Chacos. I’m sure you all have seen them. They’re comfortable, practical, and will go with almost any norts and t-shirt combo.

While they are slowly creeping their way into the spot of the newest fashion trend, there are still a lot of opposing opinions about this trend. Some see Chacos as the super cool replacement to your everyday Nike Frees, while there is still a vast population that  consider them to a horrendous descendent of Crocs. After speaking to a random selection of University of Florida students, there were a lot of comments for and some against this new fashion trend.

Before I continue, I would like to warn Chaco enthusiasts that some of the comments made in this article may not be what you want to hear. If you would like to continue loving your fellow classmates, I would suggest skipping the next paragraph. Now that I got that out of the way, let’s get into some cons. 

After posting in some groups on Facebook, and asking people around campus how they felt about this new statement in footwear, I was surprised to see that a decent amount of the responses were rather negative. Briana McNeil, junior, simply stated, "Ew." The only specific cons people really come up with are based on physical appearance. For example, junior Mackenzie Kushner, said Chacos, “look like grandpa sandals.” With their multi-colored straps and their ability to give awkward tan lines, the select population who refuse to join this trend have their choice words, but none of these comments really have anything to do with their physical use. So, to summarize the range of negative comments, the only thing really impractical about these shoes is their awkward appearance.                

Once you look past the style and appearance of Chacos, this footwear is actually really practical and could become quite trendy. According to sophomore Rebecca Sacks, Chacos are “comfy, waterproof, good for hiking, and a cooler alternative to rain boots.” Pair them with some Nike shorts and a baggy t-shirt and you are prepared for almost anything the unpredictable Gainesville weather has to offer.

Sophomore Lindsay Brock says she likes Chacos because "there are so many different pairs to choose from and they can last for years... they're very versatile." The variety and options for these shoes are endless: do you want Tiffany blue soles? They have it. Don’t like the straps you currently have on? You can change them. Starting out as Gecko Sandals in 1984, these shoes have been keeping people “Fit for Adventure” for years.                

Whether you like Chacos or not, it looks to me like they are basically here to stay. When weighing the pros and cons, it is really hard to say if there is any real reason not to purchase a pair, besides the price -- ranging from $80 to $110 online -- or just the fact that they aren’t your style.

There will always be someone out there hating on your style, whether you like Chacos or not. So keep on doing you. These shoes are comfortable, practical, and can be used for a lot of different activities. They may not be the hottest looking thing out there, but no one is forcing you to wear them.