Chacos Unaweep Vs. Yampa: Best Summer Sandals

Trying to decide between Chaco Unaweep and Yampa sandals? Two of the brand’s oldest pairs of sandals remain their best-sellers even today, years after Chaco stopped manufacturing them. The coveted Vibram outsoles are perfect for avid hikers, but there’s still a choice to be made – should you buy the Unaweep or the Yampa sandals?

We’ll help you decide, and the answer is not to buy the ones that you can actually find. This detailed comparison covers everything you need to know about the Unaweep and Yampa sandals, including the construction of the uppers, footbed, outsole, and general availability!

Uppers And Durability

Chaco Yampa and Unaweep sandals feature extremely similar uppers. They’re made from polyester webbing on both sandals, they’re easily adjustable, and you can choose from a few different styles of sandal uppers.

Polyester jacquard webbing is a lightweight material with a dense weave and low stretchiness. It’s quite firm and thick, as well as almost waterproof. That’s great because it means you can wear the sandals in water and the uppers will absorb very little, so the sandals won’t get a lot heavier when they are wet.

Also, polyester webbing is quick-drying, and it won’t take too long for the little water they absorbed to evaporate.

The material is also UV stable, which means that it won’t degrade if it’s exposed to UV rays for too long. This is kind of essential for sandals since you’re mostly going to wear them when it’s sunny outside. Also, it means you can leave them out in the sun to dry out and you don’t need to worry if they’re going to fade or melt because of the heat.

However, that doesn’t necessarily go for the rubber, so try not to leave the sandals out in the sun for hours.

Chaco sandals are very durable and that’s one of the many reasons why people love them. You’ll wear them for a few years at the very least, and that’s if you wear them almost every day of the season. Polyester webbing is a long-lasting, durable material that can handle a lot of wear and tear and that doesn’t degrade too quickly.

That being said, you’ll notice the first signs of wear and tear on the bends and creases of the straps. That’s also the first thing to check for you if you’re thinking of buying used Chacos – loosen up the webbing as much as you can to see what condition the hidden parts of the straps are.

If durability is one of the more important factors in your decision-making process, I would say go with the Unaweep sandals. They’re a bit more rugged with thicker soles, so naturally, they’re going to last longer than the Yampa ones.

In addition to all that, it’s important to note that Chaco has an excellent repair program. They offer an in-depth guide on how to properly clean your sandals, and they have a wide variety of tips for quick fixes and do-it-yourself repairs. If it’s time for new straps or a new sole, you can send them into Chaco and they will do the work for you – for a fee, of course.

Their main goal is to keep Chacos out of landfills and be more sustainable, and they manage to save around 20,000 pairs of sandals a year, which isn’t too shabby at all.

Fit And Adjustability

Chaco sandals are only available in full sizes, which is often a deal-breaker for people who are between sizes. They usually run true to size, but those who wear a half-size should try them on in a store before they purchase anything. Once you know which size fits you best, you can order the perfect pair online – it’s often cheaper, and there’s much more variety including older models.

The sandals likely won’t be a perfect fit immediately, but you should keep in mind that they are entirely adjustable. You can tighten or loosen the upper straps as much as you need until you can make the sandals fit your feet perfectly. That’s one of the best things about Chacos, and one of the main reasons why people love them so much.

It’s also important to mention the difference between all the different variations of a particular model. Both the Unaweep and Yampa sandals are available in Z1, Z2, ZX3, and a few more variants – what do the numbers and letters mean?

It’s easy – Z1 are Chacos without a toe strap and Z2 are Chacos with a toe strap. Whether you should go for a toe strap or no strap is entirely a matter of personal preference and doesn’t impact your overall stability in the shoes as much as you might think. Go to the nearest store and try them and you’ll see exactly what I mean.

The ZX sandals have a toe strap and an upper strap that’s split into several thinner straps. With the ZX/2s you get two thin upper straps, while the ZX/3s feature three thinner upper straps. These sandals are generally less comfortable than those that have a single upper strap, but it’s still largely a matter of personal preference.

Footbed And Comfort

Chaco sandals are known for being extremely comfortable. All Chaco sandals feature their proprietary Luvseat footbed that is contoured for excellent arch and heel support. Also, all Chaco sandals have the seal of approval from the American Podiatric Medical Association, which means they promote good foot health.

The Luvseat footbed is thinner below the toes and thicker below the heels, for the most comfortable fit. It really follows the natural contours of the feet, ensuring that you are supported in your every step. The footbed is identical on both the Yampa and Unaweep sandals, but because the Unaweep sandals have thicker soles in general, they are going to feel more comfortable.

The difference is particularly noticeable on uneven and rocky terrain since the extra cushioning you get from the Unaweep really helps keep your feet comfortable.

