Ancient Roman Military Leather Sandals Carbatinae

Ancient Roman Military Leather Sandals Carbatinae with Rubber Sole

Ingenious Footwear from the Era of the Roman Empire

Carbatinae were an exceptionally popular type of footwear worn by soldiers, peasants, and commoners during ancient Rome. Their historical predecessor was often made from a single piece of cowhide, which was slit, shaped around the foot, and drawn together over the instep with a cord. The openwork, forming elegant geometric shapes, was not merely a matter of period fashion, but served a highly practical purpose – it minimised the consumption of expensive leather, lightened the step, and, above all, provided much-needed ventilation in the hot Mediterranean climate. This prevented the formation of fungal infections and unpleasant blisters during long marches.

Technical Parameters and Materials

Proper Care for a Long Lifespan

Leather is a living natural material that can easily dry out and crack without your care. The upper of the sandals is treated with a beeswax balm straight from production. Regularly rub leather oil or a high-quality wax balm into the leather to nourish and soften the material. Bear in mind that the leather will naturally darken slightly after applying these products. If the shoes get wet or sweaty at an event, always let them dry slowly at room temperature. Never dry the sandals near an open fire, on a radiator, or in intense summer sunlight. Any scuffs from battle can be easily masked with standard coloured shoe polish.

If you choose a version in a non-standard colour, please note that the shade is achieved by applying a special covering paint. Due to the stress and bending of the leather, this lacquered layer may crack or flake slightly over time. For one-off or occasional events, this finish is perfectly adequate, but for extreme and frequent use, we recommend choosing natural leather shades.

Practical Advice for Safe Wear

Thanks to the application of a modern rubber sole with studs, these sandals provide you with much better traction and safety on wet grass, slippery stones, and modern floors than purely historical leather soles. Nevertheless, exercise increased caution when running or during stage combat, and tighten the lacing securely so your foot does not slip inside the shoe.

If you wear orthotic insoles and opt for our custom-made footwear production, it is essential that you physically post these insoles to us. The sandals will then be sewn so that the insoles fit perfectly into the shoes, ensuring your maximum comfort.

For chillier evenings at the encampment, we highly recommend purchasing linen leg wraps or period woollen socks from our range to accompany these sandals.