Chaco Outcross Evo 3

Chaco provides great comfort, yet again.

I have had these shoes for about a year, and I've enjoyed every hike I've taken with them. Beyond some normal wear, they are in great shape. Of the four Outcross shoes, Chaco claims that this is the most trail-worthy pair. They've done well for me so far. I've used them on parts of the Appalachian Trail in Tennessee and North Carolina, in the Smokies, and in Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

These shoes fit pretty well. I wear a 10.5 and it provides just enough space for going downhill without being too roomy. The lacing system doesn't let you tighten the shoes a whole lot, so you can't really bank on just being able to lace them up tighter. But, they're comfortable shoes and they provide just enough wiggle room for easy descents while still allowing for confident steps.

As far as looks go, they aren't the prettiest shoes in the world in my eyes. They don't stand out, but they're not ugly. They also don't have the classic trail look that I love. But I guess it's all based on personal preference Comfort is more important than looks on the trail though, so it works out.

These shoes are comfortable. Chaco really has the footbed figured out. The shoe fits the shape of the foot really well and the shoes feel sturdy as you walk in them. They need a little bit of breaking in, but a light hike took care of that. 

The shoe supports the foot pretty well, but they aren't tall enough to offer much ankle support. They do very well in water. They dry quickly and my foot stays dry even when my shoe sinks into the mud a bit. I guess that's the benefit of a company whose primary shoe is a water shoe. 

The soles grip the ground well, even if the ground is wet. I have not felt uncertain placing my feet while hiking in these shoes. 

These shoes are pretty breathable. They help keep my feet from getting too warm in the summer. But usually, I'm wearing Chaco sandals when it's really warm. These shoes are heavier than trail runners, so don't expect to set any land speed records with them. But, they're sturdier across uneven terrain, which is important to me. I've lightly run some trails in these, and it's been okay. I haven't felt super good running, but it hasn't felt unnatural. Still, they're definitely not designed for that.

Bottom line: I trust my feet in these shoes. These shoes fit me well and they're comfortable. I want to get some trail runners so that I can cover some ground a little bit faster, but these shoes are dependable. I expect to use them on backpacking trips for a few good years. 

I recommend trying them on in store. The way Chaco makes their footbeds, you want to make sure they fit correctly. 

I've included some pictures of the shoe from when they were new so you can get an idea of how they look.