Sport Sandals

Featured review by Gary Leatham

My most durable and trusted footwear, so far! DURABLE!! BULLETPROOF!! FUNCTIONALITY!! These are the original "Hummer" of sandals. Safe transportation through difficult terrain that challenges/kills other sandals. Built to help keep the human inside safe. I've had these exact sandals for about 13 years now and still use them every day. Comfortable, rugged, waterproof materials (including leather), sure footed on wet rocky stream crossings. Highly recommended for humans. Do they make them for water dogs too?

Keen Newport Sandals are among my most trusted footwear for Utah exploring trips. They have got me safely down slot creek carved canyons and into Moab's Fiery Furnace, and back out. Here my friend Brent, at Woodsounds Flutes, took a video of me playing one of his custom Native American Style flutes in the Firery Furnace (over 40,000 YouTube views now, humbling!). While at a Native American Flute Festival in Zion National Park we were to go up a slot river canyon the next morning. My buddy saw my Tevas and said "man you are going to kill your feet".

Read more: Keen Newport reviews (7)

Reviewed by Andrew F.

People who canoe, kayak, raft, stand up paddle board, boat, or hike in and out of the water will like Keen’s water-dedicated Solr. A gasket-style ankle, close fit, and smaller openings mean less sand/grit/stones get in, and a sole made of grippy rubber that is both textured and razor-siped maximizes traction. Plus, they are just plain comfortable for walking too, and the webbing is made from recycled plastic that dries quickly for a partially enclosed sandal.

Photo above shows the top of the shoe, the elastic to tighten them (I have it tucked under), the loop on the ‘tongue,’ and the toe bumper. Note the elastic attached to two yellow pieces that tighten a cord that runs around your ankle.  The rougher-looking sections are robust and thicker; the smoother parts in the middle are stretchy mesh that allow water and some air to circulate.  The Solr (sea, ocean, land river) builds on Keen’s strengths—a forgiving, moderately-arched footbed and Keen’s well-known bumper to protect your toes—with features that should make it a go-to choice for water sports and adventures.

Read more: Keen Solr Sandal review (1)

Featured review by Andrew F.

This is a review of a custom pair of Chaco Z/1 Classics I purchased a few years ago. It’s a pair of Z/1 Classics customized via Chaco’s website; still a nice sandal for walking and water stuff, super-durable, equally happy on moderate trails, in/around the water, on canoes, and at the beach. My only gripe is that the very durable straps have one place where my feet tend to develop a blister, even after a few years; I wear a small piece of tape over that spot. I’m also sprinkling in some ReChaco comments, because I re-strapped and re-soled an old pair of Chaco Z/1s.

I bought my first pair of Chacos around 2008 after I broke the hardware on another brand of water sandals. The brand works well for my feet. A few years ago, faced with significantly worn straps and soles on an old pair of Chaco Z/1 Classics, I took a two-pronged approach: I sent the old pair back to Chaco for a fresh pair of straps and a new sole, and I also went on their site and made a custom pair.  WHAT DISTINGUISHES THIS BRAND A few things come to mind about Chaco’s sandals. First, they’re very durable.

Read more: Chaco Z/1 Classic reviews (3)

Reviewed by Troyfromtexas

The Chaco Z/Volv Sandals are more of an evolution of the classic design rather than a revolution in the design — which means they are very very good. And I like it that way.

I owned a pair of Chaco Z1 Classics for over 15 years. I wore the sandals as everyday wear, hiking sandals, beach wear, boating shoes, house shoes, fly fishing shoes, etc., etc., etc... I took the sandals on a year long adventure traveling through Latin America. The sandals were truly amazing. After 15 years they finally blew out. I think that I made the mistake of washing the sandals in the washing machine, but then also drying them in the drying machine. Don't dry your Chacos with heat.

Read more: Chaco Z/Volv review (1)

Featured review by Jennifer C.

Great women's sport sandal! Very stylish and comfortable for a variety of outdoor activities! I wore them hiking and in the canoe.

