Ever since barefoot shoes and stronger feet kicked my chronic pain to the curb, I’ve been on a mission to spread the word. Why can’t more shoes reflect the natural shape and function of the foot? That mission led me to develop a new version of a shoe close to my heart – the traditional Mexican huarache!
Origo Shoes and I have been working together the past year to bring you a new take on an old tradition. We are thrilled to announce that the Huarache by Anya is now available – same classic style but they won’t pinch your toes!
The huaraches will be restocked frequently in small batches! That means if your size is sold out all you need to do is register for restock notifications and wait for the next batch.
I Couldn’t Find Comfortable Huaraches
Huarache sandals are one of my favorite styles, but the pointy narrow shape always hurt my feet! My half-Mexican mom also loves traditional huaraches, but with bunions they were uncomfortable for her too. We used to blame our feet, but then I thought “why not change the shoe?”
Since then I’ve made it my life’s work to find comfortable alternatives to shoes that hurt. So for the past few years I’ve been on the hunt for craftspeople who would be interested in reimagining this traditional shoe with a natural foot shape. I wanted huaraches that actually fit wide feet!
That search led me to Diego and Cristina, a Colombian husband and wife duo who founded Origo shoes – a brand built on the same ideals as Anya’s Reviews!
We combined forces and began the process of prototypes and planning so that we all can enjoy this beautiful style without our toes being squished. After a year of working with local Mexican artisans and weavers we now have beautiful foot-shaped huarache sandals for you!
A Little Huarache History – The woven huarache (wa-ra-chay) design is indigenous to Mexico and born from Aztec culture. Hundred of years ago they were worn as a work shoe by farmers because they can be repaired repeatedly and are breathable for long hot days!
The Huarache by Anya
$110 | Available in two widths in sizes US women’s 6- men’s 13 | Leather | 8mm Stack Height
Use code ANYA for 10% off your purchase.
Our huaraches are made in the traditional way in Michoacán, Mexico – but with a few upgrades! Instead of a pointy, narrow toe they have a natural shape to them with space for the feet to spread out. Plus, a lighter and more flexible sole than is typically used.
The shoes are entirely made of leather with a flexible rubber outsole on the bottom. All the leather is vegetable tanned and chrome free so you can safely wear them on bare feet. The flexible 3mm outsole is made of natural rubber with texture for grip. Elegant simplicity.
Sandal Version With Buckle
The sandal variation of these huaraches has a buckle strap that keeps the foot securely in place, making them adjustable for a variety of foot types – these ones fit my low volume feet and narrow heels best! The Huarache Sandals comes in black, cinnamon, tan and white in sizes US women’s 6-11.5.
I wear mine on the tightest buckle and gave them many miles of testing all over European cobble stones. They are incredibly comfortable! If you also have low volume feet and/or narrow heels, this might be be a more secure fit than the slip-on.
Slip-On Version
The most traditional version of the huarache – the slip-on – comes in two widths and the full range of sizes for both men and women! This shoe can be worn during spring, summer, & fall with everything from shorts & jeans to dresses.
Because slip-ons can be a little harder to fit, and we believe a good fit is important for healthy walking, we have provided an optional ankle tie in the regular width. You can wear it with the tie for extra security so the huaraches don’t slip off your heel, or you can remove the tie and wear them as a true slip-on. You can also add a heel grip to the back for a more tailored fit (this is what I do!).
The Huarache Wide Slip-On
The wide version of the Huarache slip-on has an overall roomier fit than the regular version and comes in larger sizes, so is better suited for wider, higher volume and larger feet. This model also has a few extra leather pieces woven in so it covers a little more of the foot on the top and the sides than the regular, and it comes with the optional ankle strap. You can find the wide slip-on huaraches in black, tan, cinnamon, and white! Let’s dig a little deeper into the sizing and fit for each of these models.
Huarache Sizing & Fit
The two Huaraches widths each have a unique fit.
