Flip Flops Tutorial

[hackaday]

@ Hacakady -- those look great. I too have been working on incorporating arch support and heel. I like yours better.

Thanks a lot! I was going to try an arch "disc" like you see on Rainbow's and such, but decided that would give me too much room to mess up.

Every time I look at flip flops of any strap construction I wonder about the placement. I think there has to be the ideal place for the strap to be for a secure fit, otherwise, why go custom? Generic, Ross Outlet would suffice. On a $185 custom sandal, what make this particular set SUPER comfortable and worth the money? Where should the straps be on the foot bone structure for perfection? After all, I don't have to settle for one placement fits all if I am making them, right?

This question has plagued me from the first thought of making sandals.

For me, making them myself is just a matter of none of the ones in the store fitting. I have narrow feet, so they are usually way too wide (finding boots that fit is a chore in itself). The straps are almost always too big too, so they don't feel secure whatsoever. The prices they want for those things is crazy too. $40 for some rubber and a couple pieces of fake leather. I tend to place the straps further back. My thinking is that on a bigger foot, this will help keep them in place. Whether I'm right or not, who knows.

Strap placement, for me, is one of the worst parts. Trying to get them tight enough to be secure, but loose enough to be comfortable. Then getting the pair to fit the same. Drives me bonkers. The other thing was finding a sole shape that fit my foot, without looking goofy. I can't even count how many I went through. I'm pretty happy with this one, but still have a small tweek I want to make. I'm just scared to mess it up more than I fix it haha.

I really wish I could find a suitable material for doing test runs. This is my third pair of sandals (2nd flops) and this is the first pair I'm actually happy enough with to wear. That doesn't count what I've wasted on mess ups.

Edited June 30, 2015 by hackaday

[Grey Drakkon]

What about making mock ups out of cardboard and ribbon for the straps just to get the general feel/look of it?

[okiwen]

Hackaday,

Thank you for the reply, that is just what I am talking about. There has to be "rules" somewhere for proper fit and placement without reinventing the wheel. I am very interested in your findings as you work it out. Perhaps using bone structure as a guide?

[fiskurjoe]

Thanks for all of the photos and the tutorial. I'm a newbie to the group. My wife mentioned the other day about making a pair of flip flops. This thread has got me thinking.... We use fish leather and it is so incredibly strong....the wolffish is a skin fish with no scale pattern. I'm gonna try this as the top layer and see what happens. Will post photos when finished. Happy July 4th ya'all....

[Reegesc]

Here's an interesting design that features multiple "Toe Posts"

[Reegesc]

@okiwen -- Yeah, seems like there should be some sort of ergonomic formula. There are zillions of such formulas and standards for things like chairs and cabinets and lord knows what all. I just used an old pair of flops as a guide and adjusted from there.

[Reegesc]

@monicajacobsen -- Was just looking back on everyone's pics. I have to say, once more, these are just terrific and your entry is hereby awarded the "Best Design In 90 Days Trophy".

@Everybody Else -- Hey, I didn't know there was a contest going on either.

[mustangman2]

Those are awesome I want to make a pair.

Edited July 6, 2015 by mustangman2

[MonicaJacobson]

LOL, I am very flattered. I will treasure that trophy forever.

[JamesR]

Just saw these posts the other day!

I really need to search around this site better.

Has anyone tried latigo for the straps?

I was wondering if the chrome tanned leather would cause problems on bare skin?

Also I can't seem to download the tutorial. Has anyone else had this problem?

It keeps telling me I am not logged on!