The Best Huarache Sandals for Men Are a Year-Round Woven Flex

Give your steamy leather hard-bottoms the season off.
The best huarache sandals for yearround wear.

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

If you're looking for a pair of huarache sandals, you're either planning a trip somewhere balmy or are already living there. Whether or not you've got vacation in mind, you can't talk about the best sandals for men without talking about the huarache sandal.

The huarache's appeal is simple: the brawny woven slip-on combines the breathability of a sandal with the polished look of a loafer, minus the feet sweat. In their most traditional form, their leather uppers are woven by hand and threaded or nailed into an outer sole hardy enough to withstand extensive mileage on rugged terrain. Which helps explain why they remain a staple in the regions of Mexico they originated in—and why so many misty-eyed travelers passing through the country return home with a pair.

These days, the best huarache sandals for men span the gamut, from traditional options crafted in Mexico to modern riffs that take the woven look to a new level. None of the cohort below demand booking a ticket South—but if you’ve got the time (and miles) to burn, it's hard to beat buying a pair directly from the source


The Best Huarache Sandals for Men, According to GQ


Best Huarache Sandals Overall: Nisolo Huarache Sandal

Nisolo

Huarache Sandal

Nisolo's traditional huarache sandal is no stranger to these parts. In the past, we've praised its water-resistant 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 beneath baggy jeans.

All that aside, though, what we really dig about the company is its B-corp and climate neutral certifications, and its dedication to ensuring the craftspeople churning out its shoes are compensated fairly. Sure, $150 is more than you'd pay if you bought a pair abroad, but it’s hard to put a price on peace of mind—or the simple pleasure of looking like Chris Pine.

The first time GQ writer Michella Oré took Nisolo's huarache sandal for a test drive, she walked for hours and her feet felt … great. The sturdy-yet-flexible foam midsole absorbed shock and molded to her feet, while the reinforced heel cup eliminated the nagging worry that her sandal might go flying off into the horizon with one wrong turn. In other words, Oré notes: it is, quite literally, a deceptively solid shoe.

Read more: Nisolo Huarache Sandal review

Best Dressy Huarache Sandals: Chamula Bocado Bit Huarache

Chamula

Bocado Bit Huarache

Yuki Matsuda might not be a household name, but to a certain type of clothing fanatic he’s a rockstar. Matsuda is the creative force behind Meg Co., which owns Chamula, Yuketen, and Monitaly—a formidable triumvirate of indie menswear darlings that specialize in next-gen Americana. After visiting Mexico in the ‘90s, Matsuda cooked up an intricately-woven leather huarache cut from vegetable-tanned leather attached to a flexible EVA sole. The Bocado is the dressed up version of the classic “Cancun” silhouette, featuring the same almond-shaped closed-toe and sturdy crepe bottoms that’s been adorned with a brass horse bit along the vamp. Pair ‘em with your finest linen slacks when it’s time to show up and show out.

Best Luxury Huarache Sandals: Yuketen Alejandro Huarache Sandal

Yuketen

Alejandro Huarache Sandal

If you live in a city like New York, your exposed toes don't belong anywhere close to the pavement. (Trust us: It's seen things nobody should ever have to experience.) Yuketen's Alejandro sandal is handwoven in Mexico with comfy insole reinforced with a beefy Vibram outsole for maximum cushioning, a welcome boost—and buffer—from whatever you encounter on the streets this summer.

Best Outdoor-Friendly Huarache Sandal: Keen Uneek Sandal

Keen

"Uneek" Sandal

Keen's hero product is plenty freaky-looking, but its part huarache, part sneaker design also makes it one of the sturdiest options on this list. Featuring flexible polyester cords that hug the feet for a secure fit, the Uneek sandal is equipped to make your rocky landings as smooth as possible. If you're looking for a Hydro Moc alternative that'll feel just as zen with zip-off cargos and a lightweight shell jacket, look no further.

Best Huarache Slip-Ons: Espiritu Sol Slip-Ons

Espiritu

Sol Slip-Ons

If you thought huaraches couldn’t get more leisure-coded, think again. Made from undyed leather that’s been stitched down to recycled rubber soles, Espiritu’s Sol slip-ons might be the most elegant pick-up-and-go footwear available this side of the web. Whether you’re wearing them with a pair of “smart” chino shorts or the perfectly faded denim that looks like it’s seen its fair share of adventures, these cushy slides will make sure you keep your sophisticated cool—without running the risk of crossing into beach bum territory. Which make its no surprise they’re Espiritu’s #1 bestseller.

Best Suede Huarache Sandal: Luca Huarache

Luca

Huarache

When it’s time to put in the work, some shoes outlast the others. Don’t let the soft as butter exterior fool you—Luca’s huaraches are well equipped to withstand whatever roughing up you have in store, whether you’re navigating uncharted roads or maxing out on your city commute. Handcrafted in Guatemala from durable, water-resistant roughout leather that maintains its shape throughout wear, they’re reinforced with a sturdy, rubber sole that bends to your foot straight out of the box. These huaraches were built to be lived in—and to last.

Best Huarache Sandal for Comfort: Malibu Sandals Colony Mule

Malibu Sandals

Colony Mule

If you’re planning to put in some miles, it might be best to swap out the hard-bottomed soles for a cushier alternative. Malibu’s Colony Mules feature an ergonomic footbed layered on top of a cork-infused EVA midsole to cradle your feet mid-stride and prevent the types of aches and pains that can cut your scenic walk short. The woven upper is made from a recycled polyester-blend further locks in your foot without cutting off circulation—a feel-good feature that actually, well, feels good on. While these mules stray away from the traditional huarache silhouette they keep the same energy, allowing you to flex in the utmost comfort all day, everyday.


More Huarache Sandals We Love

Chamula

"Cancun" Huaraches

While Chamula continues to churn out funky rifts of the traditional huarache, the classic closed-toe silhouette, with its smooth-as-butter footbed, still takes the cake.

Keen

UNEEK II Slide

The breathable, flexibility of the original you know and love, now comes in a on-trend mule that's easy to slip on/off.

Espiritu

Mayan Huaraches

It's like we always say: A little color-blocking goes a long way. And in the case of Espiritu's top-notch huaraches—which are handmade by local Mexican artisans from organically-sourced materials—the color-blocking might be the least cool thing about 'em.

Nike

ACG Watercat+ Shoes

Are these technically huaraches, in the literal sense of the term? Definitely not. Does the Swoosh's next-gen riff on the woven sandal—equipped with quick-drying uppers and an extra-grippy sole—still merit inclusion here for its outdoorsy bona fides alone? Absolutely.

Deer Stags

Bamboo2 Huaraches

Chances are, your grandpa was rocking with T-bar sandals long before the fashion set cottoned on to their cool. Time to make him proud.

Sunsteps

Broadbay Huarache Sandal

55 bucks for a pair of leather sandals you won't be afraid to bring to the beach is already a great deal, but the the slightly squared-off toe here helps up the fashion quotient significantly—and ensures you can wear these with more than swim trunks.