Everyone on staff at the Strategist has strong opinions, but we don’t always agree, and often that’s where the most interesting and fun discussions happen. In the first installment of this recurring feature, we’ve got Lauren Ro, who is staunchly team Teva, and Liza Corsillo, who’s now onto her second pair of Chacos, each making a case for their favorite “adventure sandal.”
Opening arguments
Liza Corsillo: Each summer, for the last couple of decades, I have worn a different pair of comfortable sandals almost exclusively until they’re worn into the ground. I always have at least a dozen other pairs of sandals in my closet — cute and brightly colored Campers, a few pairs of huaraches I bought in L.A., EVA and suede Birkenstocks, regular Tevas, and all-black Tirra Tevas I bought after reading that Chloë Sevigny bought a pair — but most of them stay there because of some imperfection. This summer has been a Chacos summer. They were the only shoes I packed for a two-week trip to Southampton and Connecticut, and I had zero regrets.
This year’s Chacos are the second pair I have owned; I originally tried the Z/2 sandals with the toe loop but found that they gave me a very hard-to-heal blister on the top of my big toe. The rest of the sandals were so comfortable, however, I decided to give them another try, minus the toe loop. This time, I opted for the Lowdown sandals in all black, which are like the Z/1 sandals but have a slightly less chunky (and lighter-weight) sole and bonus fabric tabs that provide a buffer between your foot and the straps where they meet the sole. My big toe aside, the classic Z sandal straps never irritated my feet.
I have never had and will never have a Tevas summer, despite my best efforts and a fair amount of money spent. I think I have only worn the two pairs I own a handful of times combined. I just don’t like the way they look on my feet. The footbed is always too long and the Velcro straps too bulky. Plus, they aren’t nearly as grippy or supportive as Chacos, so I am always worried I will slip or trip when I am walking on wet ground.
Lauren Ro: I’ve been obsessed with Tevas since I was 10 years old, when I asked for a pair for my big double-digit birthday. All the older kids at my school had Tevas. My aunt drove me an hour to the nearest REI to get them for me. My first pair had a pretty thick ergonomic sole and a dark Native American–inspired strap design, and I wore those into the ground. The Velcro eventually stopped working, and I used those rubber rings that come with the shoes to keep the straps in place. I’ve always loved the simple strap design for how gorpcore it looks. I was never looking for a “stylish” active sandal.
A few years ago, influenced by my colleagues and a good Urban Outfitters sale, I bought a pair of Chacos because I liked that they were functional and also looked kind of cute. I intended to wear them for everyday activities. But as soon as they arrived, I knew that they would not be the shoes I reached for in the summer. The straps were fussy to adjust and felt uncomfortable. The sole was heavy and inflexible. I don’t think I’ve put them on in four years.
The straps
Lauren Ro: Tevas are just easier to put on and unfussy to me. The multiple straps on Chacos are difficult to adjust, and they dig into my feet.
Liza: The straps on Tevas dig into my feet, and I don’t like how thick they are because of the Velcro. I find the straps always look bulky, like I’m wearing my dad’s shoes.
Chaco straps are thinner and sort of shinier, so I feel like they can pass for dressy. I like that the diagonal placement of the straps follows the contour of my foot, and because the straps are thin, I can slide into these sandals without bending down. And I like that the sole is chunkier and contoured. They make me feel held and secure even walking in water.
The footbed
Liza: The footbed on Tevas is always too long for me, adding to the clunky ill-fitting look, and the few times I wore them I tripped. As a teenager, I twisted my ankle a number of times and it never really healed correctly. So I’m extra careful now about wearing shoes that feel secure. The “cute” going-out Tirra Tevas that I love have a pretty grippy sole and look adorable on the floor. But the footbed is so long that once I put them on, they look like I bought the wrong size, so now I never wear them.
Lauren: I agree that the Teva footbed is very long and I often trip on the toe. Maybe they just run big and I need a smaller size.
The soles
Lauren: In terms of traction, Tevas are incredible for walking on slick rocks at the beach or a stream on a hike. The Chaco sole, on the other hand, is too thick and heavy for a strappy sandal.
Liza: I have never found Teva Originals very supportive or grippy. The sole is just a flat chunk of foam.
Looks
Lauren: Tevas are extremely crunchy-looking to me in the best way, which is why I love them. The simple three-strap design appeals to me to this day.
Liza: Chacos are less recognizable, so they feel more special to me. I love that the straps follow the contour of the top of my foot. The zigzag design paired with the thin, slightly shiny straps makes them look more elegant and almost dressy.
Wearability
Liza: I wear my Chacos pretty much everywhere, especially if I am going to possibly encounter a playground sprinkler. I wore them as my only shoes for a week in Southampton. I wear them to the splash pad in Prospect Park. I wear them with shorts and dresses equally.
Lauren: I got Chacos thinking I’d wear them out casually — not for activities — so mostly walks and weekend wear, and I only wear my Tevas at the beach or when traveling or where there is a water activity.
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