Chaco Pitkin in Chocolate Nubuck Review

FlashBack Friday

As a true fan of Chaco sandals, you can imagine my excitement when our Chaco rep, Jackson, said that Chaco was introducing enclosed hiking shoes/boots made in Italy. These shoes/boots made their debut in 2003 and I fell head over heels for the Pitkin shoe in chocolate nubuck!

These gems are constructed from a single piece of 3mm waterproofed nubuck leather. Single piece leather construction is an art form and renowned for its' comfort and water resistance. There is only one seam on each shoe (as shown>>>)meaning less chance for water to get in and less chance of your tender tootsies rubbing against rough stitching. In fact, the leather lining is supple and the ankle collar is wonderfully padded. I love their smooth lines and the “hand” or feel of the leather is that of supreme quality. Chaco sandals were known for their excellent arch support and the Pitkin boasts a remarkable amount of support delivered by a firm anatomical, removable footbed—supported by the arch friendly shape of the midsole. The outsole offers my favorite stride—one that only a rocker bottom can deliver.

The Pitkin and I hit the trails with vigor. I am usually a fan of having the support of a full boot but was totally impressed by how stable I felt without giving up nimbleness. I enjoyed more than one hike to “the bat caves” near Bellingham, Wa where the terrain offered every challenge to my beloved new shoes. We encountered slippery moss without falling, loose talus, steep inclines and declines, thick mud, a rocky stream, tight rock crevices and not once did I feel a moment of doubt or hesitation from my Pitkins. I even found the soles firm enough to warrant carrying a pack so they became my favorite hiking shoes.

I do have to say that their soles labeled “Lince” did not have longevity to match their performance. Chacos are known for their durability and perhaps that is why this particular model didn't stick around long. I give Chacos kudos for recognizing this and they are now producing shoes and boots that do live up to “Chaco Standards”. My particular pair of Pitkins have held up fairly well and I may get them resoled as the uppers are still in superb condition. And I still love wearing them.

On the off chance you wear a women's size 7 or 9.5 medium, you can nab a pair of Pitkins from birkenstocksd.com or ebay.com....otherwise you will just have to admire mine. But the show/shoe must always go on, so I encourage you to visit your local Chaco Retailer and try on what's new. Also, check out chacousa.com for the latest and greatest.

Fitting Notes:

U.S. whole and half sizing. Some would say the Pitkin runs long but that is appropriate for hiking footwear. You want to have some space ahead of your toes for the forward shifting that happens on steep declines. I have a size 8 and find that I appreciate the room up front. My thick, cushy hiking socks keep me feeling secure in the shoe. These are medium width shoes and have removable footbeds, making the Pitkin a very orthotic friendly shoe—particularly if you have thick, full-length orthoses and/or need awesome stability.

P.S. A special thanks to Amy and the crew at “Re-Chaco” for hunting down the details of the name and release date of my Chacos. Call them anytime with any question and enjoy the enthusiasm that comes from their soles:)