"Durability at the expense of comfort" - Review of Chaco Flip Sandal - Men's

After being a loyal fan of both Reef and Teva Mush flip flops, I found a pair of Chaco Flip on sale and decided to give them a shot. Overall, I've concluded that while the Chaco Flip is not as comfortable as the Reefs and Tevas, they are much more durable. I'll start with the soles. In the past I've easily worn through at least one pair of Tevas/Reefs each summer. The Chacos, on the other hand, sport Vibram soles and are very durable. They seem as though they will last for many years. Unfortunately, this durability comes at the expense of comfort and weight. In contrast to the the soft, squishy, light (3.4 oz) foam sandals I have worn in the past, the Chaco soles have a rough, hard, heavy (10.4 oz) design. At 3 times the weight of my old sandals, I am still adjusting to them. In addition to the durability of the soles, they have a better ergonomic fit and become grippier when wet which is a plus if you plan on wearing them in wet conditions. I've found that foam sandals get very slick when wet and provide little or no support. The strap is not as soft as the strap on Reefs and Tevas, but it is well made and fits well. I found no need to size up or down. Lastly, the sandals are more expensive than the foam variety, but this is warranted as they are likely to last much longer. All in all, these are very stylish and well-made sandals. If you are used to heavier shoes you will have no problem with them and will love the legendary Chaco durability and quality. However, if you like the squishy, soft feeling of lightweight foam flip flops (ala Teva Mush), I would suggest trying them on before pulling out your credit card.
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