I have just started to wear them, however i think once you start to brake them in, they will be very good to the feet.
On a bad point, if you have feet that sweet, they do stink a bit.
Also go for one size down for the best fit.

I wear Chacos everyday, I have every color, I have permanent Chaco tan lines which I proudly display a tropihes, the toe strap is a must Z/2s all the way gives your foot bed so much more stabilty.

THE sandal. Period. The sandals go anywhere and everywhere 365. Love 'em. They run true to size, come in wide sizes, a million different colors, and you can just throw them in the washing machine, etc., etc., etc. Not to mention they last forever, and their customer service is dynamite. I recently had a 2-year-old pair's sole start to separate, so I called Chaco. They told me to send them in for a free repair, so I got them completely resoled for $0 (including shipping). THAT's customer service.

This is from an employee when I wrote Chaco.

Dear Chris,
Last summer Chaco laid off the entire production crew and farmed out the last of our American made products to China. Over 100 people lost their jobs. On May 29 the rest of us will be laid off. Chaco has sold to Wolverine Worldwide.

Nobody here was thrilled about moving to China.
Nobody here was thrilled about Wolverine buying us. The man quoted in the article, Ed Wieland was let go since those articles were written. So now we are all being let go to join the swelling ranks of the unemployed.

It seems as soon as we outsourced we went down the tubes.
Wolverine will keep the Chaco label but the product will be made in China.
Chaco will no longer be in Colorado but in Michigan.
Thank you for your e-mail.
Joe

Joe Kaputa
Chaco,Inc./ ULU Boot
39955 Hayden Road
Paonia, CO 81428
970-248-5861
kaputa@chacousa.com

I have owned two pair of these for probably 5-7 years, and there's really not much to say that hasn't already been said. The footbed is very comfortable, and they do provide good arch support. The toe-loop seems a little funky, until you're crossing an incline and you realize just how much lateral support it provides. They do well in and out of the water, and are very sturdy. Hiking in them is not a problem, unless there's a lot of mud or rocks/scree. They are good for wading in rivers, although (like most sandals) they don't have great traction on submerged mossy rocks. My experience is that they fit true-to-size. If you are a die-hard sandal aficionado, you likely already have a pair of these. If you don't, I'd recommend that you give them a try.

Nothing to say about Chaco other than they are heaven on earth. I got my first pair about 10 years ago and still wear them! Chaco tans are something you look forward to each and every year. I am a lifelong Chaco supporter- VIVA LA CHACO!

We do, we all love our Chacos. Who wouldnt? If youre like me, you have more than one epic you could tell while you wearing your Chacos. And chances are, if you bought them before July 2008, youre Chacos were either MADE IN COLORADO, USA, Like mine, or ASSEMBLED WITH PRIDE IN COLORADO USA.

This is no longer true. Chacos are all now MADE IN CHINA.

http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20071114/NEWS/71114006

The sad part about this move is it was all for an extra 5-6 dollars profit.

"According to Wieland, factory to factory the cost to make the sandals will be $10 to $11 less in China than Paonia. With shipping and the import duty of 37-1/2 percent the total savings per pair of sandals will be between $5 and $6."

http://www.deltacountyindependent.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3627:73-laid-off-at-chaco-moves-production-to-china&catid=35:north-fork&Itemid=70

Please email Chaco at help@chacousa.com and let them know to bring back MADE IN COLORADO, USA.

I've worn a pair of Z/2's every single day for the last 5 years. You will never be disappointed. I'm currently on my 3rd pair after completely wearing out the first two. It's true that Chaco will re-strap and re-sole for free, but the normal wait is around a month, unless you can find a retailer to do it themselves. The only con to these shoes are the smell of the foot beds after continuous use. Dead skin and dirt tend to embed in the grooves and must be cleaned often, depending on how much they are worn. Overall, I'd give them 6 stars if it was possible.

