FAQ
Here are the most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) that we get about Invisible Shoes huaraches running sandals. Just click on the question to make the answer appear (clicking again makes it vanish).
If you have a question that isn’t listed, ask it here.
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Doesn't that string between your toes hurt?
Not at all. When you first start wearing your huaraches, you'll notice it somewhat. But very quickly it fades into the background.
Also, you can change the tightness by the way you lace your sandal. If you loosen the heel, your foot moves further back and takes some pressure off the string. Or, obviously, you can loosen that "foot string", or change the placement of it by tightening/loosening the loop that goes around it.
Finding the perfect way to tie huaraches is a personal thing, there's no "one best way." You'll find the one that works for you with a couple of tries.
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Can you feel that knot at the bottom?
Nope. The knot is in between your toes. And it's not very thick. And the Vibram sole material bends around it some. And, the knot flattens out as you wear your huaraches.
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Won't the knot at the bottom wear out?
Eventually, sure. But since the knot is kinda flat, and since the rubber is flexible, and since the knot tends to be in between your toes, it'll last WAY longer than you think. And, we give you enough lace that when/if the knot does wear out, you can just pull another inch of lacing through the huaraches sole and make a new one.
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How do Invisible Shoes huaraches compare to Vibram Five Fingers shoes?
That's tough for me to answer from personal experience because as much as I like the idea of VFFs, they don't fit me comfortably. My middle toe is much longer than my big toe, and because of that I could never find a way to get into the FFs without either scrunching up my middle toe, or having my other toes falling out of their spots.
That said, FF owners who then got Invisible Shoes LOVE their Invisible Shoes (read the testimonials here). The huaraches are much lighter than the FFs, have even more of a barefoot feel, and have total freedom since almost nothing is holding your foot to the sole.
I've heard many FF owners complain that the fabric tears where it meets the rubber. Obviously, nothing like that can happen with huaraches, since there is no fabric.
Plus, another report I've gotten is... Vibram Five Finger shoes SMELL.
I just posted a video about the VFFs... check it out: Comparing Invisible Shoes to Vibram Five Finger shoes
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How long will the Invisible Shoe huaraches last?
Frankly, we don't know. Nobody has worn out a sole yet. But, like any shoe, how long they last depends on your running style. If you use good barefoot technique of being light and easy, you'll enjoy them for quite a while. Besides, considering how inexpensive they are compared to big, padded, running shoes, we expect that you'll be saving a fortune by using Invisible Shoes.
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How do you tie huaraches?
See this video. We have 2 favorite ways to tie Invisible Shoes, a more traditional "toga-party-style," or the sleek slip-on-slip-off style that we learned from "Kicksock" in the Minimalist Runner Google Group. There's a bit of an "art" to tying them, in that you'll find your favorite way to make them tighter or looser, the right angle of the main line, etc.
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Why don't you use leather or hemp laces?
You can use almost anything for lacing huaraches. In my testing, I found that both leather and hemp tended to stretch, and neither handled being wet as well as I wanted. The nylon/polypro cord we use is strong, light, and doesn't stretch or tighten, especially when wet. Also, I prefer the "slip-on" method of tying which works best with a round lace, rather than a flat one (like leather). Needless to say, if you get an Invisible Shoe huaraches kit and want to use a different lace than what we have, you can replace it with whatever you like.
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How do you run in these huaraches?
Light and easy.
I can't give you a barefoot running lesson here (for that, see the links on our home page). But just by wearing them, you'll find quickly that you don't want to land on your heel as you walk or run in Invisible Shoes.
The best advice I can give is: play with your gait and stride, looking for the thing that feels the most comfortable and is the easiest. But, most importantly:TAKE IT EASY at first... remember, Invisible Shoes are just like barefoot, only better. If you're not used to walking barefoot, that alone could take some time to get used to.
Plus, since you're not putting as much stress on your skin when you wear huaraches, which means it hurts less, it's tempting to do too much, too far, too fast at first. I know that no matter what I say you'll probably overdo it (I did). Besides, how do you know what "too much" is, unless you do too much!?
Well, even though that's true, I recommend you break into your huaraches SLOWLY. Walk around in them for a while first. Maybe only a half mile or so. When that's comfortable, extend the time you're walking and, when you feel ready, try running. If you're already running a mile a day, try half a mile in these one day and see how you feel. Give yourself a day or two off and then repeat. If that's not a problem, build up SLOWLY.
I also use the "slap-test." If my sandals are slapping on the ground when I walk or run, I need to make some kind of change, probably by not reaching my foot out as far, or using better posture, etc.
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Will running in huaraches (or barefoot) cure my running problems and injuries?
If you have a headache because you're hitting yourself on the head with a hammer, wearing gloves won't stop the pain. ;-)
In other words, it's not just a question of taking off your shoes and experiencing magical healing powers.
Running barefoot, or in running sandals, gives you a lot of feedback about your running form. In short, if it hurts, you're probably doing something wrong.
If you are willing to listen to that feedback and use it as an opportunity to change the way you run, to adjust your stride, to find a way to move that doesn't hurt, then there's a good chance any problems you had that were caused by bad form sure might clear up.
In other words, barefoot and minimalist running could show you how to let go of the hammer.
Being barefoot, or in huaraches, is an opportunity to find a cure, not a cure in and of itself.
Check out this post to read about people who, instead, thought barefoot running was about putting on gloves. -
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How do Invisible Shoes compare to Luna Sandals?
"Barefoot Ted" McDonald has a running sandal similar to the custom-made Invisible Shoes... check out this post comparing Luna Sandals to Invisible Shoes
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What's your return policy?
Some people get their Invisible Shoes (either a kit or custom-made sandals), put them on, and immediately love them. They walk and run painlessly and with the freedom that Invisible Shoes provide.
For others, there could be a process of learning how to tie huaraches, and how to walk and run in minimalist footwear. In fact, one of the points of going barefoot/minimalist is to let the discomfort teach you how to move in a different way... a way that will be more efficient and potentially healing. Getting a blister, or feeling some tension in the cord isn't a sign that there's a problem with your sandals, but rather they're working as they should: They're giving you important feedback about your form (usually overstriding and/or landing too hard). Once your body/mind naturally figures out how to adjust, those issues resolve themselves. If you have any questions, check out Invisible Shoes Forum to see if someone else has already answered your question or solved your problem (they probably have).
All that said, here's the official policy:
We accept returns and exchanges for kits that are still in their original, unaltered condition within 45 days of purchase.
If you wish to return or exchange your kit, please send your complete kit, a copy of your invoice, and whether you would like a refund or an exchange to:
InvisibleShoe.com
PO Box 7018
Boulder, CO 80306Your refund/exchange will be processed within 10 business days. Refunds will include the purchase price only. If you are exchanging an item and live in the US, please include $3.50 for return shipping. If you are exchanging a package from an international destination, please contact us for shipping fees and payment options
For custom Invisible Shoes, we accept returns within 45 days of receipt of the product, and only if the shoes have not been worn outdoors and are in their original condition. If you're having some problem, call us and let us help you. If we're unable to resolve your issue, we'll provide a Return Authorization Number (RAN) and instructions. We don't take returns on custom-made sandals without an RAN.
