ProView – Chaco Women’s Rapid Pro Flip Review

I reviewed the Chaco Women’s Rapid Pro Flip while doing a survey of coastal waters in Southcentral Alaska in August and September. As someone whose closet could double as a Chaco retirement home, I was genuinely excited to test out the Chaco Women’s Rapid Pro Flip. Among my collection are two pairs of the dearly departed Hipthong—a flip-flop with extra straps across the top of the foot. Despite the tread being nearly gone, those Hipthongs remain the most comfortable flips I’ve ever owned. 

Features

The Rapid Pro Flip looks like an above-average flip-flop at first glance—but don’t be fooled. This thing is built like it’s training for white-water rescue. Designed in collaboration with professional raft guides, it combines Chaco’s signature LUVSEAT footbed with a Vibram Megagrip outsole that claims to have six times the grip of your average adventure sandal. That’s not just marketing fluff—it’s basically the flip-flop equivalent of slapping snow tires on your feet (I live in Alaska, we know snow tires!). 

Compared to the Hipthong, the Rapid Pro is in a whole different league. The Hipthong was great for dry trails and casual wear, but it couldn’t hold a candle—or a kayak paddle—to the Rapid Pro’s wet-surface traction and aggressive tread.

I wore the Rapid Pro while doing marine fieldwork in Southcentral Alaska. While I didn’t do much wet rock scrambling (we were mostly working from a large vessel, not scaling sea cliffs), they performed well on rocky beaches, wet boat decks, and trails. The grip was excellent—no cartoon-style banana peel slips here. And true to design, they were easy to kick on and off. 

Fit/Comfort

I did experience some rubbing on the top of my foot when walking more than about ½ mile. The straps have softened with wear, but it’s worth noting for anyone with sensitive feet or planning to use them for extended walking right out of the box. One of the standout features is the LUVSEAT footbed, which is certified by the American Podiatric Medical Association. The contoured arch support was similar to my older Chacos and provided all-day comfort, even during long periods of standing. 

Weight/Packability

Support, traction, and comfort do come at a price. If you’re looking for an ultralight flip, this may not be the sandal for you. The pair I tested (size 8) weighed in at 18.3 ounces. I haven’t had them long enough to wear them out, but in 6 weeks of use they show no signs of wear except the straps have softened up. They appear extremely well constructed. I love the waterproof sole that’s standard with Chacos. 

Function/Performance

Compared to my beloved Hipthongs, the Rapid Pro offers superior support and traction. However, I did miss the soft, broken-in feel and the extra security of the dual top straps. Of course, those straps have had years to soften, so it’s not a fair one-to-one comparison out of the box.

Sustainability

Chaco sandals are constructed with sustainability in mind. The quick-drying Repreve Jacquard straps are made from recycled plastic bottles. The ReChaco repair program repairs many of their sandal models, unfortunately they don’t offer repairs on flip flops. 

The Final Word

The Rapid Pro Flip is well-constructed, comfortable, and has excellent grip. I highly recommend it, in particular for water sports, rafting, and warm weather travels. I loved the arch support and comfortable foot bed, excellent traction, and high-quality construction. The straps cut into my foot during the first month or so of use, and it is on the heavy side if you’re looking for an ultralight sandal. 

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