There's a reason these are so popular. Not because they're status symbols or anything like that, but because they deliver great results. Velcro has trouble when wet, so the continuous strap solves that problem. There's great ventilation (obviously), the sole gets good traction, and is actually self-cleaning. If the sole wears out, Chaco will resole them for you. Also, you can wear them around town or around the river which is a not-so-common feature for outdoor footwear.

I love these sandals. I have 2 pair of them, and will wear them until they break. Once they break, I will send them to Chaco to get repaired and, after they are returned, I will wear them until they break...

Awesome. That's all that I can say. I wear them everyday when the snow has melted. I've hiked 15+ miles/day in these guys with a 40 pound pack and my feet never hurt. These shoes give you a grip that you can count on and hold your feet in place solidly. The only problem I've had with them is that when I tighten them up nice and tight for long climbs, they tend to readjust and get too tight around the big toe but a quick break/readjustment and they're good to go for another loooong stretch.

From the moment you slip these on you won't take them off. I've always been a die-hard flip-flip fan, but I decided to give these a try. I wasn't sure that I would like the whole back-strap deal, but these are by far the most comfortable pair of sandals I have ever owned. I don't think I'll ever go back to my old flip-flops. These sandals are perfect for me since I'm walking around on college campus all day everyday. Your feet feel naked in these. Don't let price be a factor in your decision to purchase.

You get what you pay for. These sandals are the best you can get period. The stealth rubber can be a nice touch but I find the Vibram much more durable. Still a sandal that will get rocks stuck in it, but that always happen.

Do they usually arrive when they are supposed to or have they ever been early?

First thing is Lifetime Warranty. Have several pair and did buy my wife some last year and Trekking in Nepal the sole of hers came off. Went to the old factory in Paonia and what happened was they had a bad shipment of glue. Fixed them for free mailed them to me for free. Chaco will make it right period. They did move main factory to China which is sad but still the best sandal made.

I have the Z1 and the Z2s Mine were made in Colorado, apparently that needs to be taken into consideration. Honestly I like these a lot but sometimes my big toe gets a bit panicky like it is slowly getting strangled. I know you can put the toe loop down and not use it but often times it gets jammed in the sole then because of dirt. If you are deciding between the 2 go with the Z1 but either way you will be happy.

I am very happy with these Z2 sandals, and I got them from B. C. at a bargain price too! I REALLY like the molded footbed/arch support, which feels great on my feet. It took about a week for my feet and the sandals to get used to each other, break in a bit and get the tension adjusted right. Now they are perfect. The toe strap is very secure and I like the stability it provides, and it's not uncomfortable at all with the strap tension adjusted correctly. I have been a long time Keen H2 user, which I still prefer for activities where I need lots of toe protection. BUT, they do get stinky on occasion, which does not appear to be an issue with my Z2's, which dry quickly after you rinse them out when they get dirty. I am very satisfied with these Chacos.

These are absolutely the best sandals i have ever owned. As soon as you get the adjustment right, they turn into something incredible. The dry quickly, have great tread, and are super durable. Definitely a must buy.

love em

My old Z/1 sandals were 10 years old, thinking it was time for a new pair, and the 20% off deal looked like a cool way to do it. The old ones were way too trashed for resoles, and the new decks looked like an improvement.

They haven't disappointed. Thinner webbing moves through the decks easier, and the decks are less prone to trap pebbles and twigs and stuff under my arches for some reason, too. The sole has great traction, but is lighter than the old terreno soles. Still adjusting to the big toe thing, but generally extremely satisfied.

I loved my last pair of Chaco Z/2s into the ground, and eventually wore through the Terreno sole. When I first got my new Z/2s with the Unaweep sole, I wasn't a fan of how they didn't feel quite as burly as the original Terrenos, but after having worn them every day since I took them out of the box (except for a period of a few days when I sent them back to Chaco so they could customize the strap length), I’m in love again! My new Chacos are still the most comfortable footwear I own. If you want to get as close to barefoot as possible without getting kicked out of the 7Eleven, this is as close as you’re going to get!

Like all the Chacos I have ever purchased, these are so awesome. I bought these for my boyfriend and he wears them all the time. They're bomber in water and on slick rocks, he loves them for canyoneering. 5!

