Z/CLoleud Sandal - Men's, Solid Black, 12.0 Review
If you’re looking to embrace the spirit of summer with unparalleled comfort and support, the Z/CLoleud Sandal from Chaco is designed just for you. With a style that evokes nostalgia while incorporating modern features, these sandals are ready to accompany you on your outdoor escapades or simply during leisurely days spent soaking in live music.
One of the standout features of the Z/CLoleud Sandal is its custom adjustable strap system, which allows for a personalized fit tailored to your foot shape. The performance-focused Chacogrip rubber outsole ensures that you can confidently tread both wet and dry surfaces without worrying about slips.
The addition of an ultra-soft PU top layer offers instant cushioning underfoot, making them a joy to wear for extended periods. You’ll also appreciate the podiatrist-certified LUVSEAT PU footbed, which provides excellent arch support and promotes healthy alignment. Since their inception in 1989, Chaco has prioritized sustainability, crafting shoes that not only feel good but also are eco-conscious—every pair is made with materials that can be repaired rather than discarded.
Features
- Upper Material: Polyester jacquard webbing
- Footbed: Cloud cushioning
- Midsole: Luvseat (dual-density polyurethane)
- Sole: ChacoGrip rubber
- Closure: Injection-molded ladder lock buckle
Pros
- Exceptional comfort with cloud cushioning
- Durable construction designed for longevity
- Podiatrist-certified footbed for added support
- Customizable fit with adjustable straps
- Eco-friendly production practices
Cons
- May take time to break in for some users
- Limited color options available
- Not suitable for heavy hiking or rugged terrains
Comparison With Other Similar Products
| Feature | Z/CLoleud Sandal | Xero Shoes Z-Trail | Keen Newport H2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comfort Footbed | LUVSEAT PU | Huarache Adjustable | Metatomical EVA |
| Adjustable Straps | Yes | Yes | No |
| Water Resistant | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Eco-Friendly Materials | Yes | No | Partially |
Detailed Review
The Z/CLoleud Sandal excels in comfort, making it ideal for long walks or casual outings. The cloud cushioning paired with the custom adjustable strap system allows you to tailor the fit specifically to your needs, ensuring all-day wearability without discomfort.
In terms of durability, Chaco stands out with its focus on high-quality materials and craftsmanship. The Chacogrip rubber outsole is particularly effective in providing traction, even on slippery surfaces, which enhances the sandal's versatility for both casual settings and light outdoor use.
Sustainability is another key component of the Z/CLoleud Sandal’s appeal. By focusing on products that can be repaired instead of thrown away, Chaco embraces a responsible approach to footwear, which resonates with environmentally conscious consumers.
However, it's worth noting that while the sandals are comfortable for general use, they may not hold up as well under extreme hiking conditions compared to other specialized options. Additionally, some wearers might find that it takes a little time to break in the sandals, so patience is recommended.
Detailed Rating
| Category | Score | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Comfort | 9/10 | Excellent cushioning and support for prolonged wear. |
| Durability | 8/10 | Constructed with high-quality materials that withstand regular use. |
| Style | 7/10 | Classic design that's versatile but limited in colors. |
| Sustainability | 9/10 | Made using eco-friendly practices and materials. |
| Value for Money | 8/10 | Good investment considering comfort and durability. |
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.