Mexican Huaraches: A Rags-to-Riches Tale

Huaraches are a traditional style of sandals found in Mexico and other parts of the world. But did you know that the tale of the Mexican huaraches is similar to a rags-to-riches story of Hollywood? 

The huarache used to be humble, simple pieces of footwear worn by farmers and workers. They wore these handcrafted leather sandals to protect their feet from the harsh terrain. But today, huaraches have become one of the most sought-after styles of footwear. But before exploring its journey further, let’s start with their roots.

 

Unfortunately, nobody can pinpoint the exact beginnings of the leather huaraches. What we do know is, in the Pre-Columbian era, huaraches were worn in farming communities in and around Jalisco, Michoacán, Guanajuato, and Yucatan. They may have also originated in other states, but those are a few where huaraches were used. 

Huaraches were invented as a more practical shoe option for workers. They were then made from deer hide. Affordable, robust, resilient, and comfortable, they quickly progressed to be favored by the masses across the country.

The word huarache can be traced to the term kuarache, which translates to sandal. Kuarache is a word from the Tarascan language, spoken by the Purépecha people of Jalisco. Later, when Spain colonized Mexico, the popularity of the huarache continued to spread. Since the Spanish introduced cattle to the natives, people started making huaraches from cowhides instead of deer hides.

In the 20th century, huaraches became one of the most sought-after styles of footwear. Improvements in technology introduced new designs and styles, but the fundamental essence remained. For example, in the 1930s, shoemakers began to insert rubber soles into the sandals. By the 1960s, the hippie culture pushed their popularity to the northern borders. 

The most widely popularized adoption of the huaraches can be traced to Chihuahua’s Sierra Madre Occidental, which is a mountain range in Mexico. Here, the native Rarámuri community wore the huarache while running several miles at remarkable speeds. People say that some used to run 250 miles in one day while wearing huaraches!

 

Their simple design style makes them perfect for running or walking long distances. Huarache connoisseurs believe that since huaraches do not have the complicated design of modern shoes, they mold to the human feet more easily. And since they better emulate our bare feet, they are more convenient for running.

Once the crazy antics of the Rarámuri people were publicized by the media, and the huarache became a legend globally. It secured a foothold in North and South America. Even Nike launched its own huarache collection in 1991, helping this traditional Mexican footwear become a household name!

Now huaraches are worn and enjoyed by people all over the world, and they have become a staple in many people’s summer wardrobes.

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