Why We're In Love With These Leather Shoes

We first spotted a pair of huarache sandals when Anthropologie revealed their new season’s shoes. And we was blown away. They looked super cool, retro, and tugged on some type of nostalgia heartstring.

So we sent our writer to find the perfect huarache shoe.

What are these leather shoes?

The huarache sandal is typically made out of a leather upper that is woven together and has a flexible leather sole. There are open and closed-toe options.

Why are huaraches called huaraches?

“Huarache” literally means “sandal” in Spanish. But the name is derived from the word kwarachi, from the indigenous Purépecha people of Mexico. Fittingly, “huarache” refers to a specific type of sandal worn in Mexico.

And to make things more confusing, it’s also the name of a Nike sneaker, which has no association to its namesake.

History of huarache leather shoes

Huarache sandals originated in Mexico and Central America, before colonization, although its true origin can’t be pinpointed. It’s a humble shoe generally associated with farmworkers.

Huaraches became popular in the United States in the 60s. So yes, my mom wore them and I had a version of them growing up — although a distinctive plastic rubber image pops into my memory. And it’s making a comeback now.

Proper fit of a huarache leather sandal

Huarache leather shoes should fit snugly at first. This is especially true across the toes and midfoot. The more you wear your shoes, the more the leather should conform to your feet. In fact, the straps should loosen over time until it’s the perfect fit.

So don’t freak out if it feels a bit tight at first. While the “break-in” period shouldn’t be very long, give the shoes a chance. Make sure to wear them around the house in the evening, when your feet are the most swollen.

Of course, there’s nothing you can do if the footbed is too long or too short.

Sbicca Jared huarache review

Here’s our writer’s review of the Sbicca Jared huarache sandals in the color white/tan:

Quality:

These leather shoes are worth the price tag. The upper leather is soft and durable, and the woven detail is just mesmerizing. It’s been my go-to sandal this season.

Plus, they are easy to slip on and off. It’s the ease of a flip-flop or slide, but the look of a classy flat.

Comfort:

The insole is incredibly padded and flexible, but also gives your foot support (not like a leather moccasin that you can only wear around the house). I feel so light with each step — like I’m walking on air.

I haven’t had any problems walking for hours in these bad boys.

Fit

Although I am a true 6.5 flat, I got a size 6 in these Sbicca huarache sandals. Sbicca doesn’t carry half sizes in these shoes. The 6 is very comfortable and there was no break-in period.

It’s also worth noting that I have two baby bunions on each of my pinky toes — aka tailor’s bunions. So even though I don’t wear “wide” shoes, I have a wider midfoot than most people and am particularly sensitive to shoes that rub my feet. And the leather doesn’t rub my toes or my bunions. That means no blisters and no carrying around moleskins or bandaids.

So order your usual size, but if you’re between sizes, order down. Even if it’s snug at first, the leather will loosen over time.

Other huarache styles

Here are a few other huarache looks that are sitting in my cart.

What to watch out for

Handmade artisanal huaraches may not be as readily available anymore. So when shopping for your sandals, you’ll need to pay attention to a few things.

Faux leather

Real leather stretches and conforms to your feet. If you find a pair of huaraches that aren’t made of real leather, they’re likely made of stiff polyurethane and will probably rub your feet. Save your feet from blisters and choose real, soft leather.

Inflexible sole

Traditional huaraches were comfortable shoes that were supportive and flexible. Don’t compromise on a hard rubber sole that doesn’t bend with your feet. So you’ll want to steer clear of cheap “huarache-inspired” shoes that are trying to hop on the huarache trend but don’t have the signature features of a huarache sandal that make them characteristically comfortable.

Too old school

There’s a fine line between style that is a nod to the past and awkward dorky throwbacks. Sorry, mom.

We try to avoid shoes with a particularly large toe bed or styles where the leather comes up too high over the toes and make your feet look bigger than they are. Remember, these are form-fitting shoes, not a Crocs substitute.

Final Thoughts

We hope you find a pair of huarache sandals that fit you well. We dare say that these are our favorite sandals to date — and that’s saying a lot. And we’re currently eyeing a few more pairs in different colors.