Advnture Verdict
The Torrent isn’t the most versatile hiker I’ve worn, but it’s a great shoe for warm weather wet hikes and multisport adventures that involve water.
Pros
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Made to be submerged
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Quick-draining & quick drying
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Vegan friendly
Cons
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No shank leaves feet vulnerable to sharp rocks
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Shallow lugs struggle with mud
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Chaco Torrent Pro: first impressions
Developed for the US Men's White Water Rafting team, the Chaco Torrent Pro is a great meshy shoe with bungee laces, perfect for transitioning from kayak or paddleboard to hiking trail, or for treks with lots of river and stream crossings. That’s why you’ll find us recommending them in our rundown of the best water shoes.
The Torrent’s mesh upper gets support from welded and stitched overlays tied into the lacing. The body of the shoe drains through the knitted polyester mesh and drainage ports in the toe bumper. Drainage ports where the midsole meets the sole also channel water away from your foot.
• RRP: $100 (US) / £70 (UK)
• Weight: 213g / 7.5oz
• Materials: Knitted polyester upper, LUVSEAT EVR midsole, ChacoGrip Plus rubber compound outsole
• Colors: Black / Cerulean / Cinnabar / Gray / Lichen / Navy
• Compatibility: A great shoe for warm-weather wet hikes and multisport adventures involving water
On the trails (and in the water)
Chaco’s gender-specific midsole makes the Torrent also a great day hiker, not just another water shoe. The dual-density midsole also has a supportive arch. It’s bonded to a non-marking sole that helped me stick each step when I was scrambling up wet rocks on a streambed trail, though the shallow 3mm lugs made it less suited to mud.
There is no insole. An insole would interfere with drainage. Instead, Chaco uses a layer of mesh between foot and midsole that was comfortable whether or not I was hiking in socks or barefoot. Still, you may find our articles on how to prevent blisters and how to stop chafing useful, just in case.
The Torrent’s laces tighten with a plastic slider, and extra lace tucked into an elastic loop on the tongue. So these were fast to get on and off, and when they got sand or debris inside, I could dump them, rinse them, and put them back on in a flash.
