Quiksilver Huarache Review

Comfort comfort comfort… one of the most important, if not the most important, word when it comes to shoes. Sure the shoes may look good, feel good or fit well, but are they comfortable!? Now, granted this word doesn’t apply to a select group of shoes (think fashion stilettos of sky-high proportions that you can’t stand in and are more for show) but when it comes to the Huarache Sandal, it matters. Sure, they aren’t suitable for running marathons but they sure are comfy when it comes to everyday wear. The caged style of straps offers an all-around comfortable design to the shoe, meaning your foot feels cupped throughout and the full-grain leather footbed offers cushioned comfort exceeding expectations. And let’s not forget the hand-woven leather uppers, which are saltwater friendly and a soft full-grain leather known as Saline Leather™, offering some handsome style with your comfort. Even though the straps aren’t adjustable, this doesn’t mean they can’t offer you a level of comfort unparalleled to many other sandals. Sounds like a pretty good addition to your sandal collection to me!

When it comes to surf shoes, they are a very particular style that doesn’t generally go with everything. They can be worn with day attire, but once the sun goes down it can be a little trickier to find an outfit that they gel with - that’s not to say it’s impossible though! The Huarache Sandal is a handsome, old-school sandal that is perfect for a day at the beach or a casual coffee on a Sunday afternoon, but it is not a dressy sandal that goes with your work attire or a nice dinner outfit for your Friday date night. You can use it for any sort of casual wear and dressed-down outfit though, making it an awesome flexible all day sandal, but it's versatility just doesn’t overly stretch into formal wear of the nighttime variety. It’s still a great relaxed shoe option for an easy-going day outside though and goes with most sorts of outfits. That’s a hard thing to say for a lot of sandals these days.

The character of a sandal is made or broken by its straps - a wise person said that once (that wise person was me) and in the case of the Huarache Sandal, this stands true. The caged design is cool and vintage, giving it an old-school vibe which you don’t see around a lot these days. The straps are made of Saline Leather™, which is a saltwater friendly/water friendly full-grain leather that allows for water contact without major damage. They are latticed around the foot, including the heel, allowing for a comfortable setting without seeming overbearing or chunky, and mean that getting in and out of the sandal is nice and easy. There is a downside though - the straps are not adjustable, which can mean some issues if the sandal isn’t the right fit, to begin with, or starts to stretch a little once time goes on. This especially poses problematic considering the whole upper shoe is merely made of straps - you do the math. That shouldn’t put you off though - they are a worthwhile addition anyway.

The outsole of a sandal is a complex creature - some sandals are basically devoid of any character when it comes to their outsole, some have an outsole that’s easy to forget and others are so chunky and full of life that it’s almost off-putting. When it comes to the Huarache Sandal, however, they have it pretty well balanced and it's pretty stylish too. The sole is made of gum rubber and has integrated into it a multi-width herringbone tread with Quiksilver logos on it, giving it that little bit of extra subtle branding whilst still looking good. The rubber allows for a durable outsole that offers some traction in tricky situations and the outer stitching on the footbed adds a little endurance and style to the sandal without being overpowering. You can wear these shoes to the beach, the park or to a coffee shop and you’ll be pretty well covered but remember, they are still a sandal so don’t be too hard on them! Well done Quiksilver for a stylish little outsole whilst giving it some really practical components - it’s a hard combination to get right, but they’ve got it pretty damn close.

When it comes to a shoe being branded as a ‘surf-style shoe’, one of the assumptions that may come to mind is it’s waterproof. Think more of a “wear to the beach and not damage my new sandals” kind of mind frame, not an “I will wear these sandals in the raging surf and they will be fine” frame of mind. The Huarache Sandal is constructed of full-grain leather, with the caged straps being made of Saline Leather™, a smart and water friendly material which is great for sandals of this kind and still looks pretty amazing. It is not, however, fully waterproof and shouldn’t be treated as such (you will only be disappointed!). Saline Leather™ offers a water-friendly scenario, however, it is not completely waterproof to all situations…. so when you’re wearing them, just be careful! They are good with the water, but not like you are wearing a fully waterproof pair of shoes on your feet - and considering they are open-toe, you probably don’t want to go splashing around anyway.

