Just bought my first Chaco sandals!

[emily_in_nc]

Merrell bought Chaco

I really wish Chaco had stayed in the US and independently owned

Bummer...I didn't know that. I saw Michigan on the box and assumed they had been made in the US, which I really liked.

I also read on the website that they could be washed in a washing machine -- I thought that was pretty darn cool!

[Blueberry]

I also read on the website that they could be washed in a washing machine -- I thought that was pretty darn cool!

It is - them mean it - and I do! I still love them

[emily_in_nc]

I wore them to work today for the first time (yes, I have a very casual workplace!) They will definitely take some breaking in. No blisters, but the cross straps were noticeable and rubbed somewhat, especially since I did quite a bit of walking (to the bus stop, into work, about 1/2 mile each before and after work), all over our huge building at work, etc. I still have some redness here or there on my feet where the straps hit, so I won't be wearing them tomorrow! Like any sandals, I will just have to toughen up. I still think I'll like them a lot once I do that.

One of the reasons I wore them today is because rain was in the forecast for the afternoon, and I knew they'd do fine if they got wet walking to/from the bus stop coming home. And they got soaked, but did just fine.

The footbeds are very, very comfy. When I was just standing up, but not walking, I thought they felt GREAT.

[Reesha]

I wore them to work today for the first time (yes, I have a very casual workplace!) They will definitely take some breaking in. No blisters, but the cross straps were noticeable and rubbed somewhat, especially since I did quite a bit of walking (to the bus stop, into work, about 1/2 mile each before and after work), all over our huge building at work, etc. I still have some redness here or there on my feet where the straps hit, so I won't be wearing them tomorrow! Like any sandals, I will just have to toughen up. I still think I'll like them a lot once I do that.

One of the reasons I wore them today is because rain was in the forecast for the afternoon, and I knew they'd do fine if they got wet walking to/from the bus stop coming home. And they got soaked, but did just fine.

The footbeds are very, very comfy. When I was just standing up, but not walking, I thought they felt GREAT.

I find that it's not that the bands need much breaking in, but more my feet needed some strategic calluses. Since I acquired those-- no problems!

[emily_in_nc]

I find that it's not that the bands need much breaking in, but more my feet needed some strategic calluses. Since I acquired those-- no problems!

I wear my Chacos all the time down here in Belize! That said, I have never been able to get really comfortable in them for longer walks; I think because the model I got does not have back of heel straps, so they flap, and I end up wasting a lot of "foot energy" clamping down with my toe. Thus I go slower and my feet get tired in time. But I wear them to ride my beach bike and then do our shopping and short jaunts around town, and they're great for that. I have very funny tan lines on my feet!

For longer walks where I need to walk faster, I still prefer my trail runners, though they are certainly hotter. Or my Tevas, since they strap around the heel so I don't waste energy clamping down with my toes.

[jessmarimba]

I think my first pair of chacos may need to be retired

They are about 10 years old, too worn out to re-sole, and I'm starting to get weird pain across the top of my foot when I wear them too long. But I love them too much to remember that.

[Jolt]

As much as I liked the idea of sandals that can be resoled, I ultimately decided the Chacos were way too heavy and clunky for me and bought a pair of Teva Zilch sandals this spring. If Chaco came up with a minimalist style like that and made it so the sole/straps could be replaced, I'd be first in line to get a pair! However, their current styles just aren't there.