Some people who shop for sandals settle for what looks good on their feet instead of how the sandals feel. The same is true with people who sacrifice style for comfort. Choosing footwear for any occasion can be challenging and stressful. Huarache sandals are an easy option that satisfies the need for both comfort and fashion.

Huarache sandals are shoes that mold to your feet, granting you both a level of comfort and style that’s difficult to find in other types of shoes. Although first becoming popular in the United States in the 1930s, huaraches have remained a steadfast trend through the years due to their look, feel, and functionality.

If you’re shopping for sandals, then you should consider huaraches. Before you begin, you should know what to look for in a huarache sandal.

Huarache Sandal Qualities

Huarache sandals are woven leather sandals made in an assortment of colors and styles. Since people of different professional backgrounds can wear these in their day-to-day jobs, specific functions dictate what the actual sandal will look like. For example, a delivery person might choose a close-toe huarache to protect their feet. Someone who has to wear a uniform might select a huarache color based on the color of the uniform. Flexibility is just one benefit huarache wearers can enjoy.

Huarache sandals have leather weaving on top, which is the shoe’s trademark style. Designs can range from a simple pattern to more intricate details. An authentic huarache is woven by hand.

Some huaraches feature either a wooden or leather sole. For instance, huarache sandals sold by Brand X Huaraches contain the highest quality polyurethane in their soles. In addition, a layer of rubberized EVA cushioning and a vegetable-tanned leather insole provide even more support and comfort no matter the foot size.

Huarache sandal qualities are usually the same regardless of the manufacturer. However, if you know what to look for in a huarache sandal, then you can choose the most authentic product for a perfect fit.

Huarache Sandals for Men

Sandals just aren’t for women. Men should know what to look for in a huarache sandal. Huarache sandals for men offer the same support, comfort, and versatility that they do for women.

Huaraches are low-maintenance in terms of keeping up with the recent fashion trends. Even the most practical of huaraches can be comfortable and stylish. They come in various masculine colors that complement a wide range of clothing styles.

You can effortlessly trade Huaraches for regular shoes. You can wear them while working out or performing other physical activities, so they can even replace traditional sneakers.

Women’s Huarache Sandals

For exercise, work, or play, women’s huarache sandals are just as versatile for women as for men. You can comfortably wear huaraches at work or home in nearly every climate. They’re lightweight yet durable, providing protection in various settings.

Huarache sandals can fit with practically any outfit in any season. They go quite well with light fabrics in the summer. You can wear them with casual apparel like jeans and skirts during other seasons, too. Huaraches can also let the budding designer try out new fashions. Styles can span from ultra-classy to high-class to relaxed. Wearers can match their huaraches any way they want.

Even if you don’t know what to look for in a huarache sandal, you can’t wear them wrong. Their fashionable adaptability is one of the shoe’s greatest strengths.

How to Choose Huarache Sandals

Besides picking whatever shoe looks good, a few other aspects can determine how to choose huarache sandals.

Huarache sandals are designed to fit close to the foot. The woven leather strips enable increased mobility, even though they fit the foot snugly. Huaraches are meant to hug the foot closely even while offering ventilation so that the wearer doesn’t need to wear socks with them. Because huaraches are supposed to fit snugly, some wearers might need a size smaller than their usual shoe size.

While trying on sandals before buying them is an option for some people, other people can’t or prefer to shop online. Testing huarache’s out is impossible for people shopping online. If this is the case, it wouldn’t be bad to buy a huarache that’s half a size smaller than the wearer’s standard shoe. One of the many tips found on the Brand X Huarache blog is that you should shop from stores with a stress-free exchange policy just in case a given size doesn’t fit.

How to Buy Modern Huarache Sandals

Although huarache sandals fit numerous styles and functions, buying a pair for the first time can be challenging, especially if purchased online. However, if you know what to look for in a huarache sandal, future purchases will be a breeze.

