Chacos on the Camino

[Kaleah]

Hola ladies,
Quick question. Have any of you worn your Chaco Z Clouds on the Portugal Coastal Camino with the sand, boardwalk and other trails? With or without the toe straps. Any issues you may have experienced and if you wore the toe straps did you just wear a toe sock with them? So appreciate the help.

 

[Jim Hershberger]

Hola ladies,
Quick question. Have any of you worn your Chaco Z Clouds on the Portugal Coastal Camino with the sand, boardwalk and other trails? With or without the toe straps. Any issues you may have experienced and if you wore the toe straps did you just wear a toe sock with them? So appreciate the help.

I wore Chaco's Z clouds in May for the last part of the CF. I had no issues whatsoever. But I walk regularly in my Chaco's at home so my feet are adjusted to them. I think the biggest thing is to train your feet to walk in them before you start on the Camino. Then you should not have any issues with blisters.

 

[Annw]

Can't help with the Portuguese Camino; wore them twice on the CF--with toe loop, sometimes worn with Injiji toe socks. These are my favorite walking shoes. It takes an extra minute or less to adjust the straps (more than the ones without toe loop, which I also have).

 

[mla1]

I don't have the toe loop and have not walked in portugal - but I have worn Chacos to walk through sand for a few days on the Madrid and on a whole variety of surfaces elsewhere. If I start to get blisters I change from trail runners to Chacos with socks to let the hot spots recuperate. And Chacos are good - if not too chic -- evening shoes. They are heavier than some other options but they totally work as hiking sandals. I probably wear them about 30% of the time on a long walk.

 

[Mananath]

Hola ladies,
Quick question. Have any of you worn your Chaco Z Clouds on the Portugal Coastal Camino with the sand, boardwalk and other trails? With or without the toe straps. Any issues you may have experienced and if you wore the toe straps did you just wear a toe sock with them? So appreciate the help.

While not a lady, nor have I walked the Portuguese, I have worn Chacos as my only shoe on the Norte which has sandy beaches. The Chacos were fine on the sand though you could always just take em off while walking in the sand.

I always wear socks with sandals. I refuse to use the toe loop style as it strangles my big toe and causes blisters.

 

[Lynne (USA/Crete Greece)]

I wore Chacos Mega Z without toe strap on the CF. I wore same on CP - Lisbon to Porto.
In September, I will finish CP with only my Chacos as footwear. I do not wear socks with them. But I use Body Glide to lube up areas that have contact with straps. I have also used tape if a hot spot develops.

I wear them exclusively on my daily walks (7-10 miles) and on other trail hikes. I have not had a problem walking in sand, but not at the same distance I’ll have on the CP. I may wear socks on the board walk/sand from Labruge to Vila do Conde, plus still lube my feet.

I have 6 pair of Chacos Mega Z! Just got a new pair from REI - on sale for $50 (50% off). Old pairs I use for kicking around.