Chaco turns 25 years old this year and to celebrate, the company is bringing back some of their most popular webbing styles in a limited edition run for the From The Vault collection this summer. Imminently available, a variety of Z sandal styles with old school webbing patterns, retro logo, and the original Colorado Vibram outsole will join the comfortable LUVSEAT footbed design you have come to know and love.
Founded in 1989 by Mark Paigen, Chaco was originally known as Gecko before changing its name 5 years later. Out of his home in Paonia, CO, Paigen created “The Ultimate Sport Sandal” modeled after the micro suction pads found on a gecko’s foot, enabling them to scale walls and ceilings.
In order to find the perfect arch support, Paigen began working with Dr. Gerhard Rill, graduate of Munich School of Orthopedics, in 1994 to test out multiple designs. The team finally settled on the current LUVSEAT footbed, and the Z/1 sandal was born.
With the new From The Vault collection, you can choose from webbing patterns such as Snake Eyes (1999), Ladybug, Window Pane (1994), Ricochet (1996), and Sushi (2001), across various Z sandal styles like the Z/1, Z/2, and ZX/2 (all $125). The original Colorado outsole in made from a non-marking Vibram TC-1 compound with 3mm lugs for great traction on a variety of surfaces.
Any of you Chaconians still own one of your first pairs? I think I still have a pair from the 90s hidden somewhere in the depths.