Are Chacos Good For Hiking? [Pros & Cons]

Hiking in sandals has become more and more popular in recent years, and there are plenty of great reasons for it.

Your feet are able to breathe, they’re cute, and you can tromp through streams and puddles in them and not worry.

But, are Chacos good for hiking? Or are we all mistaken?

Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of wearing hiking sandals and get your worthwhile question answered.

Are Chacos Good For Hiking?

Like most things, what you wear for hiking footwear depends on your own personal preference.

Many people love hiking in their sandals, while others say that they would rather go barefoot.

So it’s a tough call for me to really say whether or not you should wear your Chacos out on the trail.

But, if we’re looking at the specifics of a pair of Chacos compared to a pair of hiking boots, they honestly come pretty close.

They’re comfortable, supportive, have great traction, and are cute. What more could you ask for?!

Some other options don’t provide any of this, so it’s easy to say that Chacos takes the cake in the hiking sandal department.

So in the end, I would say, yes, Chacos are good for hiking, as long as you’re comfortable wearing them!

But, I wouldn’t recommend them for long hikes.

You’ll want more ankle support and protection for long distances.

Short hikes are great though and wearing Chacos for short distances may actually be more beneficial to you!

Pros of Wearing Chacos For Hiking

Now that we know that Chacos can be a good choice of footwear for the trail, let’s go over some of the whys.

Here are the top pros for wearing them on your next hike.

Breathability

One of the biggest reasons that people love Chacos, and sandals in general, is that they actually allow your feet to breathe.

In the summer, this is extremely beneficial and feels great when you’re on the trail in 90+ degrees.

Bulky hiking boots can cause sweaty feet and be absolutely dreadful to put on during a summer heat wave.

But when you only have to strap on a pair of lightweight sandals, it makes getting outside a lot easier.

Comfort

This one is a little hit or miss because some people say that their Chacos aren’t comfortable at all.

But others say that they feel like they’re walking in Heaven.

Personally, I think that hiking sandals can be extremely comfortable and put walking in hiking boots to shame.

They’re typically pretty sturdy which is great for walking on hard surfaces and still protecting the bottom of your feet.

(The tops are a different story. More on that later.)

I also feel like they actually support my feet, compared to many other sandals.

Many of them are created with a top layer that is soft and designed to be comfortable under the foot.

Arch Support

I know what you might be thinking. How can sandals be supportive?!

Well, Chacos has proven me wrong here too.

While they still don’t have the ankle support that I think hiking shoes need, they do have pretty decent arch support.

Every pair of Chacos has been approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association.

This means that even those with flat feet can wear these sandals without pain.

Traction

The list of positives just goes on and on when it comes to wearing Chacos for hiking.

Traction is an extremely important part of hiking footwear because you’ll likely come across uneven ground, water, rocks, etc.

You’ll want something that can grip the ground and keep you upright.

Chacogrip is their brand of outsole compound that was specifically designed for outdoor use.

It has a great grip on the toes and heels and is even great in water, so you can wear these anywhere and know that you won’t slip.

Style

On top of all of the other things that I listed above, Chacos are stylish and come in so many patterns and colors.

You really can’t go wrong with all of their options, which make looking cute on the trail easy.

Durability

You’ll hear from many people who have said that they’re had the same pair of sandals for 10+ years.

That’s no coincidence because Chacos are made to last.

This is especially great for being out on the hiking trail because you want something that isn’t going to fall apart.

Adjustable Straps

One of the coolest parts about wearing Chaco sandals is that they have adjustable straps.

And I don’t mean just the top pull-to-tighten strap.

I mean all the way around adjustability of the toe, heel, and top of foot straps.

So you can have the perfect fit.

Water “proof”

Chacos aren’t ‘waterproof,’ because obviously, your feet are going to get wet in them.

But, they are fast-drying and are great if you know that you’re going to get wet on the trail.

ReChaco Repair Program

An interesting and smart feature that the Chaco brand has implemented is its ReChaco repair program.

With this, you can send in your old, worn-out pairs and have them repaired.

While it will cost you, this program helps keep more sandals out of landfills

Cons of Wearing Chacos For Hiking

While there are many, many pros of wearing Chacos out on the trail, there are also a few cons that you should be aware of.

Ankle Support

One of the biggest downfalls of wearing hiking sandals instead of boots is that they don’t have ankle support.

I think that ankle support is so important when it comes to footwear because you’re going to be walking on uneven ground.

You want to protect your ankles at all costs because they’re so important to you now and your future self!

So in the ankle support department, hiking boots have got sandals beat.

Protection

Another downside is that the top and sides of your feet won’t have any protection.

Whether you stub your toe or scrape your foot on a rock, you’re going to feel it.

Whereas if you were wearing boots, it wouldn’t be so painful.

Dirty Feet

Something that may not matter to some people but matters to others is dirty feet.

If you’re hiking on a dirt path, you’re definitely going to have dirty feet if you wear Chacos or any other hiking sandals.

Blisters

This is another hit-or-miss type of thing because some people state that they’re never had a single blister from their Chacos.

Others mention that they get them every time they wear theirs.

Either way, it is more possible to get blisters from hiking sandals because they aren’t as soft on your feet and there’s nothing to protect them.

Socks help to prevent blisters.

Especially if they’re wet, you could see a few blisters after a long hike in your Chacos.

Best Chacos For Hiking

Now that you know all about the pros and cons of wearing Chacos for hiking and that it can be great, let’s talk about some of the best.

These few pairs are great for getting outside and will do you the best on the trail.

Chacos Z Classic

Chacos Z Cloud

FAQ

Are Chacos Considered Hiking Shoes?

While Chacos aren’t exactly ‘considered’ hiking shoes, they are built to be worn outdoors.

They have special features that make them great for exploring the outdoors in many different ways.

Can You Walk All Day in Chacos?

While I don’t recommend walking (hiking, specifically) in Chacos all day, many people do it, and some even backpack in them!

I don’t recommend it because they can eventually cause blisters and become uncomfortable.

Is Hiking in Chacos Comfortable?

Chacos are an extremely comfortable version of a hiking sandal.

It can be comfortable to hike in them, perhaps sometimes more comfy than a pair of shoes or boots.

But after long distances, they may get uncomfortable and the straps may rub on your feet.

Are Chacos Good For Your Feet?

All pairs of Chacos have been approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA).

This means that, yes, they’re good for your feet and are great to be worn!

Wrap-Up: Are Chacos Good For Hiking?

Wearing hiking sandals is a great way to be comfortable, cool, and stylish while on the trail.

But are Chacos good for hiking? Or should you avoid them?

Now you know the answer and will be able to choose which pair works best for you and your feet!