CHACOS.COM/US Blog

Chaco LUV Letters

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 02:28:00 GMT

In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, we’re celebrating the LUV shared between Chaconians and their sandals! Take a look at some of our favorite LUV notes sent to our ReChaco team.

We always knew Chacos were durable, but this Chaconian shares how hers have stuck by her side through the ups and downs of dating.

Chacos make great travel companions, and Chaconian Sophie shares how her pairs have traveled with her as a river guide.

Our ReChaco team is able to repair and replace webbing and soles, keeping waste out of landfills and giving you more time with the sandals you LUV.

Check out our ReChaco video to learn more about our repair and custom sandal services, meet the team, and hear even more stories! Visit the ReChaco page to order repair services, or email MyChacos@wwwinc.com to learn more about ordering a custom pair.

So wherever you are this Valentine’s Day, remember that you’re never alone when you’ve got your Chacos. And your Chacos LUV you back!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

A Very Chaco New Year

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 13:10:00 GMT

Happy New Year! ‘Tis the season where we reflect on the fun we’ve had all year, and look forward to the goodness that 2012 brings.

Little Chaconians embrace adventure too and deserve the same comfort and fit of the LUVSEAT™ platform that we big Chaconians enjoy. So in Spring 2011, we launched our new line of kids’ sandals and shoes.

Our Chaco Tan contest in August was a huge success! With over 350 photos submitted, over two months, in three categories—Most Idyllic Location, Wackiest Pose and Dirtiest Feet—the panel of judges here at Chaco had their hands full choosing a winner. Another congrats to kywildcatfan16, who took home top prize and a couple pairs of new Chacos!

Being tough and wearing your Chaco sandals year-round is still a badge of honor, but for Fall 2011, we launched a line of men’s and women’s boots for those days you just don’t feel like freezing your toes off. Check out our conversation with Brandan Hill, Chaco Design Guru, from earlier this fall to hear all about the new styles.

Our ReChaco team has been working hard all year long to re-sole, re-web and re-incarnate well worn sandals—and has kept thousands of pairs out of landfills this year alone. On top of all of that, they’ve been crafting your custom Chaco creations through our MyChacos program. Interested in a pair of custom Zs? Email MyChacos@wwwinc.com for details.

We’ve got some great new Chaco goodies coming your way in 2012, too! Watch for an expanded line of shoes this spring, including a few offerings in canvas that are already in stock. Check out the Otis Canvas for men and the Pedshed Canvas for men and women. From off-road exploration to urban trekking, we’ve got all of your adventures covered this spring.

Wishing you lots of Chaco LUV and a great new year!

Letters to ReChaco

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 08:46:00 GMT

Chaconians have a special bond with their sandals. From world travels to daily wear, their sandals are by their side day in and day out. For many Chaconians, sending their sandals in for repair is a major event—the longest they have been apart from their beloved Chacos.

From love letters to drawings—and plenty of snacks—our ReChaco team loves to find surprises sent in with sandals for repair.

Sometimes, we even get to meet the culprits behind the Chaco destruction.

Check out our ReChaco video to learn more about our repair and custom sandal services, meet the team, and hear even more stories—including the pair that was chewed up by a penguin! Visit the ReChaco page to order repair services, or email MyChacos@wwwinc.com for information about ordering a custom pair.

Thanks for sending your photos and videos, and for spreading the Chaco LUV!

A Chaco Chat with Brandan Hill

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 20:43:00 GMT

A conversation with Chaco Product Director, Brandan Hill, on Chaco’s Fall and Winter product line.

Why did Chaco decide to make closed toe shoes and boots?

We wanted to give consumers the supportive and comfortable LUVSEAT™ experience throughout the year – we believe in our LUVSEAT ‘engine’ – for great foot health and alignment – and keeping our users adventuring year-round. But, it doesn’t always need to be a sandal experience. Chaconians were signaling to us that Chaco sandals WERE shoes, way before we started even making shoes. Our community was taking the sandals hiking, backpacking, wearing them with socks and into winter because the underfoot experience was more related to a shoe. We just listened and gave them that experience (laughs) with no more awkward sock/sandal combination.

What was the design inspiration for the fall styles?

The inspiration was really about responding to the classic silhouette; being very functional with Fall and Winter feeling. We designed very simply, very restrained and created patterns for everything you need in a pure weather solution. Revving up design details on the woman’s line was fun while staying true to classic forms and shapes.

