Chaco Z/2 Unaweep Sandals - Men's

Comments about Chaco Z/2 Unaweep Sandals - Men's:

I love my chacos. They are wonderful shoes and I wear them all the time. I'm a guy and was never really into shoes.. but once I discovered hiking footwear such as chacos, I became an instant shoe lover.

Alright so, I use mine when hiking, wading in the water, walking around town, jumping off waterfalls, squishing through the mud, traveling, and so on. Whenever and wherever I can wear my chacos, I will.

It's so nice having my feet exposed to the air, free to breathe. It feels so natural and I feel much more connected with my environment.

I do a lot of waterhikes and Keens seem to be more popular than chacos, but keens seem to be marketed more specifically towards watershoes while chacos are more all-around walking shoes. People have even hiked the AT in chacos. I often bring up that fact when people are surprised to see me hiking in chacos.

I can jog or even run if I need to in chacos, but I wouldn't consider them running shoes. It's good to know that you can run if you need to in these.

When swimming I've found chacos to work better than sneaker-based watershoes. The big footbed works better as a flipper than contoured shoes, though I prefer barefeet over chacos.

I get better traction in chacos than I do in barefeet. The only things I've found that I don't get traction on are steeply sloped wet rocks, or those really slippery slime-covered rocks you find in the water. The traction overall is excellent and I trust my life to these shoes. With a lot of the things I do, I basically have to.

I'd love to give these shoes 5 stars, but there are some limits that it's helpful to be aware of. They're not showstoppers, but simply good things to be conscious of.

Boulder hopping feels good in chacos, but when crossing rugged boulder fields, I prefer my trailrunners or real hiking boots. It's not just about the ankle support, but also the tighter grip around my foot. For hiking I haven't found the lack of ankle support to be an issue. Your ankles will strengthen so you'll be alright. Poles help too of course, especially when on rugged terrain or when wearing a heavy pack.

Foot/toe protection may occasionally be an issue and it's something people often inquire about. Sometimes you'll have a stick poke your foot and get lodged in between your foot and the sandal, sticking out of it like a funky appendage. I rarely encounter problems with exposed toes, but it does happen. A summer of hiking several times a week and I only ran into chipped toe nails twice, and this was during a swim in somewhat rocky water. Sometimes when walking you may accidentally kick a boulder where a higher part sticks out more so that your toe bumper goes underneath it and it's your toes that make impact. The vast majority of the time, however, the front of the sole acts as a bumper, effectively protecting your foot. I normally wear a size 9 shoe. Size 8 was a bit too tight but size 9 works if I cinch the straps down all the way. You'll notice the extended toe bumper this larger sole offers me in the pics. Having the straps cinched down all the way means that I often have a long excess strap hanging off the side of the shoe which hasn't really ever been an issue for anything other than looks.

The straps definitely do chafe. This doesn't happen to everyone, but for me this is probably the biggest issue. I get hotspots after about 5 miles of hiking which soon turn into blisters if I don't take care of them. If I hike through water, hot spots will start making themselves known within 2 miles max. If your straps chafe, get some body glide. I don't hike in chacos without it anymore.

Dirt sometimes gets into the footbed where the straps slink in and cleaning the inside of them can be somewhat of an issue, leaving this gritty sensation when trying to adjust the strap length.

Pebbles sometimes may get caught between your foot and the footbed, but cleaning them out isn't too difficult. You can often shake them out, but sometimes you may need to loosen the straps and do some work to free those pebbles.

The toe strap sometimes gets annoyingly tight and I have to go in and adjust the strap length. This isn't just when the feet swell during a hike either. It can even happen the next time I put on the sandal, oddly enough.

I do like having the toe strap though. It helps keeps the sole very well attached to my foot. The only time my foot comes out is when I'm kicking hard when swimming in the water. Otherwise it does a good job.

You can hike without a single worry about mud or puddles. In fact, you may find yourself going out of your way to step in puddles, play in the water, or squish through the mud. While your shoe-wearing buddies will be doing their best to find dry boulders and delicately walk across a river to keep their feet dry, you'll be thoroughly enjoying yourself by walking straight into the water without hesitation. It makes life so easy. Just beware of others getting jealous of how much fun you're having... :p I've found that since I can walk right into the water, I can be of assistance to those who are trying to cross along the boulders.

So yeah, they're excellent shoes. I really love mine. I assume that wherever I go, it's likely that I'll be getting wet or want to go hiking. Whether it starts raining, I see a nice little dirt path I can take instead of a paved sidewalk, or I feel like spontaneously heading over to a local park, it's great knowing that my casual everyday shoe is also a hiking shoe and I can do whatever I want without worry about changing or keeping an extra pair of shoes with me.

