Chaco Mara Waterproof Boot Review
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Chaco’s Mara Waterproof Boot is quickly becoming my favorite boot this fall. The Mara is extremely comfortable and it’s easy to wear these boots all day long without even thinking about what is on your feet. In order to get the comfort you expect from a Chaco product, they have incorporated the LuvSeat platform into these boots, which means they are sleeker and less bulky than previous platforms (what most of Chaco’s newer shoes/sandals/flips have been utilizing). The LuvSeat provides plenty of arch support for all day use, something that is often missing from a casual boot.
As mentioned above, comfort and fit are where these boots really excel. To achieve this, the Mara’s also feature an adjustable instep strap with a buckle closure on the outside. I loved this feature because it allows you to get a custom-cinched down-kind of fit that is important when you are going to be walking a lot. For those of you with a narrower foot, like me, I simply added one extra hole to the strap and the fit was perfect; no more sloshing around like many other boots I have tried.
The Mara’s also include double goring, or two elasticized panels that allow for increased flexibility of the boot. These panels are placed on the outside and inside aspects of the ankle, as featured in the photo below. The goring allows the boot to move with you from day one, without a lot of break in period with the leather and also allows you to tuck your skinny jeans in with ease. Getting the Mara’s on and off is also super easy thanks to a full length zipper featured on the medial or inside portion of the boot.
The Mara Waterproof Boots ran true to size and I wear the same in boots, flops, and sandals with Chaco. The Mara’s are available in half sizes from 5-11 and also size 12.
I was so impressed with the fit and comfort of these boots, that I nearly overlooked an additional feature, which is included in the name of this product. The Mara’s are waterproof as well! Wearing these on a rainy or snowy day should not make you nervous, rather this is what they were designed for. The seamless transition from the rich and soft full grain leather upper to the outsole has kept my feet dry during the early season snow. The Mara’s include Chaco’s EcoTread™ recycled rubber outsole which provides plenty of sticky traction while allowing for a close to ground feel. As for warmth, they are not insulated, but due to their close fitting construction, my toes have stayed toasty when the temperatures have dropped below freezing.
The Mara Waterproof Boot is available in three different colors: Mocha Bisque, Chocolate Brown, and Black. I tested out the Mocha Bisque, which is a tad bit more “orange” than your traditional tan. I actually really liked the color, as it is different than your basic brown. The leather does soften with wear, and marks and scuffs do appear and show a bit more on this lighter shade. As an outdoor enthusiast, I don’t mind if my things look well used and loved, and haven’t minded the minor flaws that tend to pop up with full grain leather products.
The Mara’s have been great so far this fall and I look forward to using them next month on a trip to Europe, where they will be put to the test of icy cobblestone streets!
For more info on the Mara Waterproof Boot and other Chaco footwear, visit www.chaco.com or www.amazon.com/chaco.
