Huarache Blog Tumblr Page
Posted: March 3, 2013 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Barefoot Running, Burras, Crafts, Design, Fashion, Footwear Design, Handcrafted, Huarache, Huaracheria, Huarachero, Huaraches, Huichol, Luna Sandals, Mercado San Juan de Dios, Mexican Crafts, Mexico, Pata de Gallo, Raramuri, Sandals, Tarahumara, Traditional Footwear, Woven Footwear, Woven Sandals Leave a comment »Because sometimes Huaraches can also be for scrolling.
A new Huarache Blog Tumblr page for old and new images of traditional Mexican Footwear, from Huarache Blog and from the web.
Check out
http://huaracheblog.tumblr.com/
Huaraches in Cuetzalan del Progreso
Posted: July 18, 2012 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Barefoot Running, Crafts, Footwear Design, Handcrafted, Huarache, Huaracheria, Huaraches, Mexican Crafts, Mexico, Pata de Gallo, Raramuri, Sandals, Sustainable, Sustainable Footwear, Tarahumara, Traditional Footwear, Woven Footwear, Woven Sandals 2 Comments »Cuetzalan del Progreso is a small market town tucked away in the northern mountains of Puebla.
The traditional footwear of this area is the ‘Pata de Gallo’ Huarache also known as the ‘Tres Piquetes’. As with many other indigenous Mexican traditions some local women still walk barefoot.
Similar to the ‘Pata de Gallo’ Huarache of the Raramuri/Tarahumara and the Huichol, the Huarache in Northern Puebla differs in that the leather strip is woven twice through the forefoot and usually requires no knot.
There is also another local ‘Pata de Gallo’ design variation and it includes a ‘Pechera’ flap over the arch and a ‘Rosadera’ strap on the heel.
When a Huarache sole wears down it is usual for a heel to be added.
You can get your ‘Pata de Gallo’ Huaraches made at 3 stands during the busy Sunday market and they cost about 80 Pesos per pair. The Huaraches all come with a thick vegetable tanned leather insole nailed over the the standard car tyre outsole.
There are also a few other varieties of Huaraches for sale in Cuetzalan that are also found in towns across the state of Puebla.
These ‘Tejido’ Huaraches caught my eye because the leather strip was not woven through the traditional ‘grapas’ (staples).
El Verdadero Retrato del Siervo de Dios – An Early Example of the Pata de Gallo Huarache
Posted: July 18, 2012 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Barefoot Running, Handcrafted, Huarache, Huaraches, Luna Sandals, Mexico, Native American, Pata de Gallo, Raramuri, Sandals, Tarahumara, Traditional Footwear Leave a comment »Canonized in 2002, Juan Diego Cuahtlatoatzin is the first Indigenous American Saint.
Cuauhtlatoatzin means “the eagle that talks” in náhuatl.
On Saturday morning, December 9, 1531 Juan Diego witnessed the apparition of on Tepayac Hill of the Lady of Guadalupe, who is today considered the patron Saint of the Americas. In a time of social struggle between Indigenous Mexicans and Spanish the news of the apparition spread quickly through Mexico; and in the seven years that followed 8 million people were converted to the Catholic faith.
This oil painting of Juan Diego Cuahtlatoatzin was painted by Miguel Cabrera sometime before 1768 and also includes possibly the earliest depiction of the ‘Pata de Gallo’ Huarache.
Leonardo da Vinci Never Knew Huaraches
Posted: June 27, 2012 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Barefoot Running, Design, Footwear Design, Huarache, Huaraches, Mexico, Pata de Gallo, Raramuri, Sandals, Sustainable, Sustainable Footwear, Tarahumara, Traditional Footwear Leave a comment »
My Running Huarache Sandals Evolution Revised
Posted: June 26, 2012 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Barefoot Running, Design, Footwear Design, Huarache, Huaraches, Mexico, Pata de Gallo, Raramuri, Recycled Materials, Sandals, Sustainable, Sustainable Footwear, Tarahumara 4 Comments »A few weeks ago I posted photos of my Running Huarache Sandal Evolution design, with recessed strap grooves in the sole. This groove design in the sole permits the use of straps made from many materials, because it eliminates the abrasive ground contact between strap and running surface.
