Chaco Z/2 Hiking Sole Shoe Review

Chaco Rhymes with Taco

Let it be known that my feet L-O-V-E arch support and for a quick minute I thought my feet had finally met a pair of soles with too much support. That was my first minute in Chaco sandals....holy arch support batman! Jeepers that is a really long controlled steady arch. I won't be breaking these in, I thought to myself, but they very well may break me in. Is this where I admit that I now own at least seven pairs of Chacos?!

When sandal and fair weather walking season begins each year, I break out my Chacos, remind myself that the shock of the arch support is what my feet crave during the winter and then fall in love with them over and over again. Besides all the support, Chacos boast durable re-sole-able treads and a phenomenal strapping system that allows for tons of adjustment.

It turns out that my various pairs of Chacos have made both permanent and temporary homes on the feet of my friends lucky enough to have the same length foot as I do. If the great Northwest has been known for Birkenstock wearing tree huggers it must now also be known for Chaco outdoor adventurers. Beware that the same folks wearing their Birks with socks are likely the same ones sporting them with their Chacos. I will admit I do the sock thing when I am camping and it does feel as awesome as they say. Thank you for all the support Chacos!

Fitting Notes:

American sizing-no half sizes-if you are between ...go for the larger size because I promise you would rather have a toe-bumper than stub your toes all the time. Also, most folks have a long arch relative to their overall heel-to-toe length, thus the longer size will also fit your arch better. Wider feet generally do better without the “toe-loop” strap whereas narrower feet do better with the extra grip/security of the toe-loop. Chaco sandals are also offered in wide widths so they can be especially friendly to wide soles and the adjustable strapping system will fit a whole range of high to low volume feet...meaning just about everyone who can handle the arch can fit well in these sandals. Not recommended for those with static/rigid arches.

Also, check out Chacos website for for tips on strapping lengths, re-soling and care for your sandals.

For optimum fit and service look for Chacos in your local shoe shops.  You will love having someone actually show you how the strapping system works.  If you can't find your chacos locally these online sources offer Chacos: Zappos, FootSmart, Online Shoes, and Altrec.