The team was further inspired by our core consumer’s attraction to elemental design, design that is timeless. This footwear is going to be around for a while – we needed to make sure that the styling could mold with consumers changing sensibility.

How do the new fall styles reflect the Chaco brand DNA?

Well, let’s take the OTIS for instance; part of what makes it Chaco is the detail you DON’T see. We have real hand sewn stitching – this creates a much more flexible shoe because no materials are turning under your foot - no fabric, glue or lasting boards. This makes the ride a lot like our sandal because it doesn’t stiffen up the shoe – it makes it nice to move in and very comfortable – super easy walkability.

We also created a waterproof gasket around the polyurethane (PU) footbed because you are perforating the PU when you hand sew the upper to the bottom. We went in there and took care of all of those holes with a heat-activated film that fills them all in, sealing out the water. I just had to do it – Chaco takes care of your foot in there. We don’t yell and scream it or market the crap out of it, but it’s in there. We’ve considered your end-use and designed for that, so, functionally they are just dripping Chaco (laughs), no pun intended.

What are the Chaco LUVSEAT benefits for winter?

I’ll give you a good one – polyurethane has a natural insulative property that almost all other footwear made from foam does not. PU is used a lot in construction as insulation; there are microcells of trapped air and you can effectively heat up that air under your foot. Because nothing is coming between you and the top of the footbed, the heat from your body gets captured and reflected back at you. It’s got all the warmth you need in winter!

What are you dreaming up for future Chaco styles?

(Laughs). I’m definitely a dreamer… What I’m visualizing now is what a lightweight experience from Chaco looks and feels like. I don’t mean that we are physically heavy for our functionality, but what does the next generation of lightweight and durability look like – smartly. I’m envisioning a capable solution for a ‘faster’ Chaco experience, for users to move a little quicker and re-ringing the bell on durability without compromise. Stay tuned!

Thanks! Be sure to check out our lineup of boots and shoes for fall. Shop Now>

New closed-toe kicks for Fall!

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 14:48:00 GMT

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.

For a limited time, get FREE Shipping* on all our new Fall products with code: CHACOFALL2011. Shop our New Arrivals, or use this PDF to shop from your desktop—just click on your favorites and you'll be directed to our website for purchase.

And feel free to outfit your computer with our Lake Tahoe background. Consider it a warm fuzzy from our hearts to yours!

*Free shipping offer valid at Chacos.com from 9/1/11 through 11/1/11. To redeem, enter code CHACOFALL2011 at checkout. Offer valid only on standard ground shipping to the contiguous United States. Not valid on prior purchases, purchases at retail stores, international shipments, or shipments to Alaska or Hawaii. Cannot be combined with any other coupon or discount.

Measure Kids’ Feet for a Great Fit!

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 21:34:00 GMT

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.

Download the size chart >

Download the PDF size chart and print it at 100% scale (you may need to select “no page scaling,” depending on your printer). To make sure it printed correctly, place a credit card in the “Tip” box in the lower left corner. If the credit card fits in the box, you’re ready to measure!

Follow the instructions on the chart to measure left and right feet. Remember, it is common for kids (and adults, too) to have two different sized feet—so be sure to measure both and go with the larger size. And don’t forget to leave a little growing room!

That’s all there is to it. Once you’ve got the right size, check out our lineup of kids’ shoes and sandals for the fall. Shop Younger Kids (sizes 10-3) or Older Kids (sizes 4-6).

Day ONE --- Telluride Bluegrass Festival . 2011

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 18:11:00 GMT

A flourishing box canyon nestled in the San Juan mountains and atop the San Miguel river has been taken over by colorful rhythms and dancing festivarians. Day ONE of the Telluride Bluegrass Festival has proven to be the busiest and biggest of them all, breaking all attendance records since it began thirty-eight years ago.

The Chaco booth is positioned conveniently between the New Belgium booth, offering delicious cool brew at any hour of the day and Leave No Trace, a long standing partner of Chaco. Lesson ONE of attending a high altitude summer time festival is stay hydrated, so with a fresh brew in hand and layers of sunscreen covering every ounce of exposed skin, we met day one with grace and enthusiasm. To the tunes of the bagpipes, the gates opened at 10am. Festival attendees sprinted their hearts out to obtain the best spot for the day, leaving those non-sprinters in the dust and without choice seats. Regardless, smiles abound like the mountain waterfalls that surround us, gushing and overflowing with richness.

