Men’s Chaco Z/1 Classic Review

Bottom Line

When it comes to hiking sandals, we love the Chaco Z/1 Classics. They’ve ranked for years at the top of our best hiking sandals for men guide. The Classics are a golden ticket for anyone who adventures, whether that means tough trails, long travel days, or trying the latest IPA at your local brewery. 

Chacos’ thick, supportive sole and adjustable straps offer a secure, custom fit, making them comfortable for everything from thru-hiking to casual walks in town. Whether we’re exploring the woods, biking, or rocking socks on cooler mornings at the farmer’s market , these sandals perform. Add in the many diverse color ways, and you have a product that’s both functional and stylish.

On the flip side, Z/1’s are not necessarily for everyone. If you want lightweight footwear, these are the heaviest on our list. Their heft can feel cumbersome for milling around close to home, when a lightweight sandal would do a similar job. The burly straps can lead to hot spots and even blisters when they’re brand new. Chaco’s require a bit of break in time, and they can be annoying to adjust when sandy or wet.

Still, Chaco’s rank highly year after year for their consistent, gold-standard performance in every metric. They’re an Editor’s Pick for good reason, and we think you’ll love them, too.

How We Tested

Over the years, our team of analysts has racked up tens of thousands of miles on the Classics in brutal terrain and across seasons looking at durability, adjustability, comfort, and more. Editor Ian Krammer climbed more than 150 peaks over 13,000’ in Colorado in his Z/1’s, and Senior Gear Analyst Casey Handley thru-hiked the Arizona Trail in hers. With so much experience in our Chaco’s, we understand where they excel – and where they don’t.

Comfort

The Chaco Z/1 Classics deliver all-day comfort with soles that are both flexible and supportive. The arch support hits a sweet spot – not too aggressive, but not too flat – a design that works well for most foot shapes. Testing finds Chacos soften over time, molding to our precise foot shape and gait to make long hikes feel easier as the miles stack up. If you prefer a bit more softness underfoot, the Z/Cloud version offers a springier, more cushioned ride, although both models get comfier the more you wear them, and all versions also come in Wide. 

The adjustment system is a single piece of highly adjustable polyester that runs across the top of the foot and through the midsole. This locked our feet in without feeling restrictive, creating tension where we want it and alleviating pressure where we don’t. That means you won’t have to deal with annoying foot slippage – even on steep ascents and descents.

That said, the straps can be a bit abrasive right out of the box, especially if your feet aren’t used to them. It’s not uncommon for us to accumulate hot spots at the ankle and toes in the first 15 to 20 miles of breaking in a new pair, so we recommend easing into longer periods if you’re new to Chacos.

Traction

Nothing kills confidence on the trail like slipping when you least expect it, but the Chaco Z/1 Classic is grippy on most surfaces. Many years of testing finds the proprietary outsole rubber blend sticks well on everything from loose dirt to wet rock, offering a sure-footed feel on tricky terrain. The lugs bite into soft ground on uphills, while the sturdy edges provide solid control on steep descents. A thick midsole adds another layer of security, keeping sharp rocks and roots from throwing us off-balance.

Our only complaint about the ChacoGrip traction? Durability. While it does last for an incredibly long time – up to, or even beyond 1,000 miles – the rubber outsoles wear down before anything else, impacting long-term grip. Ian’s worn through around 5 pairs over the last decade, and for him, they always blow out at the ball of the foot before the rest of the shoe.

Traction also falls short on smooth surfaces like polished rocks. The lugs on the standard sole aren’t the deepest, so they don’t dig in as much as some Vibram-equipped alternatives. If you’re going to be spending a lot of time in wet terrain, consider Chaco’s with a Vibram sole instead.

Stability

Some sandals feel wobbly and insecure, but not the Chaco Z/1 Classics. This is one of the most stable options out there. Their soles measure over one inch thick – one of the deepest of any sandals on our list. Combined with a wide base for excellent ground contact and a slightly raised footbed on both sides, we felt confident and secure taking on almost any terrain. 

While we prefer the freedom to wiggle our toes with the Z/1’s, the Chaco Z/2’s might work better for you. They have an additional strap for the big toe, giving a bit more precision and control on each step. 

That stability comes at a cost, though – Chacos are heavy. In fact, they’re the heaviest of any pair on our list, tipping the scales at nearly one pound per sandal. The substantial build makes them outstanding on rough terrain, but the effect is they can feel cumbersome when you just want a lightweight, lower-profile, or more casual sandal. Some hikers might find them overkill, especially on longer treks where every ounce matters. If stability is your top concern, though, their bulk is a small tradeoff.

