As far as we know, the first huarache was so easy to make that one could make it oneself. However through the years, the basic designs have become increasingly complex in their fabrics. Each region in Mexico has different styles of huaraches, but there is no record of how many exist.

There are traditional sandals in Japan called waraji, a word that sounds similar to huarache although there is no evidence or connection between these two types of sandals. All woven huaraches are made using a single strip of leather or cloth.

Salvador (? — 2022), Fernando and Jesús (Chuy) comprised a team of grandfather, father and son huaracheros — their huaraches are some of the finest in the world. They live and work in a small town in Jalisco, south of Mazamitla called Concepción de Buenos Aires or Pueblo Nuevo. Few things have changed in this small town with stone streets.

Thirty years ago, Don Salvador, as he was known in the village, did what very few huaracheros have done. He decided to raise the quality of his craftsmanship instead of lowering the price of his sandals. The Cisneros family are the only huaracheros left in this town, where dozens used to exist.

Although prices are too high to sell in local markets, over time, and with the right exposure, they have acquired a substantial consumer base both domestically and internationally, and many of their customers continue to return to purchase their quality huaraches.

The huaraches by hand for men and women, and also custom-made to order. They take the measurement of the foot like any other shoemaker and modify their last mold in order to provide their clients with the best huarache fit.

The Cisneros are best known for their picada-style huaraches. Their huaraches are made with a single continuous strip, and no part of this strip is glued to the base of the sole. Instead, this strip is woven in a circular fashion and fed through the holes in the sole to make a sandal that uses no glue, no stitches, and no synthetic materials.

Donato Guerra
Concepción de Buenos Aires, Jalisco
372 426 0318 casa, 342 103 3152 celular