They were absolutely amazing. The last pair I owned it took my feet like a week or two to break in and the pair I recently bought fit perfectly! I wear them everywhere and dor everything except work and running. Will never buy another type of sandal again in my life! CHACO ROCKS!

I've had my new pair of Chaco's for over a month now, and can say that these are the best sandals I've ever had. I owned a pair previously (sans the toe-loop), that lasted me for several years of daily use and hiking. I decided to move up to the toe loop as I desired more stability for an extended trip into the rockies. They were just what I needed, and functioned well for day hikes and even the occasional days in my backpacking that were too wet for my boots. A great sandal.

Man these are really some amazing sandals. I heard about how great they were, but I never thought it was true. My family always gets on my case for my flat feet, and well what a better thing to wear then Chacos. I can walk all day long and they really don't hurt. I really like them a lot. Plus since the straps are adjustable it fits to my foot perfectly. Thanks to whoever made these bad boys. Plus the shipping was sweet, it was way quick!

Got a super deal and were delivered several days sooner than advertised. These sandals work great. Wore Tevas for decades and these are much better for heavy duty walking, running, and hiking.

Only reason I gave these 4 stars is because it's SO FRICKING HARD to go from using the toe loop to not using it. Trying to adjust the straps is not a pleasant task. OTHERWISE, I wear these things all the time (mostly with the toe loop) and I couldn't be happier. No discomfort even after hiking 11 miles in one day with multiple river crossings. They're seemingly indestructible.

Taking the advice of a friend who is a raft guide in West Virginia, I bought my first pair of Chacos. It was one of the best recommendations I've ever received. Whether its walking around campus, running the river, fishing, or whatever else I find myself doing, these sandals are excellent. The webbing design allows for the perfect fit on your foot, and the easy adjustment allows for a loose fit for chilling. Or give it a simple tug to tighten up and hit the trails. Either way your feet feel as though they are completely naked, but you get the support of a hiking shoe.

Chacos used to be great. Now that they are made in China, they cost the same and last 1/5 as long. Straps break and soles delaminate in a season. I guess they work if you are walking around town, but working out on the river all summer, they fall apart in a season.

Great Sandal - good support, comfy, straps work well. I have used it for walking, rafting and casual. Excellent.

I've had the version without the toe strap for a couple years and they have been really great. The outsole hardly shows any wear at all. I recently got a pair of the Z/2s which are now made in china. The quality seems to be just as good as my old pair made in the USA, and I am very happy with them. So, if you're worried about the quality of the product now that they're made in China, don't let that stop you from trying them (there's still the same warranty). If you're more worried about the fact that they're made in china...do what you want I guess. These sandals are way more hardcore than other outdoor sandals like tevas. They're super comfortable. The footbed feels like it was actually based off the shape of a foot (more so than birkenstocks in which the support is too exaggerated for me). Also they're far more socially acceptable than keens, which are real ugly. Really great product. As far as the toe thing, if you like flip flops you'll probably be comfortable with it. However, I generally use the z/2s for more serious hiking, and the z/1s for general comfort and larking about.

These are the most comfortable sandals I have ever worn. I've even gone hiking in them, something I never thought I'd do. They are very stable and don't move around on your foot like others I've tried. Definitely recommend these.

Way to go for quick delivery
and the chaco products have the best arch support by far, durability uncomparable, and all around awesomeness.
wa to be everyone you rock my socks off!

there seems to be some unkown society that you join once you get Chacos. I bought Chacos a year ago and have bought three pairs for people i want to have them as well. they are worth the price.

I've worn these as my main shoe (well, sandal) for about 5 months now and i've done everything in them. Hiked long trips, long boarded, mountain biked, river walked, played ultimate frisbee and soccer, ran, relaxed and tons of other stuff. They've held up like a dream. And one of the best parts is, after running through mud or on a long, dirty expedition, you just wear them in the shower and they look like new again! They don't show hardly any wear yet either. This is an ultimate bro item. Buy them now.

