Build what humans have always worn
Before brands. Before trends. There was the simple sandal. Now you can make your own.
Note! LUNA sizing
More sizing informationFor men's sizes, order half (0.5) size smaller than your regular men's shoe size.
For women's sizes, order your normal size.
Made to order
All Builder sandals are made to order.
Expect 5-7 production days + shipping time.
Made in Wenatchee, WA, USA.
You Pick We Make.
Nobody else has this pair.
From Barefoot Ted
What are Roots
Barefoot Ted here. Quick story to share. From the earliest days of LUNA Sandals in a garage in Seattle, I have dreamed of an online place where in realtime you could step-by-step build the perfect huarache-style sandal. The Roots Builder allows this. The steps are simple and fun.
LUNA Roots sandals are crafted by hand in our own factory here in the USA. We obsess on finding the finest materials and making the highest quality sandals. We love what we do and you will notice the difference.
Who is it for
LUNA Roots Sandals are for people who are excited about experimenting with this time tested traditional huarache sandal style. Remember, it takes time and skill to tie and get used to this type of footwear.
How to tie your Roots? Step by step here.
Looking for modern LUNAs with ease of use and superior performance? Start here.
Why the simple sandal
Your body is not broken
You were born with everything you need to move well. Strength. Balance. Sensation. The simple sandal does not fix you. It reveals you.
The Roots Builder is your chance to return to that. Something that moves with you, but does not disappear under you. Minimal is not about being as thin as possible. It is about removing what you do not need while keeping what matters. That idea still shapes every LUNA today.
2006
It started in the Copper Canyons
Barefoot Ted traveled to run with the Tarahumara, one of the most enduring running cultures on earth.
There, a man named Manuel Luna made him a pair of sandals from tire tread and leather.
No cushioning systems. No technology. Just something ancient, and right.
That moment sparked LUNA.
Not Tarahumara feet
You have probably seen this image before, often labeled as Tarahumara feet. It is not. It is Barefoot Ted's.
The year after
They did not want less. They wanted portable ground.
After his first trip to the Copper Canyons, Ted went home inspired. In 2007, he returned with what he thought was the future: the thinnest Vibram material he could find, light, minimal, almost nothing. He was proud of it.
When he showed it to the Tarahumara, they were not impressed. It was too thin. Too flimsy. Not built to last.
Because what they wanted was not less. They wanted reliable connection. The Tarahumara do not run barefoot. They run on something better: portable ground.
Durable. Protective. Connected.
From Barefoot Ted
The inspiration for Roots
As many of you know, in 2006 I ventured down into the Copper Canyons of Mexico to participate in a now famous footrace with some of the greatest indigenous mountain runners in the world, the famed Tarahumara. The book "Born to Run" by Christopher McDougall gave many in the world their first deep glimpse of these people and their amazing running skills and their distinctive footwear, the simple huarache sandals.
Upon my return, I started experimenting with making my own simple sandals using the huarache as my launching point. By 2007, I had returned to the Copper Canyons to see if I could complete the 50 mile course in my own sandals. My success launched a footwear revolution. The "barefoot shoe" craze began and many jumped on the bandwagon.
LUNA Sandals is the outcome of all that experimenting and fun. We feel like surfers making surfboards. We enjoy turning others onto the simple joy of running and living in sandals, and we make them in a way that makes us proud. You will feel the difference.
LUNAFICATION GUARANTEE
Wear them as hard as you like for 30 days. If they are not right for you, send them back for a refund, no questions asked, however many miles are on them.
- JWJonathan W.Verified BuyerReviewingUSA Roots Builder 🇺🇸Rated 3 out of 5 stars2 weeks agoOk
Wood chips lodged in the bottom. Not as tough as the original.
- JBJessica B.Verified BuyerReviewingUSA Roots Builder 🇺🇸I recommend this productRated 5 out of 5 stars1 month agoUSA ROOTS BUILDER SANDAL - WELL LIKED
I like these sandals very much. The straps needed to be adjusted tighter a few times as the leather loosens up a bit. I've had compliments on my sandals several times already. I like the look of these sandals with the straps around the feet and ankles; looks very good. Fairly comfortable, even at first. I didn't have much of an adjustment wearing these flat/low sandals all day.
- AAnonymousVerified BuyerReviewingUSA Roots Builder 🇺🇸I recommend this productRated 5 out of 5 stars2 months agoSandales cuir
J'adore, très jolies et confortables
- CChloeVerified BuyerReviewingUSA Roots Builder 🇺🇸I recommend this productRated 5 out of 5 stars3 months agoA Valuable Lesson in your own Feet!
I purchased the roots builder with the leather upper and both the short and long laces, and by the spirits of Rowtor rocks I'm glad I did! They are hands down the most comfortable sandals I've ever worn, but it hasn't been without it's teething issues. I have hEDS and I manage it by going as back to nature as possible so things like barefoot, walking, yoga etc. However, it also means that my joints are not as expected which was a bit of a surprise to find in my feet. The first issue I had was they wouldnt stay on when tied as standard straight out of the box. Bit of rejigging and retying do that I tie around the back instead of across the front sort of sorted that. New problem. They're still falling off my feet. So I made the decision to embark on putting the longer laces on, which I have done to my feet and to what works for my feet, toe loop, tying round the back, and securing at the ankle. Touch wood, that has fixed the issue I was having but they are SO comfortable and hardly feel like they're there! The teething issues i have had are due to my own anatomy and having to work with joints (of which there are many in the feet) which don't quite work as intended, I highly recommend these sandals though! Just be prepared to restring and readjust if needed which is the absolute beauty of these sandals.
- DSDaniel S.Verified BuyerReviewingUSA Roots Builder 🇺🇸I recommend this productRated 5 out of 5 stars3 months agoBest Sandal Ever
The best sandal ever. You can set them up however you want. Made in the USA- GREAT! Will be buying more