Regular Huaraches
The regular Huarache by Anya is available in the Huarache Sandal and Slip-on in sizes US women’s 6-11.5, and fits as follows:
- True to size
- Medium to wide width
- Medium volume
That means these shoes should fit both average and some wide feet well.
Wide Huaraches
The wide version of the Huaraches by Anya is available in the Slip-on style in sizes US women’s 6.5 – men’s 13 and fits as follows:
- Mostly true to size, but slightly big overall
- Wide to extra wide
- Medium to high volume
The Huaraches in wide are wider in the toe box, slightly longer and higher volume compared to the regular width. This means that this version is best for thick, wide, and high volume feet.
See below a size chart for exact dimensions of both versions!
Why are they so snug?
Like in traditional huaraches, the leather will mold to your feet as you wear them so it’s ok if they feel snug when brand new. Because of this stretching and molding of the leather many people with extra wide feet will able to get a good fit as well! If you have low volume feet and narrow heels the sandal variation with the buckle will likely be the best option.
I am able to wear a size 6.5 regular width in these, which is my usual US shoe size for this style of shoe. If you have low volume feet and/or narrow heels I would consider erring on the smaller side so they feel secure, particularly in the slip-on variation.
Ordering
The Huarache by Anya is available to purchase from Origo Shoes and ships from the US to North America, Europe, UK, and Australia. Or if you live in Mexico you can shop Origo Shoes here and enjoy shipping from within Mexico.
You can use code ANYA for 10% off your purchase at any time, and on any of the models that Origo sells.
These huaraches are made in small batches by artisan shoemakers – we will be restocking them frequently but there is a high chance that popular colors and sizes will sell out. Just make sure to register to be notified when your preferred color and size comes back in stock!
We can’t wait for you to try these barefoot huaraches that are so dear to our hearts.
174 thoughts on “The Most Comfortable Huaraches That Don’t Squish Your Toes – Now Available!”
How to tie the ankle strap?
I just wrap it around and then tie a square knot.
Hi. My largest foot measurements (against the wall) are: 23.825cm in length and 9.84cm in width. I have a somewhat high volume foot and a bunion, and recently had foot surgery so I really do not want too tight shoes (I understand they will stretch a bit). What size would you recommend in the Huarache Slip-On by Anya? I’m thinking I should try the WIDE version in an 8 (the smallest size offered). I’m concerned the regular would not be wide enough. Thank you!
The 8 Wide sounds like a good choice for you. They are higher volume than the regular and I didn’t find them too tight on the top of my foot at all. They are a little long for me, but my foot is about .5cm shorter than yours.
Holy crap!! My slip-on huaraches arrived today and I’ve NEVER had a pair of shoes feel so great right out of the box. They honestly feel custom-made for me.
I don’t usually leave comments about things I buy but I was seriously so impressed with these. Muy bien!!
You mention in other articles discussing sizing to inquire if listed measurements are for the internal dimensions of the shoe or for the size of the foot that fits inside the shoe. For the huaraches that you made with Origo, which measurements does the size chart reflect?
The Origo size chart reflects the internal dimensions, not foot measurements.
Now that the slip-on is available for sizes (w) 6.5 – 7.5, what are the length & width measurements? The size chart in this article is the same as the one on the Origo website and needs to be updated with the smaller size wide slip-on. Please & thank you!
Hi Angel! Check back on the Origo site tomorrow. The size chart should be up for those new sizes by then and after it is, we’ll get it updated here in the review also.
Thanks for the follow-up!
Sadly, I am not sure the smallest, a 6.5 W, is still rather narrow for being a ‘Wide’ size at 9.1 cm wide. The length is even long for 6.5 W at 24 cm; the regular huarache 6.5 W is only 23.9 cm long & 8.7 cm wide.
My foot is short and wide, like the indigenous of where this style of shoe originates. Make this make sense.
