I just got my Chacos and the straps are quite hard to adjust, and was wondering if they loosen up over time, or whats the best way to make them slide through the sole easier?

Hey Eric, They are designed to be hard to pull through. Otherwise they could have the tendency to self tighten as you hike/ walk. I feel that a properly fit chaco will never have to be re adjusted. The key is; make sure you don't over tighten them to start. You should be able to slide your little finger under each strap, they should feel on the loss side at first, so your feet have some room to swell. After time, the dirt and crud will get down in the midsole and essentially lock up the straps. This is not a big deal for a properly fit chaco, but if you want to readjust them you can soak them in some warm soapy water, and pull on the straps until you floss out the dirt. ryan

I agree with Donald Schmit. In general, they are designed to be hard to adjust (so that once you get them adjusted just right they don't slip). Adjusting can get a little easier over time (unless you've had them a while, in which case the dirt that gets in them makes it harder). So, in short, I would say don't worry about it. They are supposed to be hard to adjust (because if you are doing some serious scrambling in them, you don't want the strap to slip).

I think part of the difficulty with moving the strap through the sole is so that you don't have to worry about it moving and having to adjust it all the time. I adjust mine sometimes to pull the toe strap tight against the sole so that I can make them in the Z/1s and I think it has become a little easier to move it over time but again I think it is supposed to be hard to move.