Nisolo Huarache Sandal Review
Nisolo's Huarache Sandals are timeless and ideal for summer weather
Credit:
Reviewed / Nisolo / Liv Birdsall
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Nisolo Women's Huarache
Pros
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Breathable / Durable / Real leather
Cons
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Long break-in period
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In the market of ethically-made, sustainable goods, Nisolo emerges as a brand that values both style and responsibility. We’ve reviewed the brand’s Heeled Chelsea Boot previously, and we were thrilled to test out another pair of shoes from the brand. This time, we tried out Nisolo’s Huarache Sandals ($138), a warm-weather woven sandal that is equal parts minimalist (in function) and maximalist (in design).
Huaraches are a traditional pre-Columbian style of footwear that originated in Mexico. The sandals have a long and varied history within Mexico, but were popularized in the US in the 1960s and have gone in and out of fashion since then. Nisolo’s take on the style follows many of the hallmarks of the classic Huarache sandal, along with some contemporary updates. If you’re curious how they wore over time, from sliding into them for a grocery trip to wearing them to a wedding, we’re spilling all the details.
What is Nisolo?
Nisolo makes sustainable, ethically-produced footwear and accessories in both men's and women's sizes.
Nisolo is a brand that specializes in ethically-made, sustainable footwear and accessories. Founded in 2011, Nisolo aims to provide high-quality products while promoting responsible manufacturing practices and fair trade principles, particularly in Peru and Mexico. As a Certified B Corporation, Nisolo works directly with artisans, ensuring fair wages, safe working conditions, and transparent supply chains. The brand also has a Shoe Reclamation Program to help ‘close the loop’ and divert used footwear from landfills and share donations with communities in need.
Overall, Nisolo is known for its beautifully crafted products, including boots, shoes, sandals, and sneakers for both men and women. Nisolo also creates luxury accessories such as bags, wallets, belts, and jewelry. Their designs often combine classic leather silhouettes with contemporary elements, resulting in versatile and timeless pieces.
What I liked about The Huarache Sandals
These are durable shoes with functionality built right in.
They’re breathable
With woven leather and straps along the upper and sides of the Huarache Sandal, your foot is always open to airflow. This open-air design is great for hot climates by allowing your feet to breathe, meaning they won’t get quite as sweaty. The minor drawback here is that small items, like sand or gravel, can also get into the shoe so plan accordingly.
They’re made from durable leather
The Huarache Sandals feature a stunning woven leather design, showcasing the intricate skills of the craftsmen who make them. Beyond their classic appeal, these sandals are built to last, thanks to the high-quality leather and handwoven construction. The soft leather is also water-resistant!
They’re easy to slip on and off
Like most leather shoes, once you break in the Huaraches, they’re comfortably molded to your feet. The more you wear them, the more unique they’ll fit you. The shoes slide on and off as easily as a slide sandal, which makes them a great pair of shoes to keep by the door to wear for any occasion.
What I didn’t like about The Huarache Sandals
After an entire year of regular use, the sandals have separated at the sole, but not enough to stop me from wearing (or loving) them.
They took a few wears to break in
The huarache sandals were beautiful when I first tried them on. The leather felt stiff, but that’s typical of leather shoes, and with the many crisscrossing straps on the shoe I wasn’t surprised I needed to wiggle my feet around to break them in. However, the first three or four times I wore the Huaraches, my feet were left with blisters and redness. I’m happy to report that the shoes are super comfortable after the break-in phase, but beware of those first few wears!
The leather upper started peeling from the rubber sole
I like to wear my shoes into dust, so at some point, they usually show signs of wear. After a year of regular wear (at least once or twice a week aside from winter), my Huarache sandals are doing the same, especially where the leather upper meets the rubber sole of the shoe. The two elements have separated slightly, showing a gap. I’m not sure if this means the glue has faded or the stitching is loose, but there’s a definite separation. While this may be a deal breaker for some, the shoes still work perfectly and once I’m wearing them you can’t see the gap anymore. I’d consider it a natural evolution of heavy use, and one that can be assuaged with some shoe glue if necessary.
Are Nisolos worth it?
The Nisolo Huarache Sandal is an ideal option for warm weather activities.
Certainly!
I love how Nisolo has balanced quality, sustainability, and durability in the Huarache sandals. The shoes are perfect for transitioning seasons and warm climates, making them a must-have for everything from office outfits to vacation footwear. They fare better in dry weather, but they’ve held up well with consistent wear over the course of a year. The Huarache Sandals come in women’s sizes 5 to 11 and five neutral colors.
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