Chacos
Since wearing my first pair I have never looked back at Teva. No plastic thingy to dig into my ankle, no velcro, better adjustable fit for my AA feet, resolable, wear like iron, stay on my feet wading trout streams, and made right here in Colorado.
Tried Them All
– Last Updated: May-08-06 11:15 AM EST –
I am a confessed gear junkie and a bit of a pretty boy when it comes to new clothes...so I have owned dozens of pairs of river sandals.
Here are my opinions:
Teva: I have seen far too many velcro failures to trust any but the Guides. I have had two pairs, one I liked the other gave me blisters no matter how I adjusted them.
Alps: I bought 3 pairs before the company sold out to Teva. The original ones were built well but were fairly narrow and lead to a lot of toe stubbing. I have had one pair since the Teva takeover and felt that the footbed was not as good as the original.
Chacos: My favorites for sandy conditions. I have 4 pairs. Simple strap system with high quality materials. The raised toe helps prevent stubbing but still leaves a lot of open flesh.
Keen: I have the H2's. I like the closed toe, but they are a pain to get small rocks out of. I figure I'll try a pair of the Boulders next. I'm thinking the more enclosed sho will help keep pebbles out.
Crocs: My feets favorite shoe. I wear these year round as house/town slippers. Extremeley comfy, light weight for packing, fast drying, and stylish to boot!!
Chotas: I found that the non upturned toe kept getting snagged on stuff. I admit I can be a bit of a clutz, but these shoes felt like they were fighting against me.
Shaka: These are South African hiking sandals. They featured a closed webbing toe and heel. These were fantastic sandals. I'm not sure if they are still available in the US.
keeping gravel out from under bare toes
Being a complete novice with health problems, I elected to wear neoprene socks under a pair of quicklace Choata boots this past Saturday. My feet were dressed for immersion even if I was not. Warm feet, cool head perhaps?
What I appreciated most was not getting sand and gravel between the bottom of my foot and the top of my shoe’s soul. This seemed to give me surer footing and more stability.
Now that summer is almost here I am going to look for something similar for summer wear. I’ve tried tevas, watershoes, merrills, and more but I’m opting for something that lets no sandy water through and stays secure on my feet.
Another Vote for Keens
I love my Keen Newport sandals. Waterproof, comfortable and cover the toes. They work exceptionally well and really provide great footing in and out of the boat.
Mike
Chacos all the way for me
I thru-hiked the Appalachain Trail in 2 pair of Chacos and paddled the Mississippi River with one other pair. They’re the only shoes that I wear 90% of the time.
Crocs for the other 10% - those things are comfy but not the best for scrambling around in muddy conditions.
www.source2sea.info
i live in my chacos
and wouldn’t trade my “Z” tan lines for anything.
chacos. no question
Chacos for arch support
I love Chacos for arch support
Paula
depends what you want to use them for
I’ve had maybe a dozen sandals over the past 5 years. Different designs have their place in different activities. For hiking, I really like the protection and fit and ruggedness of the Keen Newports. But, for getting in and out of boats, especially if sand or pebbles are present, I’d suggest a more open, Teva type sandal. If you’re launching from, or even just walking through sand, any of the more closed styles like most Keens, or regular cheap nylon boat shoes, will just become sand traps, and you’ll wind up hating life as you continually have to take them off and dump them. Reebok makes (or made) a very thin soled version of the classic Tevas that are 100% synthetic with light, soft lightly cusioned straps (not regular nylon webbing). They’re light enough and flexible enough that they are my fav boat shoes. I’ve waded through many mudflats, and done much beach walking in the surf in these and they seem reasonably indestructible. Best of all, they weren’t that expensive.
Salomon Amphibs
Rather than sandals, I would recommend Salomon amphibs. They’re designed for canyoneering and kayaking/ canoeing/ rafting trips that involve spending some time on the land as well (portagin, etc) They are lightweight, made of mesh uppers with great traction in the soles. They dry super fast, and have a kevlar draw lacing system. I’ve tried tevas, keens (?), and several others, but these are my favorites. I love the fact that these keep rocks from getting under my feet, unlike many open sandals.
The sandal/ shoe makes all the difference! sometimes!
The North Face
I have an older pair of North Face sandals that are made alot like Chacos with a single webbing that weaves around your foot and tightens with a buckle. I wear them for canoeing in warm weather and they are constantly in and out of water. great sandals. I also wear Tevas and (partially based on this thread) I have ordered a pair of Z1 Chacos. I hope they compare well to the North Face sandals which I do not believe North face makes any more.
chacos…
If you intend to paddle in Utah of a
desert, you might want to think of a shoe more covered. My feet really got scratched up scrambling through brush. I ended up putting on my NRS booties to protect my feet.
Another Chaco fan
My original Tevas were good and lasted a long time. Then they “improved” them and I could never get them to stay on right. I have Keen Boulders and like them, but - as others have said - rocks etc. get in but don’t want to get out. My favorite goes to Chacos. Salesperson helped me adjust them perfectly. The arch support is fantastic. I like them for kayaking, especially if I have to launch from the water. You can add neoprene or fleece socks in cooler weather. I spent 3 plus hours hiking/canyoneering with them in Utah last fall and they were both comfortable and good performers while wading through water and scrambling up rocks.
If you can’t beat 'em…
Funny, seems like a couple of Teva’s hyped new models are rip-offs of Chaco and Keen.
Keen!
Keen Antigua…I love 'em…wear them all the time.
Keen!
Keen Antigua…I love 'em…wear them all the time.