Archaeologists working at Vindolanda have identified a rare group of Roman-era bath clogs among thousands of preserved shoes.
The site is located near Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland, England. It remains one of the most important Roman archaeological sites in Europe.
Researchers have recovered more than 5,000 shoes from the ancient fort over several decades. Around 50 of these footwear items have been identified as bath clogs. The finds provide valuable evidence about daily activities during the Roman occupation of Britain.
The shoes survived because of unusual preservation conditions underground. Layers of oxygen-free mud protected organic materials from decay. This allowed leather and wood items to remain intact for nearly two millennia.
According to archaeologist Elizabeth Greene of the University of Western Ontario, these clogs were designed for use in Roman bathhouses. They helped wearers avoid hot floors inside bathing complexes. The raised design also reduced the risk of slipping on wet surfaces.
Most examples feature wooden platforms between one and two inches high. Leather straps stretched across the top to secure the foot. Some designs were plain, while others included decorative patterns.
Several clogs show geometric carvings on their surfaces. Others were crafted with carved toe shapes that resembled actual feet. These details suggest that functionality and appearance were both important to Roman users.
How Romans Used Specialized Bath Clogs
Public bathhouses played a major role in Roman society. They served as places for bathing, exercise, relaxation, and social interaction. People from different social backgrounds regularly visited these facilities.
Bathhouse floors often became hot because of Roman heating systems. Many bath complexes used underfloor heating known as hypocausts. This technology circulated hot air beneath floors and through walls.
The wooden platforms on bath clogs created distance between the foot and the heated ground. This provided extra comfort for bathhouse visitors. The design also offered better grip on wet and slippery surfaces.
Modern shower sandals serve a similar purpose today. People wear them in public showers, swimming pools, and locker rooms. The Roman versions show that concerns about safety and comfort in shared bathing spaces are not new.
Researchers believe the Vindolanda examples represent some of the earliest known bath-specific footwear. However, the question of whether they are the oldest shower shoes in the world remains open. New discoveries continue to add information to the historical record.
Debate Over the World’s Oldest Shower Clogs
Earlier forms of sandals existed long before the Roman Empire. Ancient Egyptian sandals, including footwear associated with King Tutankhamun, date back to around 3,300 B.C. These examples show that protective footwear has a very long history.
The Etruscans also produced metal-framed sandals by the sixth century B.C. These shoes demonstrate advanced craftsmanship in ancient Europe. However, they were not specifically linked to bathhouse use.
A recent discovery in France has added another layer to the discussion. Archaeologists uncovered two wood-soled children’s shoes in 2025 at the Roman-era site of Isarnodurum. The site predates Vindolanda by a small margin.
Researchers are still examining whether the French shoes were bath clogs. If confirmed, they would become the oldest known examples of this type of footwear. Until then, Vindolanda remains one of the strongest sources of evidence for Roman bath shoes.
Greene is also investigating whether these clogs served more than one purpose. Similar wooden overshoes appeared in medieval Europe centuries later. People used them to walk through mud, snow, and wet conditions.
Some Vindolanda clogs may have functioned as protective overshoes outside bathhouses. Others may have been used both indoors and outdoors. This possibility highlights how practical Roman footwear designs may have been.
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One of the preserved bath clogs is currently on display at the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto, Canada. Visitors can view it as part of the museum’s “Unearthing Vindolanda” exhibition. The display will remain open until September 2027.
The discovery continues to expand knowledge of everyday Roman life beyond military history and monumental architecture. Small personal objects often reveal details that written records overlook. As excavations continue, archaeologists expect more finds that will deepen understanding of life along Hadrian’s Wall and the innovations that shaped the Roman world.
