Gear Pick: Chacos New Updraft Sandals

Chaco Z/1 Style

Chacos are the sandals outdoor adventures, especially river guides, swear by. Guides proudly sport a Chaco tan by the summer's end, incurred by wearing the strappy sandals every day. I too am a huge Chaco lover and love the arch support they offer.

But the truth is, my Chaco Z/1s feel a bit heavy after a full day of wear. So I've mostly stuck with lighter-weight Chaco Flip Flops for day-to-day use, and saved my Z/1s for water adventures like river rafting and kayaking. But not this summer!

Chaco just released a new sandal called Updraft. The idea is similar to previous styles, but with a more sleek, stylish design. Chaco did some serious dieting too, because the sandal lost lots of weight from previous models. This weight reduction is due partially to the use of lighter materials, and removing some of the sole material for a better look without sacrificing support.

New Chaco Updraft Style

Also, any true Chaconian will tell you that a break-in period is required for Chaco sandals. But this new sandal breaks all the rules! The soft flexible footbed was so comfortable that I wear them all day on the first use! The straps never dug into my feet and are easier to pull through to tighten than earlier models. Last, the shoes offer more cushioning while maintaining the support and rigidity in the footbed.

Bottom line, it's worth updating your current pair of sandals with the Updrafts. Or, instead of buying new ones, use Chacos' ReChaco program to repair yours over and over so you won't need a new pair for years to come. Updrafts are available for men and women. The retail price of the Updrafts is $110.