Chaco's sandles?????

[Wishing on a star]

I thought that with Chaco's I might have found the shoes that I was ready to shell out the big bucks for, for our trip in a few weeks. But, I finally got the opportunity to try some on, and I don't know if I like the arch, or the shaping, of the sole???? Now, I can handle a bit of an arch. So I thought that these may work for me, but these arches seem major! Also, I felt like the heel, which looks so great in design, kind of dropped off low, like earth-shoes or something, after that huge arch. I expected it to be like slightly raised and maybe more cushioned???

The backless style did not seem to be quite as pronounced as the ones with the back-strap. But I am thinking that maybe I wanted a sandle with the backstrap.

Anyone else here have any experience with the Chaco's?

Any other good shoe recommendation for a shoe that can handle getting wet?

 

[campinggal]

Me! I love Chaco's- in fact my new pair just arrived this morning and I've been wearing them all day in anticipation for sporting them around WDW next week.

I have both kinds- with backstrap and without. I find that the back strap really doesn't do much as it isn't adjustable. All of the adjustment comes from the straps around the front of the foot which can hold the foot really secure.

Like any shoes- different manufacturers fit feet differently. I like the firmness and high arch of the Chaco's but it might take some getting use to them. If you buy them from a reputable shoe store- they should have a good return policy that will enable you to wear them around inside for a bit to see how they feel over a few hours.

Other good sport sandals to check out would be by Teva or Keen. Another option might be the Salomon Tech Amphibian- it is more like a mesh running shoe- rather than a sandal.

Good luck!

 

[sunshine girl]

I love my Chacos too!

I got mine years ago (1999), and they've lasted through a lot of wear. They did take me a few months to completely "break in" to my satisfaction, though.

I too was not used to the pronounced arch, but that didn't bother my foot at all (in fact, I it turned out that I liked the arch support and I have a fairly low arch in my foot). But like I said, it took some getting used to.

The good thing about mine is that they don't have velcro. My experience with old style velcro Tevas, etc., was that the velcro always wore out too soon. You can buy devices to fix that, but in my opinion it's so much simpler not to have to deal with velcro.

 

[eeyore45]

Seriously DH loves his chacos, and when he bought a new pair, ds 19 snagged the old ones, they both love them...

ME?? hah, I got sucked in the Croc thread, and I swear by Crocs, but they are UGLY! (Try them on at Hallmark, boating stores, Outdoor stores (like Bass Pro, Sole Outdoors etc)

 

[HockeyChick]

I like my Chacos but because of the high arch I really like my Tevas better. Plus, they are way cushier on the soles of my feet. Some people don't need that but I do. I haven't ever had the velcro problem, though (I've had the same pair of Tevas for about 4 years now).

But I LOVE my Crocs!! The Crocs may have some of that negative heel alightment you're talking about in Chacos, though (like Earth shoes). But that's good for you! It'll just give your leg muscles a bit more of a workout until you get used to it.

I've been toying with the idea of getting some Keen Newports for a while now. They look like they'd be great.

 

[aubriee]

I've tried on a few pairs of Chacos, but can't seem to find any that are comfortable right away and I hate breaking in new shoes. I have a pair of Teva Pretty Rugged Leather sandals, Teva Olowuhu flip flops, and Teva Mush flip flops that I bought a couple of months ago that were all comfortable immediately and I've been alternating them every day to walk my dog. Last week I came across some Crocs in the local mall. I had seen the thread here on them and thought 'no way, those shoes are way too ugly', but I tried them on just to see what all the fuss was about. That was a BIG mistake. I wound up buying a pair of Niles sandals in sea blue and a pair of the Beach in pink . I've been alternating them for the last week and now can't decide which ones to carry to WDW in May as all five pair feel wonderful to my poor feet.

By the way I've never been able to wear flip flops because of the thingy between the toes, but both pair of my Tevas have the really soft toe thingy and it's turned kinda sideways, so they have never bothered my toes at all. They're great!

Zappos have a great return policy with free shipping and handling and free returns. Why don't you order some Chacos, Tevas, Keens, and Crocs from them wear them around the house for a few days and then return the ones you don't want? The only thing is, remember that the longer you wear the Crocs the more they form to your feet and become even more comfortable. Your feet will be on .

Right now I'm leaning toward taking my Teva Pretty Rugged Leather sandals, Teva Mush flip flops, and probably the Crocs Nile sandals just because the colors (brown, black, blue) will go with most everything. But then again my pink Beach Crocs are SOOO comfortable and I love the way my teva Olowahus have the extra soft strap across so they don't flop like regular flip flops. Oh well, I may have to take all five pairs. Good luck on your choice!!