I am a first-time buyer of the TEVA brand, and I am happy with my purchase. The size is true to what I always buy (a woman's 8).  The sandals fit my feet, as if they were made for me.  The built-in arch support is comfortable.  The easily adjustable, velcro straps (2 across the top of the foot, and one around the ankle) make a nice custom fit for many different foot types/sizes.  After long walks, if your feet swell, you can loosen the sandals. Not much break-in is needed.  I wore them hiking with little break-in, and it was fine.  I didn't have any problems with debris, but small particles could enter around your foot, as with any sandal.

Read more: Teva Tirra reviews (2)

Reviewed by Sean McCulley

I have owned the Chaco Z/2 since the late 1990s. They are by far my favorite pair of footwear. I have narrow heels and these are the perfect solution for me. The resole and restrap service was a great experience. I wear these daily during the summer as a work shoe and as a water shoe on the weekends. I'll hike in easy terrain where the open toe won't be an issue.

In the mid to late 1990s I went on a white water rafting trip and accidentally left my old water shoes behind. The only place nearby was the outfitter shop associated with the rafting company and these were the only brand there. At first, I was taken back by the high price but had no other choice. I have not regretted buying them. They quickly became my favorite shoe. I wear them everywhere in the summer. Luckily, I work in a place where I can even wear them to work daily. I have size 11.5 narrow feet.

Read more: Chaco Z/2 Classic review (1)

Reviewed by Andrew F.

Water shoe with great drainage and Keen’s well-known toe protection. I like Keens around boats and rocks because they keep my toes from getting mashed. This one has the added benefit of siped soles, good traction, and an open design that dries quickly. The midsole/sole is also thick enough for moderate hiking. Adjustability of straps is kind of limited.

Keen‘s Zerraport II is a successor to their Zerraport, which in turn is a successor to the long-discontinued hydro guide. https://www.trailspace.com/gear/keen/hydro-guide/ It combines great toe protection, a comfortable fit under your feet, good traction, and an open design that drains water very quickly.  Basic design: one long strap for the front of your feet that pulls tight, heel strap with hook/loop adjustment FIT: The Zerraport II has a reasonably forgiving fit—my feet are E width in front, no problems with these sandals.

Read more: Keen Zerraport II review (1)

Reviewed by Andrew F.

This is Chaco’s original Z-1 Classic with a softer footbed. The sole is pretty good on both trails and wet rocks; the softer, more grippy rubber shows some wear over time. Good support and comfort for a sport sandal. This is one of my go-to sandals for walking on trails and the beach as well as on canoes and around the water.

I have been wearing Chaco sandals for nearly fifteen years, still have a pair of their Z/1 Classics; I picked up the Z/Clouds about three years ago as a more forgiving alternative. These have since been worn a fair bit more often than the Classics. Three years of wear showing on the plastic hardware. Instep view shows the thickness and some of the contour of the midsole. Also shows the very robust stitching of the straps to the fabric ‘post’ that’s anchored to the midsole.  Top view.

Read more: Chaco Z/Cloud review (1)

Reviewed by BigSmoke

This sandal is bombproof. I picked it up on a whim from the recreational equipment co-op we all know because I was about to head out on a two week cross country National Parks tour. I would be able to put the sandal through its paces.As a water shoe it was outstanding. We floated down the Little River near Cades Cove in the Great Smokies. The shoe protected the toes from toeing in on rocks and boulders. Did well on slippery rocks. (as good as any non felt bottomed shoe), and dried out fairly quickly.The true testament to this shoe comes from a bit of a goof up on my part.

Read more: Keen Newport Canvas review (1)

Featured review by Ann Cashell

These are durable hiking sandals that adjust to and stabilize your foot. They’re great for day trips, leisurely walks, and short hikes involving mud or water.

I originally bought these sandals to take on a trip to Mexico where I would be doing a couple of short day hikes around the Zapatista perimeters, but spending a significant amount of time in a tour bus or sightseeing. I wanted something that would hold up well to walk in all day, but also work with the outfits I had chosen. These sandals were a great fit. They’re a better transition to city wear than hiking boots, but provide more stability and traction for hiking than tennis shoes would.

Read more: Chaco Z/Volv 2 reviews (2)