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

My friends have been wearing and raving about Chacos for years, and I was excited to try my first pair. I have had many other popular flip flops and sandals over the years, and I have to say I’m sold on these Chaco Z/1 Pros.

I live an active life in the suburbs of Boston and head north on the weekend to the lakes and mountains of New Hampshire. I bike, hike, climb, sail, water ski, and do more laidback activities like paddle, fish, garden, and golf. I spent the last month wearing the Chaco Women’s Z/1 Rapid Pro Adjustable Strap Classic Sandals pretty much all the time outside of work. I took them around the neighborhood with the dog, biking a rail trail with my kid, hiking into a crag, paddling the lake, walking around town, and doing yardwork. Unlike other shoes and sandals I’ve tested in the past, I can confidently say that I’ll be continuing to wear these a lot.

Fit/Comfort

I got a size 8, which was true to size. I tend to be an 8 for day-to-day shoes and an 8.5 for most hiking/trail running shoes. I have a narrow foot and didn’t feel these were too wide for me, other than the toe box having a fairly natural shape.  

Overall, I found the sandals super comfortable. The first week I wore them, I felt the arch was super far back. The sandal’s arch felt like it was just ahead of my heel and about 1-2” behind my arch. After a while, they got more comfortable, but I’m not sure if it was because they broke in or if I grew accustomed to them.  

Look/Style

The first day I wore these, I got compliments from friends and family on the color, pattern, and style. These definitely fit the vibe for outdoorsy people. They looked good lounging on the water, hiking, and heading to the climbing gym. Their clean look even makes them suited for a night out at a casual restaurant. 

Features

There is one strap that runs through the entire sandal. With one quick pull on the adjustment strap, the entire strap snugs down to match the shape of your foot. It’s quick and comfortable. 

Weight/Packability

I didn’t find these light or packable compared to other sandals. In terms of packability, the sandals are not flexible, and the sole is thick, so they certainly aren’t able to be crammed in a bag easily, but they can be clipped or tied to the outside of a pack. In my last week of testing, I was heading out climbing with some friends. I debated taking them due to the weight, but it was a tradeoff, I really wanted them with me as a comfortable, supportive, grippy and quick to get on and off sandal for belaying and in between climbs. I ended up taking them with me, and although they were heavy and they swung from a carabiner hiking in and out, I was glad I took them because of what a great belay shoe they were. 

Function/Performance

The Vibram sole was impressive hiking on rooted and rocky New England trails. I would definitely take these more rugged places than your average sandal. They did struggle hiking on loose, dry soil. The sole had enough grip, but the hot, humid weather made my feet sweat, causing them to slip around a bit in the toe box. Even though I really ratcheted the strap down, it didn’t prevent the side-to-side movement. The version with the toe loop may solve this, but it’s likely because of my narrow feet. The sandal was extremely supportive, which definitely comes at the cost of the weight/packability. 

Durability/Construction

I’ve seen no signs of real wear over the six weeks I’ve been wearing these. The only place I see that may be susceptible to wear is the end of the adjustment strap. My narrow foot makes me need to snug these down to nearly the max. When I do this, the tail of the adjustment strap can touch the ground. It is barely frayed right now, but I assume over time it will really wear down. This is something Chaco will repair under their repair program, so I’m not super worried about it. 

Friendliness to the Earth  

Chaco goes above and beyond to make an environmentally conscious product. They have an amazing repair program for all Z sandals. Consuming less and extending the life of your gear goes a long way in terms of being a sustainable consumer. The repairs webpage is easy to navigate and shows all costs up front as you put in what repairs you would like. The repairs are anywhere from $0-$50, with the high end covering re-souling. That being said, I feel their products are built extremely well, so I don’t know how much I will need these services. 

In addition to the repair program, the materials used in the sandals are sustainable. The Chaco webbing on the sandals (the straps) is made from recycled plastic.

The Final Word 

There are lots of summer sandals out there, but none I have tried rival the Chaco Women’s Z/1 Rapid Pro Adjustable Strap Classic Sandals. They are supportive with a grippy sole, the straps snug down for a very secure fit, and they are quick to get on for all your adventures. 

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