They're useful, multi-purpose, comfortable, give you an awesome chaco tan (way better than the keens tiger tan or pale foot sneaker tan IMHO), attractive, and just all around awesome shoes.

While it will take some time for you to break in the shoes, particularly the footbed, get yourself a pair, walk in them for a while, then take them out with you on a hike. They're excellent shoes. :)

Comments about Chaco Z/2 Unaweep Sandals - Men's:

I like the idea of sole-integrated straps but they can be very difficult to adjust, especially considering that the big-toe loop consistently cinches down tight and becomes very uncomfortable.

Comments about Chaco Z/2 Unaweep Sandals - Men's:

When i first saw these they reminded me of tarahumara (indian nation) sandals, because of the toe strap. So i reckoned they would be good for running because the toe strap keeps the front of the sandal close to the foot and doesn't "flap". When i jogged in them the straps became tighter fitting. I wonder if i had the right size, even though they were great to me... I got basic black and found them to be very good looking. I had them for two years or more and the bottom were barely beginning to wear thin. I love the vibram bottom because they are as sturdy as a boot and the sole's lugs grip as well as a boot! Outstanding in rivers! Caveat...after more than two years the straps were very slightly frayed and in the river beside the city of Sedona, AZ, the smooth, fine, mud swallowed my feet up to my shins and ripped the straps off of one of the sandals. I was bummed about it. So if you are in sticky mud pull your feet up and out gracefully and tenderly. Cause these sandals deserve that much care as rugged and faithful as they can be, aye. They are great even when swimming. And like many sandals will not be pulled off by water currents or ocean waves. It is unfortunate that they always made my big toe sore, again, i wonder if i chose the right size or what. I hate to gross anyone out but after awhile the skin cells and funk get into the holes where the strap goes into the soles and collects to a nasty degree. When cleaning them i had to move the straps back and forth through the holes to get out the entire funk. oh yeah, tiny rocks and sand will get stuck in those areas, too. ...peace out.

Comments about Chaco Z/2 Unaweep Sandals - Men's:

I have just retired the first pair of chacos I bought close to 10 years ago. These are great sandals. They fit so well. The chaco strap thing really custom fits the shoe to your foot. The footbed is super comfortable. Arch support is in just the right place. They dry quickly, and they leave a super-stylish zoro tan on your foot. They are also very, very durable.

They require regular cleaning with a toothbrush/baking soda and water. If you live in these like I do, they tend to get funky after a week of trodding around in the dirt.

I'm onto pair #2.

Comments about Chaco Z/2 Unaweep Sandals - Men's:

These sandals have basically been a continuation of my feet for years. I bought one pair back in 03 and just traded them back in for a new pair because the sole was just beginning to delaminate in a small spot [...]. These sandals are amazing. You literally can were them anywhere, you can even where them with socks, and its cool (much to my wifes embarassment). They are supportive (I have a bad back) comfortable, verstile, can be abused, don't give blisters, and should be owned by anyone. A little tip for you: take a 5 gallon bucket of water with some dish soap in it, put your sandals in it over night footbed down and by morning the stink will be gone and your sandals will smell like new (nothing). Let you feet enjoy CHACO bliss.

Comments about Chaco Z/2 Unaweep Sandals - Men's:

