Footwear Focus—A Podiatrist Reviews Chacos and Offers Her Expert Insights
If you’re an active, outdoorsy type, Chacos are likely already on your footwear shortlist for warm-weather adventuring.
The brand has been a mainstay of trail warriors for decades and with good reason.
This month, I’m diving into the iconic brand to explore its offerings and ethos.
Together, we’ll go beyond their classic sandals to learn what else the brand has in store for its customers. I’ll also be sharing my personal feelings and expert podiatrist insight about this brand, so you can decide with confidence if Chacos is the right choice for your foot health and wellness.
It’s time for another Footwear Focus! Let’s get moving!
An overview of Chacos brand footwear
When you hear the word, Chacos, you probably picture their classic sandal styles.
Their colorful, strappy sandals are a staple of the outdoor-focused brand.
But Chacos also offers various styles of sandals, boots, shoes, and even clogs.
Recently, they’ve even started offering custom services, which I think is awesome! Hop on their site to discover how you can personalize your next pair of Chacos sandals for ultimate comfort and style.
Personally, I’m a big fan of their classic outdoor sandals. But I’ve also tried their other footwear styles.
Chacos sandals caught on in the ‘90s, and they’ve remained popular ever since.
The brand was founded in 1989 by a rafting guide from Colorado. He wanted to design a pair of sandals that offered comfort, durability, and support—both in and out of the water.
That’s why the gecko was chosen as the brand’s animal icon—because this adorable reptile can adapt to all types of environments.
In the past 30-plus years since its founding, Chacos has evolved and deepened its mission.
Their goal is to create footwear that stands the test of time. That’s why they focus on durability and use quality materials.
Chacos also believes in repairing their sandals. Their in-house repair team can restore your well-loved pairs by providing services like resoling, strap and buckle replacement and repair, and cleaning and care consultation.
This is just one way Chacos leans into waste reduction and environmental stewardship. They also support and partner with innovative environmental and inclusion brands, like The Conservation Alliance, to support and educate others about the importance of maintaining wild spaces to explore and enjoy.
That all sounds cool, but what does Chacos have to offer you and your feet? Let’s look at why this brand has such a cult following.
Why are Chacos so popular?
Chacos has a rabid fanbase and a lot of repeat customers.
Folks love the durability, stability, functionality, and comfort of their footwear offerings.
Chacos sandals are also famous for being water-ready, constructed of high-quality materials, and supportive.
Another thing I love about their sandals is their massive variety of colors and patterns.
Favored by outdoor enthusiasts, Chacos are known for their casual style. While they might not be your first choice of sandals to wear to a fancy restaurant, you can pretty much wear them everywhere else life takes you.
I live in my Chacos sandals all summer long. I appreciate their versatility and support.
My go-to pair is their Z/1 Adjustable Strap Classic Sandal. This style is a mainstay of the brand for a reason. I appreciate both the arch support in the footbed and the backstrap. This makes these sandals better for walking distances because it eliminates the need to tense your feet to hold them in place. I also love that I can wear them in the water.
The Z/2 is a similar style but comes with a strap around the big toe. I’m personally not a fan of this but lots of folks like it. If you like a toe strap, this pair may be for you. They offer a couple of varieties of this style for men and women.
In recent years, Chacos has expanded its offerings to include even more styles of sandals and summer shoes, including some that read as a little less “outdoorsy."
They’ve also begun offering styles for all seasons, including winter boots and clogs.
Now that you’ve got a good sense of what Chacos has to offer and its brand identity, let’s reveal if they’re podiatrist-approved footwear.
Do podiatrists recommend Chacos footwear?
This podiatrist loves her Chacos!
Their sandals are my go-to summer footwear, and I wear them both to the grocery store and on hiking trails.
Discover even more of my top summer sandal recommendations in this helpful blog round-up!
I’m especially a fan of the arch support and stability they offer. I also appreciate their grip, which makes them a good choice for those who are outdoorsy or who are at risk of slips and falls.
One caveat to note is that, for some folks, Chacos can lead to blisters. The straps can sometimes cause chafing in some wearers. That’s why it’s best to try them on to assess if they’re right for you.
Learn how to prevent and treat foot blisters in our recent article.
Being such a fan of their summer sandals, I decided to expand my collection and purchased a pair of their Ramble Rugged Canvas Shoes this past winter. This pair is also offered in a clog style and is available for men and women.
I jokingly refer to these as my “winter flip-flops”. They’re super easy to slip on and go and are great when you need to run a quick errand but also want your feet to be warm and protected from the elements. With Chicago winters to contend with, warmth and protection are always something I consider when selecting the right footwear for the season.
Check out more of my top winter footwear recommendations in this recent blog.
One drawback about this option I have to mention is that you can only tighten them up so much because they lack laces. As a result, I find they’re not the optimal choice to rack up the miles in. But they’re great for daily life and shorter adventures.
Considering Chacos but want to be sure this brand is right for your foot and ankle health and wellness needs? I’m always happy to offer patients my expert advice and guidance to help you select your ideal footwear—for every occasion, activity, and season!
We also offer custom orthotic services, which is a great way to transform your close-toed footwear into the perfect pair.
Reach out to me or the City Step team with any questions, or book your in-person appointment with me easily online. Our convenient downtown Chicago office location and flexible scheduling were made for busy, active Chicago professionals to easily access the top-quality podiatry care you deserve. I’m here to help you step strong in Chicago!
At City Step Podiatry, we take great pride in keeping Chicago moving forward! With our cutting-edge services, superior support, flexibility, and transparency—we’ll partner with you to reach your foot health goals.
City Step Podiatry is here for you! Reach out today to schedule your visit and treat your feet to the care they deserve.
