Chaco Vs. Teva: Which Adventure Sandal Brand Is Right For You?

Forbes

a day ago

Summer calls for adventure, and that means lightweight clothing—and footwear—that can keep up whether you're hitting the trails, wading through rivers or hanging around the campsite. If you're ready to dial in your adventure sandal selection, there's a good chance you've narrowed it down to two established names: Chaco and Teva. Both brands have been crafting comfortable, durable sandals for decades, but how they approach style and support might make one a better option for you than the other. That's why I've put together this Chaco vs. Teva guide to help you find the right sandal for your summer adventures.
Both Teva and Chaco make sandals that are respected the world over. Forbes / Photo: Retailers
Chaco and Teva have been go-to names in the sandal game for years, and they were both founded by Colorado river guides. Today, they offer versatile options for activities ranging from technical trails to walks around town, and as a gear tester for over a decade, I've tried many of their popular styles. With that experience in mind, here's an in-depth Chaco vs. Teva comparison to help you understand how these brands differ, and decide which one is right for you.
Teva was founded in 1984 by Mark Thatcher, a Grand Canyon river guide who wanted purpose-built footwear for the rigors of rafting. Legend has it that Thatcher took two watch straps and secured them to a pair of flip-flops, inventing what would later become the Teva sandal. Today, the brand still designs water shoes just as it did decades ago, but its styles also serve runners, hikers and even fashion icons.
Chaco, on the other hand, was founded in 1989 by Colorado river guide Mark Paigen, who sought a sandal for whitewater adventures. The Chaco design relies on a series of overlapping straps and buckles that tighten and secure in place, which makes it a bit different from Teva's use of hook-and-loop closures. Chacos are still popular on the river, but they're also beloved by hikers, travelers and other outdoorists.
Both Chaco and Teva sandals are designed to form a secure, comfortable connection around your foot, but they achieve this in different ways.
Most Chaco sandals—like the Z/1 Classic—feature several straps that wrap around your toes, midfoot and heel like a web of fabric. But here's the catch: It's actually one long strap of material, weaving its way through the sandal's footbed. Start by tightening the strap at the toes, then move to the top of the foot, then around the heel and cinch down the plastic buckle when you're done. The process can be a bit cumbersome at first, but it only takes one or two attempts to create a secure fit that rarely needs readjusting.
Teva sandals, on the other hand, feature separate straps that can be tightened or loosened as needed, and they're secured in place by hook-and-loop closures. Take a look at the best-selling Hurricane XLT2 and you'll find that it resembles a more classic sandal design. Simply tighten a strap across the toes, the top of the foot and around the heel—it's a process that's objectively easier than fitting Chacos. With that said, Teva sandals use hook-and-loop closures that can lose their grip over time. If you intend to wear your sandals in the elements, you'll need to account for dirt, debris, wear and tear. Chaco Vs. Teva: Cushioning And Comfort
Chaco sandals feel a bit harder and heavier as you break them in, but putting in the time is worth it. They feature a polyurethane midsole that provides excellent arch support and stability even as you navigate rougher terrain. There's not as much cushioning here as compared to Tevas, but the support is excellent, and as they break in, they'll subtly mold to your feet and feel all the more comfortable.
Teva sandals, on the other hand, are widely praised for their comfort as soon as you put them on the first time. 'The Hurricane models are noticeably lighter and softer right out of the box,' says Shelby Milstead, a buyer at Sun & Ski Sports. 'They're ideal for casual hikes, travel or anyone who wants a versatile sandal without a long break-in period.' Your foot sinks into the EVA footbed and feels cradled, comfortable and supported through every step.
To be clear, both Chaco and Teva sandals are extremely comfortable, but it might take some time to dial in that comfort with the former brand. 'For some, Chacos are not comfortable out of the box," says Marcia Graddon, athletic trainer and pedorthist with the Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics. 'This is not necessarily a bad thing, but you may need to break them in, so your body adjusts to the support.' Chaco Vs. Teva: Durability And Sustainability
Both Chacos and Tevas are recognized for their durability, but Chacos tend to last a bit longer. The softer foam midsole of a pair of Tevas would likely break down faster than the tougher Chaco midsole, but not by much.
That said, you probably won't wear these sandals in identical conditions.
