Hello, my name’s Andrew, and these are the Deliberate Life Designs Perception, the best custom barefoot huarache sandals for hiking and trail running.

Features

This summer I got into huarache sandals with the Xero Genesis and Shamma Warrior’s, but I’ve also been hearing good things about a custom sandal brand called Deliberate Life Designs.

So I asked the owner Adam if he’d make me a pair to test, and it’s kind of a barefooter’s dream.

Customization

Because you can choose from 5, 7, and 10mm Vibram treads and select a specific foot shape, or even go full custom.

But there’s also two footbed options in multiple colors (with the Vibram being more durable and grippy and the SVIG being more soft and flexible) along with colored straps in either the wide RBTR or normal width BD.

Upper

For mine I went with the 7mm Perception and the wider RBTR straps, which are silky smooth and adjustable at the front, side, and heel, plus a 1.8mm olive SVIG footbed for a more natural texture, and a sturdy double-cord thong.

Sole/Tread

Underneath the Perception’s have a 5mm Vibram sole that’s flexible in both directions and a hybrid tread for roads and trails that sits flush with the inset toe thong anchor.

Testing

Like the Monk Ruivo’s, Deliberate Life Designs sandals have a wide footbed that lets your toes splay for better balance and agility out on the trails.

Hiking

But going out on my first hike the texture of the SVIG material felt softer and more natural than standard rubber, and with more surface area the RBTR straps were really comfortable.

Trail Running

Speeding up the double-cord thong and wider straps did a better job of keeping my foot in place than thinner styles, and like the Ruivo’s and Warrior’s the 5mm Vibram tread gave me plenty of traction for bombing down hills and across rocks and gravel.

That said if you’re going to be running a lot on roads, then I’d go with the thinner 1mm Vibram footbed for more ground feel.

Casual

Finally, while the Perception’s are mainly a sport sandal, the wider straps and customizable colors do give it a more classy look, although I still prefer cross-strap sandals for casual.

Conclusion

Overall the Deliberate Life Designs Perception is a great custom barefoot huarache sandal for roads and trails, and after building sandals in a Skoolie conversion and now at his home in Vermont for over a decade, Adam really knows what he’s doing.

Pros/Cons

Because the Perception’s wide RBTR straps make it super comfortable and stable, the SVIG footbed feels flexible and natural, and the 5mm Vibram tread is versatile enough to hand any terrain.

However, when it’s snug the wider strap can take longer to get off your heel, you might want a thinner 1mm Vibram footbed for roads, and, like most huaraches, your foot can tend to slide forward a bit, although Adam does sell an optional ankle strap for max stability.

Alternatives

In terms of similar barefoot sandals…

Resources

If you’d like to support the channel, you can shop with the referral links above/below (use “AOFOLTS” for 10% off DLD), or watch my Zero-Drop Transition video to learn more about barefooting.

Finally, if you have a question about the Deliberate Life Designs Perception, or about barefoot shoes in general, let me know in the comments.

Thanks for reading. Catcha ya next time. Peace!