Maker Story · Fayetteville, North Carolina
Meet Nomadic State of Mind: Handmade Rope Sandals and Art
Handcrafted, insanely comfortable rope sandals and accessories for people who take the slow, scenic route—and need footwear that can keep up with every dance move and adventure.
“Rooted in creativity, sustainability, and a slightly offbeat way of looking at the world, we turn simple materials into functional pieces made for wherever life takes you.” — Nomadic State of Mind
A handmade sandal company that started in a Volkswagen bus
Long before Nomadic State of Mind had an international team of rope artisans, founder Chris Anderson ran the young business from a 1969 Volkswagen bus. The van was office, home and early factory for a raft guide, outdoor sports enthusiast and music lover who had saved his paychecks from summers on the Colorado River.
The company officially traces its beginning to 1999, but the idea was never simply to sell another pair of sandals. Chris came from a social-work background and wanted to build a small business in which the people involved could participate, earn reliable income and grow without losing the personality that made the work worth doing.
Outdoor music festivals became the natural first storefront. Festival-goers wanted comfortable footwear that felt as free-spirited as the setting, and Chris found an audience for lightweight sandals constructed almost entirely from rope. More than twenty-five years later, the Fayetteville, North Carolina-based company still carries that grassroots energy.
Why rope sandals still stand apart
Rope sandals look simple, but good simplicity is usually the result of careful material choices and a practiced hand. Nomadic State of Mind has its partly reclaimed polypropylene cord made in North Carolina to the company’s specifications. The rope is selected for softness, strength, colorfastness and durability, then handwoven into adjustable footwear.
People looking for handmade rope sandals are usually balancing comfort, durability and individual style. What makes this brand distinctive is the combination of recognizable construction, long wear, vegan materials and a story that has remained consistent since the van days.
Made by real hands for wandering feet
At the turn of the century, Chris connected with a rural community in Nicaragua where dependable work was difficult to find. He taught a small group how to make the rope sandals and began building a long-term artisan relationship around fair labor, ethical practices and steady employment.
The company says it has worked with the same community since around 2000. The process is time-consuming and requires training, but that is part of the point. These are not sandals stamped out anonymously by a fast-fashion supply chain. Skilled people make them by hand, and the small variations between pairs are evidence of the process.
That story also deserves precise language. Nomadic State of Mind is a North Carolina-based Southern small business, and its proprietary rope is produced in North Carolina. Many classic rope sandals are handwoven by the company’s longtime artisan community in Nicaragua. Some added-sole work is completed domestically using vintage sandal-making equipment. The brand’s value lies in that transparent network of people and materials, not in pretending every step happens in one building.
Vegan footwear designed around durability
Nomadic State of Mind identifies its products as vegan and cruelty free. The classic sandals use partly reclaimed polypropylene cord rather than leather, and selected newer projects incorporate materials such as cork, hemp canvas, hemp cord and rubber or EVA soles.
The company’s environmental philosophy is refreshingly practical: durability is sustainability. A sandal that stays in use for years avoids the repeated waste of products designed for one short season. Customers should still review the materials on each listing because construction varies among classic rope, added-sole, cork and hemp styles.
Packaging follows the same low-waste instinct. The company avoids unnecessary shoeboxes and keeps shipping materials simple, reusing boxes when larger orders require one.
No Scraps Left Behind
One of the best parts of the Nomadic State of Mind story began with a problem: small rope pieces remained after sandal production. Burning scraps was a common local disposal method, but Chris wanted another answer.
The team began connecting the leftover pieces into colorful circles. Those circles became rugs, bags, bottle carriers, baskets and other forms of functional rope art. A waste problem turned into a creative product line and a way to help sustain artisan work during slower sandal seasons.
The company now calls the effort its No Scraps Left Behind program. Nearly all usable rope waste can be redirected into new pieces, proving that thoughtful design can begin with what another factory might throw away.
How to choose handmade rope sandals
Decide how much sole you want
Classic all-rope sandals give the most direct version of the Nomadic State of Mind experience: lightweight, flexible and close to the ground. Added-sole styles introduce more separation and traction. Cork-footbed and hemp-accented projects offer another construction for shoppers drawn to those materials.
Use the maker’s size guidance
The brand says its sandals generally run true to size, but the exact size ranges and between-size recommendations should be checked on the individual listing. Because the footwear is handmade, confirm the current chart rather than relying only on the size printed in another brand.
Choose the style before the color
Color catches the eye first, but construction affects how the sandal feels and where you may prefer to wear it. Begin with strap placement, sole type and fit. Then choose among the colors currently available for that style.
Expect handmade variation
Slight differences are normal in handwoven footwear. They should not affect wear or comfort, but they do mean the pair was shaped by people rather than a fully automated line.
Three ways to start wandering
From Fayetteville to festivals and far beyond
Nomadic State of Mind never tried to sand away its unusual personality. The website still sounds like the people behind it. The company talks openly about trial and error, slow growth, old machinery, river seasons and the occasional idea that took years to get right.
That voice fits Main Street Collective’s reason for existing. A product becomes more meaningful when shoppers can see who shaped it, which decisions mattered and where the materials traveled. Nomadic State of Mind brings together a North Carolina small-business base, a longtime Nicaraguan artisan partnership and a low-waste design program that turns manufacturing leftovers into new work.
Explore more North Carolina makers and discover the handmade businesses building the modern Southern marketplace.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Nomadic State of Mind based?
The company’s office and shipping operation is based in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
Are Nomadic State of Mind sandals handmade?
Yes. Skilled artisans handcraft the rope sandals, and slight variations may occur between pairs.
Where are the sandals made?
The company has its partly reclaimed polypropylene rope made in North Carolina and works with a longtime artisan community in Nicaragua to handweave many of its classic rope sandals. Certain added-sole processes are completed domestically.
Are the sandals vegan?
Nomadic State of Mind describes its products as vegan and cruelty free. Materials differ among classic rope, cork, hemp and added-sole styles, so review the individual listing for the exact construction.
What is the rope art made from?
Many pieces use cord scraps left from sandal production. The No Scraps Left Behind program transforms those remnants into rugs, bags, bottle carriers and other functional art.
Can rope sandals get wet?
The maker says the classic polypropylene rope styles can get wet and are resistant to salt water, chlorine and bleach, though not waterproof. Follow the care directions on the specific product page and dry wet sandals thoroughly before storage.
Follow the next adventure
See new colors, behind-the-scenes work and the brand’s latest wandering on Instagram and Facebook, or visit Nomadic State of Mind online.
Find your Nomadic State of Mind
Explore handmade rope sandals and low-waste rope art from a company that has spent more than twenty-five years doing things its own way.