Like previous years, outdoor footwear brand Chaco has hit the road with its vintage school bus.Photo: Courtesy of Chaco
The annual Chaco for Life Tour started in Portland, Ore., in May and will end in Madison, Wis., July 21. Like other years, the mobile tour features hands-on activities, product launches, and on-site repairs. Participants have the chance to customize a pair of sandals as well as repair their Chacos through the ReChaco program, an initiative that’s designed to reduce the company's environmental impact.
In 2024, the brand also celebrates its 35th birthday, a “moment that embodies our brand's core philosophy—creating sandals that are not just built to last but crafted for a life well lived, as we are known for our resilience to withstand the test of time,” said Chaco’s senior brand director, Jon Golub.
New this year, as part of the summerlong tour, the brand will host a wedding in Denver later this month, where couples will be able to get married in their Chacos with other Chaco enthusiasts (the brand's community is known as Chaco Nation). The brand invited 35 couples—in honor of the brand’s 35th birthday—to tie the knot or renew their vows alongside the Poudre River.
But why a wedding?
“Chacos are made for life, so why not celebrate one of life’s greatest adventures with a wedding?” Golub asked. “We hear about so many lifelong memories being made in Chacos, receive hundreds of wedding invites each year, and are tagged in countless photos of Chaco Nation getting married in their sandals. It only made sense to host a wedding.”
Chaco will supply the venue (Mishawaka Amphitheater in Bellvue, Colo.), the entertainment, the officiant, a toast, and the photographer. There are two group ceremonies with performances by Tall Tall Trees and DJ Neon Brown. The Chaco for Life Tour mobile factory will also be on site for those who want to create a special pair of Chacos for the moment. Free tickets are available for those who want to attend as a wedding guest.
When planning this year’s tour stops, Golub said the brand selected a mix of both new test markets and high-performing markets that were included on past tours. In addition to offering customers a chance to customize and repair their sandals, this month, at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, which takes place June 20-23, the brand will have an exclusive webbing launch. And throughout the tour, other brands including Boxed Water, Gregory, and Vacation Sunscreen have also given out goodies at select stops.
Keep scrolling to see more from the Chaco for Life Tour, past and present...
