These Vegan Rope Sandals Changed My Life
Inside the soul and soles of Nomadic State of Mind.
For some reason, non-human animals are still being tortured for clothing in 2025. It is nearly impossible to find fashion that prioritizes kindness towards humans, the Earth, and the animals. That’s where Nomadic State of Mind comes in.
In the summer of 2024, I was desperate for new summer shoes. The plastic flip-flops I’d been wearing for years were falling apart and hurting my feet. As a size 5.5, I always struggle to find shoes in my size, let alone sustainable ones. I scoured PETA’s fashion articles for the perfect shoe, and low and behold, I found the best sandals in this galaxy.
Nomadic State of Mind was founded on the principle, “Do it right in the beginning.” Founder Chris Anderson took his love and appreciation for this world and all its creatures to heart when he designed vegan sandals that are not only cruelty-free but also Earth-friendly and sustainable.
Romano (Camel)
Nomadic State of Mind uses partly reclaimed polypropylene cord to make their unique rope sandals. The rope is not only extremely comfortable (when you think it wouldn’t be because… it’s literally rope), but it’s also incredibly durable. I wear my JCs on hikes with my husband. They are so lightweight and bendable that I feel like I’m barefoot, which is always a fantastic feeling.
In addition to its outstanding material practices, Nomadic State of Mind has implemented a recycling/repurposing program throughout the company. No business can be totally zero-waste, but Nomadic State of Mind is awfully close. It claims that roughly 90% of its waste can be reused into other products, such as purses, beach mats, and rope art.
The sandals originally came from the back of an old Volkswagen bus but are now handmade by a fantastic team of rope artisans in Nicaragua. According to their About Us page, “At the turn of the century (the last one), Chris was introduced to a small community in Nicaragua that had been through some tough times and was in need of reliable income. He taught a small group how to make rope sandals while creating a culture rooted in fair trade, ethical practices, and, of course, our philosophy– ‘Do it right in the beginning.’ The road navigating the “Wild West” of Nicaragua was long and bumpy, with scattered thunderstorms and occasional rainbows. However, with perseverance and inspiration from lots of happy feet wandering the planet, we have found a home there for over a decade. So, from a van by the river to international distribution… we have continued to grow and ‘Do it right.’”
On their About Us and Product Materials pages, they detail even more of their amazing sustainability practices. But enough chit-chat. Let me show you some sandals and amazing rope art!
Nomadic’s original rope sandals come in a range of styles and colors, but if you’re a “granola girl” like me, you’ll love the original Camel color.
I wear a pair of Camel Mountain Mommas as my everyday summer shoes, and I wear my Camel La Islas if I’m feeling a bit more fancy while wearing my summer dresses or shorts. The number two reason (right behind sustainability) I bought these shoes is because of the size range they offer. Nomadic offers sizes as small as women’s 4-4.5 and children’s sizes!
Their new cork sandals are the ethical version of Birkenstocks. As someone who has always wanted a pair of Birkenstocks but doesn't want to support a company that abuses animals, these cork sandals are perfect for me and all animal lovers. My favorite is the Moses Cork Footbed in Camel. They are at the top of my list!
There are so many styles, colors, and soles to choose from that it may be difficult to pick which pair is for you (I mean, just look at those JCs with sparkles in them!). That’s why I’m so pleased to team up with Nomadic State of Mind in time for my readers to get a great pair (or several) of summer shoes that do good for the animals, the Earth, the people, and, of course, your feet!
You can use code: VEGANGIRL at checkout on Nomadic State of Mind’s website to get 10% off your entire order!
Purchasing anything from Nomadic State of Mind through my promo code helps the animals, the community, the Earth, and even XOXO Vegan Girl. So what are you waiting for? Click the button below to start shopping! Happy trails!
