We RVers are an active crowd. Trolling the local farmers market, fording a stream in God’s Country, hiking urban environs or loafing around the campground, comfortable footwear is critical to a positive experience. Looking good is a plus, too.

A couple years ago we met some super campers with slick sandals. Terry and Pam became good friends and quickly we had a standing Monday evening date. As RVers do, talk ranged from cool places we’ve visited to interesting jobs and folks along the way to, well, their nifty sandals. Chacos. Their high recommendation sent us to a Chaco retailer as soon as there was one close by. In our case that was Albuquerque. There were plenty of choices – outdoor activity models, slip-ons and flips, and dress sandals – for men and women.

We each chose a Headwater model – their original – billed by Chaco as offering “a BioCentric footbed and a fully-adjustable fit”. And it’s true. The footbed is comfortable and supportive, the straps adjust at several points for a custom fit and you can do the dreaded sock/sandal combo when it’s slightly cool outside.

Chaco, located in Paonia, Colorado, not only makes great sandals but they are environmentally friendly. They “believe that our actions directly affect our customers and our World. We pay our employees to ride their bikes to work, volunteer their time and advance their education. We strive to make a positive impact in our local communities and beyond.” Their products are high-quality and long-lasting. When the soles wear down Chaco owners have the option of sending their sandals back to the factory for re-soling. Chaco also offers re-webbing if necessary. Service is some of the best I’ve experienced and my shoes we re-soled and returned to me in 5 days flat.

And if that’s not enough, Chaco has had a fantastic recycling program since 2004. Bring your old (but clean) Chacos to a participating retailer and receive a 20% discount on a new pair. Your old buddies will be cleaned up and sent to charitable organizations that distribute them worldwide. They've given over 4,000 pairs thus far. The catalog I received with my “re-soled” Chacos told this story from 2006: “Greetings from the jungles of SW Uganda. We hiked up to this Pygmy village at the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and distributed the Chacos. The strapping system was a bit complicated as they had not previously worn shoes, but they were delighted.” (At this point I wondered why we were forcing indigenous people half way around the world to wear shoes!!) But it continued: “It should help reduce the prevalence of hookworm anemia, as the parasite enters through bare feet.” The photo shows happy, proud people with some fabulous footwear!!

Chacos aren’t cheap. We paid somewhere between $75 (on sale) and $90 and $31 to re-sole them 2 years later…but they are well worth every cent!! Terry and Pam knew what they were talking about.

Here’s to recognizing a commendable corporate citizen and a fantastic sandal! By the way, they were voted one of the 2007 Best Companies to Work for in Colorado…no surprise there…