Very disappointed with the quality of 2 recently store-bought Chacos! Both pairs I acquired (from Al’s & Sierra) had longer inner ankle anchor straps that caused blisters immediately upon wearing for just short walks). I have been an avid Chaco fan since destroying my Birkenstocks in festival mud back in 2004. Since then, my sole summer shoe for all activities (ranging from farm work to chasing my young kids to hiking parts of the AT) has been a pair of Chaco ZX/2s. Each pair has lasted me over 10 years before the sole broke down so badly it needed replacing. Unfortunately, Chaco’s quality really appears to have plummeted (including the type of fabric used and inferior sole material - no longer Vibram). I am torn because I LIVE in my Chacos from May through October, but now I am weighing whether to invest in a custom pair (and thereby support a company who has sold out to cheaper offshore manufacturers - they still make their custom orders & do repairs in MI but all other shoes are made overseas) or try a new brand of shoe (currently considering Teva or Skechers). It is a very sad thing when a company previously so invested in quality, sustainability and comfort falls prey to pursuit of profit over its values. In doing so they leave a gaping hole where once they filled a niche for decent hiking sandals.
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