with age) when walking and not once have I bumped my toes. The straps take a little time to wear in so that they don't slip in the footbed slots and so that they soften up and don't abrade the skin. Sometimes after long periods not being used the straps grow a little hard, but after you wear them for a few hours they soften up again.

Last year I bought a new pair of Z-2's, thinking to replace my worn out ones from back in 2001 (that I still wear everyday). But the new Unaweep sole is so thick and stiff that the sole no longer bends as well as before and after walking for a month in Vancouver I began to lose the feeling in my toes… I'm thinking of trying to retrofit the new sandals with the pre-2009 soles, if possible.

For colder conditions and more protection I've made a pair of brock mesh foot covers (sort of like low-cut bicycle rain shoe covers), with no sole that I slip over my feet and sandles and secure with a thin bungee cord. Turns the sandals into a shoe. But regular shoes are still lighter than Chaco sandals, though, so this really isn't an ideal add-on.

I much prefer sandals to shoes except on cold wet days.

wearing Chaco's on a muddy trail on the Camino in Spain.

I hiked the AT in Chacos. I loved them. I do not remember having any issues with pebbles between sole and sandal. THe worst is a root or stick . The AT can be wet. I found these shoes perfect for the wet because my feet quickly dried. The one problem I had was after several months of hiking the outer edge of my heal callous cracked so deeply that the cracks bled and hurt. I am unsure if I would have had the same problem with a pair of shoes. I also wondered if my stride was the same length in the chacos verses shoes. I think it is possible that due to the lack of padding in the chaco that my stride was slightly shortened to compensate. It could be that this is a more natural stride and the padding in shoes allows for a longer stride. At the same time there might not be a stride difference. You have a lot of time to think on a long trail.

I am planning on hiking the JMT next year and eventually the PCT. I will probably hike in chacos but I did just get a pair of inovs I am testing this weekend in Tennessee. Any thoughts on chacos on PCT?

Rob wrote: "Any thoughts on chacos on PCT?"
In addition to the JMTer I described above, I also met a PCTer at Tuolumne who was using sandals, so apparently it can be done. He was receiving a new pair in his resupply. I didn't ask him whether he was using sandals for the entire PCT or just certain parts of it.

I wear Chacos all summer. I was going to post a photo of my reverse-video "Z" Chaco sandal tan, but there's no need to subject the world to that. :)

If I could, I'd wear Chacos all year round. I really wish I could find a pair of boots and shoes that were as comfortable as my Chacos, or that Chaco made boots on the same platform.

I often hike with them, but usually don't on backpacking trips. I am personally annoyed having sand and rocks between my foot and the sandal, probably more annoyed than most. It happens pretty easily when there is loose sand or gravel. The worst thing is having a stick jam into your foot- a dirty cut right between your toes is a real downer on a trip. I'm pretty clumsy, but I've never had a problem stubbing my toes while wearing Chacos.

I've pretty tender feet- I'll get blisters walking barefooted on hot pavement and sometimes sand. Unlike shoes and boots I've never had problems with blisters or with sores on the backside of my foot where the top of a shoe rubs a few inches above your heel. The outer edges of my heel do get callused but as far as I'm concerned that's a good thing- it's my body doing what it is supposed to. Calluses don't hurt. Never had problems with cracking or bleeding.

I've never had problems with the sandals getting wet. There is a TON of nasty gunk stored up down under, but I'm still able to pull straps without problems.

I've had this pair for 4+ years now, worn on almost every single summer day since. The tread is totally worn down. I've forgotten to have them resoled during the two winters and didn't want to do without them during the spring and summer.

EDIT: If you're wearing socks, I think sand and pebbles under your feet would be much less of a concern. Same goes for calluses and cracking- your feet won't get exposed to the same amount of abrasion, dry air and dust wearing socks.

Unaweep is more akin to a Vibram lugged sole. Pro is much more like a rock climbing shoe; smoother but with better traction in water.

Aggressive was referring to the tread.

Hey Aaron,

I wear Ecco boots when I am not wearing my chaco's. So far they are the most comfortable and durable boots I have ever owned.

http://www.eccousa.com/shoes/mens/outdoor/track-iv-high/483/detail.aspx

I've ordered a pair of Z/2's and some Injinji toe socks. No way to tell if they'll really work out for me except by putting some miles on them and seeing how it goes. Thanks, all, for the info!

It's great that Chaco sells wide sizes.