How to make Xero Shoes FeelTrue Kits for barefoot running - Xero Shoes

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How to make Xero Shoes FeelTrue Kits for barefoot running

These instructions will help you make your own huaraches from scratch using our 4mm Connect or 6mm Contact Xero Shoe Kits. If you purchased a Vibram Classic Kit, or want to learn to make running sandals using any other material, check out our How To Make Huaraches page.

And, at the end of the instructions you’ll learn how to tie huaraches.

You can also download a PDF of these instructions by clicking here.

What you’ll need to make your Xero shoes:

Practically nothing. Our kits come with everything you need to make your own barefoot sandals.

Step-by-step instructions for making FeelTrue® Xero Shoes:

Step 1 – Decide whether you want to trim your outsoles

Step on the Xero Shoe outsole with the back of your heel in line with, or slightly in front of, the back of the outsole.

How well does it fit your foot?

If your foot “fills” the outsole, you’ll probably want to leave it as-is.

If there’s a little bit of extra space around your foot, you may want to leave that, too.

If your foot is especially narrow or curved, or there’s a lot of room in front of your toes, decide whether you want to retain the inside edge, the outside edge, or trim both edges.

If you want to trim your Xero Shoes, continue with Step 2.

If you’re NOT trimming your Xero Shoes, go to Step 5.

Step 2 – Trace around your foot

Holding a ballpoint pen (or Sharpie marker) vertically, trace around the outside of your foot.

Step 3 – Even out the tracing

You want to smooth out the curves. For example, make the toe area into a curve rather than bumps for each toe.

Step 4 – Cut out the soles

You can use a good pair of kitchen scissors for this. Or tin snips, or EMT Shears.

Step 5 – Mark the toe hole

Step on your soles and mark between your 1st and 2nd toe, about 1/8″ in front of the webbing.

Click this picture to see a video of the whole process...

How to make Xero Shoes Barefoot Sandals

Step 6 – Punch the toe hole

SPECIAL: We now include a hollow punch, like the one pictured to the right, with every Xero Shoe kit, absolutely free of charge. (if you want to buy an additional punch, click here)

Punch out the toe hole using the included hollow punch or, if you happen to have one handy, you can use a rotary hole punch (if you don’t have one of these, you can find them at any craft store, or on eBay, or you can usually borrow one at a leather or shoe repair shop).

To use the hollow punch: Place a magazine, or folded newspaper, or piece of scrap wood on the floor or table (some hard surface). This is to protect the surface when you use the hollow punch.

Place the outsole on top of that.

Position the hollow punch on the toe hole mark you made in the previous step. Hold it perpendicular to the ground/sole (not at an angle).

Give it a good whack with a hammer.

Hollow Punch

Rotary Hole Punch

How to use the Hollow Punch

Using the Hollow Punch

How to make Xero Shoes Barefoot Sandals

Step 7 – Prepare your lace ends

Check out the video to the right… if you use the “bobby pin method”, there’s nothing to prepare.

If you use the first two methods, be careful with the heated ends… the material stays HOT when you heat it (no surprise there, I hope 😉 )

How to make Xero Shoes Barefoot Sandals

Step 8 – Thread the lace through the toe hole and secure it

Push one end of the lace through the toe hole, from the top to the bottom.

Make a knot in the lace, on the bottom side.

Traditionally, I used a “Figure 8 knot”, click the picture to the right.

After you’ve made the knot, run the flame from a lighter (or match) under the knot, to melt the nylon slightly, then press the knot together to seal it and flatten it a bit.

If you want, squeeze the knot flatter with a pliers.

Lately, though, I’ve been using a lower profile “Lace bead.”

Step 9 – Thread the ankle holes

Pass the lace through the outside ankle hole first, from top to bottom.

Then pass the lace through the inside ankle hole, also from top to bottom.

Follow the pictures to get it correct… you want the lace to “lock in” around the holes.

Click below to see Steps 8 and 9

How to make Xero Shoes Barefoot Sandals

Step 10 – Select one of the fun tying styles

There’s been more creativity in the “how to tie huaraches” arena since we started selling Xero Shoes than there has been in the 10,000 years since someone first came up with sandals like these.

And there’s no way to have written instructions for them all (well, there is, but it would be miserable to go through them.

Instead, check out the different cool, decorative, and stylish ideas — with video instructions — about how to tie huaraches and what to do with “leftover lace”

There are dozens of tying styles. Here’s our favorite.

How to make Xero Shoes Barefoot Sandals

Step 11 – Most importantly… Go out and ENJOY your new Xero Shoes and Live Life Feet First!

Remember, though, to take it easy at first. If you’re not used to going barefoot, especially running barefoot, you’ll be putting more stress on your muscles and skin than you’re used to. Work your way into your huaraches slowly.

And if you come up with cool, new tying ideas, let us know so we can put them on our [Tying Page](/content/pages/tying "How to tie Xero Shoes"/index.html).

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