Are Tevas or Chacos better for hiking? Which is the best sport sandal to give you the most comfort on hiking tracks? I will show you the answer in this post.
Top Rated Best Budget Tevas hiking sandals for the money
Top Rated Best Budget Chacos hiking sandals for the money
Tevas Vs. Chacos For Hiking: Comparison Table
| Features | Tevas | Chacos |
| Main Features | – The Tevas sandals are intended for travel, walking in the house, and hanging out in the city.
– They possess much lighter weight and velcro straps to slip off and on easily. – Tevas sandals make them comfortable to wear all day without causing foot soreness or blisters. |
– The Chacos sandals are designed initially for robust physical activities and watersports.
– They possess a rigid footbed and excellent ankle support that the Tevas sandals lack. – Their padding is also thicker and provides a larger contact area. |
| Suitable For | – Ideal for casual activities and mild physical activities
– People who prioritize comfort with a casual design. |
– Ideal for robust physical activities like hiking or running
– People who prioritize durability with a bulky and robust design |
| Pros | – A wide range of color options
– Lightweight and soft material – It can be adjusted easily with Velcro straps. – The footbed can resist and prevent microbial – Excellent comfort and value for money – The terrific sole delivers high grip and traction |
– Exceptional durability and product life
– Large surface and platform for your foot – Easy to adjust with the straps – Can secure the straps over your foot – A lifetime warranty policy from the brand – The grippy sole is wonderful for wet conditions |
| Cons | – The Velcro straps are more rigid and less comfortable to wear
– Lower durability and shorter product life – Inferior warranty policy – Not as excellent support and feet protection |
– Heavyweight
– The toe straps are uncomfortable for people with odd-shaped feet – Higher cost than Tevas sandals – Not the best choice if you don’t like bulky and more robust designs |
What Are The Differences: Tevas Vs. Chacos For Hiking?
So, what are the differences between Teva and Chaco sandals? Let me walk you through their core qualities in the following sections.
Design And Materials
You can easily recognize a Teva or Chaco sandal by looking at its strap design.
The straps on Tevas line along your feet’s side, while the straps on Chacos line across your feet top.
The Teva straps provide support for your ankle, feet, top, and sides. They also possess high adjustability, allowing users to slip them on and off. Their materials, like nylon or polyester, can resist and are prone to water.
Meanwhile, the Chaco straps feature a buckle that crisscrosses each other. This design will wrap around your feet and bring a feeling of enclosure. The strap materials are basically similar to Tevas, with polyester and nylon.
The design on Chacos offers more protection and coverage for their feet, which I think is an edge for hiking. The Chacos can protect your feet from small insects and cold weather better on mountainous hiking tracks.
Meanwhile, the Teva sandals’ straps give higher comfort and adjustability. But they cannot protect your feet and provide as efficient support as Chacos, especially on off-road hiking tracks with harsh weather conditions.
Which Is The Better Option For You: Tevas Vs. Chacos For Hiking?
I would suggest wearing Chacos for hiking on rough and off-road terrains such as mountains or country roads with small insects and pointy objects.
The Chaco sandals bring higher protection and support for your ankle and feet, giving you more peace of mind and confidence to challenge the hiking tracks. They are also more durable and wear down longer than Tevas.
Meanwhile, Tevas are an excellent option for hiking around the neighborhood on balanced and safer surfaces. They give you higher comfort and satisfaction with a lighter weight and softer cushion.
Weight
In general, Teva sandals are lighter, with an average weight of 1,4 pounds for one pair, while the weight of Chacos stands at 1,52 pounds per pair. Though it is not significant, a 0,12-pound difference will affect your hiking experience.
Many people say that the Teva sandals feel lighter on their feet. It will reduce your fatigue significantly when walking for many hours continuously.
However, both footwears are very lightweight and ideal for physical activity.
Outsole
Both categories deliver excellent grip and traction that facilitate your movement on all types of off-road terrains, such as mountainous tracks, icy roads with slippery surfaces, and dry hiking routes.
Arch And Midsole Design
The arch on Tevas is lower, making you feel like walking closer to the ground. For this reason, people with flat feet generally feel more comfortable when walking on Teva sandals.
On the other hand, Chacos’ arch is significantly higher and features a thicker midsole. They are more suitable for people with high arches.
For these reasons, I can conclude that the arch and midsole design of Chacos provide better support and protection for your feet. You can walk on rough terrains and not worry about pointy objects on the road.
The Teva sandals are more comfortable if you have flat feet. They bring higher comfort and ease of movement when you walk on a balanced city’s road.
FAQS
These are the core differences between Tevas and Chacos sandals. The information below will help you when choosing a sandal for hiking.
Are Tevas Or Chacos Better For Walking?
I would recommend Tevas for walking and mild physical activity due to its excellent comfort and softness. Meanwhile, Chacos is a better choice for robust sports like running or hiking with their excellent foot support and durability.
Is Tevas Actually Good For Hiking?
Though Tevas bring great comfort, they are not the best choice for hiking.
The Teva sandals don’t deliver optimal ankle and foot support as well as protection for your feet.
If you just hike on balanced tracks, Tevas are still applicable. But they will wear down and hurt your feet on rough and mountainous terrains.
Is Teva A Good Walking Sandal?
Teva sandals are an optimal choice for walking and casual movement due to their high comfort and excellent support. The sandals are also lightweight, helping you avoid muscle soreness and stress when walking for long hours.
How Far Can You Walk In Teva Sandals?
The Teva sandals are very comfortable and lightweight to wear, so you can walk on them all day long without getting fatigued. The sandals’ quality will wear down after a few years or 10,000 steps, but it won’t affect your experience much.
Is Tevas Worth The Money?
Teva sandals are a little pricier than the other casual footwear, but their quality totally deserves the price edge. Besides durability and comfort, the sandal’s recognizability also adds more value, making them a worthy investment.
Why Is Teva So Popular?
Teva is one of the leading sandal manufacturers in the US. Their products possess high versatility, comfort, durability, and beautiful design.
Besides the inherent quality, the company’s efficient marketing strategies also bring its products to more customers.
Is Chaco Better Than Teva?
Chaco and Teva excel in their own quality, so it’s not fair to point out a better brand overall.
Chaco sandals are a better choice if you like rigid and durable footwear. Meanwhile, Teva products bring higher comfort and ease of movement, making them a better option for casual wear.
Are Chacos Or Tevas More Durable?
It depends on the product line and the type of materials used for the sandal.
In general, Chacos and Tevas sandals possess nearly identical quality and durability. Yet, Chacos sandals provide higher rigidity and a more robust design.
Is Tevas Lighter Than Chacos?
Both Tevas and Chacos sandals are lightweight, providing optimal comfort and ease of movement. However, Tevas are lighter than Chacos sandals, with an average weight of 1,4 pounds for a pair.
Meanwhile, a pair of Chacos sandals can get up to 1.8 pounds in weight.
How Long Do Chaco Sandals Last?
The Chaco sandals are well-known for their exceptional product life and durability. If you take proper care and don’t expose it to harsh conditions, a Chaco sandal can last up to ten years.
However, the Chaco products will develop a stinky and distinctive smell when they get older.
