Chaco Z/Cloud Sandal Men Solid Black Review
The Chaco Z/Cloud Sandal in Solid Black is more than just a footwear option; it's a celebration of comfort, style, and durability that transports you back to the carefree days of summer. Designed for men who appreciate both function and fashion, these sandals are perfect whether you're hiking through lush trails or enjoying an outdoor music festival.
With its unique blend of features and materials, the Z/Cloud series stands out. This model introduces a top layer of ultra-soft polyurethane (PU) designed to provide immediate cushioning underfoot, complementing the well-known LUVSEAT DUal-Density PU Footbed, which has been certified by podiatrists for its exceptional comfort and support.
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Features
- Polyester jacquard webbing upper wraps around the foot and through the midsole for a customized fit
- Durable high-tensile webbing heel risers for added security
- Injection-molded ladder lock buckle for easy adjustments
- LUVSEAT dual-density PU midsole for all-day comfort
- Non-marking ChacoGrip rubber compound for superior traction
Pros
- Exceptional comfort with a cushioned footbed
- Durable construction meant to last through multiple adventures
- Customizable fit with adjustable straps
- Podiatrist-certified footbed for healthy arch support
- Eco-conscious brand with a focus on sustainability
Cons
- May require a break-in period for some users
- Not suitable for colder weather conditions
- Straps might feel tight for wider feet initially
Comparison With Other Similar Products
| Feature | Chaco Z/Cloud Sandal | Teva Terra-Float Universal | Merrell Jungle Moc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cushioning | Ultra-soft PU | FloatLite foam | EVA midsole |
| Adjustable Fit | Yes | Yes | No |
| Traction Sole | ChacoGrip rubber | Rubber outsole | Vibram sole |
| Weight | Lightweight | Lightweight | Medium weight |
Detailed Review
When it comes to choosing the right sandal for your outdoor adventures, the Chaco Z/Cloud Sandal Men Solid Black shines across several categories:
- Comfort: The first thing you'll notice when slipping these sandals on is the incredible comfort provided by the dual-density PU footbed. It cradles your arches while offering adequate padding, making them suitable for long periods of wear.
- Fit: Thanks to the adjustable polyester jacquard webbing, achieving a personalized fit is simple. You can easily tweak the straps until they feel just right, ensuring stability while walking on uneven terrain.
- Durability: Built to withstand rugged use, the Chaco Z/Cloud’s design includes high-tensile webbing and a strong non-marking rubber outsole. It's engineered to endure various conditions without compromising quality.
- Style: Whether paired with shorts or casual trousers, the solid black color gives these sandals versatility. They transition effortlessly from nature hikes to urban outings.
- Eco-Friendly Practices: Beyond comfort and performance, wearing Chaco supports eco-conscious practices and sustainability efforts, aligning with consumers' growing interest in environmentally friendly products.
Detailed Rating
| Category | Score | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Comfort | 9.5/10 | Outstanding cushioning and support for prolonged wear. |
| Durability | 9/10 | Sturdy materials make these sandals long-lasting. |
| Fit | 8.5/10 | Adjustable straps allow for a customizable fit. |
| Style | 9/10 | Classic design that pairs well with various outfits. |
| Eco-Friendliness | 10/10 | Strong commitment to sustainable practices. |
User Reviews
Style, comfort, sturdy
Always wore Teva's but the quality and fit not as good as they use to be. TEVA doesn't have Wide. So I thought it was time to try something new. I saw Chaco Z Classic and Cloud had a wide but I wasn't crazy about the styles. I choose the Chaco Z/Cloud without the toe loop because of the comfort. I read the classic is more durable for rough terrain so maybe someday I will try those.Fits great- My feet don't feet constraint and the sandals are securely on my feet. They are adjustable but it took me a few days before I had them perfectly adjusted for comfort to slip on and off.Style - This is where I had trouble. Looks like some style from an ancient greek movie. I didnt like either style at first. Loop around the big toe I didn't think I would like. I went for the open toe style. Granted the straps around the rest of the foot is the same and adjust the same but didn't think it would be comfortable for me.Support - what convinced me was the podiatrist-certified footbed. It's comfortable and really has great arch support. Seems to be much better over the new TEVA terra. The softer footbed on the Z cloud is unique from the Z classic but I really haven't tried the classic to compare how big of a difference.Only one Negative is the footbed has a strong rubberize like the smell but it seems to be fading some the more I wear them. I'm assuming that its just the Z cloud because of the footbed cushion. I only saw one other comment on the Zcloud only about the smell. Keep in mind to smell it you need to put it closer to your face so unless you like smelling your shoes that close to your face I don't see it being a problem. LOL!
I have been an avid fan of the sandals company and have been using them for the last 15 years at least. This newer version with the cushioning makes the sandals even better than the original. I am in love with the feel and they are simply the best ones out there. Super comfy, fit as expected, easy to adjust (but this is where most people screw up, they don’t read the instructions that are included), and they are rocksolid for anything you need to do. highly recommend, will be purchasing many times over.
My girlfriend suggested I check Amazon for Chacos, not only did I find the ones I was looking for, they were at a great price as well!
I do like these chacos, but I struggle with wearing it for long rocky excursions. It provides great support but you have to alsoMake sure the straps are well adjusted for your toes relative to your feet. You get used to it I guess, I just didn’t get there yet cause figuring out to balance the looseness of the straps and feet swelling after walking over a period of time.I do recommend them if you are the fence and get used to them as they provide good arch support and look good.
Ok. So here's the deal, these use brannock sizing. Remember that metal plate in shoe stores that you played with as a kid and eventually stopped using? Yeah that's the size Chaco goes by. In running shoes I'm a solid 11, my toes generally have little to no gap at the end of the shoes and my forefoot is exactly where it should be. 11 in chacos and I was wearing cargo boats instead of sandals. Dropped down a full size to 10 as that's my brannock size, and they fit just like they should. So, if you don't want to do returns just to get the size right, head to a shoe store, use that silly piece of metal, get your size (width too), and then purchase these.
Life changing, I never knew Chaco made sandals in a wide format for us with extra large feet. My feet are approximately 5" wide at most and my foot fits perfectly well on the foot pad, which is also right at 5" at the widest. I owned and completely wore out my original Z2's over the course of ~10 yrs, the straps finally busted somewhere inside footbed. Those originals were equipped with "Vibram" soles, hoping these live up to the challenge!
I've worn this style of Chacos for many years in all kinds of conditions. The 'cloud' feature is a little bit softer, and may be nice at the beginning of the season until your feet have toughened up. Really not worth an extra cost, and the jury's out on whether this additional layer will reduce the longevity due to an increased chance for delamination.I really do like the sole design on these. I'm not sure why but they seem to have more traction and somewhat better stability on rough surfaces.Overall, very satisfied as usual with Chaco.