My Chacos, My Choice

As I was scrolling through Facebook recently, an article appeared on my newsfeed that caught my attention. Naturally, PSA: Stop the "Chaco Trend", intrigued me since I swear by Chacos and would probably own every pair if it was at all possible. If you're a fellow Chaco lover, I'm sure you feel the same because those shoes are freaking comfortable and likely the most versatile pair of shoes you own. It's to be expected that not everyone is going to agree, specifically those who have never had the fortune of wearing the coveted Chacos.

Coming from someone who loves to spend the majority of her summers exploring what nature has to offer, I need shoes that can keep up with my adventures. Chaco's were made for whitewater rafting and other outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, etc. The adaptability of Chacos provide an alternative to wearing tennis shoes or those hideous water shoes you get at Wal-Mart, which make them ideal for many of us who enjoy outdoor activities.

"But can I hike in my Chaco's?"

 YES.

The bottom of Chaco's are designed to grip. So if you need a pair of shoes to go on an easy to moderate hike, Chaco's are a perfectly acceptable choice. You'll probably even thank yourself after you get back and realize how lucky you are that you don't have to fret about your shoes being dirty.

Say you don't like to go hiking, are Chaco's useless to you? NOPE. Let's take a look at other times Chaco's can come in handy:

Wanna paddle board? Chacos are perfect.

Wanna lay in a hammock outside? Chacos.

Need shoes to go out on the boat? You guessed it: Chacos.

So does it really matter if they look like "Jesus sandals"? These shoes were obviously not created to look like your Jack Rogers or Tory Burch sandals that you can only wear when there is a 0% chance of rain. Don't get me wrong, I'm all about a pair of nice sandals. But for those days I spend wearing my oversized t-shirts and norts, I'm going to go for the pair of shoes that I can slip on and never worry about the leather messing up if it rains or that inevitable blister on my foot.

Lastly, let's talk about costs. ANY pair of quality shoes is EXPENSIVE. Tory Burch and Jack's sandals range from $75 to upwards of $200, Hunter rain boots are about $100, and those good ole Nike's you love so much probably cost you $60-90. Personally, if I'm investing that much money into a pair of shoes I'm going to make sure that I get as much use out of them as I can. Aside from their purpose of being an outdoor shoe, Chaco's have orthopedic value as well. They are designed to adjust to your feet to help with arch support, so not only are they comfy but they're actually doing good for your feet. And can we talk about the fact that these shoes last for YEARS?!

These shoes are more than merely a "trend" and Chaco owners everywhere are certainly aware they are not a fashion statement. So to all you Chaco haters: you keep your unadaptable attitudesandals and I'll keep my "horrific" tan lines. At least I won't be the one replacing my $150 sandals after they get rained on….