Tarahumara Huarache Sandal Rocky Trail Running

I took my huaraches out to Hansen Dam in Los Angeles and put them through some thorough testing today. I ran about 10 miles on the rockiest trails I could find. My 5mm thick, four ounce Vibram-rubber soled sandals worked perfectly.

You can usually trust indigenous design when it comes to active footwear. These sandals and others similar have been around for 1000s of years, and I know why. They have no frills, just exactly what you need and not a bit more. Elegant design.

What I am also finding is that nothing gets trapped under the foot. The strapping system is the very minimum, and with no straps and other excess, the stones, sand, etc., don' t stay in.

Barefoot Ted www.BarefootTed.com

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• barefoot
• ted
• running
• sandals
• hansen
• dam
• huarache
• born
• to
• run

[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.

[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.

[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!

[oldpiq]

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

[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..

[talltooth]

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

i didn't mean to rhyme =P

[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