Introduction: Vibram Huarache Running / Hiking Sandals
Step 1: Tracing Feet on Paper
1. Hold pen or pencil perpendicular to paper and trace along the edge of your foot.
(Tip) Try not to bump into your ankles.
2. Mark just in front of where your ankle bone for side hole placement on your sandal.
3. Mark the beginning of the gap between your big toe and second toe (holding pencil perpendicular to paper). This mark will be where you make the thong strap hole.
Step 2: Determining Sandal Shape
1. Once finished tracing your feet go back and add buffer zones - to add material to the sandal edges. Create and draw in the final sandal shape that you will ultimately use with a dotted line.
Tips for creating a good sandal shape from your foot tracing:
- Have buffer area in front of your toes.
- Cut out and exclude some of the arch area where you do need extra material.
- Exclude foot features that do not actually touch the ground (e.g. bunions).
- Keep sandal heel wide enough for side holes and straps
Step 3: Cutting Out Tracing and Transferring to Sole Material
Cutting out Paper Sandal Ouline
1. Cut closely along the dotted line you created in the last step. Be sure to keep the tracing facing up so you don't accidentally make two right feet!
Transferring to Rubber
1. Use the cut out paper sandal outline and transfer it's shape to the side of rubber sole that will be contacting your foot.
2. Hold paper outline firmly on rubber soling material.
3. Work your way around the perimeter of paper sandal while marking the rubber soling material with chalk.
4. Mark both ankle hole locations and use a pen to punch through paper to mark the thong strap hole.
Step 4: Cutting Out Soling and Punching Holes
Cut out your sandals
Tips: STAY SAFE! (Never cut towards fingers)
There are many ways to cut soling. Keep in mind that denser rubber soles will be more difficult to cut. Be sure to take your time and stay safe!
1. Use a box cutter or pair of scissors to cut out your sandals. Slowly cut along the center of your chalk line.
Punching Lacing Holes
1. Use hammer and 4mm hole punch to punch out holes.
2. Punch out thong strap hole directly on marked dot.
3. Punch out side holes in about 1 cm from the edge of the sandal. This centimeter buffer is important for making sure the lacing doesn't tear through your rubber sole material. For larger feet error on the side of adding more than 1 cm buffer.
Step 5: Smoothing the Rough Edges
Making them Look Pretty
Trimming
1. Flip sandal over with tread facing up.
2. Use box cutter to trim out bumps and smooth out edges.
Sanding
1. Buff out any lingering bumps and blemishes along sandal edge with sand paper.
Step 6: Lacing
Lacing Nylon Paracord
1. Tie one simple overhand knot at end of cord. Pull it tight.
2. Follow steps in photos for lacing.
Step 7:
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40 Comments
8 years ago on Introduction
8 years ago on Step 7
Great instructable. Great photos, great step-by-step. Nice work!
9 years ago on Step 7
Rockin, Awesome! :-)
Well done on the tying vid. now I get it.
Slim
10 years ago on Introduction
Without getting too anatomical, my Tevas fit wrong. They rub my little toe causing a blister rather than hitting back at the joint. But these are the most comfortable water shoes I've ever had. They have a very firm and durable sole and a very soft and durable upper sole. It would seem this layered approach would work just as easily as your minimalist approach...if I could find the soft sole material. Do you have any thoughts on making less minimal shoes?
10 years ago on Introduction
Could I just use the sole of some old Teva Flip-Flops?
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
Yes you can. With a thicker and heavier sole, however, you should either double-up on the paracord or use a thicker lace for better support.
10 years ago on Introduction
Excellent tutorial. Makes me believe I could do this if I tried. Thanks!
10 years ago
very nice dising , in mexico is usual the huarache sole made of tire (huarache de llanta) they long for ever
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
Tires are great too! Just not as comfortable as vibram sole
10 years ago
These are comfortable, I presume?
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
Super minimal, Super comfortable. Vibram material works very nicely.
10 years ago on Introduction
About how long does the paracord last? I guess that would also depend on the type of terrain you'd be running on, but typically, how long do they last for you? I can't imagine they'd last very long on concrete.
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
The paracord will lift up on the sides as there's tension there. The amount which that will lift above the ground depends on how tightly you lace your sandals. Military paracord is a well made material and can take wear and tear.
The knot below the thong strap will wear down after 30-100 running miles depending on terrain. It can be re-tied once worn through. Countersink the knot into the rubber for longer lasting power.
10 years ago on Step 5
If you wrap the sandpaper around a piece of wood it would work better and you wouldn't need to trim the bumps around the edge with the knife.
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
This Vibram material is foamy and can be more difficult to sand. A power sander works great.
10 years ago on Introduction
Instead of leaving a knot exposed under the sole where it can be worn off, why not use a shank button to anchor it underneath. Like this: http://www.etsy.com/listing/62310060/set-of-6-antique-silver-15mm-flat-blank Not my site, btw. Just an idea. Cool project!
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
Cool idea!
10 years ago on Step 7
Where to you get the Vibram sheets?
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
Vibram and Birkenstock Sheets available on our site http://www.diyfootwear.com/
10 years ago on Introduction
Very good presentation. I'm often 'biting my tongue' not criticizing other people's grammar/spelling. Well laid out text, nice emphasis on the beginning, no errors to trip over.
And minimal shoeing is a worthy effort; by switching to 'boat shoes' I resolved some knee problems in a week.