So, quick backstory: I wanted a pair of MT100s, but they're now really hard to find in common sizes, so I'm stuck waiting for the MT101s to drop in October, reflecting on Jason running 68.8 miles in huaraches at Burning River, and thinking it's time to give huaraches another shot, when I come across this post on the google group.
I had a good run in my homemade huaraches (6mm Vibram cherry sole, 4(?)mm black paracord laces), but wanted to try the "cutting board rockstop" to get a little extra rock protection. Fortunately, I had a second pair of homemade huaraches to experiment on, and I got a cheap, thin, flexible cutting board at the local homegoods store for $5, so the risk was low.
I used barge cement to glue the cutting board on the forefoot section only (you can see the line on the "after" photo below, and added a layer of old denim for a footbed. About 8oz each altogether, and I also followed Josh's tip to remove the "mantle" from the paracord so the laces are flatter. Tied via the "slip-on/slip-off" method.
Here what they looked like when finished:
I really enjoyed the extra protection from the trail...I was aware of stepping on rocks, but there were no "ouchie" moments. At the same time, I felt like the huaraches still kept me honest on my form because if I didn't land fairly flat, I would end up sliding around some on the footbed.
However, I still need to work on my construction technique (and probably use a lot more barge cement), because after 15 miles on the Poto trail (and about 20 total miles), my new huaraches were looking a little ragged and the cutting board and denim were coming unglued (another 5 miles pretty much separated the vibram sole from the cutting board):
I will be repairing and am open to suggestions for other footbed materials...denim is not quite right...a little slippery. And I might use a thicker/wider climbing rope for the laces, but overall, I am very happy with this pair...if I can only get them to stay in one piece!
I had a good run in my homemade huaraches (6mm Vibram cherry sole, 4(?)mm black paracord laces), but wanted to try the "cutting board rockstop" to get a little extra rock protection. Fortunately, I had a second pair of homemade huaraches to experiment on, and I got a cheap, thin, flexible cutting board at the local homegoods store for $5, so the risk was low.
I used barge cement to glue the cutting board on the forefoot section only (you can see the line on the "after" photo below, and added a layer of old denim for a footbed. About 8oz each altogether, and I also followed Josh's tip to remove the "mantle" from the paracord so the laces are flatter. Tied via the "slip-on/slip-off" method.
Here what they looked like when finished:
I really enjoyed the extra protection from the trail...I was aware of stepping on rocks, but there were no "ouchie" moments. At the same time, I felt like the huaraches still kept me honest on my form because if I didn't land fairly flat, I would end up sliding around some on the footbed.
However, I still need to work on my construction technique (and probably use a lot more barge cement), because after 15 miles on the Poto trail (and about 20 total miles), my new huaraches were looking a little ragged and the cutting board and denim were coming unglued (another 5 miles pretty much separated the vibram sole from the cutting board):
I will be repairing and am open to suggestions for other footbed materials...denim is not quite right...a little slippery. And I might use a thicker/wider climbing rope for the laces, but overall, I am very happy with this pair...if I can only get them to stay in one piece!