10 Best Running Shoes For Women Under 50

Best Running Shoes For Women Under 50 in 2023

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Chaco Sandals Shoe Review: What's All the Hype?

Which Chaco sandals, flip-flops, and shoes to choose, and why they are amazing.

Although Chaco has several different styles, they like to break them out into three categories: sandals, flips, and shoes (four if you count accessories). Check out pictures of all the styles of Chaco footwear at www.chacousa.com.

Although each style is great, Chaco is most known for their sandals. Each Chaco sandal is equipped with adjustable webbing to fit any type of foot. Each style offers a different selection of webbing colors, but includes almost any color you can think of. Also stay tuned as Chaco puts out new color patterns each year. Chaco sandals also offer two types of soles. The first sole is called "Diamond Stealth," and is their most aggressive sole.

This rubber is actually the same rubber used in many rock climbing shoes. The second sole is called the "Unaweep," and although still aggressive, it's much more mild than the Diamond Stealth. Picture it this way: If you're into hard core river rafting, I'd go with the Diamond Stealth. If you prefer riding your cruiser downtown, opt for the Unaweep. For those of us with chubby feet, each sandal also comes with the option of medium or wide foot widths.

My favorite all-time Chaco sandal is the good ol' Z2. The Z2 is by far their most practical, all-around sandal. This sandal is especially awesome for floating the river or playing around in the lake, but it also doubles as a hiking shoe. The Z2 is like an ordinary river sandal, but it has a toe loop for comfort and stability. Some opt for the Z1 which mirrors the Z2, but looses the toe loop.

The ZX1 and the ZX2 are also similar styles, but have two smaller strands of webbing verses the one large strand. I'm willing to guess that the Z2 is the most popular all around, but in my experience, it is a person-by-person basis for sure. Don't forget to check out Chaco's other sandals as well: the Zong, Hipthong, and Wrapsody (women only); and the girls' Z1, ZX1, and the boys' Z1 for the kids!

In the "Flips" category, my favorite flip is by far the Switch. The Switch is similar to an ordinary flip-flop, but has a leather footbed, half a leather strap, and half a webbing strap. These range in various color schemes as well. The soles on the flips feature their new EcoTread, which is made from 25% recycled rubber. EcoTread is also available on the Zong, Hipthong and Wrapsody sandals.

I can't say from experience when it comes to the male flips, but I will tell you that my husband will vouch for the Fuse. The Fuse is a hard core, straight-up leather sandal with a small piece of elastic on the inside for aesthetics. When going with the Fuse, be sure to break these babies in! I've often heard them referred to as "work boots" by people who are now wearing them every day. Also in the men's flip category is the original Flip, Leather Flip, and Latitude. In the women's styles, you can choose from the original Flip, Leather Flip, Intersect, and Eclipse (along with the Switch too).

For Chaco "Shoes," try the new Canyonland Low eVent (men's and women's). If the Z1s or Z2s aren't going to cut it for your hiking needs, pretty much any Chaco "Shoe" will. The women's Canyonland Low eVent is a stylish, breathable, hiking shoe. According to Chaco, it features a "waterproof, breathable technology of eVent®-a state-of-the-art membrane that releases perspiration without letting in outside moisture." All styles in the Chaco shoe category also feature the new Getagrip rubber sole with a molded EVA midsole. These shoes aren't messing around. Other shoes to choose from are the Canyonland Mid eVent, Suntrail Leather (women's only), Canyonland Mid, Canyonland Low, Redrock, Suntrail (women's only), and Redrock Leather (men's only).

In addition, be sure to check out Chaco accessories such as dog collars and belts, and the Limited Edition shoe styles. Some limited edition styles consist of professional shoes for the workplace. Being a person with continual foot disorders, high heels just weren't cutting it for me in the workplace. I started wearing a pair of Chaco office shoes, and my problems were solved (including my fear of falling down the stairs in heels in front of the CEO). My doctor also suggested that wearing Chaco footwear will aid in the relief of foot pain associated with foot disorders like plantar fasciitis. According to Chaco, all Chaco Footwear has been awarded the Seal of Acceptance by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA).

If I still haven't convinced you, take a look at Chaco as a company. Chaco donates ten percent of its after-tax profits to organizations dedicated to caring for people and the planet (The Conservation Alliance, American Whitewater, etc.). Chaco also purchased 400-megawatt hours of windpowered Green Certificates to match 100 percent of their yearly electrical usage, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 572,000 pounds. The company has also chosen to pay their employees to ride their bikes to work! In addition, in 2020, Chaco was awarded the Community Award by the Western Slope Environmental Resource Council and was recognized by the North Fork River Improvement Association for work in removing the Chipeta Dam. Their Canyonland Low shoe was even featured in "Outside" magazine's best gear for 2020. Imagine, all this recognition and impact with only 100 employees located in the small town of Paonia, Colorado. If you haven't tried Chaco footwear, I would recommend doing it now.