A few more tips on how to buy huarache sandals include:

• Figure out what the weather is like where you live – Even though you can wear them throughout most of the year, huaraches are made from leather and, as such, shouldn’t be subjected to extensive exposure to water. If you live somewhere that experiences frequent rain, you might have to maintain your huaraches more than if you lived someplace arid.
• Determine what kind of huarache you want – This should go without saying, but there’s a difference between open-toe and closed-toe shoes. Open-toe shoes are great in certain circumstances like parties, but closed-toe shoes are usually preferred in many serious or business settings. You can let the function of the shoe guide you toward what you need.
• Don’t worry about whether you want a men’s style huarache or a women’s – While most huarache companies offer men’s and women’s sandals, they might also offer shoes that fit all gender identities and come in different sizes.
• Think about the long-term cost savings of a pair of huarache sandals – Sticker shock is real. Regarding huaraches, you’ll be paying for long-term comfort due to the sandal’s durability. You can shop around for the best deals, but sometimes you get what you pay for. Cheap huaraches are made cheaply. They’ll fall apart sooner than their higher-quality counterparts. Investing in a well-made pair of huaraches can earn you a shoe that can last for years.
• Be prepared to break in your new huaraches – Huaraches might be uncomfortable at first so breaking them in is necessary. The easiest way to break them in is to wear them at home. Doing this for a few days can result in more comfortable wear.

Best huarache sandals

There are seven things you can look for in a modern huarache sandal:

• Woven leather design
• Ample sole support
• Durability in most climates
• Versatility
• Functionality
• Style
• Breathability

Any sandal that claims to be a huarache, but doesn’t feature any of the shoe’s qualities, might not be worthy of buying. If you know what to look for in a huarache sandal, then you can be confident in making a thoughtful, well-informed purchase.

A well-made huarache sandal can last years, adding to the value of the shoe. Like any product, if you do your research and choose a company that values quality, you reduce the chances of being disappointed.

Lightweight and casual, yet durable and fun, there’s nothing quite like women’s huarache sandals. They’re the perfect option, whether you’re exploring ancient ruins along the Mexican Riviera or heading in for a day at the office.

Huaraches for women come in a wide range of styles and types, though, and choosing the perfect footwear can be pretty challenging! The good news is that we’ve done all the legwork for you and sorted through the various Mexican huaraches for women to find the five best choices for your 2021 wardrobe!

Ready to get started? Here we go!

Women’s Fisherman Huaraches

When it comes to the best women’s huarache sandals in 2021, our top pick goes to these fun yet usable sandals. They’re lighter than standard women’s huarache sandals, allowing more airflow to keep your feet cool, but you don’t sacrifice anything in the way of style or fun.

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Playa Huarache – Gladiator Edition

Gladiators are all the rage today, and why shouldn’t you be able to combine that look with the timelessness of women’s huarache sandals? With the Playa Huarache Gladiator Edition, you can do just that – they’re light and comfortable, while the laces wrap above the ankles for the distinctive look you love.

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Classic Women’s Huarache Sandal

Another top contender are the classic women’s huarache sandals. Available in multiple colors, these open-toe sandals offer fun and plenty of style. They feature a leather insole and upper, so you have no worries about synthetic materials touching your feet.

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Women’s Huarache Boot v3

Your sense of style is unique, so why should you wear the same women’s huarache sandals as everyone else? These women’s huarache boots offer a taller ankle, a closed toe, and more protection than the classic form factor, without sacrificing any of the fun. You also get plenty of color options so you can mix and match with your outfits!

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Women’s Maya Huarache

Looking for something different when it comes to women’s huarache sandals with a closed-toe? The Maya is a great choice and offers all the style you want with a closed toe and higher heel cup, which makes them perfect for almost any use.

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Women’s Huarache Mule – Cabo Edition

The final women’s huarache sandals on our best-of list, these stylish mules combine the fun factor of classic women huarache shoes with the freedom of a mule. Say goodbye entirely to heel cups with these casual, laidback shoes that are perfect for everything from a day at the beach to your local mall.

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What’s Next?

Confused about how women’s huarache sandals come in so many different styles and still qualify as huaraches? The secret lies in the history of this shoe. They actually date back to pre-Columbian Mexico – they’ve been worn by indigenous peoples for thousands of years. Even the word huarache is derived from the Purépecha language (and, interestingly enough, translates directly as ‘sandal’).

Fast forward several hundred years and you’ll find yourself in the 1960s. This is when women’s leather huarache sandals really started coming into their own. The counterculture of the 1960s embraced these shoes and new form factors started being developed. By 2000, huarache for women could be found around the world, and they were being manufactured by many different brands.

