Chaco's Jaeger light hikers are great for knocking around the geyser basins of Yellowstone National Park or going to dinner at Lake Hotel/Kurt Repanshek

Footwear is key to any national park visit, even if you're trip involves water. Today we're sticking to the land, though, with two pairs of shoes from Chaco that can make your feet comfortable whether you're touring Glacier National Park in Montana or Wright Brothers National Memorial in North Carolina.

We're not talking about mid- or heavyweight hiking boots, but rather a light hiker that looks, and feels, great whether you're walking the boardwalks in Yellowstone National Park's geyser basins or heading to dinner in The Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park, and a more casual shoe you can slip on after you've finished your three-day backpack trek through North Cascades National Park and want something that lets your dogs breath a little better.

The light hiker is Chaco's Jaeger (MSRP $98-$140), a clean-looking ankle-cut boot that features a waterproof, full-grain leather upper, topped by a textile lining around the collar that adds a little stylish flair. Not only are these boots good looking, but they're light and pliable enough to fit well the first time you stick your feet into them. The fit is close, close to the point that if you like a little room to squirm your toes around you might order a half-size up. 

You probably wouldn't want to hoist a 30-pound pack on your back and head off down the trail with Jaegers on your feet, but they can handle day hiking and a night out on the town. 

The Zealander is a good looking casual shoe to slip into after your backpacking trek in the parks/Patrick Cone

Now, for hanging around the lodge or easy walking conditions, the Zealander (MSRP $84-$120), also from Chaco, is a nice option. These look like they descended from clogs, but with a tighter fit, one that won't come off your foot as you're walking up, and around, the memorial at Wright Brothers National Memorial. What caught me was their look -- the fool-grain leather shoe with a stitched wool collar looks both rugged and rustic, a great fit for a log cabin...or going to dinner in Jackson, Wyoming. The sole, as with the Jaegers, is a 15 percent recycled rubber that won't mark up your floors at home.

The Zealanders do seem cut on the small side. I normally wear 11s, and the Zealanders in that size were uncomfortably small. Initially the 11.5s seemed overly tight, too, but that was right out of the box. Having worn them for a few weeks they've soften up a a bit and fit great. The heel cup is virtually non-existent, just high enough to grab your foot's heel to keep the shoe on your foot.