Gear Closet: Chaco Outcross Evo 2 Shoes

As mentioned last week when I reviewed the excellent Yura hiking shoes from ECCO, Alaska was a great place to test new gear. The varied terrain, weather, and activities that I experienced there gave me an opportunity to truly put some new items through their paces. Amongst the gear that I tested while there were the Outcross Evo 2 shoes from Chaco, which proved to be incredibly comfortable and versatile. In fact, they just might be my favorite pair of shoes that I own at the moment, as it has taken them no time at all to become my go-to footwear for just about any kind of outdoor activity, as well as just normal daily life.

Lightweight and good looking, these shoes score well in just about every category you could ask for. They offer excellent grip on a variety of surfaces – including we ones – and protect the feet from the challenges of the trail quite nicely.

As mentioned, the Outcross Evo 2 are also very comfortable, while requiring zero break-in time. In fact, the moment I put them on my feet I was immediately amazed at how they felt. This is a shoe that feels a bit like a minimalist trail runner, although the Evo's outsole provides far more protection than that description would lead you to believe.


Meant to be used as a light hiking shoe, that can also pull double duty as a water shoe as well, the Outcross Evo 2 excels in both categories, and more. I've worn these shoes while not only hiking and rafting, but also mountain biking and road cycling too, and they have proven to be equally adept at each of those disciplines. And because these shoes are so versatile, they make a great travel shoe too, possibly eliminating the need to carry an extra pair of shoes or two with me when I take off on a new adventure. As someone who is always looking for ways to cut weight from my bags, this is an added bonus.

When designing the Evo 2, Chaco integrated a soft, comfortable inner liner that actually eliminates the need to wear a sock with these shoes. This helps to keep the foot well protected while pursuing multiple outdoor activities in a single go, allowing the wearer to seamlessly transition from walking or hiking, to water sports, and back again without fear of developing blisters, hot spots, or abrasions. I have experienced none of those calamities while wearing these shoes over extended periods of time.

As you can probably tell, I am completely impressed with the Outcross Evo 2. But, if I had one hesitation about these shoes, it would be long-term durability. So far, I have seen no indication that they won't wear well for a long time to come, but because they are made of such lightweight materials, I can't help but wonder who they'll fare in the long haul. At the moment, they are performing marvelously in this area, and hopefully that will continue to be the case.

If you're looking for a comfortable, versatile, and affordable shoe that can see you through a wide variety of outdoor adventures, it is tough to beat the Outcross Evo 2. Chaco really does have a hit on their hands with this product, which I predict will make believers out of anyone who tries them on. This is one of the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn, and I think that many readers will find that to be the case for them too.

Priced at $110, I feel that the Evo 2 is quite a bargain when you consider everything they bring to the table. Perfect for light hiking, water sports, mountain biking, and travel, you'll be amazed at how many ways you'll find to use these shoes. That is a testament to just how great they really are, as you'll be looking for excuses to put them on. I can't think of a better endorsement for any shoe than that.

Gear Closet: Keen Uneek Shoes

One of the things I've always liked about Keen shoes is that they tend to be exceedingly comfortable, feature eye catching designs, and are usually built for adventure. That would sum up my thoughts completely on their Uneek sandals, which certainly live up to their name with their unusual look and design.

Over the years I've owned a number of shoes from Keen, and some of them have been amongst my favorite footwear ever. Their classic Newport sandal has been a mainstay in my gear closet for years, and has accompanied me on many trips around the world, including my recent visit to Egypt. But when I first saw the Uneek shoes I wasn't sure what to make of them. They aren't exactly unattractive, but they also don't look like anything you've ever seen before. They take an almost minimalist approach, although saying that would sell-short the amount of support and comfort they provide. This is a shoe that lives up to Keen's outstanding reputation, but just happens to look a bit different than anything they've produced before.

Any qualms you may have about how the Uneeks look are quickly dispelled once you put them on. They mold to your foot perfectly, creating a nice cushion that cradles your arches and provides plenty of support for long days or walking around town, or simply lounging at the beach. The lightweight, airy design feels amazing, and you'll be left wondering how a shoe that is so simple in design can feel so good when worn.


Part of what makes these shoes so unique – for lack of a better word – is how they are constructed. They're built out of just two cords and a sole, with everything weaved together in a way that is so simple, you'll wonder why no else had thought of it first. That construction method is what gives the Uneek shoes their special identity, setting them apart from the crowd in so many ways.

