Chaco (footwear)

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Chaco USA.

Type	Privately Owned Company
Founded
Headquarters	Paonia, Colorado
Industry	sporting goods
Products	Performance Sandals, Hiking Boots
Website	http://www.chacousa.com/

Chaco is a company specializing in men and women's performance footwear designed for outdoor activities, such as hiking, rafting, kayaking and camping. Currently devoted exclusively to sandals, Chaco's brief excursion into the boot market was well marked by outdoor enthusiasts. A large cult following of Chaco enthusiasts incorporate Chacos into their everyday lives. A barefoot enthusiast can always be identified by the tell-tale "Z" tan lines on the uppers of their feet. Chacos are now sometimes considered acceptable business attire and several couples have chosen to have their favorite Chacos rewebbed with white webbing for their wedding ceremonies. Chaco currently offers four different lines of sandals: Headwaters, Cross Current, Flip Side, and Andale.

1 Headwaters
- 1.1 Webbing Styles
- 1.2 Sole Styles
2 Manufacturing moving to China
3 Cleaning
4 References
5 External links

[edit] Headwaters

Chaco's Headwaters line comprises the Z/1, Z/2, ZX/1, and the ZX/2. All four sandals feature Chaco's signature "grecian" sandal style. This style is a continuous wrap of webbing or similar material that loops around the foot and between the footbed and the sole. This design means infinite adjustability for increased comfort for all sizes and shapes of feet. All Chaco's footbeds are approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association.

[edit] Webbing Styles

Z/1

The Z/1 is the original Chaco sandal. It features a wide wraparound strap or webbing and is frequently worn with socks by those in the northern regions.

Z/2

The introduction of the Z/2 was seen as a great improvement on an already great design. A smaller strap and an added toe loop meant greater stability and a tighter fit. This design can be adjusted so that the toe loop lies flat on the footbed, making the shoe function like the Z/1

ZX/1

The new ZX/1 essentially splits one thick strap into two much thinner ones that follow the same path through the sandal as the original Z/1. The smaller straps are designed to increase conformity to the wearers feet.

ZX/2

The ZX/2 essentially mirrors the improvements brought with the ZX/1 but with the added comfort and stability of the Z/2.

[edit] Sole Styles

Chacos previously (circa 2005 and before) featured three different sole types (Colorado, Terreno, and Diamond Stealth) but features from the Colorado and Terreno soles appear to have been merged into the design of the Unaweep sole.

Current sole styles (June 2007):

Unaweep

Chaco website: "The surprisingly light-weight Unaweep outsole is an intelligent combination of slip resistance and traction. The angled, well-spaced lugs make this non-marking sole virtually self-cleaning."

A new lightweight Vibram sole, the Unaweep is a hybrid between river and land. The reduction in weight makes it desirable for the backcountry ultralightists.

Diamond Stealth

Chaco website: "Perfect for avid paddlers, climbers, and canyoneers, the Diamond Stealth outsole features ultra-sticky Stealth Amphibia(tm) rubber. This slip-resistant compound inspires confidence on everything from slick rocks to wet, root filled trails. (marking sole)"

Designed for climbing and river running, these soles are designed to give you the most grip period. Unfortunately, these soles are trickier to find in retail stores and do not tend to last as long as the Vibram soles, meaning that the owner will have to have them resoled more often.

Discontined sole styles:

Colorado

A rafting sole to the core, Chaco's Colorado sole was designed for the water. Made with Vibram rubber, it was considered a benchmark in water footwear design.

Terreno

The Terreno sole, also made with Vibram rubber, was designed for hiking use. With large flat areas, rocks and pebbles were much less likely to become lodged inside.

[edit] Manufacturing moving to China

Currently, all styles have Chaco footwear have components made in China. Some styles are assembled in the U.S.A. while others are assembled in China. Check the underside of the sandal strap to confirm the country of origin.

Beginning in 2009, all styles will be manufactured and assembled in China.^[1]

Official comments from Mark Paigen, Owner and Founder of Chaco Footwear (November 2007):

"We began producing sandals in China 5 years ago. Our fastest growing product lines have been built in China since they were introduced. These styles include Hipthong, Zong, Wrapsody and all our flips. None of these products were ever built in the US because the labor involved would have made them prohibitively expensive. It is the Z series of sandals that will transition to Asia midyear in 2008."

"Any of our Z/1, Z/2 or ZX/1 sandals purchased before July 2008 will have been made here in Paonia. Stock up all you want. All Chaco products have always had a lifetime guarantee on materials and workmanship. This will not change as long as I am the majority shareholder. Regardless of the country of origin, Chaco products will continue the tradition of high quality and we will bet our reputation on it by continuing with our lifetime guarantee."

[edit] Cleaning

The Chaco sandal line is designed to last the wearer the life of the footbed. Cleaning the sandal can extend the life. Sandals can be cleaned in a washing machine in a mesh bag. They should be air dried. To keep the webbing sliding freely, diluted ArmorAll can be applied to the edge of the webbing.