Chaco Yonder Boots Review

Making of the Chaco Yonder
Boot Upper



Yonder boot lining
The Yonder’s upper has a fabric lining which keeps the inside of the boot from rubbing your socks and feet raw. This fabric allows the boot to create a nice connection with the sock that doesn’t slide too much which can cause blisters. While wearing these boots for around the office, the Yonder boots are comfortable. When wearing these boots for a long day of walking, I found the boots to create hot spots around the ankle and the heel of the foot. I never actually got a blister of this, but this is a point of concern to me.

Boot padding above the ankle
The fit above the ankle is great due to a extra padding and a lace-up system that does a good job of snugging the boot above the ankle. The toe box of the Yonder has enough room for people with normal width feet. If you have super wide or narrow feet, you may need to look for a different boot. One of my feet has a normal width and one has a semi wide width and I found the boot to fit both feet nicely.
Boot Midsole and Outsole

Chaco LUVSEAT Insole
As mentioned above, the Chaco LUVSEAT Footbed has been a product feature the brand has spread throughout the Chaco line. Most companies put in a cheap insole into their boots with the expectation that most people will replace the footbed with a nicer footbed from brands like Superfeet. While I love Superfeet insoles, it’s nice to get a shoe or boot and not have to pay extra money to switch out the insole. If you spend a lot of time on your feet, a supportive footbed such as the Chaco LUVSEAT can make a world of difference.

Non Marking Rubber

ChacoGrip Ousole
The outsole of the Chaco Yonder is made with non-marking ChacoGrip rubber in a block format. Part of this design is for style and part of it’s for traction in the snow. In most snowy conditions the outsole will provide plenty of traction. If you get into icy conditions, the outsole doesn’t provide you a lot of help. Currently, there is only one outsole material on the market that really gives you real traction, Vibram IceTrek. In dry conditions, the ChacoGrip rubber does a great job of providing excellent traction.
Final Thoughts
With a price point of $190, I expect more out of a casual boot. I think the area around the ankle needs some work to make it a boot you will want to use for a full day of use and walking. There is about this boot that lives in the positive category, but without a good fit, I can’t say I would recommend the Chaco Yonder Boot. Visit Chacousa.com for more information.