Are All Women’s Huarache Sandals Authentic?

You’ll discover an incredibly wide range of huarache sandals. Women’s options have skyrocketed in recent years. However, just because a manufacturer claims that their offerings are women’s huarache sandals does not immediately mean that they are genuine. It’s about more than just style or materials.

To be considered genuine huaraches, women’s sandals must be hand-made. The upper must be crafted from woven leather, as well. The sole can be made of hardened leather or rubber, and the insole is generally made from leather.

Which Style Is Right for You?

Struggling to find the perfect pair of women’s huarache sandals? You’re not alone! Many people find that the sheer range of styles can make it hard to pick the perfect option. Here’s an idea – buy a couple of different options! Go with a mule for casual days and a classic huarache design for days you need a little more support. Or opt for a gladiator-style sandal for dressing up and a Maya huarache for days when a closed-toe is necessary, but you don’t need quite the same style.

Take advantage of the range of color choices, too. With brown, tan, blue, purple, red, and black versions out there, you’re sure to find a way to accent your favorite outfits, whether you’re headed to the beach or the office.

Introduction

If you have purchased huarache sandals, you’ve made a wonderful investment in your style and your comfort. But now comes the worst part of huarache ownership: how to break in leather huarache sandals.

If your huaraches feel uncomfortable at first, don’t fret. Let us walk you through how to break in leather huarache sandals, and you’ll be on your way to comfort in no time.

What are Huarache Sandals?

First things first: let’s understand what huarache sandals are in the first place. Generally speaking, sandals are a type of footwear that is common in warm-weather conditions. Their open design allows your foot to breathe and stay cool.

Huarache sandals are defined by an upper portion made of tanned leather woven into the insole. Today, manufacturers often make the soles of huarache sandals from recycled tires. Before we look at how to break them in, let’s explore their history a little bit further.

A Brief History of Huarache Sandals

If you own a pair of huarache sandals, you own something that has a deep historical legacy. Huarache sandals are from Mexico, and indigenous Mexicans made them and wore them in pre-Columbian times (before Christopher Columbus sailed in 1492).

The term “huarache” is most likely a Tarascan word from the Purepecha people in and around present-day Jalisco. It’s also possible that members of the mighty Aztec Empire also wore them. In their earliest iteration, Mexicans made huarache sandals from untanned deer leather, but after Europeans introduced cattle to Mexico, they switched to tanned leather from cows.

At some point, more than likely after labor became more specialized, the woven design on huarache sandals began to become something of an art form, with makers lovingly weaving patterns and designs into their sandals. In the 1960s, “hippies” in the United States began wearing huarache sandals, and they become a popular trend in America.

Today, “huaracheros” still make authentic huarache sandals, but they are more frequently mass-produced in factories. If you’re interested in huarache sandals, we strongly suggest seeking out one of these traditional makers. The product may be more expensive, but you’ll own a small piece of Mexican history.

How are Huaraches Made?

Huarache sandals are intricate and high quality, but the process of making them is not terribly complex. They are made using a weaving pattern, similar to that of a sombrero or even woven cloth. A shoemaker or huarachero takes a woven strip of tanned leather (usually from cows) and continuously weaves it in and out of each hole into the insole until the pattern covers the entire top of the shoe.

What are huarache sandals made of? The upper portion is made from tanned leather. Today, the soles are often made from recycled tires, but the original design used leather and hobnails for the sole.

Now that we understand completely what are huarache sandals, the history of huarache sandals, and what are huarache sandals made of, we can turn our attention to how to break in leather huarache sandals.

How To Break in Leather Huarache Sandals?

There are many different methods for how to break in leather huarache sandals. The best one for you depends largely on what is most convenient for you and how quickly you want to be able to wear them. Let’s take a look at the eight best methods for how to break in leather huarache sandals.

Walk Around in Them at Home

This is perhaps the oldest and most tried and true method for how to break in leather huarache sandals (or for breaking in any shoes, for that matter). Many people prefer to break in new shoes this way because it is a sure method for making sure that they are broken in exactly according to your foot.

It shouldn’t take too long to break them in using this method; a couple of days at most should do it.