And to have to pay a restock fee to return, Anya’s needed to carry this shoe as Origo’s does not have a friendly return policy. A major barrier for those who want to try barefoot, shipping & restock fees create a barefoot shopping experience for an exclusive group of customers. Only the privilege have access.
#Angel, please don’t complain like this. Do you really feel like the companies are trying to create an exclusive product for only the “privileged”? No, they are small little companies selling their products with lower margins than the big box companies and making less profit. It costs more to make products in small batches by small companies – especially when not made by Chinese nearly-slave laborers. I am constantly disappointed that I cannot afford many pairs of barefoot shoes, but I certainly don’t blame the small companies just entering into this market. And I don’t make myself into a victim.
As for the fit of the shoes, I don’t have these (though I have just saved up for them), but my understanding is that they are designed to stretch and conform to your foot and may still work for you. Again, please don’t imply that someone is purposely leaving your foot shape out of their production plan. If your foot is very wide and short, that would be considered an uncommon shape in this market. A small company can only make so many variations on each shoe and still make enough money to survive.
Hi, I ordered these in my usual size. They feel like normal true to size barefoot sizing. I do have a narrow heel but the size I ordered feel fine. I was wondering if you recommend that I size down so they fit snug given that these stretch with wear. I’m trying to eliminate my usual size stretching out and potentially being too loose. Would that be a concern? Thank you
You’ve probably already had to make a decision about this, but it’s hard to say. If you plan to wear them a lot then stretching out is definitely a concern. I have had the best success with them being on the snug side when new, but you also don’t want them overly tight.
Will y’all have the buckle huaraches made in wide? That would be so lovely.
Hi there 🙂 We are hoping to get the sandals in Wide into production soon! We appreciate your patience 🙂
Hi! I have the wide huaraches in tan and they are a literal dream come true. Thank you so, so much for designing this!
I do have a question, though, the wide version does not come with the ankle tie/wrap like the non-wide slip-on. Is it possible to be able to purchase them separately? I’ve tried to email customer support but they think I’m asking about the huarache sandal with the buckle, which isn’t the case. I’m talking about the long strip of leather that I wrap around my ankle and tie manually.
Oh, I would try their customer service again! They would be the ones to help you, and they knew that people would be asking for them. We’ve since added them to all wide orders so in the future you should get it on both widths.
Which would be best for a high arch (high volume) foot with a wider toe box and narrow heels? Thank you!
If you have high volume feet and a wider toe splay I would suggest going with the Wide version of the slip on/
Hello,
what size do you recommend for the huarache sandal, foot length is 24.7 cm, shoe insole 25 cm, these are standard measurements for size 39 (EU).
Thanks in advance
Iva
Hello! I’m having trouble trying to decide what size I need to order in the Huaraches. The only pair of barefoot sandals I have to compare are the Shapen Poppy in an EU37/US7 Wide width, which fit my feet perfectly. According to Shapen’s size chart, they measure 24.9 cm in length and 9.3 cm in width. The regular width (8.8 cm) did not work for my foot. I have a fairly narrow heel but wide forefoot. What size and width would you recommend for me in the Huaraches? Thank you!
The comparable size in the Huaraches would be 7.5 Women’s Wide huarache (Poppy’s run long). You might do alright in the regular width too, because they are a little wider than the 37 poppy regular and the leather is more forgiving and stretch-able than the Poppy. But the dimensions of the huarache 7.5 wide are almost exactly the same as poppy 37 wide.
Loved the look of these so I ordered the natural tan and they are orange – all the photos on both Anya’s site and Origo’s are filtered and do not show the actual colour. I asked Origo if there are tonal differences in batches of leather, all they said was the colour can be a bit different between pictures and real life. Beautiful shoes, but beware the orange tone looks a lot less chic than these photos.
Hi Ash, I’m so sorry you were disappointed in the color of the tan Huaraches. Colors can vary on phone/computer displays – that is definitely true. In my experience, the photos on Origo’s product page are very true to the color in person. I can imagine your disappointment when you didn’t find the same to be true for you.