ReChaco is the hit of this festival and close to tears, a man thanked us today for building him a custom pair of Chacos. The line to make Chaco bracelets out of left-over webbing began at 10:05 and around 6:00pm we kindly had to ask people to come back tomorrow because it was time to close the booth down. It is through these heart felt interactions that we feel most connected to our Chaconians and they, to the brand. As we tied bracelet after bracelet onto people's wrists and ankles, the common response was: "Tie that knot tight, because this bracelet is never coming off." From the bracelets $200 of donations were made today for the San Miguel River Guides.

We also sold sandals today to many who have worns Chacos before. Sales were also peppered with those who had never heard of the brand, but who had wandered into the booth attracted by the vibrant colors and visual appearance of support on our footbeds. Joined by our local retailer, Jagged Edge, we were and are able to offer a wide variety of footwear as colorful as some of our Chaconians and as comfortable as a seat under the shade after a long day of hot sun.

We are stoked about the next three days of music, good people and festival LUV ...so please come find us, if you are in the area! If you need a re-web, desire a custom webbing, a bracelet or fancy a new pair of dancing sandals ...we've got the perfect solution for your feet.

Signing off until tomorrow, with visions of Chaconians dancing in our heads!

38th Annual Telluride Bluegrass Festival

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 13:23:00 GMT

As a main sponsor, alongside New Belgium Brewing, the 38th Annual Telluride Bluegrass Festival - June 16-19, 2011 - is going to be the highlight of our CHACO summer! We will be selling product with the help of Jagged Edge, a local retailer, and will have ReChaco on site for custom re-webbing, quick fixes and to bring a little more manual 'awe' into your life! So come dance with us for a weekend filled with inspiration, virtuosity, and acoustic adventures at 8,750'.

2011 FIBArk Whitewater Festival

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 22:13:00 GMT

We hear that the Arkansas river is more than crankin' so for those looking for a good time in a boat, come join us at the FIBArk Whitewater Festival, June 15-19 in Salida, CO! We will have Chaco staff on site to dance, sing, laugh, paddle, toss a disc, drink a brew and you fill in the blank ... with you! For more details visit the FIBArk Whitewater Festival website.

World Kayak Partnership

Mon, 30 May 2011 21:21:00 GMT

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!

Anyone interested in jumping in the water with some hard core boaters, check out the World Kayak website and blog: http://worldkayak.com/. World Kayak events are open to amateur kayakers all over the globe. You don’t have to be a pro to get in on the action; everyone entering a World Kayak event will get a chance to win cool prizes. Pros will be in attendance for tips and tricks, and what’s better than winning a free pair of Chacos for playing in your kayak?

Teaser!! Keep on the lookout for a Chaco & World Kayak contest... coming soon.

Daniel Dutton @ the 2011 Nolichucky/Nantahala Hometown Throwdown in Tennessee

Chaco at Mountain Jam!

Thu, 26 May 2011 14:31:00 GMT

Chaco will be at the 7th Annual Mountain Jam Music Festival in the Catskills of New York, June 2-5. Mountain Jam is a huge, four-day music festival with a great lineup of artists on four stages. Check out their web site for more information and to see a full schedule.

We’ll be pitching our Chaco tent in Awareness Village, which will feature an acoustic stage where artists (including Michael Franti!) will play special sets all weekend. Awareness village will also have children’s entertainment and interactive music areas, a beer and wine garden, performance and sculpture art and physical and spiritual healing areas.

Be sure to stop by the Chaco tent to enter to win our daily Chaco Cash Clean-up contest. The first five people to bring us 10 recyclable items (no dumpster diving!) will win a $55 gift certificate for Chaco Flips—with our 25% recycled rubber EcoTread™ outsole. Anyone who brings us their recyclables will get stellar swag and can still enter to win a gift certificate! We’ll also have information about ReChaco, our super-cool Chaco repair service that helps keep your old sandals out of landfills.

If that isn’t enough, we’ll also have lots of fun games and activities, like hula hoops, slacklines, cornhole, the 10 Step Challenge and more.

We’ll be at the festival with our sister brand, Merrell. Check out their tent while you’re there, too!

