Chaco Cloud vs. Classic vs. Lowdown vs. Volv: Differences and Reviews 2025
A supportive and comfortable pair of hiking sandals is a must-have for any outdoor adventurer’s closet. Chaco’s sandals are built for explorers, equally at home on the trail and on the water. Since they were invented in the 1980s, Chaco hiking sandals have become a favorite of outdoor enthusiasts everywhere which are known for crazy comfort and simple webbing. There are different Chaco hiking sandal models to choose from, like the Chaco Cloud, Chaco Classic, Chaco Lowdown and Chaco Volv. So which model is best for you? What's the difference between them? In this guide, I’ll review Chaco Cloud, Chaco Classic, Chaco Lowdown and Chaco Volv in detail and list their main differences to help you make a informed decision.
Chaco Cloud vs. Classic vs. Lowdown vs. Volv: Overview
1. Chaco Cloud
Official Price: $74.99 - $105
Reviews: The Chaco Cloud sandals combine timeless style with unparalleled comfort and durability. They are made with 32mm webbing, Chaco's signature LUVSEAT™ footbed, and ChacoGrip™ rubber outsole. The Chaco Cloud sandals also use a very unique adjustment system that threads their webbing through the midsole, meaning tugging them in a certain sequence cinches each strap to your foot perfectly. The 3 mm lugs provide excellent slip resistance on loose gravel and soft terrain. Options for a toe strap or just the primary webbing gives buyers even more choice in customizing their fit.
The instant comfort of the Chaco Z/Cloud took you breath away. The secret to such plush comfort is hidden in the dual-density Luvseat midsole. The molded midsole strikes the balance between support and shock-absorbing cushioning, leaving your feet feeling pampered throughout our day hikes. Because it is slightly more oriented towards comfort than performance, the Z/Cloud is best suited as a general all-purpose sandal but is still capable of tackling extended hikes and sporty terrain.
Features:
Polyester jacquard webbing uppers and high-tensile webbing heel risers with durable ladderlock buckles wrap around your feet and through the midsoles for a customized fit;
5 mm of soft polyurethane cushioning top the podiatrist-certified, durable LUVSEAT™ midsoles and heel cups for all-day comfort and arch support;
Nonmarking ChacoGrip rubber compound outsoles with 3.5 mm lug depth provide traction on wet and dry surfaces.
Where to Buy Chaco Cloud Sandal?
chacos.com (6.5-8% cashback)
zappos.com (9.5-11.5% cashback)
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2. Chaco Classic
Official Price: $74.99 - $130
Reviews: For over 30 years, Chaco Classic sandals have been the ultimate choice for outdoor lovers. They are simple, durable, and comfortable, with only 8 parts that adjust to your feet. Combining contemporary aesthetics with tried and true technology, Chacos Classic Sandals feature pull-through adjustable straps and trademarked LUVSEAT footbeds. The polyester jacquard webbing upper wraps around the foot and through the midsole for a customized fit and the toe loop on many styles provides added security.
The topographic textured grooves on the footbed provide plenty of traction for sunny and rainy adventures alike. You’ll also enjoy the podiatrist-approved footbed and the new ChacoGrip™ outsole that handles any terrain. All in all, Chaco Classic sandals’s reputation for durability, comfort, style, repairability, and grip in all but the gnarliest conditions (though frequently seen in some sketchy situations) continue to make Chaco a leader in the sandal category.
Features:
Adjustable straps custom-fit to your feet;
Podiatrist-certified LUVSEAT™ polyurethane footbeds for all-day comfort and support;
ChacoGrip™ rubber with 3 mm lug depth delivers the best-performing Classic outsole yet.
Where to Buy Chaco Classic Sandal?
chacos.com (6.5-8% cashback)
zappos.com (9.5-11.5% cashback)
3. Chaco Lowdown
Official Price: $39.99 - $85
Reviews: Chaco’s lightweight, low-profile sport sandal built for a travel-ready life on the go. They are rugged and versatile. With lightweight, low-profile rubber soles and webbed polyester straps, Chaco Lowdown sandals can transition straight from the trail to a lunch date.Featuring just the essentials, like their iconic Z/Straps with cinch buckle for a truly customized fit, plus pull-through adjustment in the heel riser to maximize barefoot comfort.
