#CHACO ZCLOUD UPDATE#

#CHACO ZCLOUD UPDATE#

I’ll post an update if I apply a satisfactory modification to correct this. Perhaps I should have went a size smaller to prevent this (I’ve not tested this to see if it’s a solution), but I wanted the wider footbed of a size 10 as I will be hitting the trails with them (I’m between sizes 9 and 10 at a 9.5, so sizing for me isn’t perfect to begin with). Honestly, I can’t feel it and it doesn’t get it the way, so it’s not a real issue, but knowing it touches the ground and that it looks a little wonky while doing it is somewhat bothersome. There is no intrinsic way of mitigating this issue, but I imagine a small band or magnetic clip might do the trick, just to pin it against another strap. How? Well, the strap extends far beyond the base of the shoe, and thus drags along the ground everywhere I go. Perhaps I just have tiny feet (9.5 U.S), but I found that the degree to which the straps had to be adjusted down to hold my foot in place to cause a minor annoyance. I love the textured webbing, and the molded buckle proudly displays the brand name, without jumping out and begging for attention. They simple, understated, but can be colorful if you prefer (I do). While I don’t recommend them for backpacking due to the limited support, for light hiking, trips around town, or just messing around at the house, they’re excellent. The footbed is wide and generous, providing a little extra protection around the feet, while also boosting grip just a touch.

The upgraded tread pattern on the 2017 line provides excellent traction even on wet, slippery rocks, and the sandals always stay in place on steep climbs and descents, improving control and stability all around. Plus, Chaco offers a lifetime warranty and offers repairs on most models, including straps and soles. They have even managed to fiend off odors, even after being worn for hours while wet. The molded midsole has held strong to the webbing, and the webbing itself is still fray free. After miles of use on rocks, dirt, concrete, in the snow (yes in the snow) and even under water, they show little in the way of wear. The build quality is also quite excellent. The buckle is basically not felt at all, thanks to its position on the outside of the webbing and flat overall profile, and the sandal as a whole just seems custom molded to every inch of my foot. The webbing sits gentle across the foot and has a nice silky feel to it, which helps prevent blisters during extended periods of wear. When combined with the already flexible but firmer layer beneath it, the sandal flexes and moves naturally while walking and provides excellent impact absorption while still protecting from sticks and rocks beneath. The soft PU upper layer adds a nice amount of squish and grip, without flattening out under repeated use. The midsole is molded to perfectly fit the shape of the foot, and fills in the arch and heel quite well. The first thing that’s evident with the Chaco Z/Cloud sandals is how enormously comfortable they are. The sandals retail for $110 and come in a variety of colors, available now. The outsole is a rubbery ChacoGrip compound with relatively deep 3.5 mm lugs for extra grip, and the straps are all polyester jacquard webbing with an injection molded buckle to tie them together and provide size adjustments. There is the stiffer PU layer that makes up the core of the sandal, and the soft, squishy, pillow like PU top. The top two layers come together to form a dual density PU midsole that’s been treated for antimicrobial resistance.

Starting with the build, the sandals are essentially three layers. Their Z/Cloud line of sandals combines their classic design and styling with a soft, pillow-top footbed. Few things are as comfortable as a sandals, and few brands are as iconic as Chaco when it comes to producing them.

Chaco zcloud