See you at Mountain Jam!

With a Little Help From Our Friends, Chaco Aid to Lend a Hand to the Southeast

Sun, 22 May 2011 13:26:00 GMT

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

Calling all Camp Counselors – we have a VIDEO CONTEST for you!!!

Fri, 13 May 2011 19:32:00 GMT

To our most favorite camp counselors, we think that you’d be rock-stars in your own videos. So how do you feel about showing us a day in the life of being a counselor at YOUR camp for the chance to win free Chacos and some money for your camp!?!?!!

It was the fact that you had to sing all of the time that kept me from being a life-long counselor, yet I know so many counselors that pride themselves on leading most of the camp sings and loving every minute of it. There is something about being a counselor that makes it a summer job that many just cannot pass up. I wonder if each camp sings the same songs? I wonder if the same pranks are pulled at each camp? I wonder if most of the counselors at camp began as a camper? Do most counselors wear Chacos?

It’s questions like these that encouraged us here at Chaco to want to create a contest for all camp counselors. A contest that invites any counselor who would like to participate, to make a short video about the day in a life of what it’s like to be a counselor at your favorite camp. What do you do every day at camp? When do you wake up and how many campers are in your cabin? What type of counselor are you? Where do you hide the candy in your cabin? If you’d like to participate, the videos can be posted to our website: www.chacos.com and once posted they will be voted on by your friends, family and our Chaconian social media community; the most votes will win the grand prize.

If your video wins, you will receive 10 free pairs of Chacos for you friends and family, plus $3,000 for your camp’s scholarship fund for 2012. You choose the focus and you choose how you’d like to put the video together …maybe through song, maybe through story-telling …regardless we want to see it!?!! The contest will run until the 3^rd of July, so get your video in early so that you can win the most votes! We can’t wait to see your brilliant videos, so show us all what you’ve got and have a wonderful summer at camp!!!

Hello + Bye from a Chaconian to her sandals.

Sat, 07 May 2011 07:10:00 GMT

After wearing the heck out of my original pair of chaco's bought in 2005, and them even making it through two puppyhood chew fests that lasted years with a basset hound and labrador, I decided to get then resoled. I could handle the buckles being mangled beyond recognition, I didn't use them anymore, had the straps sized to where I just slipped into the shoe anyhow. But the soles were thin and bubbling. I wore these shoes Feb-Nov, I don't get cold easily being born in CT, and although Louisville does have nasty winters, they did see snow often. I also wore them on the five mile vertical hike/climb at the Red River Gorge to CLoudsplitter where I got married while 8 months pregnant. (They did very well for my swollen feet)

So I sent them in, and they resoled them at no charge, under warranty to my surprise, there was a defect of some sort in the shoes. But after wearing the shoe for two weeks the new soles starting to come loose from the shoes too, and I had to send them back. They called and deemed them defective all around, and offered to replace them at no cost. I was heartbroken (sappy I know), felt like I was losing a baby blanket or something. And after discussing with the repairman that it would be crazy and pointless to try a resole again, I decided to look at new shoes. I'm super picky when it comes to these shoes, didn't like any of the styles/colors on the website, so they offered to custom make me a pair. Awesome, I don't see that option anywhere else. So I picked a strap that I liked but I figured other women wouldn't pick so that I would still have somewhat unique chacos.
This company amazes me. Not only do they have an amazing product that stands up throughout the years and trials, but they stand right by it without question. That's incredibly hard to find these days, and I'm very happy to have fallen in love with a product made by such people. Can't say thank you enough. Not just shoes.

A Life of Adventure Starts When You Are Little

Wed, 04 May 2011 10:15:00 GMT

A note from superstar mom and PR goddess for Chaco, Emily Snayd...

To me, everyday is mother’s day because I’m a fan of celebrating life and all of its goodness, on a daily basis. I like to live through the wondrous eyes of my children while at the same time inspiring them to live a life of adventure and exploration. I’ll be honest, I’ve never traveled very far, nor to many places, but I feel that life is full of adventure by simply exploring what’s in our own backyards. That’s why my kids and I live outside. Hiking, biking, walking, running, making mud pies and splashing in puddles on rainy days.

