DiGilio Posted September 3, 2009 #1 Posted September 3, 2009 I picked these up a while ago but they dont really fit in any other catagory. Im assuming they are ok to post since they were brought back to the US by what was most likely a US soldier and are made from American tires. All I know about the sandals history is that a older man walked into a military collectibles shop with these and a beat up chi-com canteen (no carrier or cap) and said he wanted to get rid of them. I was only able to get the sandals but I think they are one of the nicest pairs Ive seen. They are very very very used with the toe and heel areas worn down a whole lot (I tired to show this in the last picture but it really doesnt show the huge extent to where they wore down) and they have even warped to the wearers foot shape from all the use. They also still have dirt and mud caked onto them and in all the cracks and in the sole. After looking at them better I even found part of a GOODYEAR logo on one of the straps which I thought was interesting. I dont know what size they are but they are only 9 1/2" long.
Copran Posted September 3, 2009 #2 Posted September 3, 2009 If sandals were made in the south for VC forces, they cold have been made with goodyear tire
sgtdorango Posted September 3, 2009 #4 Posted September 3, 2009 Wow! those are awesome!!....brings a whole new meaning to the saying "don't tread on me!".........mike :w00t:
BOLO Posted September 3, 2009 #5 Posted September 3, 2009 the color of the dirt thats still on the tread looks like Vietnam soil
doyler Posted September 3, 2009 #6 Posted September 3, 2009 I have a pair that came back with a set of black pajamas and an NVA helmet from a K Co Ranger.Can still see the outline of the foot in each sandal from being worn. RD
Spathologist Posted September 3, 2009 #7 Posted September 3, 2009 Ho Chi Minhs! Hippies will pay a fortune for a pair of originals...
kriegsmodell Posted September 4, 2009 #8 Posted September 4, 2009 I have several pairs of these. Most attributed to the USSF vets that brought them back. For some reason I really like these silly things. Perhaps it's because they were REALLY there. Don't think I have any that say GoodYear however (smile)! Thanks for sharing .....
VMI88 Posted September 4, 2009 #9 Posted September 4, 2009 I have two pairs that are made in large (US) sizes. One pair came from a surplus store without any provenance, but the other was sent back to a friend by a Navy SEAL. Apparently US servicemen also bought these for casual wear or for shower shoes; they weren't just used by the Vietnamese. Bill
DiGilio Posted September 4, 2009 Author #10 Posted September 4, 2009 Yes, US servicemen used tire sandals too. Venders made them and would sell them around bases for the GIs. I always thought that was funny since the VNese making them for the servicemen were probably the same ones making them for the VC. A lot of the sandals bring backs you see are these ones made as souveniers or use by GIs. Easist way to tell them apart is GI ones are usually very big compared to the VC captured ones and all the GI ones Ive seen never showed heavy use. I dont really know what actual captured sandals go for but one cool thing is I only payed around $20 for this pair.
BOLO Posted March 20, 2013 #11 Posted March 20, 2013 I heard "Ho Chi Minh" sandles were popular souvineers , most of them are probably bought from roadside stalls, the Vietnamese would often scrounge discarded scraps from the dump / garbage and make things to resell you dont have to be a VC to own a pair of HCM sandles, Im sure lots of people used them , they are very usefull , they make excellent river sandles
Sabrejet Posted March 20, 2013 #12 Posted March 20, 2013 I gather Firestone does a really cool Huarachi-style sandal.
firefighter Posted March 20, 2013 #13 Posted March 20, 2013 Not to burst any bubbles or say they are not real, but when I was in the Philippines (84-86) they were making and selling them over there.I almost bought a pair just to bring home but it was party night.
uplandmod Posted March 20, 2013 #14 Posted March 20, 2013 My dad brought a pair back from Viet Nam, not to go into detail but his were definately fresh from the VC. LF
TRR Posted March 20, 2013 #15 Posted March 20, 2013 I gather Firestone does a really cool Huarachi-style sandal. I had a few pairs of firestone but they kept blowing out, so I got a set of goodyears.
sgtdorango Posted March 21, 2013 #17 Posted March 21, 2013 I had a few pairs of firestone but they kept blowing out, so I got a set of goodyears. Hahahahahahaha!....good one!!....mike
Jr. Collector Posted March 27, 2013 #18 Posted March 27, 2013 very cool sandals. you gotta love tire sandals
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