My ft maintain discovering their manner again to Chaco’s softer sandals. From day-long walks by the humid warmth of Medellin, Colombia, to quick hikes alongside Georgia rivers, adopted by nights round a campfire, my hard-working ft are reluctant to go away the additional help provided by Chaco’s CushZ.
After all, these aren’t radically completely different from the Chaco Z/1, the traditional sandal that’s spent extra time on my ft over the past 25 years than some other footwear. However after I’m attempting to trim weight for worldwide journeys or longer forays within the woods, the 2-plus kilos these sturdy sandals add can really feel pointless — even onerous. Is it value the additional weight if I principally stroll in path runners?
That is when the Chaco CushZ enters the chat. Basically a lighter, softer model of the Z/1 and Cloud fashions, the CushZ trades some sturdiness for extra consolation. My ft really feel far happier in a pair of CushZ sandals than the rubbery Crocs which have change into ubiquitous amongst thru-hikers.
Plus, the CushZ works nice as an ethereal substitute for an end-of-day camp/restoration shoe. Give me a pair of thick wool socks, and I’ll fortunately spend a chilly night chilling in these puppies.
Additionally they function respectable water sneakers. Or, when you’re comfortable mountaineering in sandals like me, they could be a dependable pair of walkers for simple to reasonable hikes.
In brief: Chaco followers searching for a softer sandal will discover lots to like in regards to the CushZ. It finds a stable stability between weight and stability. There are some drawbacks, as they put on out and acquire seen grime extra rapidly than the traditional mannequin. Additionally they appear to get pungent extra simply. Whereas the sandals’ light-weight cushion comes on the expense of some sturdiness and stability, they nonetheless supply wonderful traction and the model’s iconic flexibility.
If you happen to’re purchasing for mountaineering sandals, evaluate the Chaco CushZ to others on GearJunkie’s information to the Greatest Mountaineering Sandals.
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Light-weight -
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Versatile use
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Not repairable
Chaco CushZ Assessment
To be clear, Chaco isn’t fascinated by the CushZ as a alternative for its heavy-duty fashions. It’s not repairable just like the Z/1 or the Cloud, and gained’t present sufficient stability for rocky, technical trails. Whereas I loved a number of 5-6-mile hikes in these on rocky, muddy trails alongside the Chattahoochee, I wouldn’t desire them for something an excessive amount of more durable. I doubt they’d survive lengthy.
However I’ve no drawback burning by a pair of sandals in the event that they serve their function. In my case, I discovered the CushZ a superb alternative for lower-impact walks following intense days of biking or path working. Extra importantly, I spent many weeks with them whereas residing and touring in Colombia. They quickly grew to become my favored footwear most days of the week.
Why, precisely? As a result of the CushZ offers much more cushion than Chaco’s Cloud mannequin, which is already a softer model of the Z/1. (That shoe can be a GearJunkie decide for Greatest Mountaineering Sandals.)
It’s fairly useful to have soft sneakers when residing day after day on concrete flooring in a scorching metropolis with out air con. Chaco lists “city exploring” and “farmer’s market” as potential makes use of of the CushZ. However I’m assured including “every day life in South America” to the record of acceptable makes use of.
A Materials Distinction
The CushZ dispenses with a number of of the tried-and-true supplies utilized in extra sturdy Chaco fashions. That begins with the outsole, which ditches the proprietary ChacoGrip the model has used within the Z/1 and Cloud since 2016. Rather than that sturdy sole is a lighter-weight “road-grade” EVA outsole.
This artificial polymer, widespread in sandals and trainers, presents extra cushion and shock absorption. However that comes on the expense of lifespan and traction.
That’s to not say I didn’t put these by the figurative paces, nonetheless. I had no drawback utilizing the CushZ to hop throughout boulders whereas testing them on the damp trails of the Chattahoochee Nationwide Recreation Space. Sure, they’re actually extra slippery on moist rocks, and also you’ll desire a pair of Z/1s or Speedy Execs for critical water adventures.
As for the midsole, the CushZ as soon as once more opts for light-weight EVA as an alternative of the polyurethane discovered within the model’s efficiency fashions. The result’s precisely what Chaco was aiming for: an enormous discount in weight at the price of some stability. However once more, I didn’t discover myself lacking the durability of the Z/1 till I’d spent greater than 2 hours strolling or mountaineering.
In contrast to different fashions, the CushZ additionally has a padded mesh collar on the heel. This was a pleasant addition by way of consolation. I can think about that function being added to different sandals within the model’s lineup.
Way of life vs. Out of doors Hijinks
I can see the CushZ serving one in every of two functions extraordinarily nicely.
The primary is near what Chaco probably meant: A life-style sandal geared toward every day life and shorter walks for these looking for much less affect on their ft and knees. It would fill that position even higher than the Cloud, a barely cushier model of the Z/1.
I’m a fan of the Cloud. However the place that sandal seeks a compromise between stability and sturdiness, the CushZ roughly cedes the territory fully, making consolation the clear precedence. For individuals who love the essential Chaco design however want extra help, these are an excellent choice.
But the EVA outsole additionally brings an enormous weight discount. By shedding half the load — bringing a pair of CushZs right down to lower than a pound — they change into far more packable for worldwide journeys or backcountry tenting. Hauling much less weight has change into extra vital to me over time, whether or not I’m attempting to hurry by airports or trim my backpacking equipment.
At 38 years previous, my knees ain’t what they was once, and every additional pound feels more durable to justify.
Bringing each sneakers and sandals has lengthy been a precedence for me, and the load discount of the CushZ makes that simpler than ever. Until I wanted the Z/1s for a river journey or lengthy summer season trek, I’ve discovered myself often choosing the CushZs for the whole lot else.
Downsides
Utilizing EVA for each the midsoles and outsoles does have its downsides, nonetheless. The CushZs appeared to get dirtier and stinkier extra rapidly than my different Chacos. My pair’s impartial grey colour in all probability doesn’t assist, however I undoubtedly discovered myself washing these extra often.
Put on and tear additionally present comparatively rapidly with the CushZ, one other results of the lighter and fewer resistant materials. After about 2 months, the outsole was visibly tattered, particularly alongside the sides and close to the entrance. Stains on the midsole additionally seem extra rapidly and are tougher to take away.
These aren’t actually meant to be super-durable, nonetheless. So, when you dig these however need them to look spiffy on a regular basis, you’ll should watch out the place you are taking them. Additionally, the webbing on my pair was a bit too lengthy and dragged on the bottom when tightened (a primary for me with Chaco), however maybe that’s a fluke with the pattern pair I obtained.
Verdict
No sandal will work for everybody, however one in every of Chaco’s strengths is its strap design, which works for many individuals, myself included. So, I’m glad to see the model persevering with to experiment with that match and see the place else it will probably go.
There are many causes to love the CushZ. I additionally suppose it presents extra potential for Chaco to discover. I’d be curious if Chaco may enhance the sturdiness of those sandals whereas sustaining the low weight. If that comes on the expense of cushioning, I’d nonetheless have an interest to test them out — and I’m in all probability not the one one.
If you’re purchasing for a pair of sunshine, soft sandals that you could put on round city, on quick hikes, and for delicate water adventures, take a look at the Chaco CushZ.
