As its name suggests, Malibu Sandals produces sandals and shoes designed for wear on the sandy beaches and cliffs of the California coast. The brand's initial inspiration came from the huarache, a braided leather sandal that dates back centuries to pre-colonial Mexico. At the time, the sandal was the standard footwear for the people of what are now the states of Jalisco, Michoacán and Yucatán (its current name is Quarachi(Tarascan language, spoken by the Purépecha people)
Throughout history, huaraches have changed over time, becoming a trendy item, getting a bit of notoriety, then re-entering the mainstream conversation. Fashion trends, like most things in life, continue in never-ending cycles. It's also a category where it's impossible to pinpoint the exact date a trend began or who is responsible for it. The backstory that Malibu Sandals cite as their inspiration reveals that huaraches first made their modern craze in the United States during the 1960s Beach Boys era, starting with West Coast surfers and hippies. They even earned the nickname “surfer sandals.”
The name comes from Pacific coast surfers who migrated to Baja California to escape the crowds who discovered the joys of beaches formerly reserved for surfing. The surfers returned from Baja wearing huaraches that exuded sandy life: breathable on hot days, sturdy and stable enough to scale less traveled crags to hidden beaches (though how much surfers cared about the aesthetics of their shoes is up for debate).
Malibu sandals come in a variety of styles, including slides, moccasins, mules, and open-toed sandals, but I chose the Latigo, one of the brand's most popular designs.
The Latigo's elevated edges protect my toes, while the sculpted arch and deep basic heel feel like they were molded to my feet. The three-piece midsole is wrapped in grippy, 100% natural Malaysian crepe rubber. Plus, the PETA-certified vegan material is more resistant to sand and water than genuine leather. So while it maintains the hand-woven character that defines the traditional huarache genre, it adds to the Malibu Sandal's commitment to vegan materials and scientifically-backed ergonomic design.
Tested: Malibu Sandals Latigo
Pictured: Malibu Sandals
The shoes fit true to size and are similar to sneakers, and although the brand recommends going up a size if you plan on wearing socks, these are strictly beach shoes and wearing regular socks in them is out of the question for me (though I did wear some thin no-show socks, which didn't seem to be an issue with the size, to avoid standing barefoot while waiting to go through airport security).
At first, when I saw the pictures online, I was worried that this would be too far removed from my typical style, but it naturally lends itself to any type of casual resort wear, whether that be shorts, linen pants, or jeans cuffed above the ankles.
My new Latigos proved their worth even before I set foot on the sand. Being an optimist myself, I first put them on on my way to the airport, never considering that they might require a break-in period. Thankfully, right from the get-go, they fit just like a custom shoe I'd broken in, and I didn't develop any blisters.
A sliding closure at the top lets them slip on and off quickly while staying in place better than a regular shoe without laces. While waiting for a delayed flight to Jamaica at Denver Airport, the shoes gave my feet a spring in the bucket and kept them from tiring as my young daughter kept trying to make multiple trips (pulling her luggage) from the snack bar to the bar to the outdoor seating at the end of the terminal.
I arrived at my resort, Moon Palace, in Ocho Rios with fresh feet and ready to explore more. Since it's far from formal, loafers came in handy when heading out to fine dining restaurants, meaning a more professional-looking shoe is a must for multi-purpose travel. Apart from that, the Latigos took me everywhere: to the beach, the pool, town, a quick trip downstairs for a coffee or drink, or a walking tour of a cannabis farm.
One time we went for a walk from the beach into town with a quick stop at the foot washing station, and even though I was wet from washing off the sand and had an exhausted child on my shoulders, the Latigo remained stable and didn't slip.
Since returning home, my Latigos have transitioned nicely into everyday wear over the past few months thanks to the warmer weather, and while I'm looking forward to upcoming trips to Turkey and the rocky beaches of the Pacific Northwest, I can already see these shoes will once again be a reason to deviate from my one-shoe-only packing policy. 
