Tarahumara Huarache Sandal Rocky Trail Running

[vinnysepe]

haha was this whole trail downhill? Nice form man.

[vinnysepe]

haha was this whole trail downhill? Nice form man.

[catherinemorphis]

I love it! I have been barefooting for nearly 2 years, and sandals/moccasins feel great on rocky trails when the rocks are too abundant and sharp for the bare foot. Good show.

[alwaysuptosumthin]

tight!!!! i wana make a vid like this!!

[Schizopantheist]

Looks awesome!

[oldpiq]

Ease up people. Yes, barefoot running is healthy, advisable and strengthens your feet, yes it would be impossible to run barefoot on sharp volcanic obsidian, thorns or hot liquid lava in which case you would have to wear shoes (no big deal - they're just shoes). Adjust your shoe wear (no shoe wear) to the ground conditions and all will be great. Have fun!

[deeago79]

Ted, if not already done, you should arrange to shoot a high-quality super steady video of you running in Huarache (like Kilian Quest Season 3).

We'd appreciate your running technique at its best and learn from this: short stride, etc..

[TheNaturalRunnerVanc]

@L3vi88 Yes yes we get it, Inov-8s are great haha But you wouldn't see nomadic tribes in arctic regions wearing sandals, where something like mocassins would just simply offer more protection. And if you ever add performance to the mix, you're obviously going to need more traction and protection than a foot can offer, simply because it gives you an advantage over someone who DOESN'T have those things. It's just easier to run fast through bog with claws on your feet than a sandal obviously

[LADYAQUARIAN42]

Wha about your feet??....the rocks,and twiggs,...and just simply the hard terrain can help detroy the feet....what about cuts....possible infections from broken skin.....out there while running...the skin is the bodys defense from that......I don't know about running in sandals or barefoot....the feet have to last a life time.....you might not want to abuse them....if you don't have to......just an observation.....

[barefootted]

@LADYAQUARIAN42 Dude!!! Are you kidding me? Feet are not weak, broken appendages. They also heal. Furthermore, most foot disorders today seem to be coming from poor shoes with poorly thought out science behind them. The foot has the success of our species as its main defense and the fact that some of the best trail runners in the world, the Tarahumara, wear sandals leads me to believe that sandals are just fine. Oh, and I have run several 100 and 50 mile trail races wearing my sandals.

[talltooth]

@LADYAQUARIAN42 barefoot is healthier, prevents muscle strain, and promotes muscle gain.

i didn't mean to rhyme =P

[oldpiq]

@LADYAQUARIAN42 Don't try it at home - would be my advice :)

[MsKillerBill]

kazauta of kodo!!!

[GenghisKhan22]

i like the music, very fitting for the video

[polevaulteg]

very cool video...quick question, how did you get vibram rubber soled sandles? and how did you get/make those?

[thoyo]

thanks for posting! may i ask, is that Tarahumara music playing in the background??

thanks!

[mystikrhythms61]

@mrSk8Chiller Had the priveledge of racing with these amazing athletes at Leadville and Wasatch in mid 90's. Who knows what else they may have accomplished had Rick Fisher kept their best interests at the forefront instead of his own. The author was a bit misinformed about their participation at Wasatch. They were not DQ'd for lack of entry fees. Fisher brought them to race after the event had long been full. Race mgmt. kindly let them run unofficially and partake of all aid. Great runners!

[MrRocktrees]

From a former cross country runner who always got injured. i just got back from a Yosemite backpacking trip and i hiked 40 pounds in my vibram five fingers. never felt better.

[RotaryPoweredDick]

@L3vi88 Lose your toes, how? It takes a lot of finess running barefoot, and these things called eye's help a lot too. I live in Southern Arizona and you would be supprised at how much shit I gotta watch out for but again your not paying attention you will pay for it.

[RotaryPoweredDick]

@L3vi88 Toe nail's really? more like blister's on the bottom of feet is all you have to really worry about and have a high pain tollerance at the begining, now if you dont know anything about running form I guess I could see it. If your so tired that your forms diminished you probably need more training.

