Fake flip-flops...interested?

ooh i see. would you post pics of the bottom so see what the straps look like as well?
and even still, once the kinks are worked out, you should make an online store and come up with an official name if you haven't already. i will be visiting!

 

The straps currently cross under the arch just ahead of the plantar fascia tendon connection at the base of the heel, then cross again over the Achilles tendon, wrappling around the ankle. On a bare leg, they look a lot like gladiator sandals in profile - just bottomless.

this weekend's travel testing included:

Border's Books
Rite Aid
Panera Bread
Home Depot
Krogers
Office Max.

never a second glance or look.

Make no mistake of this, though - these are not easy to fab up! On a half mile walk, I encountered an issue with the right toe strap - turns out it's just a skosh shorter than the left one, and that teeny difference in length made a huge difference in overall comfort.

So - I'm gonna go back into the garage and tinker some more to get them 'right'. I also want to eliminate the current type of plantar tendon crossing to increase sole comfort; I'm suing a floating connection now, and it's not quite right. Will try a fixed connection next.

Am also considering a design with an elasticized connection, but am concerned about the 'pull' on the toepad strap; could get tiring after a long walk. It's turned out to be much more complex than I originally thought to arrive a a comfy set of 'fakies' - but I WILL get there!

 

why not just wear shoes? i don't understand this and it's buggin' the hell out of me. blisters come to mind. if i'm gonna be barefoot.. i'm gonna be 100% barefoot. no sneaking around and fakin' it. ... you can ignore this if you like.. it's only my personal opinion.

 

You might B able to gat away with it in Northern Cal, but in the uptight Midwest you've got to be a tad more discreet - that's the diff. Be waay easier to be 100% BF in the south and Cal - but those are exceptions; 75% of the nation oft takes exception to such things.

 

Okay - some pix:

 

and more:





These are a variation of the staps originally sold in Northern California in the 70's to escape the shoe police - a countercultural thing. They've been discontinued, so I came up with my own 'modern' version.

If you can go BF 100% - GREAT!!! If not, then these give you 'feel' while providing your feet the appearance of being shod - to the casual observer.

 

doesn't that little thing under our toes come out though?
and could you make some with synthetic leather? because I don't use leather

 

everyone's entitled to an opinion. i think the point is to rebel but also trying not to cause trouble. and you also get a satisfaction knowing you tricked the "shoe police" as relaxed put it.

oh and relaxed- do you think i could get away with it down here in florida? most people only wear flip flops here. and ive seen people barefoot, but not as much in public stores and things.
oh and i also prefer synthetic leather.

 

Amazingly - the toe pad does not come out. I started with a 2" diameter leather disc and kept cutting it down 'till it felt unobtrusive. Remember - there's nothing to hold in place save for the straps. I was afraid it would pull out, too - used a small metal reinforcement on an earlier version, but after padding, it was 'fat'. felt too much like a shoe sole under the toe. I barely feel this one at all.

As for blisters - I've done several miles in them with no blisters - and I've been blistered by Patagonias, Birkies, cheapies - and - plain old hot pavement. There's less stress on the straps, as you're not trying to lift the weight of a sole, so they're pretty comfy.

I get Vegan - something about having two art kids sensitizes you to such things. I didn't know how the fakies would be accepted, so I made them initially for my own use; the brown ones were set #2 and the black ones are set #3. I can see where if you're vegan and set to eliminate all animal products from your life - you'd be looking for a synthetic set.

Having said that, what would make sense would be an organic strap - as opposed to a petroleum-based synthetic. I'm open to suggestions; was thinking bout a woven hemp strap, or a soy-based syn leather - if I can find it.

As for wearing them in Florida...

I don't see why not! I've spent a fair amount of time in Key West, and go for days sans flips, donning them only during midday summer sun. Flips are standard issue in FL; they're not as commonplace in the Midwest. I figure fakies are almost unnecessary in FL, where I'd get booted from a store in MI if I were shoeless. It is great fun 'getting away' with something - even if it is legal. Most folks don't know that BF'ing isn't against the law. I enjoyed the evil eye of the Office Depot lady - she couldn't figure out what was wrong with my 'shoes' - but I did have something on my feet, thus avoiding confrontation.

I'm looking to make an alternate version with no ankle strap - if I can get them to stay on during foot extension. they'd look more like shoes, as there would be material on the sides...we will see.

Thanks for all your input so far - it's been helpful, and I'll keep on tinkering!

 

ooohh a hemp strap would be awesome. i have hemp anklets, one that ties around my ankle and around my toe. It's amost like a bottomless shoe but it obviously doesn't look like a flip flop. and ive also gotten blisters with birkies. my feet are wide.

 

oh yeah, I'd really like hemp. but wouldn't that be rough on the tops of my feet?

 

well you could work them in. i had a hemp necklace that was really tough, and after a few showers it was nice and soft. but you shouldnt have to work in fakies. lol

 

I'm having trouble finding hemp webbing the the right width; only stuff I can find is for yoga straps. will keep looking, tho.

I have a hemp shirt - rougher than cotton; less scratchy than wool. If you'd prefer, I think the alternate design (slip-on style) will work with polypropylene webbing - intil I can find 'the good stuff'!

 

Love 'em!!!! I am definitely interested in them. I want to see how the bottom wraps around. Keep working on 'em and post some more pix....

 

rad

 

hehe yup. if youve seen the "pictures of your feet" thread youll see a nice hemp anklet on my right foot. its soft because its worn. lol

 

Bob - scroll down; pix of the wrap are there.

 

You gus are the BEST!!

I did some research and found hemp webbing; will order samples this week and start 'sperimenting. Can get it in 1/2" and 1" width; took some searching, as it's not a common thing.

While on the plane today, I figured out how to possibly simplify them to a single strap wrap by using s thincker strap top side - we'll see!

 

cool beans! cant wait to see the updates!

 

I believe that I will watch this thread. I like the idea, however, they look like they would be a bit uncomfortable. If I think of any ways to improve the design I will let you know. For now, I will stay with my flip flops. Keep up the good work.
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