Make huaraches (Tarahumara running sandals) 2/3

[CallofDutyRippers]

@invisibleshoes cant u use a flipflop take the rubber string part out and replace it with nylon?

[sfrance783]

nice

[TJShare]

I always put a dab of spit between my fingers before pinching a point on the molten nylon when melting cord ends. May sound gross, but the spit keeps the nylon from sticking to your finger and causing a burn and it also lets you form a nice smooth end with no "whiskers".

[manimgoindowndown]

For those making the diagrams

a) Dot for hole towards your second toe

b) On the outside of your foot pretty much straight down (a little in front actually of your ankle bone)

c) On the part that barely touches the ground on the inside of your foot

Also are these 4mm or 6mm?

[ethanjustis]

Is it recommended to use leather lacing? I was wondering which would be more durable.

[invisibleshoes]

@ethanjustis Actually, leather tends to be less durable. And it stretches/contracts when it gets wet. And it makes a thicker knot. And if it's "rectangular", the edges can dig into your skin. That's why we use the nylon/polypro.

[1worldcurrency]

Fantastic detail, down to how to use the scissors!  Very helpful, thanks.

[GShoe32]

can you use a drill to make the holes?

[invisibleshoes]

@GShoe32 You can. But some bits work better than others. Your goal is to remove the material, not just puncture the rubber.

[GShoe32]

@invisibleshoes Yeah I tried and it just punctured the material so I got a 3$ leather punch instead. btw the new connect sole is great!

[invisibleshoes]

@GShoe32 Thanks... we love the new FeelTrue soles (and it seems everyone else does, too ;-) )

[ShaDoWworldshadow]

Nice video guy go to see someone sharing the information not only looking for the dollar, well done more of this sort of thing and the world would be a better place

[Naytazno]

How long are these sandals supposed to last you?

[invisibleshoes]

@Naytazno We don't know yet; nobody has worn a pair out. I've been wearing the same pair for over 18 months and they're still in great shape.

[banginchains]

is it possible to use a hole punch instead of a leather punch? do you know if that hole is around the same size of the leather punch you use?

[invisibleshoes]

@banginchains You could try it. But I haven't found a hole punch that's strong enough. You could also use a drill bit. Or you could find a leather/shoe repair shop and ask to borrow their punch (we've heard from customers who've done that)

[rnecas]

I commute to work on foot and get shin splints from all the walking (6-8 miles/day). Taking my shoes off makes the shin splints go away, but, you know, broken glass is problematic. Does the Cherry soling, particularly the 6mm, have good lifespan?

[invisibleshoes]

@rnecas We haven't heard of anyone wearing out a pair yet, and that's with the 4mm (I'm not a big fan of the 6mm... a bit too stiff for my taste, and much harder to cut and work with)

[francescaXsmurff]

Can this be done without a leather punch? I know you say not to use a knife, but is there another way? I'm trying to go as cheap as possible and don't have a leather punch.

[invisibleshoes]

@francescaXsmurff You can try a 1/8" drill bit (make sure to let the drill remove material, instead of simply pushing the bit through the rubber). Also, you can find a leather/shoe repair shop... they'll have a punch that, most likely, they'll let you use.

[spartandwales]

I made a par of these, but the 2 times i've tried them, i've gotten a blister under my second toe, i can't tell if its the knot underneath the sandal, or just the string rubbing it. Any tips?

[invisibleshoes]

@spartandwales Did you get the blister on ONE foot, or both?

[spartandwales]

@invisibleshoes i just got one blister on the bottom of my right foot, 2nd toe, where the toe meets the foot

[invisibleshoes]

@spartandwales So, if it's only happening on one foot, that means you're doing something different with your right foot/leg than with your left. It can't be the shoes, or it would happen on both feet. So, the question is: How to get your right foot/leg to work the way your left is? Hard for me to diagnose from 2 sentences (easy to see from a video). But, my guess is that you're either overstriding (reaching w/your foot) or pushing off the ground instead of lifting your foot. Play w/those ideas.

[invisibleshoes]

Respond to this video... Oh, and it's not the string, because you'll notice that the string doesn't touch that part of your foot. (but let me know about the 1 or both feet question).

[pacifistarmy]

@invisibleshoes When you are cutting out the sole, do you want it to be the exact size/shape of your foot or bigger than your foot as you do it in the video?

[invisibleshoes]

@pacifistarmy You want to make it a bit bigger, as shown in the video.

[pacifistarmy]

@invisibleshoes Okay, thanks for the fast reply. I'm looking forward to making my first pair of running sandals :)

[spartandwales]

does it actually matter how you pronounce vibram? . . . what was that? no? i thought so

[magicmanofsteel2000]

I cut out two lefts, is there any of buying the vibram material without the set?

[stevensashen]

@magicmanofsteel2000 Email support-at-invisibleshoe-dot-c­om or call 303 447 3100 and we'll help you out

[flamedrag18]

also, have you ever tried using 550 parachute cord for lacing?