[HitTheTrailRunning]

/watch?v=evdDbUrWn1k

[johnyboyproduction]

just a question, how many miles or kilometre can you run yourlself with does sandals?

[GangstaSh33t]

I'm currently in High School right now and the cross country distance is only a 5k. Would training with these shoes have any beneficial effects over such a short distance race? Most of the information ive found about barefoot running or Huaraches relates mostly to longer distances.Thanks

[Teabonesteak]

Just finished the book "born to run". Going to pick up some vibrams.

[Jacksragingbileduct4]

@Teabonesteak I'm in the middle of that and just got some vibrams too! I'm starting to break my legs in today. Long process but it'll be worth it!

[Teabonesteak]

@Jacksragingbileduct4 I can FEEL the muscles in my legs working. Running is a simple pleasure.

[VisionQuestRanger]

Great quality in the video and very impressive run. Thanks for the info on the run as well.

[Disbeat123]

where is this dam located?

[MrIknowwhatyouare]

@L3vi88 I haven't tried the naked running yet, but it sounds like fun. Might give that a go soon. ;0)

[MrIknowwhatyouare]

@L3vi88 I agree with you on the shoes making people run faster, but since I am not interested in breaking any records I much prefer running barefoot. When I started running I wore several different types of expensive running shoes. But no matter how slowly I built up my milage, I always ended up with 'shin splints'. I then took up barefoot running after reading 'Born to Run' and investigating the science behind it. I have never had a problem since, and can run as far as I feel like.

[MrIknowwhatyouare]

@L3vi88 Actually, Fell running in the UK was started by people who ran barefoot. I would recommend reading 'Feet in the Clouds' by Richard Askwith, probably my second favourite book on running.

[Mrshardtoplease]

Why didn't you slip and fall on those stones? Is there a trick or technique to running in those shoes?

[LordWoolley]

To all the naysayers and haters, these sandals are used for "tough" trail races. Ted himself completed the Leadville 100 in these. Also, what do you think ancient Greek messangers and warriors wore while having to "hike" with weight on rocky mountainous trails. People are really trying to put down this movement with all sorts of excuses. Keep wearing your $130 corporate moonboots suckers. Please read Running Fast and Injury Free by Gordon Pirie if you have any questions!!!

[jokergd]

Great Video Ted!

I love the First Person Shots. They make me want to get out and run right now!

[sasuke17n]

what's the name of the song?

[flamedrag18]

@L3vi88 you wouldn't lose toenails with this, you step down with sandals or barefooted after learning a bit, you'd only lose a toenail by kicking a rock which if you have any idea what your doing, you wouldn't

runners lose toenails due to the enclosed environment causing friction, damp environment and impacts from the top of the shoe, leading to severe bruising of the nail and infections, having them in sandals like these remove those issues, healthier.

[mack10bangin]

barefoot walking and barefoot running allow your feet to build up good callus on the bottom of your feet; so stepping on stones, dry grass, etc. doesnt hurt as much as you think because you have a thicker layer of skin

[FloboKing]

Liebe dich <3

[TheReal7Bit]

Dislike, du Affe.

[1FloGerman1]

wie viel langeweille kann man haben?

[RealLittleH]

Dislike du Affe! Was kaputt bei dir?

[lightweigtbaby]

GEIIIIIIIIIIIIIIL

[tdhurst]

Dammit, now I want to buy your sandals as a complement to my Vibrams.

[Beuteltiere]

A friend of mine is a proper barefootrunner (He's the one who got me into this stuff). He's also a experienced backpacker. 2 months ago he was backpacking with some friends in Norway. And what should I say? He's done it partially barefoot! Of course not with 60 pounds on his back! We were never build to carry such loads in a healthy way. He carried less than 8 lbs. The combination of low weight and now shoes worked perfect!

[atz123ify]

Great video Ted, i really like the drums and music with a tribal feel to it, it accompanied your journey well.

[atz123ify]

@L3vi88 my friend, those types of races are run in vibram five fingers and all the short comings of the sandal are essentially solved. Ted, am i not right?

