View Full Version : Homemade hiking sandals
I've been enjoying hiking and backpacking wearing Chaco sandals. The only trouble with Chacos is they do not have very good traction. I wondered if I could make hiking sandals with better traction. Turned out I could.
I bought some Barge cement and a pair of Vibram Kletter soles from a cobbler supply web site. The Kletter soles have the same lug pattern as regular hiking boots but there is no heel on them. I like the flat sole and have no need for a raised heel.
I also bought a pair of cheap $2.50 flip-flops at the drug store. I tried to find flip-flops that were flat and had very little pattern on the sole. I wanted to glue them to the boot sole and needed there to be no pattern on the bottom of the flip-flop.
I glued the flip-flops to the sole, cut off the flip-flop straps and used scrap leather (heavy leather, not thin stuff) that I bought at a place that sells scraps from local industries. I used the leather to fashion tabs to thread laces through and hold my heel in.
After the glue dried, I trimmed the boot soles to fit and glued and nailed the leather pieces on (little wire nails for extra security and to test placement before gluing). I laced them up and went for a hike. They worked and had great traction.
One thing I didn't account for was that my heel is flush against the end of the flip-flops so my homemade sandals are quite a bit too long in front. I plan to trim them to fit better or make another pair. Also, the flip-flops were pretty thick and taller than I would prefer.
The sandals are really super comfortable. They feel fine while hiking. Maybe not as great as Chacos, but really very good.
I may try simply resoling my Chacos now that I see how easy it is to do.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4088/5006733000_eab705617f.jpg
Jonnycat
09-23-2010, 11:57
Nice invention, I like the heavy duty soles on those, perfect for moving over uneven and rocky terrain.
Pretty nifty.
Did you consider a piece of leather where the strings make the "X" across the top of your foot? I'm thinking that since hiking involves thousands of steps after a while the strings would eat into your foot.
I actually don't feel the tie there as much as I do around my big toe.
It turned out after the leather stretched a bit that they are really way too big. So I will try again, maybe with a different design and materials.
sbhikes,
Awesome work on the sandals. Very inspiring. I am going to work on some sort of footwear as my next project after I get my thesis done, which will be soon.
These are ghillies. They might give you some idea for adding a few more leather flaps and lacing them up in a way that fits your foot well for hiking.
http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://akces.biz/pic/ghillies.jpg&imgrefurl=http://craftasticworld.blogspot.com/2007/02/christmas-revisited.html&usg=__vbcJqKxQTpK-l_1oWOtNQ2y_cRw=&h=320&w=420&sz=14&hl=en&start=2&zoom=1&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=BURDRjhU72uQPM:&tbnh=95&tbnw=125&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dghillies%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3D off%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-ca:IE-SearchBox%26rlz%3D1I7TSCA_en%26tbs%3Disch:1
http://api.ning.com/files/bGLVynOv8igrOB8Hjfi8dhexyh*bqaG-Bv2tgye-mFTouvhYKciKbYuV44*gyhVZ6ICE5eLaVMu4Lw6NDTcG6QuCrn H32XLA/ghillies.jpg
Actually, I've decided to try and make shoes instead of sandals next. I found a web page with all these shoe patterns from the middle ages. It'll probably be another failure, but it's really fun to try. I'm going to make them from fabric so I can use my sewing machine. And flip-flops again. And if they work, THEN I'll add the Vibram soles.
You might not even need the vibram soles, if you can get the leather tough enough. I am trying to find a good source for leather for shoes. I check out thrift stores for old leather shoes and coats and luggage but it is not as common as it was. Thinking about maybe cloth, at least until I get a good pattern, then turn to leather. Weaving shoes out of bar, or cloth or leather, is an interesting option. Knitting might works also, or use socks and treat them somehow.
Still seems to come back to the sole. Leather is a pretty impressive material when you think about it. Still, maybe some sort of strong fibre, like nylon socks, like alternating layers of nylon and sho goo maybe. Or if keeping it natural, maybe knit wool socks, then maybe do something with linseed oil and stuff like the way they used to make linoleum floors. Spruce gum also maybe to try and keep it rubbery and sticky. Maybe jute or hemp instead of wool, or mixed in. If you could do it right on your foot somehow, and then cut it off and add straps or lacing.
Leather doesn't have enough traction. It is also difficult to work with. Vibram boot soles cost less than $10 and are easy to slice through with a utility knife.
mister krabs
09-24-2010, 15:49
I have to say I'm mightily impressed with your effort. If you keep it up, you'll have something that suits you.
I tried shoes this time. I'm getting closer. If I can get the shoes right, I'll put a boot sole and have my own, homemade hiking shoes.
I made these from fabric. A green nylon skirt from the thrift store and an old orange fabric placemat. Plus flip-flop soles. Used hot glue to glue the soles to the shoes.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4149/5023224015_0a21aed7ff_m.jpg
Spiffy! Are they comfortable?
Oh my, I just went for a walk in the shoes and they are really super comfy. I'm amazed I actually made shoes that fit and work! Walking in them they didn't slip or feel awkward or sub-standard or fall apart or chafe or anything. They felt totally normal and really comfortable. They're quite a crazy color, but actually, since I wear these colors all the time, they work for me. I'm stoked!
chiefduffy
09-26-2010, 09:15
Thats pretty amazing. I've made almost all of my gear, but I never thought of making shoes!
Wicked awesome. I am so inspired.
So are you really going to try this, JAK? I saw that you mentioned trying this elsewhere. This is where I got the patterns. http://www.personal.utulsa.edu/~marc-carlson/shoe/SHOEHOME.HTM . I've also been studying pictures of shoes on various sites that make shoes for renaissance reenactment.
So far my shoes work great around town but I did a really gnarly boulder-hopping hike yesterday. I don't think they would have lasted long out there.
I also made a second pair but they came out a little bit floppy. Again, they are great for around town or camp shoes, but not yet for hiking.
Going to keep trying. I really want to see if I can do this.
I got as far as taking the soles of my leather ankle boots. They were coming off one shoe anyway. I was pleased to discover they are almost a complete mocassin type sole in construction, except for a piece cut out under the arch where there was a metal shank. They are getting old, so I am not afraid to experiment a little. They were 16oz each, and are now 8oz each. I think I will try just drying them out really well and then I will decide what sort of sole to put back on them. I don`t think I will use leather, at least not stitched on. I am thinking of first sealing the bottoms with a thin epoxy that will soak in a little, and then see how stiff they are and what I might do next. I like the idea of ankle moccassins, but I don`t want to stitch a second layer of leather and some sort of padding in between. Instead I will just put some sort of protective but grippy layer on the bottom, and add some padding on the inside like a foam insole, or felt in winter.
I will see how they works as mocs, or mock mocs ;) and then maybe DIY something.