Chaco Z/Cloud 2 Review

The Z/Cloud 2 is a classic Chaco with somewhat of a cult following. This shoe has traveled with many an avid outdoor wanderer for years and years, and its durability was among the highest in our test.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

As has almost always been the case, Chaco shoes have a reputation for having comfort that varies from user to user. The sole is stiff - stiffer than just about anything we've tested. That said, we found this to be a big benefit. The stiffness protects your feet from sharp substrates and makes it very durable. With that, more flat-footed tester felt frustrated by this model's high arch that will not break into a flatter foot. Despite some debate about whether or not the Chaco Z/Cloud's sole was optimal for a broad enough swath of users, our tester unanimously declared the Chaco's strap system as one of the most comfortable in the test.

Stability

The stiff sole makes this sandal stable. The footbed grabs and cups your heel and gives your arch support. The toe loop (no included on some Chaco's) gave more stability. It mostly keeps your foot from being able to slide forward. This sandal has a significant heel-toe drop. Some of our testers saw this as a negative and many didn't. The heel does feel a little clunky. More minimalist models include the Teva Verra and the Bedrock Cairn Adventure.

Traction

On rocky terrain, both the traction and the stiffness of the sandal made the feel stable and ready for anything. We felt less likely to roll an ankle. The stiff footbed, mated with sturdy rubber, gives great traction. The Cairn comes with the trustworthiness of a Vibram sole.

Adjustability

One continuous piece of webbing makes up the sandal's strap system, and this piece wraps around the foot in multiple locations. In order to adjust one of the strap locations, you must lengthen/shorten one of the other strap locations. This has pros and cons. It means that micro adjustments and a hugging feeling are 100% possible, but these adjustments are not without complication. We found adjustments could take many attempts to get just right. For a more intuitive system that is just as comprehensive, we recommend the Bedrock Cairn.

Adaptability

The Z/Cloud 2 was a versatile model, exceeding the versatility of the Z/X2. Because of this model's heavy sole, it was good for long days on the trail, but not as light as other shoes, like the KEEN Clearwater. When compared to its Chaco cousin, the Z/Cloud 2 has the ability to be worn with socks. (With the Z/Cloud 2, users can simply step on the toe strap while wearing socks, but the double strap of this model takes away that possibility.) However, despite the sock dilemma, the ZX/2 does bring slightly more fashion than the Z/Cloud 2.

Style

The Z/Cloud 2 is attractive and sleek. We actually thought it was one of the best-looking sandals in our testing selection, rivaled only by the Bedrock Cairn Adventure and the Chaco Z/X2. The difference between the ZX/2 and the Z/Cloud 2 is that the ZX/2 has double straps instead of single. Both feature a sleek black footbed and a cornucopia of flattering webbing colors and patterns.

Best Applications

This is for the rugged traveler or someone who just likes a sandal that will last.

Value

With the burliest footbed of the models tested and straps that are ready for use of use, the Chaco's $110 price tag seems reasonable, as it is ready for many many seasons of wear.

Conclusion

The Chaco Z/Cloud 2 is ready for action, whether you're hiking to the crag, strapping in for a long hike, or hitting the local frisbee golf course. While some testers found it uncomfortable, users with higher arches who need support loved it.