Tarahumara Huarache Running Sandals

What are tarahumara sandals.

Tarahumara huarache running sandals.

The obvious answer about huarache is. After observing the ancient and superhuman running culture of the tarahumara people in mexico mcdougall concluded that humans evolved running barefoot. The huarache running sandal consists of one continuous strap or thong originating through the bed of the sandal between the first and second toe and then binding the foot to the sandal creating an incredibly effective and elegant design. Xero shoes formerly invisible shoes makes barefoot running and walking sandals in the tradition of the tarahumara huarache sandal made popular in author chris mcdougall s book born to run.

Okay so the big question is why use huarache the tarahumara running sandals the answer is pretty obvious but there are some important yet surprising pieces to the puzzle. Barefoot running sandals or minimalist sandals exploded alongside barefoot running after the bestselling book born to run was released by christopher mcdougall in 2009. The tarahumaras typically run barefoot or in huaraches thin sandals often made from discarded tires. Before anyone could find out the tarahumara vanished from the ultrarunning scene in the mid 90s retreating to their canyon bottom homes and taking their miraculous distance running secrets with.

Many of us first became familiar with the notion of running in sandals through reading about mexico s huarache clad tarahumara in christopher mcdougall s 2009 bestseller born to run. Perhaps the most famous ultramarathoners their name literally means running people the tarahumaras can cover 100 miles in just a few days all while wearing traditional huarache sandals. For about 20 and up you can buy a kit containing all the materials you need to make your own huaraches. The first was a race the highest ultramarathon in the world the leadville 100 and the second is a book born to runby christopher mcdougall about that race.

Running sandals showcase the inherent capabilities of human feet the tarahumara of northern mexico are world renowned for their superhuman running.