Chaco sandals review: There's a reason these sandals have been a mainstay among outdoor adventurers for 30 years

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It was the late 1980s, and whitewater and fly fishing guide Mark Paigen stood in a boat somewhere in western Colorado, looking down at his wrinkly, grit-covered feet. "My feet were in hell," he thought. "There had to be a better way." 

While he suffered in wet running shoes all day, a few of the guides around him were wearing Teva sandals. He loved the idea of sandals made from synthetic materials rather than leather, because they wouldn't trap water and would let his feet dry in the sun. 

In the last 30 years, Paigen's take on the sport sandal, Chaco, has become a cult favorite among outdoor adventurers worldwide.

It took a background in custom shoemaking, a focused design plan, on-the-ground testing, and good old-fashioned word-of-mouth in tight-knit outdoor communities to get Chaco off the ground. Today, it's soaring, helping to drive growth for its parent company Wolverine Worldwide and regularly delighting fans with new styles and colors. The company even released a new monochrome collection that aligns with today's colorful chunky shoe trend, partnering with retailers like Urban Outfitters to take the brand beyond its outdoor-community roots.

How Chacos came to be: 

In a blog post for Tread Labs, Paigen explains that to take sport sandals to the next level, he knew he wanted the following components:

1. Synthetic materials
2. Anatomical strap placement
3. A continuous pull-through strap
4. High-quality components
5. No Velcro

He made some pairs for himself and liked that the pull-through strap stayed secure to his feet, and that it was easy to remove sand simply by dipping his feet back in the water. When he took clients out on fly fishing trips, they inevitably asked him about his sandals because they trusted the experience and expertise of a guide. 

Paigen traced these early Chaco customers' feet on paper and built them custom pairs. In the brand's unofficial beginnings, each pair cost $30. The official iteration and the brand's bestseller, the Z/1 Classic Sandal, costs $105 today. 

As the whitewater community grew in the '90s, so did talk about Chaco. Paigen met with a pedorthist, or a footwear specialist, to talk through how he could meet requests for an open-toe design (the original Chaco design had a toe loop, a design you can still find) that could still hold the foot securely. Thanks to those meetings, where Paigen learned the footbed also plays a role in securing the foot, Chacos today feature superior arch support, a hallmark of the brand. 

With the sandal design finalized, all that was left to decide was a name. Paigen's best friend, putting on a cheesy French accent, said the sandal should be named Z/1 because it was "Zee one!" The "Z" also reflected the shoe's Z-strap design, which is adjustable and allows for a customized fit. 

Taking a closer look at the Chaco Z/1 Classic Sandal

Chaco now sells many different sandal styles. Some with multiple straps or toe loops, others that look more like traditional flip-flops, and even a handful made from leather. However, the Z/1 remains the most recognizable and popular for the brand.

The Z/1 has a trademarked ChacoGrip rubber outsole, which is grippy and suitable for terrains from dusty trails to city sidewalks. The midsole is thick, and thicker at the arch, with a highly contoured, textured footbed. The uppers consist of a strong and quick-drying polyester jacquard strap and a buckle to help make strap adjustments. 

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We tried the Chaco Z/1 Classic Sandal. Here are our reviews: 

I've been wearing Chacos since I was 12 — I got my first pair for a big whitewater rafting trip and my summers away at camp, and I wore them every weekend hunting for sharks teeth in the creeks where I grew up (yes, I am actually a small swamp monster). They're the ultimate outdoor sandal; the base is thick enough to keep your feet removed from tiny pebbles and dirt, the grippy footbed keeps your foot secure enough that you won't slip and slide, and the straps are adjustable and dry quickly. If you're planning to spend a lot of time outdoors, there's no better option — and don't forget to show off the funny tan line they'll give you! It's sort of a right of passage in the outdoor world. Also, I'm officially trying to make Chacos a fashion thing — I mean, everyone's wearing chunky sandals right now anyway. 

As far as sizing goes, the jury's kind of out. Chacos tells you to size up if you're in between sizes. I sized up to an 8 because I'm a 7.5 and they only come in whole sizes, but I would actually recommend sizing down. The size 8 is fine, but I think the arch takes up slightly too much surface area for my foot, and there's a little more area in the toe than I need, so I had to pull the strap really tight over the top of my foot to keep it from moving around. —Sally Kaplan, executive editor, Insider Reviews

I've heard a lot about Chacos from my more outdoorsy, hiking-prone friends, and never thought they'd be something I actually wear myself. Now, I wear them a few times a week since realizing how cute, casual, and comfortable they are. 

Living in New York requires a lot of walking, so having a comfortable, breathable shoe is an absolute must. While I love to wear flats, having my toes out in the open makes a big difference while (basically) wading through the muggy air of the city. I could wear strappy sandals or heels, but Chacos are more sturdy and supportive, and just as lightweight. I keep the straps on the looser end, but I like that there's even the option to quickly adjust them with no fuss. It took a couple wears for my feet to get fully accustomed to the footbed and now it's like my feet have molded to these sandals. 

I got them in the pretty Lavender Frost, which couldn't be a better color for the fun and effortless feel of the summer season. Definitely take advantage of all the bright colors Chaco has to offer because they'll instantly spruce up your outfit. —Connie Chen, former senior reporter

I know that $105 is a lot for a sandal, but Chacos have been a mainstay of summer outdoor activities for years, so you know that you are paying for the quality. For years I was firmly against wearing sandals, but I've softened my stance recently. Dad style is in lately, anyway, and if you pair it with normal clothes it doesn't look weird at all. 

When it's really hot outside, having your feet exposed to the air can be a huge help in staying cool. The Chaco footbed is also sturdy and super comfortable. I also like that it's pretty thick, which keeps my feet a little further away from the ground so I won't stub my toes and or get as dirty as I would with a flip flop. 

My only small complaint is that the strap, once tightened, was kind of long. I didn't drag on the ground, but it was enough to notice when walking so I had to tuck it behind another strap. It didn't affect the comfort of the shoe, but it's worth noting. Anyway, I could spend all day in these shoes. I would say that if you're still ambivalent about sandals, give these a chance. Flip flops are for the locker room — get some Chacos and head outside. —Breton Fischetti, former VP of Commerce

Where and how to shop Chacos

You can find Chaco men's and women's sandals online at many retailers, including Amazon, Nordstrom, REI, and Urban Outfitters. Their availability at these various stores speaks to how the shoe is increasingly blurring the lines between sport and fashion — the sandal equivalent of Nike streetwear. 

You can also shop the full range of colors and styles, including web-exclusive and limited-edition products, at Chaco's website. If you want to create a one-of-a-kind custom pair of sandals, go to that official website. Standard shipping is free and express shipping is free for orders over $120. 

Since some colors and styles sell out, you might need to check all the websites above to find the pair you want. Once you do, you'll find yourself wearing them to hikes, lunch dates, flights, festivals, and more. 

Shop all Chaco sandals here.