I’m working on sorting gear for my 2004 SOBO and was wondering if I should bring along my Chacos. I love 'em to death - have even hiked in 'em - but they’re pretty heavy. Any thoughts? Do you guys bring yours? Thanks -
FL /MI Dave
Chacos? - Appalachian Trail
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#3
Chacos are nice… they are also super-heavy… when youre hiking the trail you’ll probably be thinking of ways to cut every ounce of extra weight from your pack. If you feel the need for footwear to lounge in then go with Bushwhack’s Walmart flops or a pair of Waldies… Waldies are gonna weigh about 5-6 oz… but are very comfy and youre still far away from the 2 lbs of weight from the Chacos. Then again you could aways just ditch the lounge shoes alltogether. I find that when I hike in my Montrail Vitesse’s (trail shoe)… theyre pretty comfy to wear around camp as well. Good luck on the hike.
guru
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#5
I agree with guru and Bushwhack about using Chacos as camp shoes-- they’re just too heavy.
I think they are a reasonable choice to wear full-time on the AT, however. They’re durable, dry instantly, about the weight of an athletic shoe, easy to pull on when you have to “go” in the night, etc.
Eric
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#6
Pack weight is such a big issue … I think I thought about lighting my load more than food on my SOBO hike, so my advice is to leave the chaco’s at home. Bushwhack has got the best idea, but you could even think of not carrying anything … when i got to camp, all i wanted to do was sit or get in my sleeping bag, so extra sandals werent neccessary. when i needed to pee, i just threw on my hiking shoes for the brief time period!
Waldo
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#7
I have hiked my last 4000 miles in Chacos and they are the best. There is nothing on the AT that would prohibit the wearing of Chacos. It is mostly a mental thing. I have a mental thing with tarps–I like tents—yet I sleep out most of the time----anyway—I would try some weekend hikes in Chacos and see how your ankles hold up. I swear by them and will not hike in anything else—even in winter. The soles are better than most boots and you don’t have to worry about the rain—jump in puddles to piss off your hiking friends. I would expect them to last between 1200 and 1700 miles.
Good luck with them.
Yahtzee
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#8
I’d recommend hiking in the chacos. I hiked from Harper’s Ferry to the Whites in mine this year, then stupidly sent them home and bought some boots after a few cold mornings. Regretted that decision for most of the rest of my hike. They really rock when it’s wet, but be careful when it’s not and keep your feet moisturized or you might get some serious cracking.
Skittles
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#9
Nice to hear about some othes out there hiking in their Chacos. I hiked in sandals from Bland, VA to Katahdin, and I won’t hike in anything else, either. That said, I did put in about 800 of those miles in Tevas. I think that I had better lateral support with the Tevas, but they wear out really quickly.
My Chacos are also showing serious wear and tear, however. I think the men’s version might be tougher. The narrower webbing (3/4 inch) on mine is wearing through, and the rubber around the heel strap sites is tearing. I still like 'em, but they won’t live through anywhere near 1200-1700 miles for me. (Sorry, Yahtzee!!) No point is new treads if the uppers croak.
I applied Aquaphor morning and night, and never got any heel cracks.
Chipper
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#10
I wore my Chacos from Hot Springs to Katahdin and on a hike on the Superior Hiking trail. They are the best things to hike in, for they alow your feet to dry out which helps to prevent blistering. There heel cup gives your ankels all the suport you will need. And when you get into camp at night just walk around without anything on your feet. The uneven terrain and rocks helps to massage the bottoms of your feet, you just have to remember to walk lightly.
The Vagabon’
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#11
Since we are on the subject of sandals, I remember someone somewhere going crazy over these. Heard they don’t make these anymore. May not even be the same ones they were talking about, but found this and thought I would pass it along to whoever wants Tevas for $50.
Ganj