Teva Vs. Chaco. Approach Shoe?

On the search for some sandals and heavily debating what kind I should get for crag shoes/approach shoes. Would love to hear your thoughts.
Thanks.

Neither - get some real shoes with real foot protection and support.

I agree with Frank if you have difficult/scrambly approaches. For a typical sport crag approach, I think chaos tend to work fine though. They have a surprising amount of support! I've hike with a 50 pound pack in mine and been fine. Tevas are lighter though if you want an around camp shoe for backpacking or basecampjng.

FrankPS wrote:Neither - get some real shoes with real foot protection and support.

Then when your weak ass feet develop problems from all the "support" you can get custom orthotics.

To the OP, I prefer Chaco, especially the "Pro" line of sandals w/ stickier rubber than the rest of the line.

Women have known for years, it is not about the "guns" but all about the feet. If you screw your feet up then the entire party is over. Get some REAL approach shoes/boots! Salewa makes some good options.

The first time you kick a tiny cactus that you didn't see while wearing sandals, you will get real approach shoes.

Nearly all the people I know who have been bit by copperheads have been wearing sandals, they usually strike for your feet. Might be a consideration if you climb in the southeast. As far as teva vs chaco I'm sure you really can't go wrong, Tevas are lighter, chacos are heavier. Personal preference.

reboot wrote: Then when your weak ass feet develop problems

What are "ass feet"? I don't think I have those.

FrankPS wrote: What are "ass feet"? I don't think I have those.

I bet they smell like ass from wearing shoes all the time.

Edit to add:
AFAIK, the OP didn't ask whether wearing sandals for approach is a good idea. There are plenty of situations for plenty of people where it's perfectly fine. And some people don't need much foot support at all (especially amongst the climbing population).

DrRockso wrote:Nearly all the people I know who have been bit by copperheads have been wearing sandals, they usually strike for your feet. Might be a consideration if you climb in the southeast.

There are copperheads in the Gunks as well.

I've had both. My Tevas are much more comfortable in my opinion but also much less durable, they'd get shredded slabs and talus. Chacon are durable but for me they hurt my feet if I do much hiking in them. There's a new Chaco with a lower profile and more cushioned footbed that I'll probably try out after my Tevas blow. Also you can replace the straps in Chacos if they blow which I don't think is the case for Tevas.

Not sandal related but I really like the Salewa Wildfire Vent - they have a mesh upper and breathe pretty well but offer much more protection and better climbability if you're scrambling. I've even used them barefoot and haven't suffered from "ass feet" as mentioned above.

I love my Tevas. They're great for Roger's Rock or walking down the carriage road at the Trapps. I like 5.10 Tennies for the summer and La Sportiva Boulder high tops for mud season and long approaches.

"Tevas are lighter, Chacos are heavier" basically sums it up.

Nathanael wrote:"Tevas are lighter, Chacos are heavier" basically sums it up.

If by "it", you mean the weight of the sandals then you're correct. Fit, traction, and durability all come to mind when thinking of footwear selection...

I like the Tevas for really mild stuff. I use them pretty frequently now that I think about it.

Edit to add: if you can get past the social hazing crocs are pretty awesome too. More toe protection, still crazy light and breathable

I wear Chacos for just about everything. I just spent two days in nothing but the flip flop versions. I would have loved a heelstrap for some of the slabs though.

Get Chacos, but don't get them from a store. Order a custom pair online and in the "custom notes" section after you design them, tell them that you want the Pro Soles (unless it's an option in the design process now). The Pro soles are lighter and have way better traction. Everyone is right that the standard Chacos are stupid heavy, but with the Pro soles, it's really not that bad.

Worn both, but continue to by chacos. I'll echo someone else's sentiments from above- get the pro model. The rubber definitely has more stick. I don't have any experience with Teva's warranty, but I can tell you right now that I just got a free replacement pair of chacos after 10 months of daily wear with my old ones because of a small tear in the footbed. They definitely honor their warranty.

Edit: Actually, if you look at my av pic, you'll see me rappelling in chacos

I've got chaos with stealth rubber on the bottom. Yep that's right, technical chacos. Sadly no longer made. For walks through the woods with minimal scrambling there my go to. Chacos are super beefy and take a real beating. There designed to stand up to rugged abuse and would highly recommend over tevas. Screw all the people who think sandals are useless.

How good are you with a stitching awl? I always thought buying those Xero shoes barefoot sandals and taking a stealth rubber sole and attaching it to the sandal.

Neither, I use Keen Clearwaters (their lighter version). They cover my toes since I tend to kick rocks and cacti by accident.

keenfootwear.com/product/sh…