On the latest latest revision of my Running Huarache Sandals I have added polyester straps salvaged from a used basketball jersey. This jersey mesh material is not only softer and much more breathable than the salvaged bicycle tyre inner tube rubber I was using, but polyester also wicks moisture away from the skin, providing a new level of comfort.
I expect the jersey mesh will probably stretch a little over time, but the straps can easily be tightened when the time comes.
This ongoing study in barefoot running footwear is proving interesting for 2 reasons.
1. I’ve been able to systematically develop my understanding of natural running footwear and what is functionally necessary and essential.
2. It provides an insight into the emerging design philosophy of democratization. In this case the democratization of running footwear, footwear which is available, affordable and can be made according to precise consumer requirements.
Today’s run was cooler than yesterday’s.
My Running Huarache Sandals Evolution – Edit
Posted: May 31, 2012 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Barefoot Running, Footwear Design, Handcrafted, Huarache, Huaraches, Pata de Gallo, Raramuri, Recycled Materials, Sandals, Sustainable, Sustainable Footwear, Tarahumara 4 Comments »My recent Running Huarache evolution has several improvement modifications from the original design on a previous post. I have since developed a design UPDATE that you can see clicking HERE.
Given my lack of form I decided not to endure further plantar strain and created this new sole design with an added a layer of Polypropylene plastic from a old blue trash can for added support.
The idea was to add some motion control to the floppy rubber Huarache sole, and the Polypropylene a widely available material with good energy return seemed ideal.
I also added a thin layer of scrap EVA foam for some psychological comfort (EVA foam sheets are widely available in Mexican school supply shops).
The new Polypropylene layer also allowed me to make recessed channels between the strap holes in such a way that the strap is no longer exposed to the abrasive running surfaces and will not wear down over time.
The recessed channels will allow me to experiment with other recycled materials that also offer some breathability.
After a first few runs the Polypropylene plastic unfortunately does not add any noticeable support to my foot. It does however have an unexpected motion control effect, in so far that it’s flatness corrects my foot position to help me land on my mid-foot and not my forefoot.
In case anyone is wondering? I couldn’t resist Photoshopping the Tyre Valve onto the strap. It hinted to an unusual idea of inflatable feet for increased cushioning.
Xajab’ – Huaraches From Guatemala
Posted: April 26, 2012 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Caites, Chiapas, Crafts, Guatemala, Handcrafted, Huarache, Huaraches, Huixtán, Maya, Mexican Crafts, Mexico, Pata de Gallo, Raramuri, Sandals, Tarahumara, Traditional Footwear, Xajab’ 1 Comment »Although a recognized word, Huaraches in Guatemala are mainly known as Caites or Xajab’.
Apab’yan Tew a reader of Huarache Blog kindly sent a link to great photos from his personal collection of Guatemalan Xajab’ and Caites.
His Mexican footwear collection also includes Caites from Huixtán, Chiapas and some Raramuri ‘Pata de Gallo’ Huaraches.
Thanks for sharing Apab’yan Tew.
Huarache Blog gets Quoted
Posted: March 31, 2012 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Barefoot Running, Huarache, Huaraches, Luna Sandals, Mexico, Pata de Gallo, Raramuri, Sandals, Tarahumara, Traditional Footwear Leave a comment »Toot, toot, toot, is that the sound of a Horn?
Huarache Blog was recently quoted on the Luna Sandals website for saying this about Luna Sandals: “no company has come as close to paying homage to the incredible super-athlete Tarahumara as Luna Sandals.”
This is true, sports companies have in the past named their running products Tarahumara and Raramuri, but none have actually designed product that was otherwise related to the Raramuri.