Fantastic sandal. Superb footbed and strapping make it feel like it is part of your foot. Well worth the money.

so i had a pair of z/2's for a year or so and the strap broke off at the outside heel connection/mount to the sole...bummer. called up chaco and they replaced them for free! great customer service. i got a sweet deal on here for some zong's (z/2's without the backstrap) and i love those for casual mainly but would trust them on a light trail hike any day of the week. about a month ago i got an even better deal for some zx/1's and havent taken them off of my feet since. everyday i have an internal struggle as to which pair i want to wear that day. my favorite pair that i have are my z/2's because that is what my foot is used to the most (the toe strap is so amazing, your foot is so secure its incredible). if i could wear these to work, i wouldnt hesitate for a second and i would literally never be seen without a pair on...even in the winter.

I've had two pairs of Chacos. One broke a month ago after constant wear for 6 years. The other is still going strong after 5 years. They are amazing - water, hiking, around town. There is no other pair of sandal I will wear. Hands down, Chacos are my favorite shoe I've ever had in my entire 27 years of life.

Bought these for a b'day gift for someone, and he LOVES them. He is a Chaco-lover now. First I gave him the flips and now these. He loves both of them. We're going to buy a pair for his Mom.

Once we got the fit right, these are perfect for a summer in the Tetons. We originally ordered the usual size, and the fit was too loose. One of the super online staff helped with the return and exchange for the smaller size and the new ones are perfect! Comfortable & practical.

I've owned a pair of these for 8 years now. I've restrapped twice (puppy damage) and resoled once recently. These things feel like they will last another 20 years. i may never buy new sandals again.

Been looking for new sandals since I busted my pair of Tevas. So far so good. My Chacos are easy to clean and maintain and dries really fast after a 'wet day out'. Highly recommended! Looking forward to purchase another pair! No hassle and they deliver them fast and on time. Good job!

These sandals are awesome. They are the shoes my feet can get tan in. I am not exaggerating: these fit almost better than closed toe shoes and look ten times better! They are so comfortable and durable. They are sandals in which i can run a quick 40 in, literally! Being a young adult, that is a must. They are orgasms on my feet!!!!!! No lie!

I got my Chaco sandals two years ago and they have been my primary summer shoe ever since. I'd say they excel doing day to day outdoor activities and around the water. I made the mistake of hiking doing 700 feet vert. and I smashed my toe on the way down. Blood in Chacos is no fun. I'm not sure about the toe strap. While I love the security it adds (I've bouldered in them) I've struggled with the adjustment. It seems to tighten up after lots of activity.

I have had the same pair of Chaco' for over 15 years. They are the old school Z/2 made in the USA, not that this fact alone means diddly. But they were wonderful and lasted through years and years of Whistler summers and have seen some hard trails and approaches all over the world. They were wonderful but after 15 years they finally needed to be retired. Without hesitation I bought another pair of Chacos through mail order. Cost me twice as much as I now live in Germany and with the import tarifs and the shipping and the blah, blah, blah... but Chaco had me hooked through and through. I would never ever have thought of owning anything else, never never ever even.

So. The new Chacos are a totally different animal. The older sandals were light, with no pretentions to an orthopaedic sole. They were quite flat under foot without the new heel support bolsters adding extra width (and weight) in the heel area.. and they were supremely comfortable and confidence imspiring in tricky situations. The new sole is, well, clunky in comparison. The new sole is a little awkward looking, like something stolen from a geriatric shoe. They are comfortable in their own orthopaedic kind of way, but not as comfortable as the old sandal. The new texture on the footbed is also inferior to the older one. The older sandal sole was also more flexible under foot; lithe if you will. The new sandals feel downright awkward in comparison, almost like a boot sole. Some might see this as ain improvement but I think the new sandal lost something in the translation. Where the older sandal feels nimble and agile, like not wearing sandals at all, the newer feels heavier and clumsy. One other pet peeve. On the older sandal the Chaco logo was sewed directly to the webbing... on the new shoe the only Chaco to find is on the removable plastic fastener used to adjust the fit. A problem... no, but why do I have a suspicion that there is a Chinese sandal company selling a sandal that looks exactly like the Chaco for 1/3 the price but with Han Xiang (for example) on the little plastic clip instead of Chaco? This was certainly a cost cutting measure on Chaco's part and an insignificant one at that, but the devil is in the details.

