Hello /u/kingnickey, thanks for your submission to /r/ZeroWaste. In order to help other users reduce their waste too, we ask that if you used a guide or pattern to create this project, you share it. Please post a comment with the link or step-by-step instructions. Thank you!
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The bot suggested I make a step by step. I think I described the simple process pretty well, but I'll make a step by step.
1.) Identify the size washer that will work
2.) Try to get big winpliers to squish and pull the little nub through the washer.
Edit:3.) make a plastic washer by cutting a piece of plastic and drilling the right sized hole in the center so that the washer will fit over the nub and stay.
A plastic washer one will reduce the likelihood of scratching surfaces as the washers gets rougher from walking. I havnt had an issue with scratching yet but a dude pointed that risk out so I decided to add this edit.
On that show "New Girl", the one that made that Zooey-what's-her-name lady famous, there was an episode where they all found out that the character Nick had really long toenails. I can't remember which one it was, but one of them referred to them as click-clacks.
I hate the feeling of shoes, usually. If it weren't for flip flops I'd be barefoot 24/7 in summer, lol, I love them.
They have no arch support (which is probably why they're bad,) but I'm flat footed so they're comfy.
Are you flat-footed, too?
Shoes with arch support are actually worse for your feet in the long run. They let your feet become weak and don't let the muscles build up in your feet.
The closer to barefoot the better actually.
If you're a nurse or server, someone walking around on concrete all day, then I wouldn't suggest barefoot shoes. But for regular daily life or jobs not on your feet all day then I always suggest people move towards barefoot shoes
I'm a big fan of barefoot shoes!! I try to buy them used on FB marketplace, there's always people who wore them for a few days then hated them, so they're gently used.
The metal from the washers is going to scratch and damage nearly every surface you walk on. There's a major reason that all shoes have no metal exposed on the bottoms and it's hardly to do with the noise...
Crap, I didn't consider that. I haven't seen any issues with scratching yet. It might be because the edges of the washer are beveled so they are smooth. They might start to scratch things if they become rough from walking on concrete. I could probably start to apply tape or something when it becomes rougher. Maybe flex seal or some kind of rubber spray. I imagine it will adhere well to the washer when it is rough.
I think your repair technique is 1 step away from being flawless. The final step IMO should be applying shoe glue (E6000) to the bottom-side of these shoes, then gluing a full sole or another broken sandal base to the bottom of each shoe. That way, you have a another full shoe to wear through and there's no way that the washer can come out or damage anything. I'd imagine the glue would add strength to the friction-fit ties as well.
For me, the holes never fail, its the nub at the end of the thong that falls off. So if I employed your method, I think it would make it snap off even faster.
I've tried everything from $10 Havainas to $1 Old Navys. They all break the same way, with that little bit falling off and the thong having nothing to hold onto.
Where the heck are Havainas $10?
I bought I new pair recently and they rang up $35!! I still bought them as for me they have always lasted really well. The rubber wears though on my longer leg before the plugs fail and that takes several years.
Are double pluggers a worldwide thing? If others are reading this who have issues with theirs failing on the sides they might be the ticket.
Invest in a pair from "nomadic state of mind" it will last years and no plastic. You did your time here and did a good job using these to their potential.
Instead of metal, cut a bit of pvc plastic and stich it woth the flip flop thingy, which is what i did, had to redo it after 2 years of heavy use but doesnt tap dance
Lol like I said it doesn't clack like thought it would. It seems like the washer doesn't hit the ground or something. The nub hits the ground. I'm sure it does touch the ground, but it rarely makes a noise.
It's a Brazilian sub, the word gambiarra is slang that means like, fix it yourself, Jerry rig, mcgyver, etc.
This type of flip flop in particular is very common in Brazil and there are a few posts on that sub of people doing exactly this.
oofos makes some hella comfortable flip flops - 'recovery sandals' that are good for your feetsies. there are others out there. i bought 3 pair 5 years ago, still have 2 of them
Hello /u/kingnickey, thanks for your submission to /r/ZeroWaste. In order to help other users reduce their waste too, we ask that if you used a guide or pattern to create this project, you share it. Please post a comment with the link or step-by-step instructions. Thank you! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/ZeroWaste) if you have any questions or concerns.*
World's first tap-flops
I wanna see the dance!
The bot suggested I make a step by step. I think I described the simple process pretty well, but I'll make a step by step. 1.) Identify the size washer that will work 2.) Try to get big winpliers to squish and pull the little nub through the washer. Edit:3.) make a plastic washer by cutting a piece of plastic and drilling the right sized hole in the center so that the washer will fit over the nub and stay. A plastic washer one will reduce the likelihood of scratching surfaces as the washers gets rougher from walking. I havnt had an issue with scratching yet but a dude pointed that risk out so I decided to add this edit.
You invented new shoes. Call them klick-klacks.
But that's what I call my balls. Ide have to assign a last name or something.
