Chaco Size Chart: US, UK, EU and JPN Sizes for Men, Women and Kids

Choosing a Chaco size is not like choosing a sneaker size. Chaco’s own sizing guide says to get the arch in the right place first and adjust the straps afterward, and that if you are a half size you should go up to the next whole size, because the Z/ sandals come in whole sizes only. Its charts include half sizes, but the product pages we read for the Z/2 and the Lowdown list whole sizes only. This guide gives Chaco’s men’s, women’s and kids’ size charts in US, UK, EU and JPN, then covers the parts that actually decide fit in a strapped sandal: the footbed and its width, which strap style to pick, how Chaco says to break them in, and what its return pages do and do not promise.

Fit the Arch First, Then Everything Else

Chaco’s sizing advice is built around one idea: the arch support in the footbed should sit under your arch, and the straps are then adjusted to hold your foot there. That is the reverse of how most people shop for sandals, where size and strap tightness are chosen together. It is why the first question is not “what size am I?” but “does my arch land on the arch support?”

Three things follow. If your feet differ in size, Chaco says to size for the larger foot so it sits fully on the footbed. Your whole foot should sit on the footbed, and if it hangs over the edge, the guide suggests a wide footbed. And if you have flat feet and feel arch discomfort, Chaco directs you to the lower-profile Z/Volv or the cushioned Z/Cloud. Everything else in this guide depends on getting those basics right.

Chaco Men’s Size Chart (US, UK, EU, JPN)

Chaco’s men’s chart runs from US 7 to 15. It lists half sizes up to 13, then whole sizes 14 and 15. Most Chaco sandal product pages we read sell whole sizes only, so use the half size rows mainly to convert from another brand. For the general men’s scale, see our men’s shoe size chart.

Source: Chaco men’s footwear size chart.

Chaco Women’s Size Chart (US, UK, EU, JPN)

Chaco’s women’s chart runs from US 5 to 12, with half sizes up to 11 and then 12. The wide footbed styles on Chaco’s site list sizes 5 through 12. For the general women’s scale, see our women’s shoe size chart.

Source: Chaco combined size chart page, women’s table. The page does not label its three tables, so the women’s table is identified by its position and values.

Half Sizes: What the Chart Shows and What You Can Buy

This is the point that confuses most buyers. Chaco’s charts list half sizes, but Chaco’s sizing guide says that if you are a half size, go up to the next whole size, because Z/ sandals come only in full sizes. The product pages agree. The men’s Z/2 Adjustable Strap Classic lists whole sizes 7 through 15, and the Lowdown lists whole sizes 7 through 15 too, with a note that the size guide includes half sizes that are not offered as options.

So when you are between sizes, the rule is to go up. As general advice, not Chaco’s wording: a footbed that is too short leaves your heel hanging off the back and puts the arch support too far forward, while the straps can take up some of the slack in a footbed that is slightly long. Chaco adds that if you are unsure, try your first pair in person at a retailer, and if you cannot, size up from a half size.

Wide Footbeds and Narrow Feet

Chaco’s approach to width is different from most brands. It does not sell a letter-width range. Instead, selected styles come in a wide footbed, labeled “Wide” on its site. Its wide-width page listed 27 styles, 19 women’s and 8 men’s, in sizes 5 through 12 plus one size, across Z/Classic, Custom and Z/Cloud. The page gave no measurements for the wide footbed and no guidance on how to tell whether you need it.

The sizing guide does give a simple test: make sure your whole foot is on the footbed. If it hangs over the edge, a wide footbed may be the better choice. It also says there are no double-wide footbeds, and no dedicated footbed for narrow feet. For narrow feet, Chaco says the adjustable, wrap-around straps work well. Because the product pages we read for the Z/2 and the Lowdown list only the Medium width, check the width option on the product page before you order.

Source: Chaco sizing guide and wide-width page.

Choosing a Strap Style Affects Fit More Than Half a Size

In a strapped sandal, the strap style changes how the same footbed feels. Chaco’s guide compares the three.

Source: Chaco sizing guide.

The detail that matters for sizing is toe tightening. Chaco says the strap over the big toe can tighten unintentionally while walking, depending largely on your gait, and that people with high arches or insteps should choose Z/1 styles to avoid it. If it happens, Chaco says it can be fixed free through its ReChaco repair service. Extra strap length can be tucked around the heel leash or shortened through ReChaco.

How Chaco Says to Break In a New Pair

Chaco’s break-in advice is more specific than most. First, watch the fit tutorial and set the strap adjustments before you wear them out. Then wear the sandals a few hours a day over one to two weeks. For a trip, allow a two to three week break-in. Chacos should not cause arch pain once broken in, and persistent discomfort is a reason to contact customer service. One warning: do not bake them in an oven, since heat can dissolve the adhesive between the outsole and footbed.

After washing, the straps may need refitting. Chaco points to its fit tutorial videos and to retailers for help. That is worth knowing if you plan to wear them in water, since a wet strap can sit differently from a dry one.

Chaco Kids’ Size Chart

Chaco’s kids’ chart runs from US 10 to US 6. The UK column continues past 12 and 13 into 13.5, 1, 1.5 and so on, which is how the page shows it, with no explanation, so we show it as published. The page gives no age guidance and no width information.

Source: Chaco kids’ footwear size chart.

Measure your child’s longer foot standing, and check the fit with the straps adjusted. For general kids’ conversions, see our kids’ shoe size chart.

Returns, Exchanges and the Fine Print

Chaco’s size pages repeat a return note: if it does not fit, return it within 30 days, as long as it is unworn, unwashed and unaltered, and custom MyChacos sandals are not returnable. The product pages we read add a fit guarantee: free exchanges, always. But they also carry a banner saying that sizes and colors on sale items are limited and cannot be exchanged or returned, and the pages do not say whether the banner applies to that product. If you are buying a discounted pair, confirm the policy before you order.

Comparing Chaco With Other Sandals

Because Chaco’s fit starts with the footbed, compare it with other sandals by foot length rather than size number. If you wear Teva, Birkenstock, Crocs or KEEN, do not copy that size across. Measure your longer foot, check where your arch sits, and compare with the footbed.

Chaco Sizing: Your Questions Answered

A Short Routine for Choosing Your Chaco Size

Choosing a Chaco size is mostly about the footbed. Check where your arch lands, go up to the next whole size if you are a half size, choose the strap style that matches your foot, and give the sandals a one to two week break-in before you decide.

More Sandal and Outdoor Size Guides

Sources

• Chaco combined size chart
• Chaco men’s size chart
• Chaco kids’ size chart
• Chaco sizing guide
• Chaco wide-width sandals
• Chaco Z/2 Adjustable Strap Classic
• Chaco Lowdown Sandal