Chacos Vs Tevas: Choose The Best Sandal For You
Sandals are a god-send when you are traveling, doing sport or on vacation!
They are lighter than boots, easy to pack, easy to clean, don't get as stinky as shoes and of course, are great when you are in a hot country or hanging at the beach.
Most people these days end up with the same old choice, which is why I wrote this post. It comes down to Chacos vs Tevas, right?
Which should you buy for your next trip?
Let's take a look and the pros, the cons and all the nitty gritty. of these two leading sandal brands.
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Sandals In This Review
Sandals Buying Guide
There are a few things you need to think about when choosing a sandal, such as:
- Weight
- Durability
- Fit (straps and footbed)
- Purpose
- Price
Purpose
The first thing you need to think about is when you are going to use them. Or, your main reason for buying them. This will influence a lot of the other factors in choosing your ideal sandal.
Are you using them for long term travel, sports, hiking, around town or home?
Chacos were designed for water sports for example, and have great footbed grip for your foot, as well as a toe holder. So water sport lovers might prefer these.
Tevas are lighter and more comfortable, so for city travelers or beach lovers, maybe this is your best bet.
Weight
Weight is not complex. It's heavy or it's not.
But, the question is also what are you using them for?
If you are traveling for a long time overseas, then you have to haul these puppies everywhere. So, lighter is certainly better (Unless they are your only shoes. Then you will be wearing them.)
Also, if you wear them a lot, the weight might get annoying. I have had heavy sandals and it's no problem for me, but it is not for everyone.
Durability
How long these sandals last might be an issue if you plan to use them for a long time.But durability affects weight in most cases. So, it's a compromise.
However, there are some areas where this is not the case such as the straps, buckles, and sole. Chacos soles are replaceable for example. A big plus.
Fit
People prefer different things when it comes to fit too. Do you want them to be super well fitting and tight so you can hike in them over mixed terrain. Or are you planning on just lazing at the beach and walking around town in them.
Price
You need to decide how much you want to pay and what you are getting in return. Both these sandal makers are not in the "cheap" category, but their various models have different price points. So, decide what you are willing to pay for the thing you may wear daily while traveling, or only once a year on that beach vacation.
Chaco Sandals Review
Chacos produce one hell of a robust sandal. And for many hikers, campers and even people around water - these are the sandals they swear by!
Why do people love these babies so much? They are kinda built like a hummer! At least the hummer of the sandal world. That means they are solid, durable and will last you for years.
And just a quick side note, they also repair almost any part of their sandals, including sole replacements. So even when they wear out you can keep 'em running for years! Something I wish I could do with all my favorite and worn in shoes and sandals.
These sandals are also awesome for any kind of water activity. In fact, that is why the company started. So they specialize in this. The foot bed is specifically non-slip, so if you hike through water, raft or kayak, these sandals are great.
Cacho Sandal - Men's Z1 Classic
Cacho Sandal - Women's ZX1
One big downside is that Chacos are quite heavy when compared to Tevas. Weighing 1.9lb to 1.25lb on an average pair, just to give you an idea.
However, one reason I prefer Chacos is the foot bed. Although it takes a while to "bed-in" to your foot (for some people a few months) once it does, it can fit way better than most sandals. As you can see in the image above, it does not have all those heel and toes grooves that other sandals have which "assume" your foot shape. Instead, you have to work it in over time. But the end result is "your" own foot bed.
Chaco Sandal Sole
This year Chacos have also replaced their previous Vibram sole with their own branded one. They want to offer the best sandal for grip, so they made their own! For some people Vibram (their previous sole maker) is the only way to go because they are renowned for having insane grip. However, Chacos have built a solid sole and their focus on grip in wet conditions means it might even be better than the Vibram.
Another unique part of the Chaco sandals is their strap system. Unlike on most sandals where you just tighten the strap or buckle, this is like a complete loop.
So, you start at the front, tightening and pulling as you go around, until you get back to the buckle and can then keep the whole thing tight. The advantage is that the whole sandal strap is fully adjustable. And if you get the toe strap and don't want to use it, you can tighten it down out of the way.
One difficulty is that it can take a while to get it right. And it makes getting the sandal on and off a bit fiddlier. But the added hold is worth it.
Chaco Sandal Strap System (the straps also go inside the sole to form a loop)
Chacos Z1 vs Z2 (ZX1 vs ZX2)
Chacos also offer sandals with and without toe strap (z1 vs z2 models). So, if you are confused by these names don't be.
- Z1 is without the toe strap.