[philustar]

@L3vi88 if thats the case try the new Merrell barefoot hikers, coming in Feb 2011

[countdimo]

Hi, so are you located in Los Angeles Area? I'm interested in how much will it cost to get a customized huarache, please let me know.

Thanks.

pd: great video, you got me all excited now!!

[boysselle]

show the great real runners: THE TARAHUMARAS FROM MEXICO!

[toby099]

@L3vi88

How do you think people ran those areas used for fell races, before they had specially made shoes? If can you think it, you can do it....Only issue would be the people with fell shoes stomping on your bare feet(ouch!).

[dbosvac]

@L3vi88 I agree with barefootted. I run trail ultras in vffs, and my only toenail losses come from smacking them on rocks or roots. My friends who wear shoes lose toenails much more frequently from friction within the shoe. :)

[JacanaProductions]

So what about backpacking? I've backpacked a few times in old running shoes and it hurt my knees. Hiking boots help. Are we going to see barefoot backpacking with lads and lasses carrying 60 pounds on their backs ! :)

[barefootted]

@JacanaProductions Yes, they are called Sherpas. Some of the best climbers in the world.

[JacanaProductions]

@barefootted Yeah, didn't think of that. But I think I'm gonna work up to barefoot backpaking first! 

[hudsoncress]

Yes, I saw Sherpas with four North Face backpacks bound together like cordwood and hanging from a strap around their forehead. Or carrying four 5 gallon kerosene jugs (+160lb) plus other items in a forehead-strap-mounted basket. All while wearing flip flops. I think if you gave them hiking boots, though, they would thank you;) I did see one miserable teen who'd busted his toe.

[theanvilcracks]

@barefootted Right, don't mess with those guys, they'll just pick you up and toss you like a ragdoll, lol, strong people - on many levels...

[WaywardPatriot]

@barefootted People think that less technological cultures are somehow ignorant. There is MUCH we can learn from a careful, and UNBIASED examination of our collective human past.

[shakingcliches]

@JacanaProductions Totally, I have seen dudes in Nepal carrying 75 pounds or more in OLD flip flops. Oh and they were going up, and up , and up

[Sidowse]

@JacanaProductions If you walked around on the ball of your foot, sort of tiptoeing, that would reduce your knee pain. Landing on your heel first is WRONG! and its something that Nike, Asics, Reebok and many others have got wrong too. If you look at animals that are good at running they don't even have heels! take dogs and cats for example. the foot prints they leave are the "ball" of the foot and the toes. Their "heel" is like a quater of the way up the back of their legs.

[hiddenlawyer]

@JacanaProductions

i backpacked the bill hall trail to thunder river, deer creek, the colorado river, and back out in a 30mi loop (known to be one of the most difficult trail hikes in the grand canyon) with varied 45-60lbs on my back (took in 2 water caches) all in vibram kso treks and i felt great. my friend had hers on too, and she was just as happy as i was. i am definitely going to make my own huarache sandals and continue trail running and backpacking in them.

[Paradoxrob]

@JacanaProductions - Reason your knees were hurting I think, is because you didn't have any real ankle/foot support. Barefoot running is great when you don't have heavy loads, but as you strap a 50-80 lb pack on, you need to support your ankle. Try any minimalist running shoe, jog 100m meters with and without a heavy pack on your back. I feel the difference in my ankles immediately. Sherpas wear boots :)

[rumblefish1988]

@JacanaProductions I do! I apply the principle of minimalist footwear by wearing sandals in canyons, which make stream crossing much easier as you can imagine, and I have learned to wear buckskin moccasins backpacking in the mountains where it is much colder or where there may be snow.

I would say that dressing (& eating the same diet) as the locals do, especially the indigenous inhabitants of a region is the best way to naturally adapt to whatever environment you find yourself in.

