In the early 1990s, Chaco made a splash in the highly competitive, shin-kicking world of outdoor footwear by taking on sandal giant Teva. Colorado-based river guide Mark Paigen designed a sport sandal with an anatomical footbed, a single pull-through adjustment strap, and a Vibram outsole. Called the Z/1, it was a snug-fitting, easy-to-clean, and made-in-the-USA shoe that quickly drove a wedge between the river rats—those who stuck by Teva’s traditional Velcro fastener design—and those who adopted Chaco’s signature continuous strap.
The Chaco brand has grown considerably since the waning years of the twentieth century (and eventually sold to a bigger company that moved production overseas), but their commitment to single-strand fasteners and podiatrist-approved footbeds on their ever-burgeoning lineup of footwear remains. This is the case also for its Paonia Clog and Ramble Puff outdoor slipper.
Chaco Paonia Clog
I don’t wear a lot of slip-on shoes. I usually prefer footwear that I can lace tightly for a secure fit. However, the trick with a high-quality clog that fits your foot correctly is that it will stay on just fine during most daily use. The foundation of the Paonia Clog is Chaco’s Luvseat footbed, the same one found on their sandals. It has a fairly high arch, which not only helps to keep the shoe stable but happens to match my foot’s own higher-than-normal arch. The suede upper is waterproof and, in the last couple of months of wear, has withstood quite a bit of scuffing without revealing that I’m kind of a foot-dragger.
The 2.5-millimeter lug outsole is plenty grippy for the contexts where you’ll don a clog. They look sharp enough to wear out to a casual dinner and are a joy to slip on after a long day of hiking in the mountains. I found the Paonia comfortable and secure enough for driving (even clutch operation), and the quintessential Chaco polyester webbing means you can cinch the upper in cases where you need a little more support. However, with my super narrow trotters, the strap is too long in full crank-down mode, dragging on the ground and creating a tripping hazard. Overall, I found myself slipping into the Paonia Clog more often than I expected, and it has joined my regular rotation of everyday footwear. It comes in five colors, but whole sizes only—I ordered an 11 for my 10.5 size feet, and they’re just about perfect.
Chaco Ramble Puff
A puffy jacket for your feet is a great idea, but the Ramble Puff showed up at my door in the middle of summer, and it took a while for things to cool down enough at my home in Montana to really put the concept to the test. The fleece lining and insulated, water-resistant, rip-stop nylon outer shell make for an exceptionally toasty upper that wraps snuggly around your foot with the adjustable strap. But the Ramble Puff isn’t just a slipper. The EVR midsole, with its anatomically molded footbed, means it’s comfortable enough for plenty of walking. Pair that with the reasonably aggressive 3.0-millimeter lug outsole, and you have some versatile camp-casual foot gear that won’t leave you sliding around when things get sloppy.
With the webbing pulled tight, there’s plenty of support for working the pedals in your Land Cruiser for shorter drives, but keep the heat on the windshield setting lest your pigs get sweaty. Breathability can be challenging with the Ramble Puff, but wearing them with a thin pair of wicking socks helps. The bathtub outsole extends upwards to meet the upper for good protection against puddles, but it does so with a heavily rounded profile, so those with supinating ankles should beware. Chaco offers its outdoor slipper in various colorways, including one with a splash of turquoise, and it comes in half and whole sizes. My 10.5 feet are usually dead on size-wise, but I wish I had ordered an 11—my example felt a little too snug out of the box, especially with thicker socks, but they may stretch out a little over time. Chaco’s MSRP is $85, but the Ramble Puff can often be found on sale for as little as $50.
Chaco Paonia Men’s Clog | $120
Chaco Men’s Ramble Puff | $85
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