Black Friday - best deals from 49 stores The table below reflects the official Chaco size chart. It applies to the brand’s hiking shoes and boots, trainers, and, of course, sandals.
However, due to their unique design, Chaco sandals have some peculiarities in the fit and sizing. We cover them below the chart.
Chaco men's and women's size chart
Chaco sandals: a quick guide on the size and fit
Expect that your Chaco size may be different from your regular shoe size
The brand bases its sizing scheme on the distance from the heel to the ball of the foot (arch length), instead of the heel-to-toe measurement, which is used by most brands. That is to make sure that the orthopaedic curvature* of their footbed matches the arch in all the right places.
*Chacos are constructed with the proprietary Luvseat orthopaedic footbed which is approved by APMA (American Podiatric Medical Association).
Chaco sandals only come in full sizes
If you fall in between, go with the larger size.
Consider your longer foot
About 60% of people have different-length feet. That's why it is important to have both of your feet measured so you can use the longer one to find your Chaco size.
Adjustable straps allow for better fit regulations
Chaco sandals have one continuous strap that runs through the entire shoe sole. It helps to regulate the fit in all parts of the foot.
Options: No loop and toe loop
No loop models offer a more relaxed fit. They are marked as Z/1 (i.e. Z/Cloud) and are recommended for people with sensitive big toes or those who simply don’t like to have a strap around it. The brand also recommends no-loop designs to people with high arches/insteps to avoid extra tension.
If you like to have more security when you are on uneven terrain or in the water, consider sandals with toe loops.
Finally, there are ZX designs (like ZX/2 Classic). They feature a double criss-cross strap instead of a single one. These allow for even more adjustability and have a more delicate appeal. ZX sandals come in both toe loop (Z/1) and no toe loop (Z/2) variations.
Width options: Medium and Wide. You may need Wide in Chacos even if you normally have Medium
Originally produced in Medium and Narrow fit options, the brand later re-labelled them into Wide and Medium correspondingly.
Size and width are indicated at the heel: dots refer to Medium and dashes refer to Wide.
How to know if you have the right fit in Chacos?
- Forefoot: There should be a little space in front of your toes but no more than 1 cm / 0.4 in. On the other hand, toes should not be hanging off the edge either.
- Underfoot: It should feel like the footbed cups the foot, aligning with the curvature of the arch comfortably.
- Heel: Should also feel cupped and not having too much space to slide sideways.
- Top of the foot: Straps shouldn’t feel too tight or too loose when adjusted.
How to adjust straps in Chaco sandals
Regulating the strap in your Chacos involves 3 steps. When loosening, start from the belt, then the outer edge in the middle, then around the toe. To tighten, move in the opposite direction, starting from the toe.
For visual guidance, see this video.
If the strap ends up too long and the edge is dragging on the ground or it is too short, you can have it customised at ReChaco.com
Chaco vs. Teva sandals
Sizing
If you have a Teva sandal and you are ordering online, the Teva size can be a starting point for your Chaco size.
On paper, the two brands follow the same sizing scheme and are most likely to be the same in sizing. Neither comes in half-sizes either.
However, there is still a chance that you may need a different width or even a different size, depending on the model.
Fit
Both brands rely on straps to secure the fit.
The key difference here is that Tevas come in simple Velcro straps only, while Chacos have a variety to choose from (toe loop, no loop, single wide strap, double strap).
