Well, I can derail the thread, now that it has passed into oblivion. I wasn't afraid of hurting your feelings, I was just trying not to be a cranky curmudgeon for once.
If y'all are paying a hundred bucks for sandals, you must wear them quite a bit. But where? Other than around the house, from the front door to the mail-box, or between the tent and the shower point (or cat-hole), I can't imagine any place I'd wear sandals. I have some cheapos that have served the above purposes well for a few years now.
I see people wearing them around. My wife wears flip-flops most of the year. But I don't get it. Don't you guys bang your toes on things? Or get your toe-nails ripped off every couple of weeks? Or drop things on your feet? Or have your feet stepped on? When I've worn sandals, the dust and sweat between my foot and the sandal was just annoying.
I don't expect everyone to wear high-topped, full-leather logger boots EVERY SINGLE TIME THEY LEAVE THE HOUSE, like I do. But I like to have some protection around my feet (just like when I drive, it's in a cage, not a motor-bike). Maybe it's because they're size thirteens, so they're always running into things.
Or, you all are just a whole lot tougher than me.
To give you perspective on my footgear proclivities (I think you'll spot a trend):
1. I wear Redwings to work, usually steel-toe, black, 6" tall (at ankle) leather lace up work boots. They polish up really well.
2. Sometimes I'll wear my black, leather, steel toe 10" Redwing roper western work boots to work...they are my primary church footgear & also polish up with Kiwi.
3. My "casual" boots are either 8" black, leather steel toe Carolina logging boots or my re-soled jungle boots (only boots I wear regularly without a steel toe) from my time in the service of Uncle Sam.
I like hard-duty footgear and IMO, men need to wear some sort of footgear that will allow them to run, dodge, fight, etc. at all times. Chacos will allow for me to do all of my required men's activities I expect men to be able to accomplish at the drop of a hat, even when dressed super-casually (shorts, etc.). Chacos are to sandals what Redwings, Danners, etc. are to boots.
They are tough and I have never stubbed a toe in them. I am sure it is possible, but it is a small probability, due to their design. The design also allows for a very secure fit. I am sure someone might, one day, drop something heavy on my feet while wearing Chacos, but the times/places I wear them mitigate against that. Times would be as casual wear where shorts would be appropriate, during warm weather. Places would include most places
not a construction site, warehouse, or factory. I guess hte most peril my dogs face is when in line for something.
The materials are of high quality. The soles are vibram. The footbed is a high-density rubber compound that has enough give to be comfy, but not squishy. The strapping is tough nylon webbing.
If you never wear shorts in warm weather, I doubt Chacos would be of much use to you. I find them a fine complement to other warm-weather casual wear in the hotter places in the USA.
