ProView – Chaco Men’s Z/1 Rapid Pro Adjustable Strap Classic Sandal Review

Sandals are the quintessential footwear for summer, and Chaco has created another workhorse for its trusted stable. This was my first pair of Chacos, despite my wife and friends being part of the Chaco faithful, I had yet to take the plunge, preferring the classic flip-flop sandal for my sunny days. 

Quality

Chaco is clearly a well-built sandal with a beefy, thick footbed and a serpentine strap system. The company has a loyal fan base based on the well-proven durability and quality of their sandals and which remains unchanged in the new version of the Z/1 Rapid Pro sandal.

Features

New features to the Z1 include an exclusive outsole, designed in partnership with Vibram, which Chaco reports offers 6x the grip on wet river rock vs. other adventure sandals. The reinforced heel risers are 30% more nylon for improved durability and comfort. 

Fit

Chaco’s unique strap system has always been the primary hurdle for me. These sandals have a small learning curve for the newbie. However, after reviewing the enclosed strap instructions and with a little trial and error, I became comfortable donning/doffing the sandals.

The Chaco sandal had a short break-in period, but after a few miles of walking the dog and the straps becoming wet during lake trips to paddleboard, the rare hot spots settled down. Overall, the sandal is very comfortable given the open toe box area, excellent support from the LUVSEAT footbed, and the low-profile buckle reduces bulk and pressure points. The reinforced heel risers add durability and rear-foot stability.

The strap length is intentionally long to accommodate all foot sizes; however, this can be adjusted on ReChaco for $20. My biggest complaint with the sandal is that while walking along rocky beaches/rivers smaller pebbles would get trapped under my feet and be very difficult to dislodge.  

Durability

I have tested my sandals while kayaking, paddle boarding, and walking the dog with no signs of significant wear.  The sandals are ruggedly built and suspect I’ll be wearing this pair for years to come.  

The Final Word

In my gear testing experience, the Chaco Men’s Z/1 Rapid Pro is a standout performing water sandal that blends grip, comfort, adjustability, and durability with finesse. If your summer adventures revolve around kayaking, paddle-boarding, or navigating wet rocks (i.e. fishing), the Chaco Z/1 Rapid Pro stands out as a trusted companion.  It wraps your feet in confident traction, adaptive support, and thoughtful design–so you can focus on the water, not your footing.  

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