User Review: Chaco Men's Z/2 Unaweep

Summary

Chaco is unsurpassed in the sandal world, but beware the toe strap.

I bought the Z/2's based on a recommendation from a friend, they were my first experience with Chaco. I immediately loved them! They felt comfy, they performed well, and I could wear them for hours without my feet getting tired, achy, or having any sort of pain. After about a year though I could not shake the toe strangulation!

I met a person who told me to try the size down (since I wear an 8.5 usually and I had bought a 9) since I had so much extra webbing. I sold my 9's to a friend with slightly bigger feet (creating another fan instantly) and bought myself the 8's. Again it was a whole new world experience! Same fit for the most part, but less webbing hanging out at the end of my tightening strap and a bit tighter fit which I enjoyed.

Still though I could not shed the toe strangulation!!! I would get it set perfectly and it would slowly tighten over a few day period to the point where it would strangle me again. I did not want to sacrifice the big toe strap though because of the added stability it gave when I went off-road or around the lake, but it was really starting to kill me. I tried holding it in place with some clear nail polish (as read on a Chaco blog) to no avail, I also tried just having it super huge and only tightening it sslightly when I went off-road, but again no avail.

Finally I gave up on the Z/2 and went to the Z/1 and it has been a dramatic change. I don't feel any loss as far as sturdiness off-road and the fit is still just as great. Now I have met people that cinch their toe strap all the way down while around town and then open it up when off-road, but I found I got a blister doing that. So beware the toe strangle! But don't let that persuade you away from Chacos.

Overall, they are the most durable and versatile sandal I have ever owned. Since buying the Z/2 originally, switching to the Z/1 I have also branched out to some of the shoes and boots with the same great comfort and fit. There is nothing quite like a Chaco. They also just let you move and wiggle your toes! Which to my surprise is not a common occurrence in some sandals, some go right over your toes instead of where your toes meet your feet like Chacos and it constricts them.

I will probably die with a pair of Chacos on my feet! And with any luck, it will probably be this original pair haha.