In some cases, though, you may not have the time to break them in by wearing them at home, or you might not permit wearing shoes in your home. Not to worry–there are still many other methods for how to break in leather huarache sandals.

Purchase a Shoe Stretcher

Shoe stretchers are another popular tool to use for how to break in leather huarache sandals. Shoe stretchers are usually made from plastic or wood and are readily available for purchase at shoestores, big box stores (Walmart, Target, etc.), and online retailers such as Amazon.

How to break in leather huarache sandals using a shoe stretcher:

• Insert the shoe stretcher into the sandal. It should be obvious how it goes, but if not, there are plenty of YouTube videos on how to use a shoe stretcher.
• Leave the shoes undisturbed for 24 hours.
• Remove and re-insert the shoe stretcher in a different position.
• Leave the shoes undisturbed for 24 hours.
• Wear your huaraches and see how they feel.
• Repeat the above steps as needed.

You may also want to store your huarache sandals with shoe stretchers in them (placed gently, not taut) for the first couple of months to help them maintain their shape.

Hairdryer and Socks

Shoe stretchers are a great tool for how to break in leather huarache sandals, but if you don’t want to go out and purchase a new item, there are several methods using only things around your house. Two of them are a hairdryer and socks.

Leather is supple and very malleable when subjected to heat. This fact is actually part of the reason that wearing them stretches them out so effectively: the leather reacts to your body heat.

Use this to your advantage by heating the leather using a hairdryer on the lowest setting. Once the leather is quite warm to the touch, shove a few socks or pairs of socks into the foot opening until it is full, resembling the size of your foot. Leave them to stretch for a couple of days, or come back in a few hours to re-heat.

Be very careful if your huarache sandals contain metal parts of any kind, as it will get very hot!

Place a Damp Sock or Newspaper

You may have been told in the past that water and leather do not mix. That advice is not wrong, but when done properly, water can actually be a great tool for how to break in leather huarache sandals.

Simply moisten socks or newspaper, ball them up, and insert them into the foot opening of the sandal to stretch the leather. Be very careful not to soak the sock or newspaper; allowing the leather to soak in water for too long may cause damage. Also, try to use newspaper without a lot of color ink so that you don’t stain the shoes.

Use Heat

We already discussed above using a hairdryer for how to break in leather huarache sandals, but you actually don’t need to use the socks at all. Instead, just use a little bit of “elbow grease.”

Repeat the technique above: use the hairdryer on a low setting to slowly and gently heat the sandal (remember to use extreme caution if the sandals have any metal parts). Once the leather is hot, stretch parts of the shoe in different directions and hold, manually stretching them.

Repeat this process several times. We highly recommend putting the sandals on while they are still warm (not hot!) and walking around in them. That way, the leather can use your body heat to maintain its new shape.

The Spoon Technique

This method might be one of the most unusual, but it works! Believe it or not, if you vigorously run the back of a spoon back and forth over any part of the shoe, it mimics the behavior and shape of your foot.

Essentially, you’re delivering all that friction that comes from hours of wear in a very short period of time. This is an especially great technique for particular places on the shoes that rub against your foot uncomfortably.

Treat the Sandals with WD-40

It may seem counter-intuitive to use a chemical mixture such as WD-40 on your beautiful new huarache sandals. But WD-40 is actually pretty gentle on leather in small quantities and is great for softening it.

Just apply a small amount of WD-40 onto the inside of the shoe, particularly in places it feels too small. You can use any of the methods above to manually stretch the shoe, either by hand or using another instrument.

Be sure to wash your feet the first few times you wear the sandals after applying the WD-40!

Visit a Professional

Most shoe repair specialists provide stretching or breaking-in services for new shoes. What is more, they don’t typically charge an arm and a leg to do it, and it is very safe and reliable. Plan to give them at least a few days to do the job.

Conclusion

When you buy a pair of authentic leather huarache sandals, you’re not only making an investment in your wardrobe but also wearing a style of shoe that has been worn by generations of Mexicans before you.

Stretching out or breaking in leather huarache sandals (or leather shoes of any kind) can be tricky, and if you don’t know what you’re doing, you could end up damaging the shoe. Instead, use this guide for how to break in leather huarache sandals.

In very little time, you can be wearing your beautiful new footwear in both style and comfort!