The sport sandal is the summer uniform of many a Seattle resident. That, a natural fiber shirt of some variety, and shorts with a lot of pockets and possibly a built in belting solution. I have lost my heart to many a sporty guy wearing said uniform, possibly the guy was riding a bike at the time. The sport sandal is also the uniform of the reusable bag at the farmer’s market crowd, probably there are some flowers in that bag, and some artisanal cheeses, and the bag is being carried by a sturdy woman who may also have a small child at hand. I have avoided the sport sandal so’s not to be considered one of these stereotypes.
Until last year, that is, when we went to Vietnam and I realized that the sport sandal is amazingly practical. My worn out pair are a combination of webbing and neoprene and honestly, they were getting a little smelly, in spite of repeated plunges into the Pacific. When Chaco asked if they could send me a pair of their sandals to try out, I said yes even while my stereotypes mocked me. And dammit, I really like these shoes. Vibram soles! Adjustable webbing! Lightweight while still making my feet happy!
I had been wearing them here and there in the city, to ride my bike (check), to walk to the farmer’s market (check), but last weekend when I wore them to go hiking, I realized that oh, this is why all these sensible sporty types are wearing these things! They are like real shoes, only with the top down. I was sort of amazed that my feet were so happy on the trail, on the rocky bits, on the wet bits, on the stair climbing bits… These sandals are coming with me roadtripping — I’ll probably wear them driving, walking around Yellowstone, stepping out of campground showers, and strolling the humid streets of Chicago. I will no longer make fun of the farmer’s market women/sporty summer guy crowd for their footwear because, oops, I am them. They’re great, I won’t leave home without them. The shoes I mean. Not the sporty guy/farmer’s market crowd.
My pair came from Chaco, you can get yours at just about any shoe store, but hey, if you shop at Amazon through this link
Pam, I LOVE my Chacos! You didn’t mention it, but they come in widths — that’s important for people like me with wide feet.
yes…chacos are the best. i have the same pair you do. I bought mine last year and wore them for 12 months straight while i lived in costa rica. hiking biking walking riding horses….they are worth every penny
I like my Chacos I got last year as they don’t stink like Tevas end up doing, but I have to say: all that about the Vibram sole? Hell, my soles wore down in ONE summer season. I’m saying I wear my sandals every single day in the summer, but I would have expected a few more seasons out of these.
I bought a pair of Chacos this year in prep for a trip to Hawaii in a few short weeks. I wanted something waterproof yet supportive for my feet. I wasn’t sure at first and only wore them around the house for a few weeks so I could return them but then I began to adore them. I have worn them around the house, in the yard and around the city, and can’t wait to take them hiking and beachcoming in Hawaii. Thanks for sharing the link.
I have lived in Myrtle Beach, SC going 6 years. I stumbled across Chacos sandals recently and love them. I wear mine primarily when playing volley ball on the beach to avoid sharp shells and the extremely hot sand. They really made my weekly beach outings more enjoyable.
Just saying, at camp we love our Chacos so much we made a “Chacumentary”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pws58XbdWKA
that’s part one, it links to part two…. check it out!
Does anyone know where I can buy Chacos in Costa Rica?
Muchas gracias
I always wear Merrell for every activities but if Chaco is that good, I will give it a try next summer. And yes, I will buy it from Amazon.com through your link, I really want to support good blog like this.