Here's what you need to know about the history of Gladiator sandals

History of Gladiator sandals

In ancient times Roman and Greek gladiators use to wear Gladiator sandals for battle. These are flat sandals that have several wide cross straps holding the sole to the foot together with one wide strap that goes around the ankle.

Greeks were the ones who considered making shoes and sandals a bit more fashionable by decorating it using colorful dyes and amulets, creating beautiful sandals for a variety of activities as they were more interested in form over function when it came to their footwear. Their beliefs about footwear were quite different as they felt that their securely-laced sandals helped them to separate from the mortals of Underworld.

Roman citizens avoid going in public bare feet as this would indicate poverty and sandals are believed to be the first rigid shoes crafted where the stiff sole was attached to the foot with the help of leather cords or straps. When Romans attacked Greece they adopted their shoemaking process of iconic sandals. Romans were experts in the process of leather tanning and produced supple leather which was ideal for making sandals(thickest and most durable types of leather were used for making the soles and the remaining softer leather was used for making the straps).

The basic style of sandal which Roman used to construct would probably have required

different layers of the sole that encompass the shape of the foot(the material of the outer layer of the sole has to be sturdy as it receives most wear whereas the inner layer of the sole had to softer as it came into contact with the foot), straps of uniform width (responsible for holding toe and heel), adhesive and nail (to join both the layers of the sole).The sandal style featured significant improvements where the straps and sole were reinforced with metal studs, and an upper was added, making the sandals more resistant to wear and tear which allowed the Roman army to be able to travel further and improved the performances of gladiators during their fights.

Roman gladiators were slaves and prisoners who were made to fight against each other till one of 

they were killed by the other. It was, however, traditional for many gladiators to wear the armor, clothes, and weapons which came from their ethnic backgrounds to battle thus, the gladiator sandal they wore became a symbol of courage and strength, and were a source of immense pride for the Roman public. The members of the elite class subsequently began producing luxurious versions of their own sandals, featuring colors and embellishments through which they wanted to exude the same qualities as gladiators without actually stepping into a fighting ground. The sandal which started as the most basic and utilitarian type of footwear—something solid strapped to the foot that offered protection—quickly became a marker of sex, status, rank, and fashion.

Rebirth of Gladiator sandals

The bifurcation of the Roman Empire became one of the major reasons for its own fall with which the art of sandal making (specifically the gladiator sandals) disappeared for well over a thousand years before resurfacing in the modern world when the film industry produced films about ancient Romans.

The full-fledged sandals were first launched on the runway in the '60s where it remained in fashion throughout the ’70s but its popularity waned in the ’80s and for much of the ’90s but the sandals established its presence when Versace launched its spring collection in 1993 however it was in the early 2000s when designers started creating their own unique designs on gladiators adding details such as heels, zippers, and colors. Sandals which were once worn by Romans gladiators as a symbol of strength and courage has today become a fashion trend where the purpose of wearing sandals has changed yet the individual who wears it shows the bold and daring attitude.