Adjustability

Getting a precise fit is easy with the Chaco Z/1 Classic’s unique strap system. The continuous polyester webbing threads through the sole. That means we had no trouble making micro-adjustments across the entire foot with a single pull even when wearing them.

The webbing is more than long enough to accommodate a wide range of foot shapes and sizes without feeling restrictive. For example, Ian has very narrow feet, so he likes to keep the toe strap looser than the top of the foot.Whether you have high arches, wide feet or need a bit of extra room, these sandals will work with you.

The biggest hiccup to adjustability is that when the straps get dirty after long days collecting dirt and grime on sweaty summer hikes, the straps become difficult to adjust. The more dirt that accumulates in the crevices where the straps feed through the sole, the harder they are to pull through. With a bit of maintenance, including washing them off and pulling the straps a bit, this isn’t permanent.

Additionally, the heel strap isn’t adjustable. This limits how much you can fine-tune the fit in the back. For most people, this won’t be an issue, but the heel may feel less secure depending on your foot shape. 

Durability

These sandals are built like tanks and can take a real beating on the trail, and they earn top marks when it comes to durability. The thick, rugged sole holds up for many hundreds of miles, with some pairs lasting well past the thousand-mile mark before they need to be retired. Ian summited 30+ Colorado peaks over 14,000’ in one summer in Chacos through scree fields, boulder climbs, and hundreds of trail miles, and they held up incredibly well.

High-quality rubber resists breakdown, even after repeated exposure to rough terrain, sharp rocks, and constant friction. The polyester webbing is just as tough, staying intact long after lesser straps would fray or snap. Even when the soles eventually split and the clips give out, it takes serious mileage to get there.

The tradeoff for all that durability is a higher weight. If you’re looking for something ultra-light, they may feel clunky compared to the competition. The thick materials also mean they take longer to dry if soaked. But if longevity is top priority, Chacos are a leader.

Versatility

These sandals do it all, whether you’re hiking rugged trails, wading through creeks, or just relaxing. These are Ian’s go-to’s for travel, from quick weekend flights to weeks-long roadtrips. They handle water like a champ and stay secure even when submerged. Their sturdy build makes them just as capable on rocky paths as they are on pavement, so you can go straight from a long hike to grabbing a beer without swapping shoes.

We even recommend them for mellow cold weather wandering – although we recommend a thick pair of hiking socks for cold temps. With a huge range of colors and patterns, they bring some style to the backcountry, and come in kids, women’s, and men’s versions.

That versatility comes with a tradeoff, though. Compared to lower-profile sandals, Chacos are bulky and far from sleek. If you need something more minimal for around town or ultralight for the trail, the thick straps can feel excessive. Still, we’ve even worn these to weddings and galas, and these are some of the most versatile sandals out there.

Should You Buy the Men’s Chaco Z/1 Classic Sandals?

If your top priorities are comfort, stability, and versatility, Chacos are the sandals for you. Thanks to a cushy sole and highly adjustable design, the Z/1’s are comfy for hundreds of miles of rough use with almost no maintenance. Hikers and backpackers will love their thick soles, secure straps, and wide base that keep feet locked in on uneven terrain. Travelers and adventurers of all kinds will appreciate their versatility – these things easily transition from backcountry to brewery and handle everything from creek crossings to long airport layovers. If you’re tough on your gear, Chacos offer top-tier durability and are nearly indestructible up to a thousand miles – and sometimes more – before wearing out. They won’t break the bank and come in tons of patterns.

That said, Chacos do have limitations. They’re notably heavier and bulkier than many other sandals, so if you prefer a slimmer profile, these can feel unwieldy. If you just want a simple slip-on for casual wear, the thick straps and rugged build may feel excessive. The straps can cause a bit of discomfort, especially when they’re new, wet, and dirty, so you’ll want to give these a bit of a break-in period before staying in them for long periods. But for dudes who want the best of the best when it comes to traction stability, longevity, and all-terrain performance, Chaco’s may be all you need for years to come.

What Other Men’s Hiking Sandals Should You Consider?

Hike over to our guide to the best hiking sandals for men to see how the Chaco Z/1 Classics compare to the competition. And consider these other top picks:

Teva Terra Fi 5 Review: Like the Chaco Z/1s, these hiking sandals offer stellar traction, stability, and comfort on and off the trail. We like these a bit more for adjustability – they have a heel strap – and they dry faster as well.

KEEN Newport H2 Review: For a burly water shoe, the KEEN Newport H2’s are a stellar alternative. They weigh similarly to the Chacos, but feature a webbing upper with a protective toe bumper, but they’re not as adjustable.

Xero Shoes Z-Trail EV Review: If the Chaco Z/1’s are a bit heavy and clunky for you, the Z-Trail EVs might be the solution. These have a similar strap design, but they’re true barefoot shoes and very lightweight.