If you have a much loved pair of older Chacos that, like mine, are now resting in sandal heaven, please try on a pair of the new Chacos before you buy. You may not like the change, or you may think it an improvement on the originals. Had I not owned the originals I may have given these sandals 4 stars, however compared to the older sandals my heart says 3 stars. I will wear them and perhaps learn to love them and maybe through time they will also find a place in my heart next to my old Chacos, but for now every time I wear them I simply wonder why they did not leave well enough alone. I am still hoping for the Z/2 classic edition.

In the past, I have hiked all over the mountains and trails of Rio de Janeiro in nothing more than Havaianas Trekker flip flops because shoes are uncomfortable for me after a while. The Havaianas were great but lets face it; they have no tread and are not designed for hiking. I am getting ready to return to Rio for more hiking adventures and a few month ago I decided to search for a better option. Three pairs of so called "hiking sandals" later, I was no closer to a solution. I only had two chafed and blistered feet and an empty wallet to show for my efforts. And, I was only WALKING in them. I googled "hiking sandals" and found Chacos. I realize from reading reviews that not everyone is going to have the same experience because everyone's physiology is different. I am VERY glad that I gave them a shot! I have had them a month and have walked many miles in them and can't wait to get them in the mountains. They are supremely comfortable and actually seem to correct a pronation problem I have with my left foot. The straps are infinitely adjustable and do not chafe my feet. Not a blister in sight. I also love the way they look and am currently bidding on a second pair. Like I said; I know not everyone is going to have the same experience but they have worked out very well for me. I couldn't be more pleased!

The toe was not for me, so on an off trail up Cherry Creek Canyon in the Emigrant I pulled the toe loop flat to the foot bed and wore the chac's like a Z1 style. After this 7 day trip I sent'm back, just paid shipping and got some Z1's. Without the toe loop its much easier to adjust and clean the chac's. Thanks backcountry

great shoes and great service. I will for sure look into buying from backcountry again. Thanks again! I wear usually a woman's 10 and got a mens 8. They are a perfect fit.

Don't think about getting another pair of sandals again...EVER! My previous pair of Chaco Z/2 last 12 years. I haven't heard of anyone who has worn them for this long before. I didn't restrap or resole them. And they were on the older Vibram soles. These are quality sandals. They aren't that expensive so you do really get value for money. I'ld say get them now. Oh yes, you may want to select a size down for a snug fit.

I'm a bit of a neanderthal when it comes to sandals. I've solely worn Birkenstocks for 20+ years. The transition to Z2s has been great in regards to comfort once they're on and adjusted, but I'm not fast about getting them on and adjusted. That's probably just a matter of teaching an old dog a new trick.

Seem very sturdy. No slip and slid - really hug to the foot. Very cool for being active and staying cool. Very nice off-season price - saved almost $30! These are replacing some Teva/Alps AND my worn out Birks. That would have been $150 easy to replace them both. I was a bit worried about the slip around the toe, but it adds great grip.

I'm a flip flip guy, but I thought I would give these a shot. I've had them for about 3 weeks and so far so good. I would definitely caution buyers to give these sandals plenty of time to break in because initially the straps slide around a lot and the soles are brand new. But once you get these fitted just right, they continue to improve in comfort day after day. I purchased the Horizon Rust color size 9 and they look great! Fit accurately to size compared to other sandals.

This is my second pair and the only sandals I will wear. They are an everyday must. The best footwear purchase I ever made.

used these sandals for everyday wear al school, kayaking in maine and hiking in the summer all over alaska and no sighn of wear or use(except my chaco tan!!) In a nuclear war two thing will survive, twinkies and chacos!!!!!!!