Luna Sandals has done a fantastic job of developing and promoting not only a new concept in the running footwear market, but also one which is undeniably related to the Raramuri. Luna Sandals has put the Raramuri on the map.
Below is a recently found photo of Luna Sandals founder Ted McDonald and Manual Luna the Raramuri huarachero who showed Ted how to make the Raramuri ‘Pata de Gallo‘ Huarache sandal. The traditional ‘Pata de Gallo‘ Huarache that went on to become the Luna Sandal designs of today.
For more information on Luna Sandals, check out my post titled ‘Luna Sandals – Huaraches For Running‘
Keep up the good work Luna Sandals.
My Running Huarache Sandals.
Posted: January 28, 2012 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Barefoot Running, Crafts, Ho Chi Minh Sandals, Huarache, Huaraches, Raramuri, Recycled Materials, Sandals, Sustainable Footwear, Tarahumara, Traditional Footwear, Woven Footwear 2 Comments »As a barefoot runner I began running on the beach, but later in my transition to running on the road I made myself a pair of ‘Pata de Gallo’ Huaraches using a leather strip, a thin sheet of vibram and some suede purchased from the local cobbler.
However the ‘Pata de Gallo’ Huarache design did not feel stable nor comfortable for running. Not only did the front medial side flap about when my foot was in the air during the recovery phase, but the stiff leather strip put too much pressure over the joint of my 2nd toe.
I recently developed a new ‘Pata de Gallo’ Huarache design which is more stable and is comfortable on my toes while running.
Integrating some of the clever features of ‘Ho Chi Minh’ sandals, my new Running Huarache Sandals are a mixed breed. The Huaraches are made from 3 parts; 5mm thick aircraft inner tube rubber for the outsole, 1.2-1.4mm leather for my sole lining and 25mm wide strips of bicycle inner tube for the straps. I added an extra set of holes in the mid foot for an additional pass of the rubber strap. This provides me with added support and reduced strap pressure between my toes.
As on ‘Ho Chi Minh’ sandals, the stretchy nature and the rubber grip of the rubber strap and small holes in the sole, eliminates the need to knot the strap under the sole in the forefoot. This ‘knot-less’ technique is also used by the indigenous groups in the state of Puebla, Mexico on their ‘Pata de Gallo’ Huaraches.
To provide better lateral support I use sets of 2 holes instead of just 1 to weave the strip through the sole; creating a ‘cross-strap’ configuration as on ‘Ho Chi Minh’ sandals, .
The wide rubber strap is neatly folded under the sole, this creates a tidy fold above the sole in a way that the strap edges don’t rub against the foot.
So as to reduce my negative environmental impact I chose to recycle already used rubber for both my Huarache sole and the straps. Used industrial grade rubber is plentiful in Mexico, I believe most of the used inner tubes from aircraft around the world are exported to Mexico.
I am currently test running my revised ‘Pata de Gallo’ running Huarache design to see how long it holds up, especially the aircraft inner tube sole and the exposed bicycle inner tube weave under it. So far, so excellent.
05.31.2012 Edit – Click here to view the latest design evolution to these Running Huarache Sandals.
Zuzsi Sandals-Elegant Pata De Gallo Huaraches
Posted: January 9, 2012 Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: Crafts, Huarache, Huaraches, Mexico, Pata de Gallo, Sandals, Tarahumara, Traditional Footwear 3 Comments »Although no longer selling on the internet, Zuzsi Sandals make elegant versions of the ‘Pata de Gallo’ huarache, similar to the style worn also by the Tarahumara in Mexico. Made using a leather sole instead of car tyre rubber, these Huaraches are probably the closest we can come to how the original ‘Pata de Gallo’ Huaraches used to look hundreds of years ago.
A ‘Gladiator’ design variation.
A really nice detail that sets these Huaraches apart is the contoured leather sole.
Huarache Blog looks forward to seeing these ‘Pata de Gallo’ Huaraches for sale again soon.
