There's something about balancing your way across an abyss that takes you far away from your everyday life and into a place of extreme focus, determination, and overcoming your innate fears. I've become quite fascinated with pushing my personal limits as far as possible, both physically and mentally.

As we stride into the cooler months, we’d like to introduce you to our new Fall 2011 boot and shoe collection! Built from the LUVSEAT platform with the same fit and feel of your beloved sandals, our new closed-toe kicks will keep your feet supported and body properly aligned for year-round adventure.

With summer winding down, Chaconians of all ages are thinking back-to-school. To help you get the right fit for your little Chaconians this fall, we developed a downloadable, printable, hang-on-the-fridge-able shoe size chart to measure their feet.

World Kayak and Chaco have formed a bond this year, allowing Chaco to sponsor 160  World Kayak events. Working alongside the Colin, Emily and the rest of the World Kayak team has got us stoked on life.  The roots of the Chaco brand began while floating rapids as carefully and effortlessly as the World Kayak team does on their tour, and we think that this team is one of the raddest out there. They are incredibly talented people with the most humble approach to life!

No one can be too prepared for a natural disaster, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t all pitch in to lend some luv and support to restore lost lives, homes and smiles.

I spent many a summer paddling canoes and kayaks through the streets of my childhood landscape, rescuing cats, picking up trash and patrolling to help prevent vandalism. I say streets instead of rivers because every now and then the mighty Mississippi would flood our precious fields, towns and homes. The flood of ’93 is still visible half-way up multiple story buildings where, like a tattoo, the water left its mark. That was the summer that with calloused hands from weeks of sandbagging, the levy finally broke and instead of filling anymore sandbags, we filled our hearts with prayers, knowing that nature cannot be stopped.

Within the Chaco brand, each of us could tell a similar story, about an avalanche, a mudslide, a hurricane or a tornado …we have all been witness to such erratic and ever-present disasters. However none of our experiences can come near to the most recent experience in the Southeast, specifically Alabama. Many of our most incredible retail partners are in this area and for that reason alone, we felt the need to lend a hand and some shoes. Chaco has been in touch with 4 varying retailers in the Southeast: Mountain High Outfitters, Kinnucan’s, Eagle Eye Outfitters and Alabama Outdoors and our Facebook + Twitter Chaconians to better understand what type of help is most needed at a time like this. The response to this inquiry was clear …shoes + money. So, instead of picking organizations ourselves, we encouraged these 4 retailers to choose local organizations within their territories that we could send some financial luv + product to.

Below is a list of the organizations.

1) Junior League of Birmingham: 2011 Storm Relief
In the name of Mountain High Outfitters

2) Humane Society of West Alabama
In the name of Kinnucan’s

3) East McFarland Baptist Church, Pastor, Doug Reeves, 6007 McFarland Blvd. E, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405 205.345.2560
In the name of Eagle Eye Outfitters

4) Tuscaloosa Disaster Relief Fund, PO Box 020410, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35402, 205.758.7588
In the name of Alabama Outdoors

On behalf of Chaco, our hearts of full of luv for you all. As my dad would often say when the shit hit the fan, “This too shall pass.”

Take good care.
Luv,
Team Chaco

During the month of April, Chaco will partner with the Arbor Day Foundation to plant up to 60,000 trees, one for each pair of Chacos sold online and at retail, in the Pike National Forest (CO) and the Moss Island Wildlife Area (TN). The program, called "Buy One Get One Tree," celebrates the anxiously awaited beginning of flip and sandal season, Arbor Day and Earth Day.  Arbor Day is very conscious to plant only native species in areas that are in need, while Chaco is very conscious to build colorful and very durable footwear that keeps us smiling under the shade of our favorite trees.  Thank goodness for such a beautiful partnership!