I usually wear flip flops, but picked up a pair of Chacos for more intensive sandal adventures. These have some super thick and burly soles. I've worn them around lakes and rivers/streams and also on a lot of day hikes in some rougher terrain. The big beefy soles are pretty much indestructable and grip really well to rocks, sand, dust, dirt, slick rock and slimy rocks. The burliness is a bit heavy, but worth it if you need to stomp around some rough terrain.

The mid-sole never breaks down, the lug-sole lasts forever, and the adjustable webbing allows for a comfy fit. These sandals can do it all- almost. If you try Ice Climbing or Mountaineering you may lose some toes.

To start it off, Chaco, after years of being applauded for it's "made in America" ethics, has totally sold out. Literally.

Enter.. The China Chaco:

Here's the stated
"Recommended Use" Casual, fly fishing, river wading, camping, hiking.

If you want to be able to do all those, buy these:
The North Face Padda Amphibious Shoe

They do everything these "hiking sandals" are said to do, and suffer none of the draw backs.

Did I mention they are $20 cheaper?

Here's the list of drawbacks for me: Uncomfortable (for me), abnormally heavy for sandals, weak traction when wet (abnormal for Vibram soles), Insane adjustment method,Float on the adjustment straps lets them slide out out of set position. Rubber diamond plate like foot bed irritates the crap out of my feet.

Like other "Hiking sandals" your feet will from time to time take rocks and sticks as if you were barefoot (Stubbed toes etc)I gave these things two weeks to break in, and on a 2 mile hike 1 and 1/2 miles in opted to go barefoot and risk poison ivy etc rather than wear them, due to blisters.

The bottom line is, I would never wear these things if I kept them around so I contacted Backcountry. They are taking them back without the tags or the box for and are refunding me in full. Now that's freaking service. For years I heard how great these sandal were, and how i should support a brand that creates a great product in a great country..

I wonder if my Chaco's would have lived up to their reputation if they were still made with love in the US OF A.

My husband loves his chacos!!
He wears them hiking, swimming, paddling, and just around town.
The reason for the 4/5 stars is because after the first few days, the toe strap starts to rub and create blisters. But im sure that it wont be a problem when he wears them on a more regular basis.

I've sworn by my Z/1s for years, but I thought I'd try the Z/2s to get a little more security in the forefoot. I was having a bit of buyer's remorse with the toeloop getting too tight and uncomfortable until I realized that I had the straps cinched too tight. I loosened the stap a bit...and voila! Back in sandal heaven!

The first pair of these I got I ordered in a regular size 9. It hurt and I didn't like it at all. I gave it to my brother. I have slightly wide feet and the way these are designed with lots of support on the side of the sandal I needed the wide model. After I got the right size it was very comfortable and both pairs are going strong after lots of use.

I used a 10 because in a street shoe Im a 10.5. They worked great and then I tried a 9 and it was soooo much better. As far as the FLIP don't size down, that fits true to size. The Unaweep sole is really awesome! Really light and grips all over the place. Try to get someone to show you how it gets tighter and looser.
This is such an improvement over that hiker sole they came out with, that sucker was heavy but not this one. Huge difference!

I have had mine for 6 or 7 years and they are going strong. They will not pack out and have great support for walking or standing all day. Everyone should own a pair of Chacos! They run a bit large. I usually wear a 9.5 and a 9 fits perfect, so size down if you are in-between sizes. Expensive but they will last and are worth the money. You can get them resoled for about $30-40. Great traction also, I have climbed 5.10 in them.

These are the best sandals you can find. I've recommended many a friend to them and they have all come back with raving reviews. I live in the Colorado mountains and there's nothing they can't do in this terrain. I often run over to the rocks of southwestern Utah and nothing sticks and grips like these. Buy them. BUY THEM! (go about a size down from normal)

Had my first pair for 4 years, great sandal. Bought my third pair recently, they died in about a season and a half. The webbing broke and the sole came off. What happened to the good sandals they used to make?