Sandals – Primitive Technology

If you find yourself in the bush (or your back yard) without any footwear and your feet need some primitive protection from the rough terrain, try making your own sandals from scratch. Primitive Technology‘s anonymous maker in Far North Queensland, Australia demonstrates how to make sandals from loya cane (yapulam or Calamus australis). He explains:

I cut some cane and measured out a length 6 times the length of the foot (about 1.5 m), folded it into loops and wove more cane between the loops to form the sole, adding new cane as needed. Next, I made bark fiber cordage and threaded it through the sandal to keep it on. The pair took about 1 hour to make (longer due to setting up the camera).

The sandals do protect from the ground, preventing the feet from cracking. I personally don’t like wearing footwear in the forest as bare feet give better grip, especially on inclines. But for heavy work or when my feet are injured I’ll wear these. These sandals are so quick to make that I’ve already got 2 pairs. The material used to make them (loya cane) is everywhere here but pretty much any rope like material will do. Bark fiber rope, grass, vine, flexible roots etc. will all make usable alternative materials.

Next, for contrast: How to make LED sneakers. Plus Making Lime Bast Rope, How To Make Rope From Grass, and more vids from Primitive Technology.