Huarache Sandals – Your Alternative to the Gladiator Shoes

So have you heard of Huarache sandals? Chances are you’ve already seen one but didn’t know it. Here’s how it looks like:

modern day Huarache

(image care of Wikipedia)

Huarache sandals are Mexican in origin; they were first worn by native American Indians living in Mexico, and soon after by peasants who preferred the shoes because of its durability.

The characteristics of the Huarache shoe include hand-woven leather upper and hand-cut leather soles. However, during the 1930’s, the Mexicans started using rubber from recycled tires as soles for these sandals, more due to the reason that rubber soles were less expensive.

These sandals became really popular in the United States during the 1960′s, when the hippies started wearing them.

Before, Huarache sandals only came in limited sizes and these sizes were tailored to fit the Mexican feet, which were short, wide, and stout.

Today however, Huarache sandals come in many styles and sizes. Sometimes, the styles even go as far as looking like gladiator sandals such as the  Elizabeth and James Edge Huarache Sandals Mary Kate Olsen is wearing in the picture below.

Mary Kate Olsen

If you’re a sandal junkie and you want something new and different, especially with the numerous gladiator sandals swarming around, then buying a pair of Huarache sandals would be a great alternative.

Check out the Huarache sandals on Jessica Zohr:

Jessica Zohr

You can get the same look by purchasing the Gabriella Rocha Stryker Sandal:

Gabriella Rocha Stryker Sandal

You can even get it in high heels, check out these Huarache heels from Boutique 9:

Boutique 9 Yashi

Or in closed-toe flats with tribal accents such as the Lucky Brand Ali:

Lucky Brand Ali

Men are not behind when it comes to Huaraches, check out these men’s Huarache sandals from Frye:

Frye Lawson Haurache

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