Tire shoes

Zoom in to check out the stitching on the toe strap

This is not exactly a new design; this type of sandal is probably best known as the choice footwear for the Tarahumara people. I am not planning on running 200 miles in these sandals, but they are comfortable, stay on my feet more securely than other sandals I have worn, and will probably outlast any shoe due to the durability of the tire rubber.

Anyone who has every tried to cut up a tire can tell you that without heavy-duty equipment it is nearly impossible. The combination of vulcanized rubber and steel wire is what makes tires so damn durable. However, the steel belts do not go throughout the en(tire). The sidewalls of the particular tire I chose to use were only reinforced with nylon thread, easily cut with a utility knife. There is also a steel reinforced inner rim, which is what provides the stiffness that prevents the tires from popping off your car rims (that would be bad).

 Welcome to my workshop

With a little bit of exploring with the utility knife (I dulled a blade or two in the process), I found the extent of the steel wire and cut out a large, usable section of rubber. This was a larger tire than is found on sedans; probably from a pick-up or SUV. Where do you find tires? Tire shops will give you their discarded tires for free, as they have to pay for their disposal.

I learned to tie this type of sandal from this site. Why re-explain something when someone has done a good job of it already? I went with the easy on/off, slip-on style.

After cutting out the soles to the shape of my foot, I laced it. Since I used 1/2" tubular webbing ($.33/ft) I had to cut some large-ish slits in the sole. I have used 3mm cord in the past; it took a lot of getting used to and was never totally comfortable. This webbing was much better.

Instead of tying a knot for the toe strap like is done on the instructional page, I cut a recessed slot so I could thread a loop of the webbing, then sewed it with a device I have modified: a Speedy Stitcher. The standard model comes equipped with thick, waxed thread and a needle to match. I thought this was pretty lame so I traded out the needle for a sewing machine needle with a round shank and added polyester sail thread. The result is a sleek tool that makes it very easy to sew fast, VERY strong stitches.

It is important to note that I only did one line of stitching down the middle. I tried doing two parallel lines at first, but this made the webbing between my toes too stiff, forcing them apart. Not comfortable. I also reinforced the toe strap under the sole with some adhesive. Despite it being recessed so it contacts the ground much less, I figured a little bit of extra abrasion resistance would not go amiss.

Ta da! 

If you have any questions or suggestions, post to the comments.

I'm, like, famous

My apologies for the long break from posting! I have been hopping all over the West, living out of my car. Living the Dream, as they say.

I recently had the pleasure of meeting and climbing with Brad Jackson, who is best known for his 5.13 offwidth first ascents, notably Bellyful of Bad Berries and the finish on Trench Warfare. Pretty crazy. I had been working on getting the first ascent of Throbbing Gristle, a wide crack in Joshua Tree that was toproped for a first ascent in 1983. They didn't have protection big enough to lead these monsters, so they were often satisfied with calling a TR ascent good. We no longer have that luxury and so I decided it would be interesting to get the first lead of it. I had heard some very strong climbers had tried and had been unsuccessful. If only I knew the journey I would be embarking on...

The route is very short, maybe only 30 or 35 feet, but because the wall it is on overhangs slightly and the crack leans, it combines to a total of 25 or so degrees of overhang. The rock is wonderful by Jtree standards; the clean 7-8 inch gash holds very little in the way of crumbly flakes so common in the larger (and less trafficked) cracks here. Placing gear is relatively easy but carrying enough to protect it well is difficult, as only #6 Camalots will fit; only taking 3 pieces, I ended up taking some of the scarier falls I've taken. The movement is also some of the most strenuous I've ever done: "straightforward" armbarring and full-value groveling that probably clocks in at 5.12+ or maybe even 5.13- on lead.

One evening in the campground, I was walking about right at dusk when I happened upon a large group of people. A voice came out of the crowd, someone I knew, saying "Hey, that's him! That's the guy!" A man approached me, the red hood of his puffy down jacket only partially obscuring angular features and intense, unblinking eyes. He stretched out a hand still sporting tape gloves from the days climbing simultaneously asking, "Are you Dave?" I soon learned that it was Brad Jackson; he had heard rumors of someone attempting to lead Throbbing Gristle and wanted to go check it out. (More on Throbbing Gristle if you click through the article link below)

Through Brad I met Chris Van Leuven, author and co-author of several guidebooks for Yosemite Valley. Chris mentioned interest in writing an article about me, which was surprising. He called me a few days later and here is the result:

Flying Upside Down with David Aguasca

And then, I left Joshua Tree, adding myself to the list of people bouted by Throbbing Gristle. As far as I know it stands unclimbed, waiting for an (un)lucky soul.

Locked in on Kamakaze (5.10+), in Joshua Tree

More posts and pictures to be coming soon!