The Lowdown Sandal looks great dressed up or down and is engineered with high-rebound EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) and our contoured LUVSEAT™ arch-support for healthy alignment and all-day comfort underfoot. And their neutral, trend-proof design doesn’t try to steal the spotlight and works with most casual outfits. These supportive and highly adjustable sandals are rugged enough for the great outdoors but still work for everyday wear.
Features:
Adjustable polyester jacquard webbing with injection-molded ladderlock buckles allows you to adjust your fit on the fly;
LUVSEAT Care+ EVA footbeds provide plush cushioning;
UpBound EVA midsoles provide more rebound and less compression;
Nonmarking ChacoGrip™ rubber outsoles with 3 mm lugs offer traction;
Antimicrobial materials inhibit the growth of odor-causing bacteria.
Where to Buy Chaco Lowdown Sandal?
chacos.com (6.5-8% cashback)
zappos.com (9.5-11.5% cashback)
4. Chaco Volv
Official Price: $90
Reviews: The Chaco Volv Sandals are more of an evolution of the classic design rather than a revolution in the design — which means they are very very good. Built on a soft PU compound and engineered with Chaco’s contoured LUVSEAT™ arch-support that promotes healthy alignment, the corrective footbeds are accepted by the APMA (American Podiatric Medical Association). Started by raft guides and enjoyed by the world over, it features Chaco’s iconic 360-degree Z/Strap adjustment with cinch buckle for a secure fit.
Chaco's trusted performance and contemporary aesthetics made the Men's Z/Volv Sandal perfect for the modern outdoorsman. Pull-through adjustable webbing straps give this sandal a completely customized fit, and the injection-molded ladder lock buckle stays secure when you're hiking around. Chaco designed the Z/Volv with a grid-inspired footbed for traction in water, a Luvseat PU midsole for stability and support, and EcoTread's partially recycled rubber sole for grip on all sorts of terrain.
Features:
Podiatrist-certified Luvseat polyurethane footbeds add a layer of cushion underfoot;
Nonmarking EcoTread 25% recycled rubber outsoles with 2mm lug depth;
Polyester Jacquard webbing upper wraps around the foot and through the midsole for a customized fit;
Toe loop for secure movement;
Adjustable and durable high-tensile webbing heel risers.
Where to Buy Chaco Lowdown Sandal?
chacos.com (6.5-8% cashback)
Chaco Cloud vs. Classic vs. Lowdown vs. Volv: Full Comparison
Before diving into my in-depth discussion, look at the table below to get a key specs of them.
Chaco Cloud | Chaco Classic | Chaco Lowdown | Chaco Volv | |
Best Use | Multisport/Watersports | Multisport/Watersports | Multisport | Multisport/Watersports |
Footwear Closure | Strap | Strap | Strap | Strap |
Upper | Polyester Jacquard webbing | Polyester jacquard webbing | Polyester jacquard | Polyester jacquard webbing |
Lining | Polyester Jacquard webbing | Polyester Jacquard webbing | / | / |
Topsole | Polyurethane | LUVSEAT dual-density polyurethane | / | LUVSEAT polyurethane |
Midsole | Dual-density polyurethane | LUVSEAT dual-density polyurethane | LUVSEAT/EVA | LUVSEAT polyurethane |
Outsole | Rubber compound | ChacoGrip rubber | ChacoGrip rubber | Nonmarking Ecotread 25% recycled rubber |
Toe Coverage | Open Toe | Open Toe | Open Toe | Open Toe |
Weight (Pair) | 1 lb. 14 oz. | 1 lb. 13.8 oz. | 15.4 ounces | 1 lb. 7.2 oz. |
Traction
The Chaco Cloud sandals feature ChacoGrip rubber and tread patter which offer good traction on various wet and dry surfaces. Even though it has a thick sole, the rubber is forgiving enough to bend and grip on contoured terrain better than other similarly bulky models. Additionally, the footbed material has a diamond tread pattern that helps to lock in a secure footing, which ultimately aids in overall traction.
