Chaco Z/1 Classic Review

Most of the Chaco sandals in this review all received similar scores, only varying slightly due to nuanced design features and material selections. The Z/1 Classic is a very durable and supportive model with a classic Chaco design and high-quality materials.

Performance Comparison

Classic designs and a reputation for comfort and durability make Chaco one of the most recognizable sandals out there.

Photo: Jacob Clark

Comfort

Our experience with the Chaco family has shown that comfort is a fluid metric that has notable variance from user to user. It depends mostly on how you intend to use (or abuse) your footwear. Light to moderate users will likely find the extra rugged soles a bit unforgiving for their needs. Multi-sport die-hards, on the other hand, will be fond of the extra support when the going gets tough.

The Z/1 Classic has one of the stiffest, heaviest, most-bombproof soles in our review. Most of our testers find this to be a positive attribute regarding comfort. Thick soles tend to have greater shock-absorbing capabilities and generally keep the foot from feeling the sharp irregularities of the trail. Even on the roughest terrain, our feet remained comfortable in the soles of the Z/1 Classic. Furthermore, the intuitive strap placement kept our feet secure without any rubbing or hotspots.

The simple, wide strap design and 3-D contoured footbed make for a comfortable and stable ride.

Photo: Jacob Clark

Traction

Chaco utilizes a patented rubber material for its outsole that has a very similar feel to Vibram materials but is slightly less firm. The bottom of the sole isn't lugged quite as dramatically as other models, but it does feature a rugged tread pattern that can grip well in adverse conditions. Overall, traction is significantly complemented by a stiff and sturdy, fully-rubber midsole.

Even the footbed of the Z/1 Classic is made from a proprietary PU rubber that is trail-ready and super durable. Our only gripe is that after extended use, the footbed rubber tends to get a bit slippery.

Chaco's unique tread design lends itself well to a variety of surfaces and conditions.

Photo: Jacob Clark

Stability

When it comes to footwear, stability doesn't always intersect harmoniously with comfort. But in the case of Chacos, we found the stiff sole to be advantageous for both metrics. As previously noted, the Z/1 Classic has one of the beefiest soles in this entire lineup of multipurpose sandals. Couple that with a grippy rubber sole secured by ¾ inch webbing, and you're looking at a very solid platform.

Because of its unparalleled stability and confidence on variable terrain, the Z/1 Classic lands among the top of its class in this particular metric. If nothing else, the classic Chaco is a total beefcake of a sandal capable of powering through scree fields and muddy marshes alike. Some users reported that they would have preferred the additional toe loop found on the Chaco ' Z/2' models, but overall we noticed no reduction in performance due to the lack thereof.

Even fully submerged, these sandals handle the slippery surface well.

Photo: Jacob Clark

Adjustability

Another point of contention in the Chaco debate is their proprietary interwoven webbing strap. We admit, if you aren't already familiar with the Chaco fastening system, you might initially be frustrated with adjusting these sandals to achieve a proper fit. However, once you've gotten through the Chaco learning curve, the continuous piece of webbing found on the Z/1 Classic offers a snug, performance-oriented fit.

Wrapping around the foot in various places, the Chaco webbing is woven directly through the sole to secure the sandal to your foot. By weaving through the footbed, the webbing adjustments stay in place better than traditional straps. Because of this design, users are able to achieve a customized hug-like feel, though not without some tinkering. Micro-adjustments are a little trickier to accomplish since, in order to tighten one spot of the webbing, slack must be let out from another area. With a single continuous piece of webbing, a lower volume foot may find the strap to be too long once fully adjusted. Trimming the webbing is easy if you prefer to remove this slack. If you do so, we recommend leaving enough tail material for taking on and off the sandal with ease and sealing up any trimmed ends to prevent fraying.

With only a single buckle and one continuous piece of webbing, these sandals can be adjusted to comfortably hug almost any foot without an issue.

Photo: Jacob Clark

Versatility

There isn't much that Chaco sandals aren't capable of handling. A thick sole and respectable traction make the Z/1 Classic a go-to option for a wide variety of outdoor activities. It is durable and resilient enough to handle long days logging miles on the trail, but still comfortable and stylish enough to be worn as primary summer footwear. Furthermore, the lack of toe floss allows you to wear socks with these sandals if that's what you're into. Whether you're heading out on a backcountry adventure or making a quick jaunt into town, the Z/1 Classic won't let you down.

The Z/Classic handles a sandal's most common element, water, with ease.

Photo: Jacob Clark

Value

While the list price of the Z/1 is one of the more expensive in our lineup, it is also one of the burliest sandals in our review. For the right user, these sandals will provide great value and will stand up to seasons upon seasons of use.

Solid construction, unique wide straps, and durable support sole make one killer combination.

Photo: Jacob Clark

Conclusion