In addition to that, the footbed on all Chaco sandals features a diamond texture on the footbed for improved traction and stability. This is particularly helpful when wearing shoes in wet conditions since it pretty much guarantees that your feet won’t slip and slide in the sandals. The texture also helps with stability, giving you confidence in your every step.

It’s worth noting that you might need some time to adjust to the textured footbed, especially if you haven’t worn anything similar before. It can be ticklish for some people, but you should get used to it rather quickly. If you’ve ever worn Crocs before, you shouldn’t have any issues adjusting to the feel of Chacos on your feet.

Outsole And Grip

Yampa and Unaweep sandals are practically identical until you turn them over and look at the outsoles. They’re still incredibly similar, but this is where the major differences between the two pairs of sandals lie.

Chaco Yampa sandals feature a rubber Vibram outsole with multidirectional lugs. It’s not a super aggressive outsole, but it’s more than suitable for light hikes, walks around the beach, and just casual everyday wear. It’s a non-marking sole and you can wear the sandals around the house if you want, without leaving any nasty scuffs on the floor.

Also, the lugs on the Yampa sandals are more spaced out than those of the Unaweep sandals. That means you’ll have better grip and traction on softer terrain, but you might struggle a bit more on rocky terrain. Pebbles and smaller debris can easily get stuck between the spaced-out lugs, so keep that in mind while deciding between the two pairs of Chacos.

The Unaweep sandals also feature a non-marking Vibram outsole with multidirectional lugs, but they’re much deeper. The lugs are 4.5mm, which is about as deep as you get on proper hiking boots. These sandals have a different lug pattern, which is more suitable for rougher and more rugged terrain.

And it’s not just the lugs – the entire outsole is thicker, meaning there’s more padding between your feet and the ground. If you’re looking to get sandals for hiking that can hold their own on rocky terrain and are not slippery, Chaco Unaweep are the obvious choice.

However, keep in mind that a thicker sole and deeper lugs mean more rubber on the sandals, which in turn means that they’re bulkier and heavier. They do feel a bit like you’ve got weights strapped to your ankles, but that’s the compromise you need to make if you want the ultra-rugged outsoles. On top of that, keep in mind that thicker soles last longer, simply because there’s more rubber to wear down.

The Yampa sandals are obviously not as rugged, but they are significantly lighter. If you do not want heavy sandals, they’re the better option. Also, it’s better to go with the Yampa sandals if you plan on wearing them in water.

Pricing And Availability

Both the Yampa and Unaweep sandals are pretty old models, so it’s not like you can just walk into a store and buy them. Chaco discontinued them a while ago, but you can still find them on online stores like Amazon, eBay, etc.

So, why exactly are these models still so popular? Because they’re from a time when Chaco used to use Vibram soles in their sandals. They switched to ChacoGrip back in 2016, and they haven’t made a pair of sandals with Vibram outsoles since.

Although their proprietary soles are still of amazing quality, it’s extremely difficult to compete with the quality and performance of an actual Vibram outsole.

The Unaweep sandals in particular are some of the best sandals for hiking you could possibly buy if you manage to get your hands on a pair of them. But they’re not that easy to find, and you can forget about choosing a color or strap design you really like.

It’s easier to find Yampa sandals, especially the models for women – there are still so many different options that you might be able to choose between a few different designs and colors.

In terms of pricing, both pairs of sandals are around the $80-100 mark. They are pricey sandals, but they can last for years, maybe even decades if you send them in for repairs instead of replacing them when the time comes. The price can vary drastically depending on where exactly you’re shopping – keep in mind that we’re talking about vintage models that are not mass-produced anymore.

Chaco Unaweep Vs. Yampa: Final Thoughts

Chaco Unaweep and Yampa are two very similar pairs of sandals. Both feature the brand’s proprietary Luvseat footbed, rugged Vibram outsoles, and adjustable Polyester Jacquard straps. They’re both incredibly comfortable and supportive and will last you for a good four-five years at the very least, and that’s if you don’t try to repair them (which you can do).

Chaco Yampa sandals have a slightly thinner outsole with shallow, spaced-out lugs. They’re much lighter than the Unaweep sandals, so they’re the better option for casual strolls, walks along the beach, and easy hikes on softer terrain.

The Unaweep sandals, on the other hand, are the obvious choice for demanding summer hikes. They have thick Vibram soles with 4.5mm lugs, which is almost equivalent to the depth you get on proper hiking boots. If you need sandals that will keep you confident while you’re trekking over rocky hills, the Unaweep is the better option.

However, the Unaweep sandals are also quite heavy at nearly a pound per shoe. Keep that in mind, and make sure that you can handle that weight without getting uncomfortable before you buy anything.