Ladies’s Chaco Z/1 Traditional Mountaineering Sandal Overview

Backside Line

A best choice for hikers and paddlers, the Chaco Z/1 Classics firmly rank amongst our greatest mountain climbing sandals. That includes a thick, sturdy midsole, these favored sandals defend your toes from rugged path situations whereas offering toe mobility and breathability. Our tester appreciates the one-loop strap adjustment system, providing a tailor-made and comfortable match for all foot shapes. 

Initially, the Z/1 Classics might seem expensive, but we discover them extremely sturdy, making them a worthwhile funding. Ought to they break or grow to be unusable after appreciable use, Chaco will restore them for a small price by way of their ReChaco program.

How We Examined

We waltzed round Southern California for weeks with the Chaco Z/1 Classics on our toes. We took them on quite a few hikes within the Los Padres Nationwide Forest and wore them throughout San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura, California. These footwear confronted every part from steep sandstone slopes to waterfront boardwalks.

Consolation

Satirically, our lead sandal tester had a pair of Chaco Z/1 Classics about six years in the past and actually hated them: she critically despised them. She wore them on an 8-mile hike with a number of water crossings and a variety of river rock-hopping one summer time, and ended up with so many blisters that she vowed by no means to put on a pair of Chacos once more. Properly, right here she is, greater than half a decade later, testing the Chaco Z/1 Classics for this assessment. Life, you recognize? 

Anyway, we’re gleeful to report that her second expertise with these sandals was not practically as unhealthy. Actually, she will’t say she hates these sandals anymore. (Dropping a key a part of her character right here, she says, however we digress.) Our tester nonetheless finds some features of the Z/1 Classics uncomfortable—as an illustration, the arch assist is a bit too aggressive for her; she appears like her toes are being compelled upward—however for essentially the most half, she will handle a day of out of doors actions in these footwear. After a number of average hikes and lots of days at camp, our tester’s toes haven’t developed any sizzling spots or blisters, and we name {that a} win. 

The straps don’t dig into her medium-width toes, and the marginally contoured heel cup offers a useful but unobtrusive stage of assist. The arch assist, as beforehand famous, isn’t superb for our tester’s foot anatomy however is a plus for hikers looking for extra supportive sandals. The midsole is sort of dense, practically bordering on too laborious, however that’s a useful characteristic in the event you’re seeking a sandal that gives substantial vitality return (it helps you’re feeling bouncier in your toes).

Stability

These are secure! They’re fairly inflexible in comparison with many different mountain climbing sandals we’ve tried, which can be a draw back for some individuals however a profit for others. Particularly, those that need freedom for his or her toes whereas nonetheless needing a safe match across the heel and ankle will admire the Chaco Z/1 Classics. The contour across the heel considerably enhances foot safety throughout the sandal. 

Those that need a extra versatile sandal might not jive with the polyurethane midsole on these. Its rigidity offers stability however limits pure foot flexion and extension. The midsole feels virtually like that of a mountain climbing boot, stopping you from feeling rocks or different options beneath your toes. This isn’t essentially a nasty factor, however it’s value contemplating in the event you get pleasure from feeling extra linked to the bottom or plan to put on your sandals in conditions that require a variety of foot flexibility.

Traction

With a 3-millimeter lug depth, the Z/1 Classics are appropriate for gentle to average terrain. After taking them on a number of quick (two- to three-mile) hikes and sporting them in numerous out of doors environments, together with nationwide forest primitive campsites, forest roads, and concrete settings, we will vouch for these as an all-around sort of sandal. 

Our tester says she personally wouldn’t take them on strenuous hikes with very slippery surfaces, similar to scree fields or slickrock (her butt did meet the bottom when trying to hike down a primarily sandstone path, and she or he ended up doing extra scree snowboarding than mountain climbing), however they’re greater than able to safely traversing Class I and Class II trails. They’re additionally good for sporting round city on heat days.

Sturdiness

Throughout testing, we haven’t noticed any early indicators of wear and tear and tear. Up to now, the polyester webbing straps stay completely intact, as does the textured sample on the footbed. Chaco Z/1 Classics characteristic Vibram insoles, identified for his or her longevity, so we don’t anticipate any points with that, both. 

As at all times, plastic parts (the buckle, on this case) are a priority, however Chaco presents a lifetime restore program and can repair them for $10 per buckle. You may also have your outsole re-soled and your straps repaired, unstuck, or lengthened/shortened for a lot lower than the price of shopping for a brand new pair. Main hoorah to Chaco for this!

Weight & Packability

The Chaco Z/1 Classics are on the heavier facet of the sandal spectrum, weighing roughly 1.5 kilos per pair. This weight outcomes from the chunky, dense polyurethane midsole, which supplies them a stack top of over an inch on the thickest level. 

Although they’re heavy sufficient to discourage many backpackers from selecting them as camp footwear, we consider they work nicely for day hikes that contain minor water crossings, or for shorter backpacking journeys the place weight is much less of a priority.

Though they’re chunky, we desire to pack these contained in the backpack as a substitute of attaching them to the skin. Because of their bulkiness, they have an inclination to sway round when hooked to the outside, which may rapidly grow to be bothersome.

Ease of Use

The heel strap on the Z/1 Classics is mounted, however the ankle, midfoot, and forefoot straps all regulate. These three straps perform as a single strap; they don’t regulate independently. This implies it might take a while to seek out the precise match, however when you do, you’re set for the lifespan of the sandals (except the straps stretch out from put on). After the preliminary adjustment, you’ll solely must loosen and tighten the ankle strap on the buckle, which could be very simple to do.

Ought to You Purchase the Ladies’s Chaco Z/1 Traditional?

The Chaco Z/1 Classics are a improbable all-around alternative. Whereas we don’t advocate them for significantly strenuous or steep hikes, we consider they’re appropriate for straightforward to average hikes, and probably some difficult ones, relying on the terrain options.

In addition they make nice on a regular basis sandals, making them an excellent match for anybody on the lookout for an “every part” sandal. Though they could appear expensive at first, you’ll really get your cash’s value out of the Z/1 Classics as a result of their versatility. 

What Different Ladies’s Mountaineering Sandals Ought to You Contemplate?

The next are a few of our favourite mountain climbing sandals and are worthy options to the Z/1 Classics.

Teva Hurricane XLT2 Overview: We love the chunky midsole on the Hurricane XLT2s, together with the three independently adjustable straps. These make a fantastic alternative for anybody looking for further stability, due to the huge, contoured footbed and prolonged heel counter. 

Teva Unique Common Overview: Whereas not as sturdy because the Hurricane XLT2s, the Teva Unique Universals are a private favourite of our lead sandal tester. Just like the Z/1 Classics, these sandals are good for all-day, on a regular basis put on and may deal with average trails and water actions.

Ecco Yucatan Overview: We advocate the Yucatans for hikers with slim toes who search assist and stability. The three Velcro straps guarantee a safe match, whereas the sidebar provides stability to the skin of the foot. Moreover, we admire how the straps really feel tremendous gentle in opposition to our pores and skin.