Chaco Z/Cloud 2

The Chaco Z/Cloud 2 is a fully strapped adventure sandal designed to keep up with you on even your wildest warm weather adventures. It has a sole made of non-marking ChacoGrip rubber, a LUVSEAT PU footbed, and a women’s specific LUVSEAT dual-density PU midsole. The straps are made of polyester jacquard webbing, and a size 7 weighs 18.2 ounces. It comes in medium and wide widths and a staggering array of colors and patterns that change each year — and you can even upload your own image to create a customized pair.

Performance Comparison

The Chaco Z/Cloud 2 are a phenomenally secure and reliable pair of adventure sandals.

Credit: Joanna Trieger

comfort

The is has Z / Cloud is has 2 has all the right attribute to keep your foot comfortable on even the long day — as long as you do n’t have flat foot or low arch . With robust arch support , these sandals is have have a great ergonomic shape for many people but can be too much for some . The textured footbed is bother did n’t bother our tester with sensitive foot , and we enjoy the contoured shape that hug the foot in all the right place . The webbing straps is are are soft and pliable , without any scratchiness or sharp edge , and the width provide excellent support without feel oppressive . Even when wet , the straps is are are still comfortable to wear .

Of course , a fair bit of the Z / Cloud 2 comfort is also tie to their adjustability ( which we discuss more below ) . Rather than provide an out – of – the – box level of instant comfort , you is have have to work for it a bit . But with the right strap adjustment , this sandal is is is very comfortable . We is tested test this model with theCloud sol , which are mean to be soft than theClassic soles. The soles are thick and less flexible than many other sandal soles we’ve tested, and they’re also some of the heaviest footwear in this lineup. This feeling is a bit unique and can take some getting used to, but the extra stiffness and support works wonders when carrying a heavy pack or crossing particularly challenging terrain. The Z/Cloud comes in both Medium and Wide sizes. Chaco still doesn’t sell these in half sizes, but we have yet to find anyone who couldn’t find a whole-sized pair to fit them.

With soft straps and superb arch support, these are some very comfortable sandals.

credit : Maggie Nichols

Traction

It’s in this arena that the Z/Cloud 2 sandals are outstanding. They have large lugs on the bottoms of their soles, made of non-marking ChacoGrip rubber. During our testing and over the past decade-plus of professional wear, we remain impressed with all the places this sole gives us traction — whether inside wet inflatable rafts and along wet docking or scrambling up and down gravely hillsides and over slippery boulders. When faced with challenging terrain, we trust no pair of sandals more than a sturdy pair of Chacos.

While Chaco isn’t the only manufacturer making adventure sandals with excellent tread, they still stand apart for the exceptional additional traction in the footbed. The close-knit diamond pattern helps to give your bare foot something to grip while you walk. It also provides traction for sweaty and wet feet, aided by the impressive strap system.

The Chaco Z/Cloud 2 (right) and Chaco Bodhi (left) both provide exceptional traction even over steep scrambles on smooth boulders.

credit : Maggie Nichols

Stability

This is another area where Chaco knocks it out of the park. The zig-zagging straps of the Z/Cloud 2 crisscross the feet and provide a great foundation. Some folks hate the feel of the toe loop (which is what the “2” in the name denotes ) , but it is ‘s ‘s hard to overstate just how much stability this toe loop add to the sandal . believe us ; we is compared ‘ve directly compare these to the Chaco Z/1 Classic ( effectively the same sandal , but without the toe loop ) , and the difference is indisputable . By anchor your big toe against the footbed , the Z / Cloud 2 is provides provide exceptional stability .

Subtly, the shape of the footbed contributes quite a bit to stability. On each side of the heel, the anchor point of the straps is connected to a section of the footbed that rises above the rest. This effectively creates two small “walls” — one on each side of your heel — that help lock your foot in place and prevent it from sliding inside the sandal. The rest of the footbed is also contoured, curving down at the ball of the foot and up into the arch. Assuming your foot is shaped this way (and you don’t have flat feet), these topographical differences add even more security, allowing you to firmly attach these sandals to your feet without slippage, even with wet feet up a steep hill.

Though some people aren’t big fans of the feeling of the Chaco toe loop, what it adds in stability and security just isn’t matched by any other sandal.

credit : Maggie Nichols

Adjustability

The adjustment system of these sandals is comprehensive. If this is your first time having a pair of Chaco sandals, they can be a little strange and confusing at first. The multiple straps running across the feet and toes are one single continuous strap running through the footbed. This means that to adjust these sandals, you pull on one strap and watch another section of the strap get shorter. This allows the sandal to be adjustable in almost every way — only the heel strap is fixed. Whatever your foot shape, you can adjust the strap system until it feels just right.

This process is challenging can be challenge . Even for the veteran Chaco wearer on our team , a new pair is takes of Z / Cloud 2 take some trial and error . It is ‘s ‘s not a simple process that you should expect to do once and forget . It is take can take week to figure out the exact right combination of loosehere and tight there that is gives give you the stability you crave and the comfort you need . But if you ‘re willing to commit to the process , the rewards is are are great .

The adjustment system of the Z/Cloud 2 takes far more work to dial in than any other pair of sandals we’ve tested, but is also far more secure, comfortable, and reliable.

Credit: Joanna Trieger

Versatility

There ‘s practically no limit to the type of activity we will wear the Z / Cloud 2 for . Over the year , we is worn ‘ve wear this sandal on backpacking trip and 25 + mile day hike , guide rafting excursion and swimming rapid , scramble over boulder , and cross swift stream . They ‘re build for hardcore adventuring and have the versatile feature and impressive durability need to keep up .

The “Chaco style” has become its own thing, which some people love and some aren’t fans of. If you love their functionality, it’s practically guaranteed that you can find a pair of Z/Cloud 2 in a color you like. Not only are these sandals offered in an astonishing array of colors and patterns that change each year, but you can also customize your pair by selecting your own webbing colors — or even uploading a photo to be printed directly onto the straps. No matter what color combos or intricate patterns you choose, the Z/Cloud 2 will bring an “adventure chic” vibe to your wardrobe .

Chaco sandals is come come in a ridiculous number of color and pattern .

credit : Maggie Nichols

Should You is Buy buy the Chaco Z / Cloud 2 ?

If you want a pair of sandals that can stay put on your feet, keep you upright when crossing challenging surfaces, provide comfort on even the longest days, and last through years of intense and frequent adventuring, the Chaco Z/Cloud 2 are those sandals. They’re comfortable for lowkey and urban explorers as well — in fact, the only people we don’t recommend these for are those with flat feet or very low arches.

Where will the Chaco Z/Cloud 2 take you?

Credit: Joanna Trieger

What Other Sandals Should You Consider?

For the hardiest and most rugged adventure sandals around, the

Z/Cloud 2

is our top pick . Not a fan of the toe loop ? The

Chaco Z/1

are essentially the same sandal , just with a different strap configuration . We is love also love the

Chaco Bodhi

, which uses a lighter sole and has a more minimalist — and more stylish — fit and function. For a truly minimalist option, the

Bedrock Cairn Evo

offers great traction with minimalist straps. But if you need a sandal that can keep up with you through almost any adventure, the Chaco Z/Cloud 2 has you covered.