You have to have seen someone wearing them before, and if you haven't, you must live under a rock. What I'm talking about are Chacos, the rubber-soled, woven-strapped sandals. Chacos are made to cater to people who walk a lot, and even hike. However, those of us who wear them get a lot of flack, just like the Birkenstock wearers (some of us even wear both). Yet, we wear them with pride, knowing that we're making the right choice by doing so. My hope for this article is not to convince you to buy Chacos (although we'd love to have a new member of the #ChacoNation), but simply to inform of the reasons of why we choose to trust our feet to their care in hopes of ending the Chaco hate.
1. They're with you for the long run.
Chacos are probably the most durable sandals I've ever seen, and are in the running for some of the most durable shoes in general. Chacos are built to last. My grandma has a pair of Chacos that I remember seeing her wear years ago. She still wears them and they're still trekking along. Chacos even come with a guarantee: You can get them repaired if the damage is due to a fault in the craftsmanship of the sandal. Chaco is proud of their work, and want to make sure your sandals were built correctly.
2. They can be washed easily.
Chacos are the easiest shoes to wash. Ever. You can literally just throw them in the washer with a load of clothes that get washed on cold. Then take them out and let them air dry. Typically, if you wash them in the evening and set them out, they'll be dry by morning. Most shoes take forever to dry since you can't put them in the dryer, but Chacos dry quickly.
3. They're super comfortable.
Chacos are probably some of the most comfortable shoes I own, alongside my Birks. They offer great arch support, and the straps help to keep them on for long days. To be honest, there was a little irritation as my feet were getting used to them, but you have this with most shoes while you're breaking them in. With Chacos, your feet need to get used to the straps wrapping around your feet. If you continue to have problems, you may need to loosen or tighten them. If you have trouble getting the straps just right, try taking them to a store that sells them and ask them to help you adjust the straps, or check out Chaco's Strap Adjuster Guide. Trust me, well-fitted Chacos can be heaven for your feet. I actually wore mine to our dance marathon, where I had to be on my feet for 12 hours straight, and it was one of the best decisions of my life.
4. There's a pair for every person and occasion.
Chacos have colors and patterns to please anyone. You can get anything from plain black to floral patterns, Grateful Dead patterns (no one's really sure why) and even glow-in-the-dark (I have these!). You can also wear them for so many activities. I have professors that wear them at school (shout out to Annie), and like I said, they're great for hiking. Chaco even makes normal flip flops for the beach, and leather sandals for those extra-classy events. However, most of us like to stick to the classic Z sandals.
5. They're a great value.
Chaco owners know a good value when they see it. I'll admit, $105 can be steep, but when you look at all of the pros of Chacos, it's a small price to pay. Also, Chaco has a repair service that's actually pretty affordable. So when those Chacos that already last for a long time need a little TLC, you can send them in. They can repair anything from the soles to the straps and buckles, making their life even longer. So if both shoes need strap repair, it will only cost you $25, but that's little to pay compared to a new pair. Very few shoe brands offer repair for them, and just expect you to buy a new pair. Also, I know of sneakers that cost WAY more than a pair of Chacos, and they'll probably last you only half as long.
Simply put, Chacos are great shoes. They will love your feet for years to come. Chaco owners are fashionable, sensible, smart and dedicated (regardless of the tan lines they leave). So, next time you're tempted to make fun of a member of #ChacoNation, remember all of these great reasons that person may have bought them.
