As I walked around my Northeastern Pennsylvania campus in my Chacos for the first time, I got a lot of weird looks. The people who knew what they were thought I was just being pretentious--and did not hid their opinion about it. Despite their thoughts, however, I had bought them because I was gearing up for service work in the Dominican Republic and needed hardy footwear. There is more hate out there for Chacos than just my friends, but the more I wear my pair the less I understand the hate.

People call them “lesbian mom shoes” or compare them to Crocs, but the other argument is that they are only for looks and basic girls are just wearing them for the status, not their original intention. If I am wearing “ugly” shoes, then do you think I am really all that concerned about looks and status? If Chacos are really that awful, then why would someone who cares about looks wear them?

Also, other shoes in their price range ($55-150) just aren’t as durable or useful. If you do the math, if they last you around 5 years (how long my professor’s Chacos have lasted her with 11 Dominican Republic trips and counting), that's only around $11-30 a year. I have a pair of Jack Rogers, which I love dearly and wear quite often, but I would not really suggest going out for a hike in them or if it might rain. So maybe Chacos aren’t the prettiest, but they are the most comfortable and durable. They will get you where you need to be, wether it is to the top of a mountain in the Dominican Republic or to class on the other side of campus.

Chacos are also the most versatile. Rain or shine these babies got my back. This versatility is really important in an area that will be torrentially raining one minute and then five minutes later be 70 degrees and beautiful. Chacos can get wet without letting my foot slip all over the place like in my Jacks, but also can be worn when it’s hot, unlike your $150 Hunters. So when it’s rainy outside but classes are sweltering, your calves and feet are not going to be sweating inside your boots.

These shoes have gotten me through a life changing trip up and down mountains in the Dominican Republic and a Summer internship on an organic farm. I have gone Chaco and I don't plan on going back.