Review: Chaco Ramble Puffs Might Be the Best Outdoor Slippers Ever
I am obsessed with my Chaco Ramble Puff slippers. Maybe even more so than my Chaco sandals.
And I seriously love me a Z-tan, so that’s saying something. However, I’m also a devotee of backcountry comfort. An emissary of outdoorsy luxe, if you will. A sentinel for the snuggly. A curator of the cozy. I simply love having slippers on my flippers.
I added the Chaco Ramble Puff to my camp kit this past summer, and I haven’t looked back. The fleece slipper boasts a couple of features I haven’t had in slippers before, and they’ve made a big impact on my oft-outside lifestyle.
Read on for why you should add the Chaco Ramble Puff to your flock of fluffy footwear.
What Is the Chaco Ramble Puff?
The Chaco Ramble Puff ($80) is a slipper intended to keep feet warm in downtime. There are a few options within the Ramble family, and they’re available for both men and women. The Ramble Puff and Ramble Puff Cinch ($75) feature water-resistant ripstop nylon with a quilted outer that looks slick.
The difference between the two (see above) is that the Puff simply has a buckle strap similar to Chaco sandals. And the Cinch, well, cinches up. It also boasts a lower profile if that’s what you’re looking for.
There’s also the Ramble Fluff ($80). This slipper ditches the ripstop nylon for very on-trend, higher-pile fleece that’s everywhere right now. Translation: very, very cute.
Here’s the defining trait of the Ramble family: they ramble. In other words, they’re outdoors-capable. The EVR outsole on each version remains the same. Unlike most slippers, this sole wraps up the side of the shoes and has an extra suede-like bumper layer of protection sewn into the ripstop nylon or fleece.
The fleece interior buffers your feet with Chaco’s proprietary LUVSEAT footbed for support. And each design makes for a one-handed, easy-on, easy-off practical application.
The Chaco Ramble Puff in First-Look River Action
Boy howdy. The Chaco Ramble Puff arrived on my doorstep just in time for a 44-mile float down the Gates of Lodore on the Green River. They’re wildly light — airy almost — and they smashed down just fine in my dry bag.
These were the gear hit of the trip. As the nights cooled and we switched from sandals to shoes, I donned the Puffs, and my tripmates were smitten. I was worried I’d ruin them in wet and sandy conditions, but hey. This is gear testing. And I aim to please.
They passed with flying colors. Sand knocked easily out of the low-pile interior fleece. The DWR resistance of the slippers proved true. And the grippy outdoors-worthy sole is just a delight when moving around various kinds of country.
On top of the performance, my feet stayed warm. I can’t sleep if I have cold feet; it’s a lifelong issue. And I was a bit worried about the cool nights. The Ramble Puffs performed at every level. My feet stayed warm and protected. And I didn’t need to worry about the integrity of the slippers.
Oops: I Wore Them to Town
With so much cavorting back and forth between cabins, I’m in either my Women’s Lowdown Sandal when it’s hot or the Ramble Puff when it’s cool.
I wear them so often and without notice that I looked down in the grocery store and realized I’d forgotten to change out of them. I was in slippers in public. But they’re slick-looking with the quilted exterior. And honestly, they look pretty great with a pair of jeans. If anyone were to notice, they’d likely just compliment them.
Honestly, I’ve had so many folks ask me what they were, between the river, the cabin, and a recent archery elk camp. I’ve taken them off to hand them to folks multiple times to point out the cozy interior, the unbelievable lightness, and the sturdiness of this slipper.
I see this as being a ubiquitous piece for anyone who spends a lot of time outdoors, be it river guides, outdoors enthusiasts, hunters, or just anyone who wants a durable slipper.
Final Thoughts on the Ramble Family
Do I want one of each? Yeah, I do.
My experience with high-pile fleece tells me that the quilted version is likely the most durable, easy to care for, and long-lasting. But man, the Ramble Fluff is cute. I love that all options are available for any gender. And the colors are fun and on-trend.
What could change about the Puffs? Well, the price point is higher than my frugal self likes. But they’re way more affordable than other slippers I’ve worn — mainly Haflingers and UGGs — and they have a more complete application. So I might be wrong there.
If I had one wish, it would be for a taller, pull-on version of the Ramble Puff, similar to a short boot. The mid-ankle height of the Puff does allow for a bit of debris to enter when mildly cavorting about the outdoors.
The other thing I’ll add is that a reviewer was disappointed that they ordered up a half-size per Chaco’s instructions. These run absolutely true-to-size for me with room to spare, and the low-pile fleece doesn’t add a ton of fluff. My advice? Order your true size.
But in reality, this slipper is as perfect as it gets. I’m wearing them right now. And likely, they’ll be my most worn piece of footwear through fall and winter. I’m looking forward to having them in hunting camps, though I don’t think they’ll be tackling snow.
PS: The Holidays Draw Near, and the Ramble Is a Win
I’ll add that my entire family has made it clear that they’re expecting them for Christmas. I guess my list is made.
TL;DR? Buy the Ramble that suits your lifestyle best — for you and everyone you know.
You’ll accidentally wear them to town too. And they’ll hold up to it many times over.
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