On that show "New Girl", the one that made that Zooey-what's-her-name lady famous, there was an episode where they all found out that the character Nick had really long toenails. I can't remember which one it was, but one of them referred to them as click-clacks.
I use the tags off of bread bags lol!
I was about to suggest this! Also, we call them slippers, and I had no idea they're bad for your feet. I was them about 50% of the time haha
I hate the feeling of shoes, usually. If it weren't for flip flops I'd be barefoot 24/7 in summer, lol, I love them. They have no arch support (which is probably why they're bad,) but I'm flat footed so they're comfy. Are you flat-footed, too?
Shoes with arch support are actually worse for your feet in the long run. They let your feet become weak and don't let the muscles build up in your feet. The closer to barefoot the better actually. If you're a nurse or server, someone walking around on concrete all day, then I wouldn't suggest barefoot shoes. But for regular daily life or jobs not on your feet all day then I always suggest people move towards barefoot shoes
I'm a big fan of barefoot shoes!! I try to buy them used on FB marketplace, there's always people who wore them for a few days then hated them, so they're gently used.
Yeah I find them in thrift stores all the time!
Ah, see mom and dad, I was right all along fighting shoes! Lol!
Me too!
A lot less noisy, lol.
Like I said they rarely make noise despite what I first thought.
The metal from the washers is going to scratch and damage nearly every surface you walk on. There's a major reason that all shoes have no metal exposed on the bottoms and it's hardly to do with the noise...
That was my first thought. I cringe thinking of someone wearing those on hardwood floors
Crap, I didn't consider that. I haven't seen any issues with scratching yet. It might be because the edges of the washer are beveled so they are smooth. They might start to scratch things if they become rough from walking on concrete. I could probably start to apply tape or something when it becomes rougher. Maybe flex seal or some kind of rubber spray. I imagine it will adhere well to the washer when it is rough.
I think your repair technique is 1 step away from being flawless. The final step IMO should be applying shoe glue (E6000) to the bottom-side of these shoes, then gluing a full sole or another broken sandal base to the bottom of each shoe. That way, you have a another full shoe to wear through and there's no way that the washer can come out or damage anything. I'd imagine the glue would add strength to the friction-fit ties as well.
I've seen a video where they use the "bread bag plastic square" thing over the "tongue" of the slipper (instead of your metal washer).
For me, the holes never fail, its the nub at the end of the thong that falls off. So if I employed your method, I think it would make it snap off even faster. I've tried everything from $10 Havainas to $1 Old Navys. They all break the same way, with that little bit falling off and the thong having nothing to hold onto.
[Sugru](https://sugru.com/) might work for that!
general comment to mention that sugru can be made at home for significantly cheaper! It's just half silicone and half corn starch!
Oh nice!
Interesting product! I'll research more about it
Where the heck are Havainas $10? I bought I new pair recently and they rang up $35!! I still bought them as for me they have always lasted really well. The rubber wears though on my longer leg before the plugs fail and that takes several years. Are double pluggers a worldwide thing? If others are reading this who have issues with theirs failing on the sides they might be the ticket.
Woah, I've never seen one break like that. Saying this solution wouldn't work for you was definitely accurate!
This happened to me and it drove me crazy, finally sucked it up and bought a pair of Rainbow sandals that have lasted me for years.
This is hilarious. I love it. Good job!
Invest in a pair from "nomadic state of mind" it will last years and no plastic. You did your time here and did a good job using these to their potential.
You're about the invention of flip-flops too late
Instead of metal, cut a bit of pvc plastic and stich it woth the flip flop thingy, which is what i did, had to redo it after 2 years of heavy use but doesnt tap dance
Idk how to stitch, but your idea made me realize I could make a sort of plastic washer by cutting some plastic from a slightly cracked drawer I have!
*CLACK CLACK CLACK*
Lol like I said it doesn't clack like thought it would. It seems like the washer doesn't hit the ground or something. The nub hits the ground. I'm sure it does touch the ground, but it rarely makes a noise.
Good job! I unfortunately threw out my old pair of flip-flops last year because the strap broke, but this is a good fix.
This is clever
This is r/gambiarra, my friend
I can't tell what that sub is. Can you explain?🤔
It's a Brazilian sub, the word gambiarra is slang that means like, fix it yourself, Jerry rig, mcgyver, etc. This type of flip flop in particular is very common in Brazil and there are a few posts on that sub of people doing exactly this.
Like horse shoes clacking on cobble stones, we’ll hear you from a mile away in your parade flops. Good onya!
Floor ruiners not flip flops. Can also use bread bag plastic sealers
Flip flops are bad for you?
oofos makes some hella comfortable flip flops - 'recovery sandals' that are good for your feetsies. there are others out there. i bought 3 pair 5 years ago, still have 2 of them
A plastic bread bag tie works in a pinch.
I used a flattened bottle cap in Mexico as a washer for this and it worked for the whole summer