Just the other day, I woke up and went out for a run. When home, I slid into my Chaco Flips and walked into the back yard tofind my kids digging for worms. My 5 year old came running towards me, gave me a huge hug and whispered “one day can I run with you?” I smiled, looked her in the eye and responded, “Well, do we hike together?” “Yes,” she giggled. “Do we hunt for worms together?” “Yes,” she giggled. “So then why wouldn’t we run together?” My two oldest ran inside, put on their sneaks and off we went for a trot around the neighborhood, all smiling, sweating and laughing away.

Each and every day as a mom, my kids inspire me and I hope that I can inspire them as well. I often use running to stay strong, physically, mentally and emotionally. I want my kids to know that being pretty on the sidelines isn’t what its all about. Getting muddy, shining with sweat (or liquid awesome as someone just told me) and a few scratched knees are what teach us and let us shine! Cheers to all of the Chaconian moms out there and I hope that today, on Mother’s Day (and every day for that matter) you and your kiddos do something fun that let you all shine, together.

2 Legged + 4 Legged Chaco Thru-Hikers

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 09:11:00 GMT

We received this letter and photo from some dear Chaconians via our Chacosphere. Knowing that amount of dog lovers out there, we thought that we’d share their story with you all! Best of luck to you, Caterina, Michael and Honey Bunny! Happy trails!

Dear Chaco,

We would like to thank you for having such a great product! We are currently hiking from Florida to Maine raising money for Humane Societies in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Pennsylvania. We are Caterina, Michael and our dog Honey Bunny, and our campaign is called Hike for Honey!

To date we have traveled 1400 miles of the Florida and Appalachian Trail and have raised nearly $1700 from the Everglades to our current location in Erwin, TN.

We are writing for the following reasons:

We have hiked over 600 miles in our Chaco’s (nearly half of our journey!) with up to 50 lbs on our back, since Chaco’s are the best sandal for the endless roads and flat lands of the Florida Trail. We are happy to hike with Chaco’s as our camp shoes as opposed to the lighter Crocs that everyone uses since they are more comfortable, better in streams and a great choice for errands all over town on zero days. We also loved visiting the Nantahala Outdoor Center and were pleasantly surprised to see that Chaco was supporting the efforts of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy through a drawing that offered the chance to win a free pair of Chaco’s for a $1 donation, and guess what? We won!!

Finally, our real reason for writing is that we thought that you would like a picture of our dog Honey at the Chaco tent at the Nantahala Outdoor Center. Honey is our reason for hiking and has been with us every step of the way! She was found covered in cigarette burns on a highway in Oregon, and was taken to a shelter by a compassionate person and Caterina was lucky enough to find her. Honey has been the inspiration to hike for our cause and Chaco’s have helped us to reach our goal!

Thank You Chaco,
Caterina (Haalo), Michael (River), and Honey Bunny (Clean Up Crew).

www.HikeforHoney.org

Chaco Contest Winner – Nastassja Pace

Sun, 17 Apr 2011 16:19:00 GMT

With the help of WEND magazine http://www.wendmag.com/ and in support of 5 Gyres http://5gyres.org/ Chaco sponsored an art contest. This contest was meant to encourage fellow creatives to do something about the plastics in their community. We are stoked to announce that out of 115 entrants, all of which were absolutely outstanding, we have a WINNER! Congratulations to Nastassja Pace! Due to the win, we asking Staj to write up some comments on what inspired her piece and who she is …so read on for more good ju-ju!

Thoughts behind creation of this piece…

Plastics are ubiquitous. From medical advancements to cutting-edge technology, plastics play a vital role in today’s world. However, ever-increasing consumptive habits and hasty life styles have led to one of the greatest environmental catastrophes of our time: single-use plastics. Throw-away products, containers and plastic bags find their way onto the streets, stuck in bushes, filling ditches and clogging storm drains. Many of these plastics end up in our waterways and eventually our oceans entangling, poisoning and causing starvation among marine wildlife and threatening delicate ecosystems. Every time I walk on the beach or surf in the ocean I witness plastic debris accumulating and breaking down into fragmented pieces; too small and too many to clean-up, yet not small enough to actually go away. As plastic floats in our oceans, builds on our beaches and integrates into our sands, I wonder what legacy we will leave behind?

Gaining motivation from this question, I chose to paint a wave with plastic bags making up the wave crest and white wash to highlight the icon of plastic litter, while illustrating the enormity of plastic pollution and the affects it is having on our oceans.

