Truly comfortable sandals are hard to find – I’ve gotten blisters from several models of the nylon webbing versions, even those lined with neoprene. Maybe I’ll try on a pair of Chacos, since they seem to have earned a lot of fans, here and on other forums. I’ve got Chaco wading boots and they seem to use a last that suits my feet, at least for those models. I admit that the abrasion potential of nylon webbing like the NRS straps (which are woven with that texture to “grab” better in the spring-loaded buckles for boat hauling) on the rubber soles concerns me.
As to fit, I learned during my years fitting and selling outdoor footwear for an outfitter that there are certain manufacturer shoe lasts that fit certain foot morphology and don’t fit others. I always caution people to not get too attached to any brand of shoe until they’ve tried them on. Things like toe box depth, heel and ball width, location and length of arch support and height of instep vary greatly from brand to brand and even among models within an given brand. Less critical in sandals than leather hiking and climbing boots due to the adjustability of the straps, but you can’t put an orthotic or arch supporting insole inside a river sandal so the molded sole has to be really tuned in to your foot structure.
As I’ve gotten older I find that my entire skeleton responds to the “right” or “wrong” positioning of my feet in my shoes. The “wrong” insole support can cause knee and eventually hip joint pain with even a small amount of walking.
When I get a new pair of nylon webbing sandals, the first thing I do is put them on, get 'em wet, then wear then until dry. It’s always worked for me, but everyone’s different so…
Chaco Unaweep Z1’s are literally all I can wear for any length of time without pain, thanks to weird feet and the ravages of zliions of miles of walking. Thanks for the feet, mom. Unfortunately like all good things that I love Chacos change over the years. Straps can be different, they don’t have the great Vibram soles they used to have (although an inferior type of Vibram is a custom option) . The Chaco soles wear out waaaaay too quickly. Still, they’re the best. I could never wear a Z2 though. My big toes gotta be free as my little fellers,
I have no idea what an NRS strap is though, although NRS sells them.
NRS straps are pretty much the same as Thule rack straps, heavy duty 1" webbing with a rough texture that holds well in the same kind of spring-loaded buckle.
Not familar with Chaco, but I picked up a pair of Teva sandals (with toe, I don’t like open toe) and they are going strong after three years of pretty heavy use
@BrianSnat said:
Not familar with Chaco, but I picked up a pair of Teva sandals (with toe, I don’t like open toe) and they are going strong after three years of pretty heavy use
I think Teva sandals are indestructible. I have a pair of the originals. Wore them climbing Sacred Falls on the north shore of Oahu, before it was closed in 1999. Still use them as my after paddling shoes, but never while paddling. I wear Astral water shoes. Better support and foot protection.
@shiraz627 said:
I don’t like open toe sandals, to dangerous. For Sandals I’m a Keen guy.
Keens closed toe footwear aren’t sandals they are well-ventilated shoes. I like Keens too and still have pair but they aren’t wide enough for me and I can’t wear closed toes,
I ain’t afeared of open toes. Danger is my middle name. Seriously I hike, bike, work and play in my Chacos. I would get bloody feet wearing anything else, and that’s real danger. Yeah thay can be a pain in gravelly stuff.
@BrianSnat said:
Not familar with Chaco, but I picked up a pair of Teva sandals (with toe, I don’t like open toe) and they are going strong after three years of pretty heavy use
I think Teva sandals are indestructible. I have a pair of the originals. Wore them climbing Sacred Falls on the north shore of Oahu, before it was closed in 1999. Still use them as my after paddling shoes, but never while paddling. I wear Astral water shoes. Better support and foot protection.
I NEED the toe support. I have to go across some oyster beds for my daily paddle.
That being said, I like the keens (or other with toe protection) for getting the kayak to the water.
Once in the yak, I change to an old pair of Mion’s (no longer avail) for ‘open’ comfort. It has heal support, I remove them once an hour (all ‘feet’ control - no opening of sprayskirt to access) for a changeup.
Not so much for my short, daily paddles, but ‘Happy Feet’ are important for those 12 hour paddles.
No, no, a thousand times no. Obviously for the price, but more importantly, these aren’t safe if you need to walk in a rocky river or lake bottom. For that you need the Teva Omnium, which has great heel and toe protection and they last for years. I’ve been caught more than once in conditions where I had to walk long distances in the water on treacherous rocks wearing Crocs and my feet got torn up badly. And Crocs are better than these Chacos. Rugged footwear can be a lifesaver.
All I know is that I’m about to become one of those old dudes who wears socks under his sandals… at least out on the water. Seems every time I go out I wind up with sand and grit between the sandal and my foot and it hurts. A lot.
The last two pairs of Chacos I’ve owned required re-gluing fairly early in their lives. No more for me. I’ll try something like that Teva Omnium next.
@Rex said:
All I know is that I’m about to become one of those old dudes who wears socks under his sandals… at least out on the water. Seems every time I go out I wind up with sand and grit between the sandal and my foot and it hurts. A lot.
Seriously I hike, bike, work and play in my Chacos. I would get bloody feet wearing anything else, and that’s real danger. Yeah thay can be a pain in gravelly stuff.