The SCAVENGER
SHEFFIELD’S CLIMBING ROPES TURNED INTO SUSTAINABLE ADVENTURE SANDALS
Wildsole launches Scavenger adventure sandal collaboration at Sheffield Adventure Film Festival.
Retired climbing ropes from Sheffield’s climbing community are being given a second life as high-performance barefoot sandals, as local footwear brand Wildsole unveils its newest model at the Sheffield Adventure Film Festival (SHAFF).
Wildsole, the first company in the UK to manufacture handmade barefoot adventure sandals, will officially launch the Scavenger sandal on 20 March. The design has been developed in collaboration with fellow Sheffield business Made by Scavenger, specialists in repurposing retired climbing gear.
The Scavenger sandal features straps crafted from climbing ropes collected from Sheffield’s indoor climbing venues and the wider climbing community. Ropes engineered for exceptional strength are recovered, cleaned, and reworked into durable, character-rich sandal straps.
Tash from Made by Scavenger said:
“...”
Circular design in action
Climbing ropes are typically retired after several years of use or repeated falls, despite the materials remaining structurally resilient. A single rope can measure between 60 and 80 metres, yet most retired ropes are currently discarded or incinerated.
Each reclaimed rope used in the Scavenger sandal yields approximately 50 pairs, creating genuinely limited-edition colourways. Once a rope has been fully repurposed, that combination will not be repeated.
Wildsole co-founder Tom Harper said:
“Climbing ropes are built to last. Repurposing them felt like an obvious step towards a more circular approach to footwear. Every rope has its own story, which means no two pairs are ever identical.”
Rooted in Sheffield’s outdoor culture
The collaboration reflects Sheffield’s longstanding connection to climbing, craft, and outdoor living. Materials sourced from the local climbing community are reimagined into sandals handmade in Sheffield by Wildsole’s small, family-run team.
Founded by four friends, Tom Harper, Faye Pinson, James Jones, and Naomi Jones, Wildsole sandals are designed in Sheffield and handmade locally by Tom and Faye. Despite its small-scale production, the brand now sells to customers across the UK and internationally.
Designed for natural movement
Wildsole sandals are built around barefoot principles, featuring thin, flexible soles, a wide natural toe shape, and adjustable rope-strap system designed to support natural foot movement across all terrains and environments. They are designed for walking, running, swimming and everyday activities.
Launch and availability
The Wildsole Scavenger sandal launches at the Sheffield Adventure Film Festival (SHAFF) on 20 March 2026.
Website: wildsolesandals.com
Sizing: Unisex, Adults UK 3 to Adults UK 14
Availability: Limited edition colourway releases
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