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Hybrid Heaven: The Chaco OutCross Evo 3

posted by gumptiongear May 19, 2015 0 comments

DSC_1720“The key to adventure whether it be dancing, sports or travel: throw yourself into it with rambunctious enthusiasm and zealous energy-which leads toward uncommon passion for living.” – Frosty Wooldridge

Designed with your zealous energy and big adventure list in mind, the Chaco OutCross Evo 3 is ready to accommodate your uncommon passion for an adventurous life.

On Performance and Design…
The new Chaco Outcross Evo collection mirrors Chaco’s own evolution from its first forays into river rafting sandals into a product mix featuring a full line of casual and active footwear for men and women. While water savvy, the rugged design and printed mud guard of the OutCross Evo 3 make it the most trail-oriented of the OutCross family, giving you the option to venture onto land and further from the shoreline.

Chaco

During our time with these hybrid wunderkicks, we cranked out the miles and racked up the adventures. Whether our agenda involved treks along the river’s edge, short hikes around the cabin, or all-day missions through the soggy trails of the Santa Cruz Mountains, the OutCross Evo 3 proved that it had more than enough grit and moxie to protect and cushion our feet.

IMG_7784A nylon shank offers a level of stability and durability that your summer flips can’t touch. Meanwhile, barefoot construction and Aegis odor shield means the OutCross Evo 3 can be worn with or without socks, and a mesh-lined upper with open sidewall construction let your feet breathe and dry easily.

The Chaco OutCross Evo3

As with all Chaco footwear, the OutCross Evo3 features Chaco’s LUVSEAT™ footbed that is certified by the American Podiatric Medical Association for optimum comfort and a properly supported stride. Translation: You get all-day comfort and support no matter where the trail may lead.

The Chaco OutCross Evo3

Of course no adventure is worthwhile if your trail time is spent mimicking the first steps of a newborn fawn. So underfoot, the OutCross Evo3 features the proprietary EcoTread™ sole.  Made from 25% recycled rubber, the EcoTread™ sole merges high-traction with eco-function putting your soul at peace with Mother Nature while ensuring that every step feels secure.

Notes from the Field…
The OutCross Evo 3 isn’t an aggressive hiker designed for gobbling up summits. Nor is it a nimble-minded trail runner ready for long miles of ever-changing terrain. Rather, the OutCross Evo 3 fits somewhere in the middle of the spectrum offering you a highly capable adventure shoe that is down for narrow slot canyons, rough portages, and rock-strewn trails.

We know that your eco-friendly heart will feel good about the EcoTread sole, but there is yet another reason for you to love this outsole. Understanding that not every moment of life is spent taking the path less traveled, Chaco designed the outsole so it never felt bulky or clunky when traversing the road to the trailhead or criss-crossing slick mountain tavern floors. Every step consistently felt smooth, steady and secure.

Bottom Line…
Land, water, or a little mix of both, the Chaco OutCross Evo 3 is trail-tested, town-approved and travel-ready.

*Gumption Gear Review received the product samples featured in this review from Chaco Footwear. The items featured were provided solely in exchange for testing the products and providing our honest views and opinions. We received no other form of compensation for this or any related review.