PERSONAL BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Rick Allnutt
52 Year old male
183 cm (6' 0'') in height
74 kg (163 lbs) in weight
Shoe size (US) 11
Email address: rick (at) BackpackGearTest (dot) org
Homepage:  Risk's Ultralight Hiking Page
Trailname: "Risk"
I live in Dayton, Ohio


BACKPACKING BACKGROUND
Over the last several years, I have become an ultralight camper with a three-season base pack weight of about 17 lb (8 kg) and skin out weight of 25 lb (11 kg). I have completed many section hikes on the Appalachian Trail (AT) in all four seasons, with a total mileage of about 1000 miles (1610 km). I am a gearhead, a hammock camper, and I make much of my own equipment.

PRODUCT INFORMATION
Manufacturer: Chaco, Inc.
Year Manufactured: 2005
Manufacturer's Link: http://www.chacousa.com
MSRP: US$90.00
Weight is not listed on the manufacturer's website
Measured Weight (size 11): 2 lb, 0 oz (910 g) for the pair

FIELD CONDITIONS

Since I bought the shoes in June, I have walked on the AT for 9 days and about 260 mi (420 km).  In addition, I walked an overnight hike in the Adirondacks totaling about 25 mi (40 km) and have walked an estimated 150 mi (240 km) in day hikes. I have used the sandals when kayaking a number of times and they have repeatedly been immersed in lake water, stream water, rain water, and mud.  During these experiences, I walked in the mountains, in the forest, on sandy beaches, and dry hot pavement.  I experienced heat, rain, sun, and every sort of trail surface. Temperatures  ranged from 50 F (10 C) to 99 F (37 C).

REVIEW

I have also reported on a similar Chaco sandal, the Z/2 Terreno. In fact, I liked that pair of sandals so much that I went into an outfitter knowing exactly what I wanted - another pair of Chacos. The main difference between my old sandal and my new Z/1 is that there is no provision on the Z/1 for a separate loop going around the great toe.  The other difference is that the strap system on the Z/1 is just a bit wider.  The width of the straps on the Z/1 is 1 in (2.5 cm). I see both these aspects of my new sandals as very positive.

I chose the Colorado sole for the sandal because it allows me to shave a few ounces off the weight of the pair, and because the Colorado sole does not trap mud. It stays much cleaner when walking on wet paths.  I have not noticed any lack of traction with the Colorado sole, despite its appearance as a less aggressive lug pattern than the Terreno.  The rubber is sticky on rocks, and reasonably soft. After about 435 mi (700 km) of walking, the center of the sole has worn down to the base of the tread depth. The factory does offer tread replacement if I ever wear the surface through, and I may end up needing that service one day.

Chaco sandals have a unique strap pattern which fits my feet just about perfectly. Of considerable note to me is the crossing point of my great toe is at the ball of my foot instead of out further on the first toe like many other sandals. This has proved to be important in preventing blisters with the sandals.  The other attribute of the straps I appreciate is their simple design. The nylon webbing dries quickly when it gets wet and does not hold water against my skin like many other strap systems have done. This contributes to a complete absence of blisters on my feet when hiking with Chaco sandals.  I have never had even a small blister with my previous Chacos, nor with my Z/1 Colorado sandals,

The sandals have performed very well while I have hiked portions of the AT.  They do make me pay attention when placing my feet on or between rocks to avoid ankle injury, but this extra care makes my walking through the woods more graceful and quieter.  It is also good for my knees and back to walk quietly.  I normally wear a pair of thick backpacking socks with the sandals. I have found that fuzzy socks do not creep up under my feet like lightweight liner socks. When it rains for any length of time, I usually put on a pair of breathable waterproof socks.  This keeps my feet a little dryer and more comfortable.  However, when I need to ford a stream or do wet walking for an hour or less, I just take my socks off and let my feet get wet.  

When going downhill, it is nice not to have my toes crowded up against the front of a pair of shoes.  Adjusting the strap tension is important for me to walk downhill comfortably.  Fortunately, adjusting the straps is quick and easy.  There is a single continuously-adjustable buckle on each sandal as seen in the photo above.  However, all the straps, excepting the heel strap, can be adjusted by pulling the strap material through tunnels in the sole of the sandal.  I find that if my toes begin to creep over the end of the sandal, then the strap is not quite tight enough. I tighten the strap at the buckle and then pull some slack from the portion of the strap that fits over my distal toes thus giving my mid foot an optimal strap tightness. Once I understood the strap can be pulled through the sole, setting just the right tension in each portion of the strap became intuitive. I have found that when I walk down a hundred yards of steep hillside, this makes for a very good way to determine if the straps are set at the right tightness.  If an adjustment needs to be made, it can be done in the field.  The whole process takes me less time to accomplish than reading this paragraph.

Occasionally I stumble on a rock or a root.  I am almost always using two hiking poles, and these keep me from falling.  The front of the sandals protect me well enough from such accidents, that I have not hurt a toe when tripping on an obstacle since I bought the sandals.

Things I really like about the sandals:
- No blisters
- Fast drying
- Comfortable

Things I would change:
- Nothing at all

Will I buy another pair of Chacos when this pair eventually wears out?  Certainly!