[blessednhm]

@L3vi88 Actually someone did...Abebe Bikila 1960 Olympic Marathon. In fact the five finger barefoot shoe company name one their shoe styles after him (the Bikila five finger shoe) Many young kenyan/ ethiopian runners train barefoot and these countries produce some of the best runners in our time. Our course if you are not use to running barefoot or with a minimalist shoe it will be uncomfortable at first. don't knock it til you try it. It's actually very liberating:)

[blessednhm]

I ran barefoot today for the first time with my kid sister and we had such a great time! She really enjoyed it and I think I'm hooked. However I think I might wana try those sandals for places were the ground gets kinda of dangergous.lol Barefoot is the best I never want to wear another clunky tennis ever again!lol

[leave12]

@L3vi88 , I agree, England and Ireland are FAR WORSE than the backlands of Copper Canyon. Fucking christ what a moron. 

[readrats]

@L3vi88 because running shoes are an industry. they fed us stories of how much faster we would be with cushioning, so its no wonder people flocked to buy them, but since then the amount of running injuries has skyrocketed. we evolved without inches of rubber attached to our feet, don't you think that we were made to run barefoot.

[readrats]

@L3vi88 the 1960s marathon was won and run by a man wearing no shoes, BAREFOOT, not to mention (i can't recall the date) the boston marathon was won barefoot

read Born to Run, and you will find that the Tarahumara won the Leadville 100mi race wearing these sandals

[blagirom]

may be you should research the trail 100 race in leadville colorado and find out for yourself that it is possible to win an endurance race with sandals!!!!

[KapitanAndoy]

I feel like I am almost watching BME Pain. But I consider the Tarahumara tribe as running gods!

[toby099]

@L3vi88

in relation to his last performance and the knee injury, well its no surprise if he was wearing shoes, don't mess with nature is the lesson.

[toby099]

@L3vi88

what rubbish! Bikila did ALL of his training barefoot. He would of only worn shoes in races to appease his sponsor(which I think was Puma).

[ActionFigureWorld]

natural running form but watch out for the rocks that smack into your big toe ouch

[Shawnajosephine]

Much respect for these amazing runners! McDougalls book is worth the read if you're interesting in running. He tackles the whole barefoot-running issues with his and Barefoot Ted's story. Inspiring and highly entertaining to say the least.

[barefootted]

@L3vi88 Okay, that makes sense. However, for me, if I can't do it barefoot or with sandals, I probably don't want to do it.

[lordlister007]

@barefootted

Looks like Fell running in scotland and england has been there from around 1000 AD long before the existence of modern shoe

[footballhead707]

@L3vi88 How about when Abebe Bikila won the 1960 Olyimpic marathon in Rome barefoot

[barefootted]

@L3vi88 Actually, toenail loss is most common with shoe wearing ultra runners. It is the toe slamming into the toe box over and over again that causes it.

Sandal wearing forces you to run in such a way that you don't kick your toes and in warmer conditions, you feet stay drier and cooler. Way better in my opinion.

[jscanyon]

@barefootted I agree, my wife has lost toenails when doing ultra long day hikes. A good friend of ours has been barefoot for over twenty years, cody lundin. He made a pair of Tarahumara sandals when he was in Peru shooting 'Dual Survival'. I'd like to try a pair, where do you get the Vibram material and what thickness?

[sven31415]

@barefootted You are right. I already lost a couple of toenails in my shoes.

[NorwegianMelody]

@barefootted Maybe, but it makes u run like a girl....:/

[Teabonesteak]

@NorwegianMelody then they're not for you.

[WolfKnigth]

@NorwegianMelody

And what is the point of run like a big man if you finish last?

[spiffffffffff]

You probably overpronate with your left foot from years of running with shoes that have arch support. once the muscles in your feet build up to the task of doing their job, your destabilized knee should correct itself. you probably will go through some pain in the achilles and all kinds of other fun. Running shoes are a chicken and egg thing. They solve the dilemma that they create.

[campbpar]

So that's what it must of felt like running from white folks. I could have made it to the mountains, I'm strong.

[zherui]

i don't know how he filmed this but i'm guessing he had to run twice, once to lay the camera and once to run past it.

love the epic indian music in the bg though

[xxmetioqurexx]

i live like 3 min. away from this place 0_0

[Dave88011]

How many years of barefoot running did it take to get to that level? I've tried barefoot running on astroturf and my left knee was aching something awful the next day.