About Staj:

Raised in the mountains of southwest Colorado with a dubious dream of becoming a beach girl, Nastassja finds balance in soggy Portland, Oregon. After graduating from Lewis & Clark College with a degree in Art, she ventured to Central America to give her earlier aspiration a try. One year later Nastassja realized her home was in the Pacific Northwest, but not before she found solace in surfing and scouring the sand for plastic remains. Bringing her plastic-eliminating passion back to the states, Nastassja developed camaraderie with the Surfrider Foundation http://www.surfrider.org/ where she now serves as Chair for the Portland Chapter and volunteers tirelessly to raise awareness, fight plastic pollution and ban single-use plastic shopping bags. On the side, Nastassja works full-time coordinating volunteers and watershed restoration projects with Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation while still finding time to make art, plant mobile gardens, rock climb, and frequently make the hour and half bike commute to work.

Ode to My Chacos

Sun, 10 Apr 2011 11:36:00 GMT

Below we've reproduced a really great post by Julie Trevelyan of the blog Wild Girl Writing. You've gotta check her out! She's the real deal, and we're proud to call her a Chaconian.

Before I moved to Utah, I was a Teva girl. Wore ‘em all the time, had several pairs. But shortly after I discovered the great, empty (well, in the southern portion) state of Utah, I also discovered Chacos. Everyone was wearing them. My coworkers. Native Utahn tourists. The rugged outdoorsy guys I liked. The kickass outdoorsy women I emulated. Hell, I think there were some dogs running around in little Chaco footies. (Kidding.)

So I finally went out and bought my first pair of Chacos back in 2002, and the future of my footwear changed forever.

I freaking live in my Chacos during the warm season. Live in them. Other than riding boots or hiking boots, I pretty much wear only Chacos on my feet from April-October, give or take a few weeks depending on the weather. I hike in them, I go to dinner in them, I work in them, I wear them to the store, the post office, the hair dresser. I’ve been known to drive tractors while wearing them:

On trails, on the sidewalk, in my backyard when I’m gardening.

I wore them in Hawaii last year. Shrug: I just love my Chacos.

Current count of Chaco pairs owned: 8.

Current count of Tevas owned: 2. (And although I still really like them, I just rarely wear them.)

Why

The first fascination belongs to some sort of coolness factor. Have you ever seen those Chaco ad posters, with the feet that have Chaco tan lines? Something about that screams friends, fun, outdoors, rugged, laid-back, in the sunshine. And most of my friends here were living that actual life. As a result, I wanted it too. (Take a bow, Chaco marketing department. Your ads live in real life, and they apparently work.)

Secondly, Chacos are functional. Sure, you can wear them in the water, they’re sturdy as all get out, and they last a long time depending on how hard you use ‘em. But I mean they’re also just functional for everyday use, as I noted above. I approve of that. Heck, I have many friends who’ve gotten married in their Chacos. (Too bad Chaco doesn’t make white pairs…yet. However, you can buy white webbing and get it attached to your footbed. Cool!)

Another reason why is that they’re easy. It’s simple to slip them on, kick them off, throw them in the back of your truck. You can attach them to the outside of your pack to use as camp shoes or river crossers. Washing them is no problem. It’s okay if they get dirty (and really, they’re meant to), so you don’t have to watch every foot placement for fear of scuffing them. (Oh, the horror.)

Final reason why: the famous Chaco foot tan. Dude. It’s ridiculously fun, silly, cool, and a clear demonstration of the kind of life one leads. For example: whenever I visit my family in southern California, I notice how few Chacos and Chaco tans I see. ‘Nuff said.

Hiking

Okay, Chacos aren’t really meant to be hiked in. They’re supposed to be river sandals. But most of the people I know hike in them, me included. Have Chacos, will trail travel.

I know people who’ve backpacked in them for miles, pack upon back. (No, I’m not recommending that, as you can seriously mess up your feet if you twist your unsupported ankles.) I often hike in my Chacos all day.

Do I sometimes need to put on sneakers instead, do I get hot spots, have I worn my skin raw, especially if multiple water crossings happen? Yes.

Have I been stabbed so many times by those damned leaping cacti (I swear to all that’s holy, the cactus around here lies in wait for the unwary Chaco-clad foot and then strikes with deliberate intention)? Oh, yes.

