The best men’s huaraches are a unique shoe within the summer footwear spectrum—sandals, but more demure; shoes, but airier. While some shoes check a few boxes in the ideal summer shoe category, huaraches do it with some conviction and more than a little bit of flair. That’s why we love ’em.
Huarache’s were originally crafted in indigenous Mexico with handwoven plant fibers, which kept feet secure and cool at the same time. The more modern interpretation is made with leather uppers and more substantial soles. But that doesn’t take away from the huaraches more rustic, handmade appeal compared to other sandals, giving an unquantifiable ease to every outfit. Served with a pair of lightweight billowy trousers and a pique polo, huaraches put an artisanal bow on an otherwise minimalist ensemble. Try pairing them with wide-leg tailored shorts and a crisp button-up to subvert a dressy look. Or play into a more quotidian vibe with your favorite pair of jeans and a graphic tee.
The point is, for as niche and specific as huaraches are, they have range and character beyond the usual pair of summer footwear. We scoped out the far reaches of the huaraches market and tested our way through the jungle of woven sandals to figure out the best from the rest, and here are our favorites.
The Best Huarache Sandals, According to GQ Editors
Deer Stags Bamboo2 Huarache
Read more
Chamula Cancun Huarache Sandals
Read more
Malibu Sandals Latigo Sandal
Read more
Keen Uneek Sandal
Read more
In This Guide
Best Classic Huarache Sandals: Nisolo Huarache Sandal 2.0
Nisolo’s original huarache sandal was no stranger to these parts, and their redesigned version shouldn’t have any trouble fitting in. In the past, we’ve praised its sustainable leather uppers, cushy midsoles, and ultra-low rubber soles, and extolled the virtues of its exceptional arch support and deceptive versatility. In our book, the brand’s flagship product looks just as good with pressed chinos as it does peeking out from baggy jeans.
All that aside, though, it’s about more than just the huaraches. Nisolo brings B-corp and climate neutral certifications, and its dedication to ensuring the craftspeople building out its shoes are compensated fairly. Yes, $150 is more than you’d pay if you bought a pair of huaraches abroad. But it’s hard to put a price on peace of mind—or the simple pleasure of dressing as well as Chris Pine.
Best Budget Huarache Sandals: Deer Stags Bamboo2 Huarache Sandals
While we respect the utility, versatility and overall summer performance potential of a huarache enough to do an entire guide on the genre, we do acknowledge that you can have a stellar summer footwear rotation without a pair on deck, especially when they’re notoriously Not Cheap. If the price-of-entry is the only thing holding you back, however, Deer Stags makes a sub-$100 option that punches well above the price tag. Now, these won’t arrive with the same handmade touches the others on this list have—the soles are glued on, not sewn, for instance—but something’s gotta give at this price. But you do get all-leather uppers, an additional adjustable buckle for a better fit, cushioned insoles, and grippy rubber soles. The Bamboo2 is beloved by fashionable dads and swaggy style enthusiasts on a budget, and they’ll scratch the itch if you’re just dipping a toe into huarache-tinted waters.
Source:
www.gq.com