[barefootted]

@Dave88011 two years running barefoot before I started wearing FiveFingers and sandals.

[gunghojoeno]

holy crap! Did you look at the calves on him?

[mrjanemba]

mono has his own youtube channel. sweet.

[tronclay]

nice mandels!

[classicvox]

Nice tribute to the Tarahumara!

[analubalitious]

Incredible,.. just absolutely incredible.

[touge242]

I got myself a pair of five's. How long should getting used to them take? I tried 18 miles on the first day and my toes hated me for the rest of the day. No calf issues though.

[barefootjoy]

great technique to run, i also have my huaraches,one question whats the name of the song??? its great,

[touge242]

what about kicking stones, are your toe nails shielded from that? Also do the straps apply pressure on the Achilles tendon?

[Decirium]

@touge242 You're thinking of running from a shod runner's perspective, long deep strides forward and heel strikes (though that isn't important for the description) whereas you'll notice a minimalist/barefoot runner takes many lighter and faster steps so is actually airborne most of the time so rarely has chance for debris to hit or land on the foot. Think of karate chops breaking stone, with practice, you barely notice or get hurt using fast motions either once used to it.

[SexyPartyHottie]

Makes me want to trance and bliss out!

[sykoslug]

Nice work barefootted! I just read Chris's book and was inspired by the Journey you all took to Urique, and the journey of running barefoot. I never understood how after 6 years of running around on a ship's deck barefoot all day I never had sore or tired feet. Now in a city with 'comfy' shoes my feet are tired daily. I want my bare feet back!

[dwarfinator08]

Now I understand exactly what the guy meant when he said, "They seemed to move with the ground, kind of like a cloud or fog moving across the mountains."

You have to run according to the laws of the path. Excellent video! I want a pair of these sandals.

[Gogeks]

isn't this painful?

[barefootted]

@Gogeks Nope. Light footed running = Barefoot running = smooth and light and...delightful, not harsh.

[deserttrailrunning]

Your awesome Ted! Thanks for doing what you do. Your an inspiration.

[sarethums]

I dont know if you have noticed but you're mental! 5 stars!

[sleightEdge]

awesome!

[IsWhatIBe]

Best running music ever!

[cadetstclair]

What tune is this?

[ths1973]

I already listen to this KODO tune when i run in the alps ! maybe i should go for indian sandals. they go well 2gether.

[Jahooba]

Man, the parts where the camera is pointing down at your feet and the ground is flying by -- it made me remember what it was like to be a kid, and free.

I just got some Vibram fivefingers yesterday -- I'm learning to correct my fallen arches, which seem to be due to my semi-collapsed ankles (I can straighten them out and I have an arch!).

I'm reminded of running across a mountaintop in NH, it was exhilarating! I can't wait to get back into trail running again, but this time with good shoes

[tamborcillo84]

If the Tarahumaras (or in their language known as Raramuri) can run, anyone can. They key is to learn to slowly get your feet, extremeties and body to get used to running without shoes. Many ppl suffer from joint injuries including me. My personal experience is when i when to FL, and walked on the sand with sandals. I felt no pain in my knees. So it's the shoes that are the problem. I've also heard of ppl running raramuri style and their pain was gone.

[Junior1luv]

The western shoe actually makes your feet weaker...due to limited uses of what

nature intends...ever see Kenyans run?

[xxxDAPROBLEMxxx]

@Junior1 what is ever seen kenyans run supposed to mean?

[mark95427]

Kenyans run naturally, because they run barefoot as children.

I guess that's how they're so fast...

I'm not certain, I'm just guessing. O:

[mark95427]

@xxxDAPROBLEMxxx

Kenyans run naturally, because they run barefoot as children.

I guess that's how they're so fast...

That's similar to how the "Tamahumara" people run; with sandals.

[Hoob22]

Better then vibram and other so called barefoot shoes( a misnomer if there ever was one), which are expensive rip-offs.