- Z2 is with the toe strap
Some people love the toe strap as it secures the sandal to your foot a lot better. Which is great if you are in the water a lot for example. Other people just find it annoying, especially if you want a more relaxed fit and are not planning on doing sport with it.
The ZX models have a double criss cross strap instead of just the single wider strap (see images below). But the same applies with the ZX1 (without toe strap) vs ZX2 (with toe strap).
Chacos Z1 Classic - Single thicker strap
Chacos ZX1 Top View - Note double straps
Are Chacos Too Heavy?
The last thing I want to mention is the weight of the sandals, as it is quite a bit heavier than the Tevas. People who swear by these sandals don't care because the extra weight means they are more solid and you don't feel the ground as much. However, Chaco has been listening to the public and also came out with a lighter version of the sandals recently - The Volv. So, if weight is a problem for you, check out those.
They actually to have lots of new options, so be sure to check what is available.
Below: is a video showing you how the Chacos work and the great support from the footbed. Just be aware, this video is old, so the sole has changed from Vibram.
PROS
- Strong, durable and long-lasting sandal
- Thick sole makes it a strong hiking sandal that protects your sole
- Fully adjustable straps
- Built for water activites with a non-slip footbed and great sole
- Foot bed moulds to your foot over time
- They repair almost any part of the sandal when you send them in
CONS
- Quite heavy, although there are lighter version than the "classic"
- The long period of time required for moulding the footbed to your foot might annoy some people
- A little more expensive than similar models of other sandals
Teva Sandals Review
Teva is the classic travel or hiking sandal. And for many people, there is no other brand of sandal.
Their sandals are super comfortable, and I have almost cried when some pairs I have had broke and had to be thrown out!
The big thing you notice with Tevas is that they are a great day to day sandal. Easy to get on and off with the velcro straps. Light weight compared to the Chaco, and still with quite a decent grip. That is why I tend to use these for traveling, when I don't intend on hiking in them.
As I mentioned, the straps are a bit easier to handle on these sandals, but they don't have the toe holder. So, you do tend to move around in them a little more on the front. But if you tighten both straps (front and back) then you are usually good to go.
Teva uses a velcro system so it can wear out over time (we all know how velcro goes once it gets fluff on it). So, in this area the Chacos with their plastic buckle are built to last.
Teva Men's Hurricane XLT Sandal
Teva Women's Hurricane XLT Sandal
The Teva footbed also tends to be pretty comfy, especially right out of the box. But, they don't have as good a non-slip as the Chacos (which to be fair are designed for water!). The Tevas do tend to dry out quicker on the straps though.
Teva Sandal Sole
The sole on the Teva has a decent grip. But the sandal overall is not that thick compared to the Chaco. You might notice more of what you are walking on (eg. rocks). However, for most day to day and occasional water crossings, this won't be an issue.
A couple of other things worth mentioning on the Tevas: Anti-microbial footbed (less odour) and a shockpad in the heal.
All in all I love the Teva as a light weight travel sandal that can also double as something I use on small hikes (when it's too hot for boots) or when I go on a kayak trip.
Note: Although I have not bought a pair for a few years, so I did a quick trawl of the Amazon reviews and there seems to be more quality issues than there used to be. Also, a lot of people complain that they oversize these things, so you may want to order it a little smaller than usual or know that you can easily exchange them.
PROS
- Class travel and hiking sandal from the inventor of this sandal style
- Super comfortable and little setup required
- Fully adjustable straps
- Anti-microbial footbed for less odour
- Decent grip on the sole
- Fast drying straps
- Light weight (average 1.25 lb per pair)
CONS
- Not as durable as other brands
- Lighter weight means you feel more of the ground
- Sizing seems a bit off for some people
- Elevated edges of the footbed can be annoying
Which Sandal To Choose?
Never an easy decision, I know.
But to me it comes down to a few simple questions.
Are you using these for just walking around town or on vacation - go with the Tevas. Comfy, less weight, easy to get used to.
Heavy duty hiking or longer walks? I am leaning towards the Chaco. With a better and replaceable sole, a footbed that gradually moulds to your foot. And straps that last (not velcro).
Water sports - you could go either way. Chacos started out for water sports, but the Teva straps dry faster. If you do a lot of boating, kayaking, rafting etc I would lean toward the Chacos because of the better grip.
For the rest, it's more a matter of what you prefer (cost, weight, style and fit). You might just have to order both and see which you like the best!
About the Author Roger Timbrook
Roger is a little obsessed with travel. He has been to over 40 countries, broken 3 suitcases and owned over 10 backpacks in 12 months. What he doesn't know about travel, ain't worth knowing!