A pair of Teva Hurricanes is great for moderate hikes—think a day hike on a graded trail. These sandals have a sturdy nylon shank built in between the soft foam of the footbed and the rubber outsole, and this feature enhances your stability by keeping your foot centered. It also helps protect the bottoms of your feet from rocks and roots.
But for tougher hikes on rougher ground, it's probably Chaco time. Most Tevas have a pretty subdued tread pattern, while most Chacos have much more aggressive treading with a three-millimeter lug height and a tread pattern that almost looks like that of a trail running shoe. 'If you need something stiffer underfoot, especially for longer hikes or rocky terrain, Chaco is the way to go,' says Milstead. 'Their sandals feature a firm, rubberized sole that offers great protection from sharp surfaces, so you're not feeling every rock you step on.'
As for sustainability, Teva uses recycled materials as much as possible, such as in the straps. Chaco, on the other hand, focuses on the longevity of its products, offering its ReChaco program wherein they repair your sandals and return them to you for continued use. Chaco Vs. Teva: Style And Aesthetic
In order to know which sandal brand you should be considering more heavily, you need to think about where you'll be wearing them. Are you trekking for multiple miles across challenging terrain, or are you covering a couple of miles that end lakeside or at the beach? Or are you headed downtown with friends.?
Now, on the other hand, if you want sandals that can handle a stretch of rough trail now and then but are more going to be defined by all-day comfort when worn in less challenging conditions, Tevas are the winner. Many pairs of Chacos are frankly overkill for more casual use, and many Tevas are actually adjacent to stylish. (Yes, we know they have at times been considered legtimately fashionable.)
But if you like the look of one more than the other, you're not wrong. Chaco VS. Teva: Price
If you are looking for a great pair of active-wear sandals and want to make budget a factor as you browse, you basically don't have to consider it when comparing Teva Vs. Chaco. A scroll through Teva's website when 'view all' is selected turns up sandals as low-priced as $45 and as expensive as $145.
Now, bounce over to Chaco's site and you'll find sandals costing as little as $55 and you can find pairs as pricey as $130. It's really a push when it comes to price, so shop based on features, style and considerations of use. Chaco Vs. Teva: Which Is Right For You?
You probably saw this heading your way down the trail long ago, but when it comes to Chaco Vs. Teva, there is no clear winner. You just need to pick which brand makes the best footwear for your needs.
Teva is a bit more of a lifestyle brand, with many stylish sandals, shoes and boots on offer. That's not to say many of the company's sandals can't handle a hike or even a bit of mountain scrambling, and they're great for use on or around water, but they're not quite as rugged as many Chacos.
Chacos are ready to handle that rougher terrain, with thick, rugged outsoles and often with aggressive tread patterns. They do tend to need some breaking-in, and there can be a slight learning curve to getting them properly secured, but once broken-in and strapped on, they are ready to log the miles.
Also, you just have to find the sandals that work for you. 'When shopping for Tevas or Chacos, you need to find the right fit,' says Graddon. "There are many shoes and sandals on the market and finding the ones that fit your shape of foot is important. We are all unique in our needs and the most important thing is a good fitting shoe or sandal that secures well and supports your foot the best. Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The team of gear writers and editors at Forbes Vetted have been testing, researching and writing about footwear for years, from walking shoes to slip-ons to hunting boots. This article was written by Steven John, a staff writer with Forbes Vetted who covers gear and tech. As a hiker, he spends countless hours on the trail each summer, hiking in shoes, boots and even sandals to find styles that are supportive and comfortable mile after mile.
The article was edited by Forbes Vetted gear editor Cam Vigliotta. His relationship with hiking sandals began years ago when he picked up a pair of Teva Original Universal Sandals, and while he's since moved on to other preferred pairs, he still tests styles from Teva and Chaco every year.
John spoke to several experts in the footwear space to learn more about Chaco and Teva. These experts include: Shelby Milstead, buyer at Sun & Ski Sports; and Marcia Graddon, athletic trainer and certified pedorthist with The Centers For Advanced Orthopaedics.
Chaco and Teva release new sandals every season, which is why we return to this guide each summer to ensure it contains the latest information. It was first published July 2025.