The Chaco Classic sandals utilize a patented rubber material for its outsole that has a very similar feel to Vibram materials but is slightly less firm. The bottom of the sole isn't lugged quite as dramatically as other models, but it does feature a rugged tread pattern that can grip well in adverse conditions.
The Chaco Lowdown sandals offers stellar traction on the loosest of terrain. The rubber on the outsole is littered with deep, sharp grooves, offering a grip like none other. This makes running around on gravel and crossing wet rocks a breeze.
While Chaco Volv sandals' "non-marking EcoTread" soles don't have the raw gripping power of the Vibram outsoles on some competitor sandals, these sandals grip comfortably on concrete, not so much that they stick and you stumble. They grip very good in the water. On dirt and gravel the lugs provide good traction.
Stability
The softer and lighter midsole material makes Chaco Cloud sandals slightly less stable than its classic Chaco counterpart. While it sports the same rugged outsole that is substantially thicker and stiffer than most sandals, there is noticeably more flexibility in the Cloud sandals compared to the Classic sandals.
The Chaco Classic sandals have one of the beefiest soles in this entire lineup of multipurpose sandals. Couple that with a grippy rubber sole secured by ¾ inch webbing, and you're looking at a very solid platform. Because of its unparalleled stability and confidence on variable terrain, the Chaco Classic sandals land at the top of its class in this particular metric.
The Chaco Lowdown Sandal provides the junction between comfort and stability for your outdoor adventures. These sandals let you feel like you're walking barefoot while providing support and security for your feet.
The Chaco Volv sandals earns very high marks for stability, with its contoured footbed and intricate, supportive strap system. Our feet felt very stable and secure on rocky terrain and uphill, downhill, or sidehill slopes.
Comfort
The Chaco Cloud sandals features softer, lighter soles to provide more comfort during extended use outings. The softer material may not offer the same arch support as the classic Chaco, though it does conform to the foot a little better and helps minimize pressure points.
The Chaco Classic sandals have one of the stiffest, heaviest, most-bombproof soles. Their contoured LUVSEAT footbed hugs your soles nicely, keeping you comfy even after hours of mountain biking over bumpy slopes. Furthermore, the intuitive strap placement kept our feet secure without any rubbing or hotspots.
The Chaco Lowdown sandals' hard foam footbed and midsole paired with the even harder rubber outsole and stiff straps take a moment to break in. But once the break-in period is complete, these shoes are quite comfortable regardless of the terrain you're tackling.
The Chaco Volv sandals'footbed offer plenty of arch support and an intricate webbing strap system that keeps the foot securely locked in place. This footbed and strap system work well together to maintain a comfortable footstrike across a wide variety of terrain and conditions.
Verdict
Both Chaco Cloud and Classic sandals are remarkably durable, provide plenty of arch support, and are suitable for use on any terrain type. They are also really similar when it comes to design and color variety. The main differences in these are in the strap design and cushioning.
The Chaco Cloud sandals include a MEGA strap option, which is a single really thick strap. Plus, they focus more on pillowy cushioning, with an extra 5mm padding in the footbed which makes them remarkably soft and wearable straight out the box. So you should go with Chaco Cloud sandals if you prefer a softer, springier landing while you hike.
The Chaco Classic sandals give you options for a 3-point adjustable strap system or a simple slider, allowing flexibility to distribute pressure perfectly across the foot. Plus, their contoured LUVSEAT footbed hugs your soles nicely, keeping you comfy even after hours of mountain biking over bumpy slopes. So for longer outdoor stints, the Chaco Classic sandals is more suitable for you.
The Chaco Lowdown Sandal is a super versatile and comfortable sandal option designed for those that love the outdoors in mind. Whether you're hiking and exploring the natural landscapes of Sedona, or just going to get a smoothie in the neighborhood, these sandals offer a combination of support, durability, and style.
Featuring contemporary aesthetics, classic Chaco design features, and an airy pu compound that’s softer underfoot and 20 percent lighter than Chaco's Classic sandals, the Chaco Volv sanbdals are the ultra-light sandal you’ve always wanted.
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