These are, hands down, the best technical sandals in the world. Simplicity of design reigns supreme: One continuous strap and a two-piece Vibram sole guarantee durability, fit, and technical performance in the most adverse of conditions. No other sandal, not Tevas nor Keens nor Birks, can match it in performance or simple good looks.Unfortunately, even as the best, they're still not perfect. For me, their flaws are:- Arch support. Yeah, yeah, I know people love the arch support. Personally, as someone with a naturally high arch who prefers minimalist footwear, I could stand for the sole to be a lot flatter. I know it's not likely for Chaco to change a part of its design which is so integral, but it would be nice if they offered a flatter alternative which also took into account the shoe's:- High profile. I think this is related to the supportive design. There's just a lot of unnecessary bulk in the sole that adds weight and clunkiness to the appearance of the sandal. It seems to me that Chaco could cut a solid centimeter of material from the height of the insole without sacrificing the grip or function of the outsole. And, speaking of:- Weight. This is a heavy sandal. You mightn't specifically notice it while walking around or hiking, but in ventures when every ounce counts, it would be nice to know that your shoes aren't unnecessarily draining your energy as you walk.- Made in China. This has nothing to do with the design or performance of the sandals, which, from what I can tell, has not changed. But for a company that purports to care about the environment, and markets to a consumer audience that has vested interest in preserving the environment, it strikes me as an incredibly poor decision to engage in overseas production simply to save a couple bucks per sandal. The shipment of vast quantities of cargo across the oceans contributes 40% of air pollution, and the 15 largest ships in the world emit more sulphur oxide pollution than all automobiles combined. Surely Chaco must know about the environmental impacts of its decision to move production overseas, to say nothing of the loss of jobs here in the US.Anyway... despite their flaws, and my failing confidence in Chaco's corporate ethics, these remain the industry standard for technical sandals.As far as the Z1 vs. Z2 debate goes, I'm on the fence. I own both. I like the toe-wiggling freedom that the Z1s afford, but when you need your whole foot secured to your sandal in muddy or rocky conditions, having that extra toe strap helps. I've also noticed that the strap of the Z2 is slightly narrower which, I think, is a more flattering look than the thick straps of the Z1, especially on my petite feet (though folks with bigger feet might prefer the look of the thicker straps).For those of you scared by the high price... don't be. Like a house, a car, or even a high-quality jacket, Chacos are an investment. Between the lifetime warranty, Chaco's own repair shop, and the sandals' inherent durability, there's no reason you shouldn't be able to rock a single pair of Chacos for up to a decade or longer. They are well-worth their retail price, and even better if you can find them on sale. And if you aren't satisfied with them, there's always REI's infinite return policy.

Comments about Chaco Z/2 Unaweep Sandals - Men's:

There are some of the most comfortable sandals that I have ever owned. I am a flip flop/sandal guy who hates wearing shoes. Before these I owned a pain of Rainbow flip flops and after 7 yrs of wearing them non stop, they wore through 3 layers in the sole so I took a friends advice and got some Chacos. Striaght out of the box, they are some of the most comfortable sandals I have ever put on. The arch support, I my opinion, is the best feature. I want to sleep in these. I have been very impressed thus far.

Comments about Chaco Z/2 Unaweep Sandals - Men's:

first if there are gripes that you have about this sandal you just don't know how to remedy it. there are reviews of people saying that the strap chafes. all you need to do to solve that problem is LOOSEN THE STRAP. it is not that difficult. if it is too stiff you just haven't given it enough break in time Chacos are like boots. they require a certain period of "break in time". if you get blisters, well put on moleskin. the toe strap? if you don't like the toe strap there is a very easy remedy for this. Buy the Chaco Z1 not the Z2! the Z1 does not have the toe strap but it is the same concept. i was a camp counselor this last summer and all of my fellow counselors wore Z1's or Z2's. there was not a single day that we didn't wear them. we all agree that Chacos are the best sandal and they deliver the most amount of foot support of any sandal on the market.

Comments about Chaco Z/2 Unaweep Sandals - Men's:

I use the sandals on weekends around town and to the beach. I find the straps uncomfortable, especially the toe loop. They are attractive and stable, but I frequently dig out an old pair of Teva Terra-Fi sandals that are more comfortable and quicker to get on. I also own a pair of the flips which are fine, but will not be getting another pair of Chaco sandals.

Comments about Chaco Z/2 Unaweep Sandals - Men's:

I'm on to year 3 with my Chacos, and they continue to be the perfect shoe for all kinds of circumstances. For those who found them uncomfortable right away, be patient! I found particularly the soles to be rough on my feet the first few weeks, but I kept wearing them around town until they broke in, and now I can hardly tell I have them on. (You wouldn't think you would need to break in sandals, but with these it is often necessary.) Things I would not recommend: buying a brand new pair of Chacos and going for a 10 mile hike. Things I would recommend: taking a well-worn pair of Chacos on a 10 mile hike.

Other adventures my Chacos and I have been on together include hiking and camping in Colorado, floating rivers in Missouri and Texas, outcrop-jumping in Utah, and field work in the Caribbean. The latter includes no foofy drinks with umbrellas on beaches, but lots of knee-deep tidal flat mud with big sharp shells, and the occasional wade through hypersaline lakes, which corroded almost everything that touched them except my Chacos. The only downside I've seen is occasionally forgetting to sunscreen my feet, which I'm pretty sure has made my stylish Chaco tan permanent. Actually make that 2 downsides - the other includes algal funk and mud working its way down under the straps in the footbed, which smelled terrible until I figured out that chucking my shoes in a washing machine makes them look (and smell!) brand-new.

Moral of the story: Get some Chacos! Go on adventures!