I've gone through many pairs of Chacos and these wide straps have made these my favorite over the years. While the wide straps make these shoes much more comfortable and overall sturdier, I have definitely had issues with the cloud foam after heavy use. Pros - Wide strap is very secure. Long mileage days are no problem in flat areas and they feel much more comfortable than the classic strap size. load is distributed way better and they hold up great as slip-ons stepping on the back strap around camp, much better than the sometimes-awkward classic straps. Plus they look sick. Cons - Cloud style soles just generally aren't as good. They crack much more easily, and after wearing through the initial glossy surface they begin to crumble, soak up water like a sponge, and dehydrate your feet leaving some nasty cracks if you're not careful. It's slightly lighter, but if you're really a hardcore weight watcher you probably wouldn't pack in Chacos as your camp shoe- they just don't compare in lightness and packability to Bedrocks or something similar. KEEP IN MIND though- this is my experience after 4 years of heavy use in Michigan- constant water contact, 3 lifeguarding seasons, canoeing, and long backpacking days. I could see this model being ideal for the more western US Chaco lovers, where you might not be as swampy all the time. They still dry quick, are very comfortable (esp. for high arches), are mostly beefcakes, and I would recommend Chacos to anyone looking for the best all-around adventure sandal.
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