These are free if you have the know how.

[bassdad05]

Free, assuming you use all found materials or steal what you need to make them. Cheaper than Vibrams, though, for sure.

[raulindigo]

beautiful running!

[GetBackJack123]

Has anyone read Born to Run by Chris McDougal?  Its really an amazing book, I couldn't put it down and it really opens your eyes. I'm currently trying to put in about a mile on grass barefoot on my regular runs to build up some skin and get my calves used to no heel. When I do have shoes on, I am sure to run with a barefoot form, as in no heel strike. My calves were a little sore at start but it is going great now. I love it too.

[MdsFiveOhOneFour]

i love the tapping sound when you're running

[amrita74]

TE FELICITO!!!!

[ednshell]

Big big smiles! Almost done with 'Born To Run' Great book!!!!

Read all about you Barefoot Ted!  :) Keep up the good work!

[gtd3765]

Viva Mono!!!

[realisticHomeboy]

I was there

[sprkthead2]

Well if you run barefoot for awhile you would grow extra skin that would give you extra padding against "glass shards and debris." But to each their own.

[sprkthead2]

Why buy a Nike Free??? Use what nature gave you, your bear feet!!!

[kkobayashi1]

Because nature didn't intend for us to run on asphalt strewn with glass shards and other debris.

[plank3000]

bear feet?? you should get that checked out!

[sprkthead2]

oh crap! your right! lol!!

[flamingbagofcatpoo]

all this barefoot sandals running sounds awesome, but what do people do in the winter if they want to do this to run in a cold, snowy place like new hampshire?

[DirzoRasec]

They dont care, they compete in ultra marathons in the snow. No big deal.

[flamingbagofcatpoo]

dude that's pretty badass. i'm about to read born to run so i guess i'll learn some stuff haha

[wideone23]

not much different really... when you get right down to it, your average running shoe doesn't really focus much on thermal insulation. In fact most are made to be airy and open for your feet to breathe.

[ank0ku]

wear socks? lmao

[navarroportriple]

I'd suggest maybe wearing the Nike Free training shoes, they are made to mold to your foot so that you're basically pretty close to biomechanically being barefoot but you have the support and protection enough to avoid getting frozen.

[meevamarie]

Fascinating - heard report on NPR - just had to see. Finally foot-running friendly gear! I may just start running!

[billyburger]

Awesome vid Ted. Longing for a pair of those myself now..

[waltercunningham]

I made a pair about a year ago. The leather was bought at a Native American powwow. Mine have never ripped or fallen apart. The best investment ever. Running shoes $100, Tarahumara designed huaraches priceless.

[anen87]

this is really awesome A great workout I may say I must try some day

[HUITZILICUICATL]

HELL YEAH! Looks fun but brutal.

[potator69]

i WANT SOME.

[rockmerewoodsman]

awesome, barefoot running is so natural and efficient.

[redfacefilm]

check out HLTC the hungry little trail co. I helped design a trail running shoe that mimicks barefoot running. It is called the considered Humara. It is environment friendly as wel. Very little toxic glue to assemble it.

Check us out on You tube at HLTC-The Hungry little trail co.

[yannipapastavrou]

Nice running, Ted!  Those trails would be impossible for me barefoot at the moment. I see why you need those sandals!

Yanni.

[rafvaldez]

Cool huaraches. I usually go to Mexico every now and then and buy myself some leather huaraches. They are hand-made by a person who makes huaraches for a living.

[barefootted]

Cool.

The sandals I am wearing are modeled after the Tarahumara Indian sandal. It is specifically designed for being able to run long-distance in the mountains of the Copper Canyon in Chihuahua Mexico. They are relatively easy to make, but somewhat difficult to learn how to tie on correctly.

I am preparing for a 47 race ultramarathon race to be held on March 4th in Urique, Mexico. I plan on wearing my huaraches for the race. Should be interesting.

Best Regards, Barefoot Ted

[feverfew2]

Hey man, where can ibuy a pair of these sandals?

[cabrion1]

@barefootted How'd it go?