But don't think for a moment that Keen skimped on performance when created this footwear. They make an excellent water shoe for example, quickly draining away moisture and drying rapidly as well. This helps to make them a great option for kayaking and canoeing, hanging out at the beach, or just running errands around town. They make an excellent travel shoe too, as they are not only lightweight, but highly packable.

I have had one issue when wearing my pair of Uneeks for an extended period of time. The ankle straps tend to irritate the back of my feet when they are worn for longer periods, and it gets to the point that I have to take them off or run the risk of developing a blister. It should be noted that this only occurs when I've had them on for several hours, and usually if I've been particularly active. This seems to be more of an issue of how they fit on my feet, and is not a widespread issue. No other reviews that I have seen have mentioned this, but it is important to be aware of none the less.

That said however, it is easy to recommend these shoes. They are so comfortable in every other way that it is almost as if I'm going barefoot when I have them on. Their unusual design illicit comments and questions too, so don't be surprised if others ask you about them when you wear them out in public.

The Keen Uneek is available in six different color schemes and carry a price tag of $100. If you're in the market for a comfortable, lightweight, and unusual shoe, this one will certainly fill those needs very nicely.

Gear Closet: Jambu Bedrock Hiking Shoes

It never ceases to amaze me the number of footwear companies that are producing excellent shoes for use both on and off the trail. Take Jambu for instance, a company that I knew was out there, but until recently I had never gotten the chance to try out any of their shoes. But recently I had the opportunity to put their brand new Bedrock hiking shoe to the test, and came away extremely impressed.

The first think that struck me about the Bedrock shoes was how they didn't really look like a hiker at first glance. In fact, it would be easy to mistake them for a casual loafer if you didn't look closely. This gives them the ability to be equally at home on the trail as they are running around town, a level of versatility that I personally appreciate both while I'm at home, or traveling abroad.

The Bedrocks have a nicely understated design that doesn't make them appear overly flashy in any way, yet they still look stylish and attractive. They have a classic look about them that allows them to be worn with your typical hiking gear, or with casual clothes while out on the town with friends. As someone who likes to travel light, I truly appreciate their ascetic, as they can easily pull double-duty on any trip.


I have to admit that I wasn't enthralled with these shoes right from the start. While they looked good out of the box, when I put them on my feet I found them to be overly stiff, and a bit uncomfortable. But over the course of a couple of days I wore them around the house, gradually breaking them in a bit more. It wasn't long before they felt great on my feet however, and I started wearing them everywhere. I've read other reviews online that indicate that there is no break-in period required with the Bedrocks, but in my case it took a little time. Just keep this in mind when you're trying out these shoes for the first time, in case your experience is closer to mine.

In terms of performance, the Bedrock delivers everything you would expect out of a light hiking shoe. It has a waterproof upper made from nubuck leather that keeps your feet well protect from moisture. It also breathes well too, although I did find my feet getting a little warmer as spring temperatures rose.

The shoe also features what Jambu calls its Hypergrip soles that are designed to provide good traction on a wide variety of surfaces, both wet and dry. I can attest to how well the shoe holds its grip as I've used them on everything from pavement with snow and ice, to muddy, rocky trails slick from recent rainfall. The Bedrock provided sure-footing no matter where I took them, and I was continually impressed with their performance on any terrain that I used them on.

As mentioned above, it took a few days of wearing the shoes before my feet got completely comfortable in them, but once they did these I found that they were amongst the most comfortable hiking shoes I've ever worn. The footpads provide plenty of cushioning, and at the end of the day your feet and legs still feel refreshed and strong. In fact, I was never in any hurry to get these shoes off, which is something I can't say about every hiking boot I've ever put on.

Considering the level of performance they deliver, the Bedrock shoes are also quite light. They tip the scales at just 5.6 oz, which is surprisingly light for everything they offer. I appreciate their lack of weight as well, as once again it comes in handy when packing for a long trip.

Jambu has priced the Bedrocks at $129, which makes them a real bargain as far as I'm concerned. I've tested shoes that cost twice that much and weren't nearly as comfortable nor offered as good of performance.

If you're looking for a new shoe for spring adventures, than look no further than the Bedrock from Jambu. They look great, are very comfortable, and are versatile enough for both trail and town. They just might become your new favorite shoes that you'll want to wear everyday.