LUNA Sandals Roots - Barefoot Ted Meets Manuel Luna

As chronicled in the bestselling book Born to Run, here Barefoot Ted tells the story of his meeting with Manuel Luna in 2006 down in the Copper Canyons. He describes how that event sparked his imagination and has lead Luna Sandals to where we are today.

Featuring Barefoot Ted McDonald
Interview by Silverline Films
Photography by Luis Escobar
Tarahumara footage by Noren Films
Produced by Scott Smuin
Song: Beyond by Whitesand

[simonvance]

Honestly I’m so glad you started this company, my Monos are the best footwear I’ve ever ran or walked in. I had problems running forever (in shoes) and after reading Born to run I realised I’ve been heel striking in shoes my whole life even walking. Now I’m learning to walk again properly, as ridiculous as that must sound to most people… I love how you named the company after Manuel Luna.. Thanks!..

[kellialves]

If I knew that Manuel were getting a cut of the profits I'd be inclined to buy a pair of these.

[roselamartinez]

Cool. Does Manuel Luna and/or his community receive royalties or compensation?

[cannibalmanimal]

I’ve notice how some of their huaraches have a “negative drop” where the forefoot is thicker than the heel foam, I’m sure the wearer is used to it but that would affect the gait cycle as well

[KJ-ekze]

I just can't handle something between my toe, pulling at it, can't we have loops for each toe?

[HouseGuide]

This sandal is promoted to be for runners. If anything it could be for plodders who run 20 minutes per mile. It will absolutely not work for true runners who are running 7 minutes per mile or faster or want to do speedwork with them.
The toe post is horrible and has given me blisters especially when I tried to cross the strap over the foot at an angle. The plastic buckle on top has also given me blisters and the strap at the connection of the outside ankle aggravates my foot.
What is needed desperately for this shoe is a strap over the top from the base of the baby toe to the big toe. I have not waited for the company to do that and have done it on my own putting holes in the front and then wrapping a half inch strap over the top and then up underneath the strap to the ankle holding the shoe both to the forefoot and arch much more securely so I could then run faster. How difficult is that to do when I could do it. At least give faster runners an option to have a more secure fitting sandal. I do not have any respect as a true runner for someone who could not figure this out. Plodding and true running are two different sports.
Running on rocky trails has also resulted in small rocks getting trapped underneath the foot which is also aggravating and caused me to stop and try to sweep it out.
The strap underneath the sole is not too smart either. There is wear and tear after a 10 mile and 15 mile run which I was only able to run when I put in my own straps underneath the sole which of course resulted my own strap almost wearing all the way through. Possibly an indentation with file at the sole of the strap connection might work and it needs more indentation than the ones that came with the shoe strap at the ankle though I am not 100 percent sure that that is even going to work.
The people who made these shoes, need first of all to become true runners and experience the foot pressures associated with fast running not walking or plodding.
Just run some 100 meters or 200 meters and adjust the shoes so they are comfortable when doing that not making sloppy fitting shoes for people who run 100 mile runs at 20 minutes per mile or slower. Even going downhills slow with them won't work well if the shoe doesn't fit securely.

[britbritcritict]

Except that the sandals have to be adjusted every 3 mnts and it gets Soo annoying.

[sylviagardner]

I want to love my sandals but no matter how I wrap them they slip and is it just me or do they make your feet extra sweaty 😕

[rosebuffalo]

Hope Manuel is getting some profit out of this ..

[treebeardtheent]

Good video in many ways, but it still feels too self-aggrandizing.

There really is such a thing as pinheads from west coast cities who think they are really special when they are not.

The Tarajumara people and culture do strike me as genuinely special...they don't go around doing self promotion.