Do stones and pebbles launch themselves with stinging force at my bare toes when I unwittingly kick them at my own feet? Uh, yes.

But even with all that, I still hike in my Chacos.

Thanks Julie! Keep up the big adventures.

WHY BOGOT?

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 21:10:00 GMT

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!

So now how are you going to participate? While we don't recommend planting trees while wearing Chacos flips or sandals, we recognize that if you can sky-dive and run races in Chacos, what's holding you back from planting trees?! So we only offer you support and a note of caution to drive the shovel into the ground with care, while carefully avoiding your toes! If you happen to find yourself out there with the arborists and amidst fellow Chaconians, shoot us some photos to help capture your experience! You can also show your support by walking in to your favorite retailer and out with a new pair of Chacos. For each pair of Chacos sold, we will be planting a tree!

So happy spring, happy Earth Day and happy Arbor Day to you all! We tip our hats to you all as we too are exclaiming "FREE THE PIGGIES" this spring!

Plant more and prosper!
The Chaco Team

Confession of A River Guide

Thu, 17 Mar 2011 12:00:00 GMT

The following was submitted by Nikki Cooley, a Navajo River Guide & Cultural Interpreter on the San Juan and Colorado Rivers

Having been a river guide on the Colorado and San Juan Rivers since 1999, I have gone through many pairs of sandals until I bought a pair of black Z/1® Chaco® sandals. Having a high arch on both of my feet, it was hard for me to find comfortable sandals capable of withstanding a variet y of environments on and off the river. Working as a motor and oar guide, my job (like any other river guide) involves a lot of movement; on and off the boat, back and forth across the wet and dry boat, up and down canyon walls, back and forth across camp and lots of wading through creeks, pools and swimming. I am still amazed at how well my sandals held up especially since my “office” contains a lot of gritty, hot sand, slippery granite, razor sharp limestone and coarse sandstone, and not to mention my constantly wet feet.

My Chacos are not just used for river trips and hiking but I wear them ALL the time. I grew up on the Navajo Reservation in Arizona and walked the pinion-juniper lands cape herding sheep and goats, and riding horses. In the past 10 years of guiding and splitting my time between the Rez, Flagstaff and the rivers, I have always worn my sandals. It is probably against all rules of horseback riding, but I found that riding horses with my Chaco sandals was just as comfortable especially during hot weather. I don’t recommend it to everyone, but being an experienced rider, I was happy to find out I could wear my sandals anywhere.

So whether I am on the river, riding horses, or wearing a cute dress, my Chacos are always on my feet. From wet and slippery boats to the dry and hot sandy beaches, to the cool weather of Flagstaff – you are sure to see me wearing sandals come rain, snow or sunshine.

Welcome to the Chaco Blog!

Thu, 17 Mar 2011 08:54:00 GMT

Hello everyone! It’s go time for our Chaco blog and we’re leaping for joy! Think of this blog as an extension of the Chaco-sphere, a place for us to tell our stories in addition to posting photos and videos. Much like the rest of our website, we created this blog with the hopes of providing Chaconians with a place to go in depth about a gnarly river trip or a scramble through scree fields with flips on. We’d love to hear from the peace corps folk who always have awe-inspiring journeys and lend above and beyond a simple helping hand to meet those in need. Or what about those folks who have a better relationship with their sandals than they do another human being …what’s that all about …tell us your story …we promise not to judge!

Our hope is that this blog becomes a journal of sorts, where we all go on a regular basis to brain-dump all of the adventures that each of us is having whether it be on a flight to New York City or on the back of an elephant in Nepal. As we wander through our different adventures, we all meet some pretty incredible folks …some we think of quite often even though it’s been 15 years and others come and go as quickly as a second on the clock ticks by. We all have stories to tell, it’s just up to you to decide if this is the right audience for you. Not all stories on this blog need to be epic tails of adventure. Some stories may be quite simple and heartfelt whereas others may bring a smile to your face and laughter to your belly.

Regardless, consider this your invitation …an invitation to you all to write, to tell your stories and to continue to share the Chaco luv through our website. Should you decide to submit your stories, please email them along with any photos to: chacoblog@wwwinc.com and we will help determine the best time to post your story.

Thanks for keeping the Chaco luv flowing free and we wish you all many adventures this spring!

ROCK ON!