If you live in the Mountain West, this may come as a shock to you but here in California we don’t really wear outdoorsy sandals. Flip-flops, sure, wear them too much probably, but not the full ankle-strapped Chaco and Teva-type shoes. Whatever those are called. Do they have a name besides sandals? River sandals? Water sandals? Tan-line makers?
Anyway, anytime I’m in Montana or Utah or Colorado the first thing I notice is, whoa, everyone is wearing these big, chunky things. On the trails, at the bar, when it’s hot, on cold and dry days, fishing, at the bank, probably even at weddings, job interviews, wherever.
But California just hasn’t embraced them. Well, retirees have. And in high school I wore Tevas with white tube socks underneath (I even had a girlfriend with that look—hey, the 90s were weird), but sandals are most certainly not on everybody’s feet here. They’ve not broken through the California fashion wall. Not even close. Please take no offense, Mountain Westerners, but a lot of us have long viewed these sorts of sandals as inescapably dorky.
However, I will admit, I’ve been intrigued for some time. Obviously, mountain people dig them. And I like mountain people. I trust their judgment. The sandals looked comfy and capable, two of my very favorite things. How bad could they possibly be? So early this summer I snagged a couple pairs of Chacos without telling my California friends.
Okay, okay I get it now. I’m hooked. I’ll wear these things. I think I love these things.
Sometimes I just can’t decide. Photo: Housman
I’ve worn the Chaco Z series of sandals a ton for the past couple summers, and into early fall seasons. Big fan of the Z1 Classics. I’ve hiked in them. Sometimes with a 25-plus pound backpack. I’ve crossed rivers in them. I’ve used them as wet wading shoes while fly fishing. I’ve even worn them to nice dinners. They can kinda look cool with the right pants. They grow on you real fast. These things are great. What took me so long?
The specifics:
The Z series have a soft, supple PU footbed that is a pleasure to walk on. The polyester straps, or webbing, are are smooth and supportive and haven’t caused a blister yet, even on my strap-averse heels. They’re also fully adjustable, as they slide through channels cut into the shoes so you can tighten or loosen them to your heart’s desire. If I had a complaint, it would be that my long and flat feet don’t seem to be girthy enough to tighten the straps down without having a good four inches of extra strap flapping about. I’ll probably just end up trimming that part off and going about my sandaled way.
They boast grippy outsoles that hold on slippery rock, wet gravel, and muddy trails. I’d happily wear these things on a non-demanding backpacking trail and I have no doubt they’d hold up just fine. More often though, I just pitch them into the mesh outer pocket of my backpack to use for river crossings and after hike-kicking back at the tent. Can’t beat ’em.
And you know what happens if you can’t beat ’em.
$100 • BUY
Chacos Not grabbing you? Try these
Our editor, Steve, loves Bedrock sandals. You can get a pair of their everlasting Cairn sandals, and have them maybe forever. $105.
The Oboz Selway Sandal have all the goodness of the Zs, but they’re slaps—no ankle straps. Grippy and robust. $55, or so.
The Teva Original Universals have the classic Teva strap system running along the top of the foot so they’re stable, comfy, and ready for the trail. Also, they’re only $50.
Top photo: Emma Frances Logan
Welcome to the club! Down here in Texas, I wear my Chacos approximately 50 weeks out of the year; yup got the permanent Chaco tan to prove it 🙂 Hell, I’d wear them to work if the boss would let me, might look funny with a suit though….
Guilty of wearing them to a wedding. Not mine though, someone else’s.
I knew it
show me your Chaco tan! It’s a conversation starter when others see your bare feet and those wicked tan lines. Chacos are also under appreciated in the east (PA) but I feel like I am ahead of the game
Chaco are not my style but found Bedrock Sandals perfect for my feet.
Love my chacos! My tan is finally starting to come back after a long, frigid midwest winter.
It’s ok. Us Mountain Westerners have long viewed you Californians and your roof tops tents as inescapably dorky. So, were even.
Started with TEVAs, now a Chaco guy. My Chaco season 2 weeks ago in Colordo, at 8500’ elevation. Wet waded the S. Platte today in them while picnicking/ fishing with the wife and dog. I’ll wear these every day it’s above 55 now, through the fall. By July the Z Tan will be strong, and should last through Christmas.
I have a lot of hardwear in my right foot from a shattered ankle& heel. The Chaco footbed is so good I can wear them all day. And they clean up well.
My daughter got married looking Out over Palouse Falls and the bridal party all wore Chacos. Good things.
If you have an old pair of Tevas, and the o-rings provided to hold the Velcro in place, they fit perfectly on Chacos to double back the “long” straps. Or just walk into a hardware store wearing your Chacos and buy a package of o-rings.
KEEN Waimea’s are my favorite…although more of a “flip flop” than a “sandal”. But they protect your toes from stubbing stuff by accident and ruining your surf trip.
Dude. I live in Chacos when I’m not wearing Jordans or boots (which is about 50% of the time). Been wearing them since I was a kid (figure about 25 years now) when my dad used to get them at G.I. Joe’s. Chacos are my moderate-to-hot weather riding shoes (because fuck SPDs) and I think my feet are probably permanently Z-tanned from it.
I deal with the excess pull-strap problem by just slipping the excessive length under the heel strap. It’ll back itself out a little bit as you walk but I’ve never had it completely come out.
By the way, the entire comments section of this page is displaying in oblique/italic type, for some reason. Software bug?
I have the trifector of ultimate dad footwear: Birkenstocks, Tevas, and Crocs. Right now though, I like to wear my Bedrocks – they are pretty shweeet.
I have a pair of Tevas I wear frequently that I have had a very long time. I also wear the Keen Uneeks quite a bit, as does my son. I’m not sure what category those fall into. My daughter has a Chaco ‘collection’ but she also has a pair of Keens w/a protected toe box that she tends to hike in, when we are in the Mts.
No shame in loving Chacos. They are super versatile. Hopefully I’m not the only cyclist with shaved legs who’s sandal tan lines envy that of my bib shorts.