DON'T BUY THIS SAD EXCUSE OF A FLIP FLOP. In fact don't buy any Chaco flip brand. I don't know about their Unaweep model as I've never worn them, but I can confidently say do NOT buy their flip flop (thong) model! First I bought their Chaco Flip (the polyester strap) because it was too good of a deal, half off the retail price, and to be honest I just fell in love with the style. It looks so cool. Plus I kept on hearing the name at climbing crag so... gave it a try. Golly the razor sharp, non-padded polyester strap of this first pair cut my upper right foot skin off. I thought, oh well, maybe it's just this model due to the nylon strap.

Then a week later the leather flip went on sale, also half off retail! I totally thought the leather would be better because, well, it's leather. I mean when I tried it, it fits oh-so-snug and heavenly. So I bought it and how I was WRONG!!!! The leather strap has stitching on the outside perimeter of the strap and it rubbed my left foot RAW!!! I was so mad. Now I can't wear ANY sandals at all while my foot is healing. My toes also ache due to the thick, pillar-like hard toe piece. I was disgusted. Chaco manufactures very high quality sandals but they should take a page out of Rainbow Sandal page in terms of comfort. Never have I owned a flip flop as bad as Chaco, and that's saying a lot. I have 5 pairs of Rainbows, 3 Sanuks, 2 Reefs, a Teva (I don't care much about Teva though) and now 2 Chacos, which are going to the trash very soon.

Here's my tip for breaking in this stupid leather flip: As soon as you get it BEFORE you wear them, twirl the straps together so that they become one tight knot, then force a 12oz beer bottle through the strap. Leave it a night or two. After that practice pulling on the straps hard, until the sandal bends. It won't break, but it will make the straps more supple and hopefully save your feet. Then use it to wash your car, get it wet and stretched further. Use it around the house before its big break. I wouldn't wear them on a long trip like I did before a period of break in.

These Chaco Flips are extremely durable and very solid. The first impression you get when you first pick them up is how solid they feel. Then you try it on your feet and you instantly realize how well they hug your feet. But be warned, the straps are made from nylon with no padding - there's stitching on the underbelly of the straps and they rub my upper feet raw.

If you can get over this, however, by way of putting on band-aid or climbing tape on the raw area or whatever, the sandal is backed by lifetime warranty, is very solid and extremely durable. The foot bed is NOT made from cushy material like in Rainbows or Sanuks or Reefs but it does stick to your feet in wet environment and... again, very durable as approach flops. Order size up. Considering comfort, not worth their full price, buy it when on sale.

I just retired my year-old bandit just this weekend as i can no longer tolerate the 2 gaping holes on the toes. For a year this shoe has taught me how to climb and proved more than its worth. This shoe is perfect for micro edges, like some magic they just stick to the tiniest hold/crystal/shelf on slab problems. Many times when i'm desperate i'd just jam the sole to the wall and voila....it sticks. Incredible rubber. The shoe molds really well to your feet. Arch support is excellent, it makes a difference on a long route.

When I first bought it I suffered for about 3 mos breaking it. I wear street size 9.5 and I got the bandit also at 9.5, but feels like they're size 9. My toes were curled downward and extremely jammed up together. The pressure from using those toes when climbing routes longer than 5 mins plus the heat forces me to take it off - very often - in the beginning, so it wasnt'a comfortable beginner's shoe. Now I value the support, though. I used this 3 x a week at gym and 1 x / wk on outdoor big wall. The rand (toe) blew at around 11th month. Worth the $$. If you're beginner buy 1/2 size larger. For performance stick with your street size. This shoe does NOT stretch. Although after enough sweating they mold to your feet.

I just retired my year-old bandit with 2 gaping holes on the toes just this weekend after sliding off a slab problem (granite wall, no less)made me realize that there's an end to all things good. This is my ode for this incredible climbing partner. This is a stiff shoe so it provides good support, esp. in the midarch but for new climbers this translates to painful tight fit. Now that i've climbed for a year, this tight fit translates to precision edging and just awesome support. I really, really like how surgical this shoe feels, I can slip the pointy rand in virtually any crack, ledge, micro edges, crystal, shelf, hold, you name it and it'll stick. Oftentimes in desperation i'd just jam the bottom sole into the wall and voila.....it sticks. Amazing rubber. My rand (toe) blew at around the 11th month. I climb 3x / wk bouldering at gym and 1 x outdoors on big walls. This shoe feels half size smaller than the stated size. I wear street size 9.5 and I got the bandit at same 9.5, but was tortured for the first 3 mos. My toes were curled and extremely jammed, which resulted in me taking it off on routes longer than 5 mins and under heat. This shoe doesn't stretch, although it will mold your feet like 2nd skin after enough sweating. Buy half size bigger if you're new and buy street size if you want performance. This shoe is rated intermediate climbing.