Ahhh…. Shoe uppers. The wonderful yet tempestuous topic that can plague any good shoe or be the reason another becomes iconic. And, in the shoe world, shoe uppers are a big deal - a really big deal. Whether they need to be waterproof for hiking or durable for all-terrain weather or have a ‘luxury appeal’ to ensure their success on the high street, shoe uppers can make or break a shoe. When it comes to the Huarache Sandal, they sport a vintage cage-style upper and, being full-grain leather, definitely harness that surfy appeal. The leather, being saltwater friendly, adds a practical addition to the sandal, and ensure that they can actually be worn at the beach - which may sound like a strange thing to say, but you’d be amazed at how many names can be deceiving. The uppers are also hand-woven, which adds a nice little touch to an already character-filled shoe and certainly ensures they fill the surf-style branding all around. They are open toed though, so more designed for the warmer months, but they are just a really cool sandal!

The quality and longevity of sandals and the materials they are made of can be a bit of a touchy subject in the shoe world - sure they look great but are they any good to wear long term? Some sandals pass the test and others just fall apart a few weeks after you buy them, which is not an ideal outcome for anyone. When you take a look at the Huarache Sandals though, they manage to tick a lot of the boxes in the quality category. They are made of full-grain leather and are hand-woven, showing that extra level of care when it comes to their construction. The straps are saltwater friendly, the footbed is cushioned (and also made of leather!) and the footbed perimeter has been stitched to add to the longevity of the sandal - and lets not forget the multi-width herringbone tread on the rubber outsole, which is durable and practical for many outdoor situations. These sandals really are made to last the elements, whether it be a walk on the beach or a day running around doing errands - either will do.

Now, when it comes to colorways for surf-style sandals, things can be a little limited. Brown, black, a little more brown… perhaps some white. In the case of these sandals, they conform exactly to this sentiment as there is one choice - a brown/black scheme which is classic and timeless but the only option. Not all black or all brown or even pink/blue/olive green/tomato red - now, granted, you may not personally want those colors but someone else might. The brown/black scheme is a perfect option for the Huarache Sandal though, with the hand-woven full-grain leather adding character and it fits precisely into their style and appeal, however, if you are looking for another color or color scheme there just isn’t one available. So, keep this is in mind when taking a look at buying these sandals!

Sandal fit can vary, depending on the style, the straps, the buckles and even the sole - it is a combined effort in the comfort and fit stakes. In the case of the Huarache Sandal, the fit is a little tricky due to the lack of strap adjustability. The width is considered medium, which is suitable for most feet, however, as the straps are not adjustable this may cause a few problems when it comes to sizing. They are easy to slip on and off though, which is great considering they are a surf-style sandal and offer a cushioned footbed which helps keep your foot comfy and in place. They are also super light, being less than 9 ounces in weight and offer an open toe for some breezy airflow when the temperature is looking a little warm. That’s the kind of sandal you want, not one that feels like a hot anchor on your feet - lightweight and breezy is the way to go!

Surf sandals are a funny genre of shoes - some people love them, some people hate them and there are a select few who seems to be neutral to the whole concept. In the case of the Huarache Sandal, they are a throwback to old-school sandal style in a practical setting, with hand-woven saltwater friendly leather, a caged design, multi-width herringbone tread and stitched footbed perimeter for durability and longevity. They have character and a vintage style, making them a pretty cool like a sandal for your everyday outfits during the warmer months. They are quite a specific shoe though, meaning they won’t be suitable for a walk in the snow or a fancy dinner party, but considering they are marketed as a surf shoe they do pretty well at sticking to that branding. Granted, the colorways are a little limited - make that a lot limited actually - and the fit can be a little tricky at times, but all in all, this sandal is a pretty solid addition to your wardrobe. So, next time you are looking for a vintage-style sandal with a little bit of character, look no further than the Quicksilver Huarache Sandal.