[invisibleshoes]

@flamedrag18 I've tried 550 paracord. I'm not a huge fan. a) it's a bit elastic (which allows your foot to slide on the sole); b) it flattens out (makes it less comfortable); c) it was WAY more expensive than what we use.

That said, some people have used it and like it.

[flamedrag18]

I have some advice for finding the proper lace length when you don't have a measuring device, use your arm span width to find it, the smaller your arms width is, the shorter you are and in turn, your feet should be smaller, in most cases. so your arm span is a good indication of finding your size, you'd be at most a couple inches off, not a big deal.

[invisibleshoes]

@flamedrag18 Arm-span is a great measuring technique.

[EYEZIC]

you spend so much time to explain simple ass shit. get to the point already. Trace your pattern on the sole and cut it out. fuck. cool sandals though

[fetymann]

@ahrramin yeah yeah yeah, I'm no Italian but I assume the first part of Bramani is pronounced like a combination between Brah and Bruh.

[oceanave]

Hi, will the lace at ankle holes worn off fast? Esp. due to friction?

[invisibleshoes]

@oceanave No, it doesn't. The ankle holes don't get much friction for a couple of reasons: First, they're slightly raised off the ground by the tension in the tying. And, secondly, they're outside the edge of the foot, so there's no direct pressure on them from above. I've been wearing the same pair of Invisible Shoes for 9 months and there's very little wear at the ankle holes.

[oceanave]

@invisibleshoes :D Alright, will do my very own pair soon. Thanks a million. 

[Scicotion]

@oceanave where did you buy the vibram material from?

[fetymann]

Cool video, btw, it's officially pronounced VEEbram.

[invisibleshoes]

@fetymann I know. It raises the interesting question that one encounters every time you come back from some country that originated a word that has been adopted by Americans: Do you use the American pronunciation even though you know the correct one, or do you use the correct one and risk sounding like a jerk? ;-) (we debate that over the word "sauna" after coming back from Finland where we spent a lot of time in "sa-ow-na")

[fetymann]

@invisibleshoes normally you don't mispronounce someone's name, which I'm sure you know Vibram comes from the name Vitale Bramani.

[quakefiend]

@invisibleshoes LOL, I know what you mean man, my late grandmother was 100% finn, I'm 1/4.. and in the family, any time someone says "sonnah" my grandfather,mom, aunts, etc. always correct them and say "it's a sow-nah!!"

[poetias]

can i just cut a little part of it off of my dad big o truck tire???????

[invisibleshoes]

@poetias Well, most tires are now steel-belted, so cutting those would be pretty tough. If you have non-steel belted tires, you can try that. It'll be much stiffer and heavier than using something like the Vibram sole we use.

[trackie10]

@invisibleshoes Trust him. I'm just finishing a pair of shoes with a steel belted tires...much more hassle than i hoped for. Needed a circular saw, wire cutters and a power drill to finish it all off...they look great though.

[emacwakeup]

these r cool!! how long do they last?? r there any matierials that i can use for the sole, which i can find commonly....

and how long do they last?

[invisibleshoes]

@emacwakeup It depends on how much you wear them. But with the Vibram sole material we use, a LONG time. I wear mine a lot, and in 6 months you can barely tell. You can try a lot of different sole materials -- leather, car floor mats, you name it... each one will have a different feel and perform differently. We like the Vibram because it's VERY barefoot-ish, but adds good protection.

[analubalitious]

@invisibleshoes I've clocked over 800 miles on my KSO's and they still haven't quite given out yet. I'm now hoping to get a few more pairs and go 'natural' exclusively,.. the hard part is finding them in stock.

[stringsofserenyti]

where did you get the sole material from ? can i get it from home depot ? & or a arts & crafts store ?

[invisibleshoes]

@stringsofserenyti No, you can't get this kind of sole material at Home Depot or an A&C store. We buy it from Vibram, in bulk. You can get a complete kit (including the Vibram Cherry sole material) at invisibleshoe-dot-com

[Feyzels]

Can you spell the name of the sole material you are using in this video? English is not my native language so I'm finding it difficult to understand what you said (went a bit fast :) )

[spoonyfork]

@Feyzels It is a sheet of Vibram rubber #7175 "Cherry" 4mm thickness

[lax1245]

they are vibram soles they also make specalized barefoot shoes. good luck

[yeaarrghh]

@Feyzels Vibram cherry.

[MooMobile]

Right now I'm trying out making my own from an old yoga mat. It has a double layer so i'm pretty happy. Trying it out now, hope it works!

[corndeekal]

would an old pair of beach sandals be a good material?

[invisibleshoes]

Well, you can make huaraches out of almost any sole material. But the problem with most of the beach sandals I can think of is that: a) They're thick, so you won't get that "barefoot feel;" b) They're not very flexible, so they may, well, flip and flop a bit too much, and; c) The rubber they're made with probably won't handle running too well.

That said, it would still be a fun project. Keep me posted about the results you get.