Unisex Water Buffalo Hippie Jesus Sandals
Unisex Water Buffalo Hippie Jesus Sandals
Unisex Water Buffalo Hippie Jesus Sandals
Sort of a long name, eh? These came from a company called BeWild, purchased through Amazon.com for $15.
If you grew up in the 70's like I did, everybody wore these sandals then. I remember my sister having a pair (in dark brown), and I coveted them. They were sort of oily from whatever they were died or treated with. They were all the rage. I bought a pair in early high school from Pier One Imports in Portland Oregon, from a bin full of them for about $2
So when I saw these, I had a wave of nostalgia, and ordered a pair. They basically come in men's sizes and are a bit on the wide side. When I got them and put them on I thought "OMG...they HURT". They were stiff to the point of being sharp and totally inflexible. I figured they would have to be broken in. I went back and read the reviews from other customers on Amazon and saw a couple of reviews where customers suggested getting them very wet and then wearing them around to soften them and form them to your feet.
I remembered that sometimes the dye used on these transferred onto feet, so I didn't want to get them wet and wear them around the house and risk staining floors. They are also very slick on the bottom so be careful. You may need to go outside and scuff them up on the sidewalks, or run some sandpaper on the bottom, or score them with a file or something to be safe. These are not high tech shoes...they're just high nostalgia shoes.
On the first warm spring day that we had, when I had planned to water the flower beds, I wore them out (limping a little). I can't describe the difference getting these wet made. It's almost the difference between a stiff piece of paper getting wet and turning to mush. It was instant. The hose had been out a while so the water in it initially was warm. I just sprayed my feet and the shoes at the same time, and they just sort of melted into shoes that didn't hurt anymore.
Because they are wide, they can still be challenging to keep on. The toe loop is large as is the arch cuff (if that's even what you call it). But for wearing in the yard, or for errands (not running), they are a fun piece of yesteryear. I think once they are really well broken in, I may learn to love them all over again.
As you can see if you go to the Amazon link, they show several different colors ranging from a dark brown (like we had back in the day) to the light yellowish you see shown here. That's what I got. But you don't get to choose, you get what you get.
I'm pretty sure these have been made in sweat shops in India for a million years. I don't have proof of that, but I suspect so. If you're not a child of the 70's, maybe skip it...you just won't see the thrill of it.
Update: After having these for a few weeks, I can say that they DID get more comfortable, but because they are a unisex, uniwidth...the two loop and the band over the foot are just plain too wide for me. I've been using them pretty much as "water the lawn" and "take out the trash" quick slip ons. I have to grip pretty tight to keep from walking right out of them. I like the nostalgic idea, but the fit just isn't great. Also, in my old age, I've discovered that THIS hippie, likes a little more cushion on the bottom of her foot for outdoor wear.
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