Flip flops, thongs, whatever

I've got two pairs of Chaco flip flops and they're great quality. I never wore flip flops before getting the Chacos because I hate the feel of the cheap foam in cheaper shoes. I also have some Keen H2s for wearing around water (kayaking, fishing, etc) that I liked a lot but they're heavy.
The non-boots that I wear the most now are Vibram Five Fingers. I have the Bikilas and Trek Sports. The Bikilas fit better but they don't breath well so I only use them for running. The Trek Sports have replaced my Chacos and Keens for general hot weather and water wear.

I've had to deal with foot/ankle pain all through my life and I've finally reached a point of understanding about how my feet work. I've spent tons of money on expensive shoes and insoles in the past. Now I wear two types of shoes when I'm doing any significant amount of walking or working; minimalist shoes like Five Fingers and super supportive shoes like my La Sportiva backpacking boots or Nick's Hotshots. I only wear shoes between those extremes because it's not socially acceptable to wear five fingers or wildland firefighting boots to some places.

So yeah...Chacos are nice, nice quality, and you'll probably like them. While you're looking at them in a store go ahead and try on some five fingers.
 
For straight up flip flops you would be hard pressed to find a better quality than rainbow. Buy them a bit tight and they break in wonderfully over about a month or two of daily wear. Form fit to your foot.

Chacos are nice but are indeed hippie (ish) and quite heavy for my taste. But great quality. Keens are nice for the closed toe sandal but are also a bit on the heavy side.

I guess it all comes down to personal preference like anything else, ymmv.

I personally can't stand the cheap 'rubbery' flip flops that have a rubbery sole and sticky part in between the toes.

Also, I have six pairs of different VFFs and love them.

I am normally barefoot except when in places where it's not socially acceptable, hence the VFFs....
 
It's funny that Chacos are associated with hippies. I associate them with a wide range of outdoorsy people. Around me you only see rainbows on frat boys and sorostitutes. If they're wearing rainbows there's a 80% chance they own a TNF jacket, lol.
 
I bought a pair of black no name flip-flop swamp slippers for $8 at Walmart last spring and expected to destroy them in one season, but they are amazing. They did not stretch, wear, or crack, and are molded from black rubber similar to tires. I wear them on the ATV, brush cutting, working in the swamp on the ATV bridge, cutting firewood too. During this winter I wore them in the basement feeding the wood furnace and for quick trips to the outhouse during times when the snowy walkway was well packed down and they grip ice and snow well like a good tire. If I see these again, I will buy a couple more pair for the bush camp too.
 
I don't where flip flops enough for me to get a high quality pair. I usually just buy a pair of Nike flip flops and I might where them 2-3 times a year, and only around the house/outside at the pool. I always where boots/shoes.

I thought that was normal for most people. Guess a lot more people where sandals than I thought.
 
Zidfeldts said:
Sometimes in the summer I will wear shoes instead of boots.
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This. Man's feet were not meant to see the light of day. I mean, just look at them. Nobody wants to see that. Plus, I can't do much of anything in them. What happens if the hot neighbor lady needs me to move something heavy for her? Or just the 5 down the hall with a great personality.
 
Chacos are built quite well.

I have been wearing two pair of keens for over 8 years now! Still going strong on both pairs.

The only damage on one is a bit if fraying from tossing them in the washing machine on a regular setting (it was an old washing machine that regularly ate clothes!).

My favorite style are the Zeraport. Which they no longer make.

They make another version like it, with the same strap system, but with built in drains in the soles (should be an upgrade for dedicated water wear, as mine do tend to hold a little water in the foot bed when putting my feet back in the canoe).
 
I'm a Keen convert! Used to wear Teva's and even had a pair of Teva brand "Chaco-look-alikes" and they were all generally OK.

However, once I saw a pair of Keens I had to give 'em a try! WOW - what a great pair of sandals. They're super comfy and have great support. Though @ full retail they're a little spendy (I bought mine at a Factory Warehouse Outlet). I've had my Keen's for a couple years now and they've been utterly hammered from white-water rafting, hiking (never again!), to everyday use/abuse in the summer and they're still looking almost like new. A bit smellier than I'd like to admit, but functionally, they're still great.

As to hiking in sandals, I'll never go that route again. Trails/"mixed" terrain and open footwear just are not a good combination. For hiking, I like the support and debris-shedding a trail shoe gives. If I'm backpacking, depending on pack weight, a trail shoe is the minimum and likely a boot gets the nod (though I don't prefer hiking in boots in the summer).
 
TheGame said:
I thought that was normal for most people. Guess a lot more people where sandals than I thought.
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I don't care for flip-flops but I'd wear sandals 365 days a year if I could. I've got a pair of Tevas with nylon straps and another pair with leather straps.
 
I hate the thong between my toes on flip-flops, and finding a pair to fit my size 15EEEE feet is difficult as well. I finally found a nice pair of high-quality ones but lost them while travelling within a year. :-(

I have a couple of pairs of "water sandals" (Teva and New Balance) that I use a LOT. And for when I need something really light and quick to slip on, Crocs have replaced my flip-flops.

Stay sharp,
desmobob
 
Called slippahs in hawaii, worn 98% of the time pretty much anywhere. 5 dollars at Longs hahahah
 
Ive had three pairs of Chacos, and i love them! My second pair ripped when i was trying to adjust the straps, but, i did get those chacos stuck in the mud.... That probably gunked it up. I have owned Tevas too, they are cheaper but just as good. Chacos are more comfortable though.
 
No flip flops for me, they are a worthless piece of footwear, IMO. I'll wear sport sandals all day long though. I need something that is secure on my foot.
 
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