Hiking in sandals or shoes?

I love my merrell chameleons. I wear them all the time, much to the chagrin of the wife.
 
Ive got a pair of the merrill waterpros They are great shoes, just dont like wearin them for extended periods....
 
I have tried Tevas and Keen previously and I like Chaco the best for fit, function, and durability. I actually prefer them for climbing over boots, especially going down as the strap holds the foot down securely and your toes are free instead of getting jammed into a toe box if it is really steep. I wear them down into the 40s. If it gets colder I put on shoes or wear the Chacos with wool socks. The obvious downside to sandals is protection.

If you get a pair, make sure you read the instructions on the box or website regarding how to adjust the straps. Once you do it once, you'll love them. If you don't adjust them right, you'll hate'em.
They're a great company too...

http://chacousa.com/
I wear the Z/1 everyday...
http://chacousa.com/Portal.aspx?CN=003492192788&MN=0E776DA03D8F

p.s. my redneck buddy call them my Air Jesus'. :)
 
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I just did some research on the chacos, I am gonna order a pair tonight, and try em out. Seems like they would be the best for me as far as sandals go. I have boots and my waterpros, but no sandals, so it seems logical to go with those......

For those who have the chacos, how do they hold up?
 
j williams said:
For those who have the chacos, how do they hold up?
Click to expand...

Excellent durability. Straps are one piece and very wear resistant. Soles are vibram - great traction and don't clog easily. Make sure you read the instructions on adjustment.
 
Will do. Thanks for the reccomendation, I cant wait to try em out. I will have to write a review on em!
 
I have both Chacos and Keen sandals. I think the keens are great for desert hiking. They keep your feet cool but don't offer much protection from cacti or keep sand out.

Chacos are nice for canyoneering when your feet are wet a lot.

My only problem with Keen sandals is the soles don't offer much in the way of traction. If I'm doing anything in the mountains I prefer a good approach show like the Five Ten Guide Tennie.

I have never bought the "ankle support" claim. I have rolled my ankles just as easily if not worse in boots. Since boots are heavier I find they are more likely to cause a slip trip or fall. I like to feel what is under my feet and be able to adjust my balance accordingly rather than stumble around in big boots.

Remember, a pound on the foot is five on the back.
 
I always feel like i have more controll in tighter light weight footwear. I am very at home in military boots, but like sandals in the summer months. I am goin to the buffalo river in arkansas at the end of the month for a week, and was thinkin sandals might do the trick down there, paired up w/ my merrills if I need em.
 
Chacos, the best sandals EVER. They had better be for the price.
They are absolutely bombproof. Mine are about 7 years old and still look almost new despite heavy use. My wife wore a pair out, after about 5 years of almost daily wear! Some people dont like the toe strap, give it time to get used to and you will never look back.
But I am dreading getting a new pair, I like the old style sole better than the new ones
 
I found a pair for 49.00 on clearance. The Z1 model. Is this a good one? What is the diferance in widths on them?
 
I prefer boots for hiking and sandals for lounging at the camp.

I pick up too much dirt on the trails to want bare toe exposure -but it is the solid feet & ankle support that is the real reason for boots. Here roundabouts, there's always loose rocks and shale on the trails, not to mention off-trail cruising.
 
Good choice on ordering the Chacos. You wont be dissapointed with the Chacos. Theyre probably the best sandal ever created by man. Strangely enough I thought I'd get lots of rocks and sand under my feet when I first started wearing them. Much to my surprise and delight I didn't get any at all. I took them down the black canyon of the gunnison several years ago and also did some climbing and canyoneering. Awesome shoes. Tough as nails.
 
I see people wearing them when I'm on canoe trips all the time but their not for me, to many rocks and to much of a load on my back.

I prefer hiking boots on the portages and Converse All Stars around camp.

Helle
 
Good choice on the Chacos! I've had a pair for almost two years and they're still going strong. I've got two more pair headed my way in the mail because I got such a good deal on them and am absolutely certain that they will last forever. My roommate laughs at me for hiking in them, but I love them! Good luck luck with 'em!
 
I have worn teva, Merrel, Nike, Rebok and crock sandals. Keen's have been the most the best mix of comfort and protection. I wear the keen Zerraport. The have been the best all around, most secure, comfortable sandals. The food bed is wide enough, no more stubbed toes (on rocks etc while river rafting or climbing around on water falls this can really be painful). I love

I found them on sale for 59 bucks. I would buy another pair for that price any day. I think they are a better value than any other sandal I have (they don't get worn any more)

One and only complaint is my feed tend to be sweaty in them, when not actually moving around or walking. (rubber foot bed tends to feel this way in any sandal). The closed toe might increase this a tiny bit. I have gortex boots unlined, taller insulated gortex boots, etc, but for warm weather, you can bet I will be bringing these Keen's too.
 
I just got back on Sunday from a hike- I wore Keens around the cabin & did a little mini-hike in them- but when we did the actual trail (Mt. Rogers, the highest peak in VA- about a 9 mile loop- including part of the AT & a fun little 1 mile doozie called the Wilburn trail) I was in trail shoes. Sandals are great until you hit the rocky stuff- or steeper climbs- then you will need more support.
 
I have a pair of Keen Newport H2's that I purchased for camp/hiking wear last Summer. They were very comfortable and I only got one small blister on the rear of my right ankle. After wearing them for a few weeks though, that was no longer a problem. I really like this type of shoe for Summer wear because you can take 'em in the water as well as the trail (they dry out fairly quickly). My only complaint about the Newport's is that they trap small rocks/debris fairly easily and once it is in there, you have to take the sandal off to get it out. The previous summer I had a pair of Keen Venice H2's, which were very similar, but with bigger gaps between the straps. The rocks/debris still got in there, but it was easy to get it out with out having to take the sandal off.
 
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Sandals are great for water sports, beaches, running rivers. So are nice breathable shorts.

I don't wear shorts in the summer when I'm hiking -- even though I live in the desert SW. It is HOT. I wear long pants to protect from the sun and from the thorny plants. Just about everything that grows here has hateful thorns and spiny needles. For the same reason, I always wear protective, properly fitting leather boots when hiking -- lightweights with a lot of breathable nylon need not apply. Good soles, good support, no puncture wounds.

Regional needs, I guess.
 
One cannot go wrong with Chaco. Have been wearing the same pair for almost 10 years. Ordered a replacement set this year. The old ones are getting a little funky!

Can't say enough good about these things.
 
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