The Kiwi's national thong

In the third of a four-part series, CATHERINE MASTERS looks at the rubber footwear that is an icon.

Once upon a time the far-travelling Kiwi would not leave home without a pair.

Jandal is a registered trademark - a brand name for a style of footwear known elsewhere as flip-flops or thongs - that has deeply imbedded itself in the national psyche.

They slip easily into a backpack and if you spot someone wearing them abroad you probably have a Kiwi in your sights.

Some trek through Africa in them, others wear them on the Tube in the depths of a London winter.

We have worn these thick rubber soles with coloured straps for decades.

Production began in the 1950s and they became such a hit that patriotic New Zealanders usually call any flip-flop or thong a Jandal, and are willing to argue the point until closing time if challenged, for example, by a flip-flop wearing Australian.

The word itself is derived from Japanese Sandals, says the book New Zealand, New Zealand: In Praise of Kiwiana.

Maurice Yock, a salesman, picked up the concept when travelling through Asia, then set up shop in New Zealand with a company called Jandals Ltd.

Skellerup bought the company and made Jandals until Sandford Industries took over, says Brian McFall, a veteran footwear technician with Skellerup.

The numbers made these days is a mystery. Sandford Industries director Baron Sandford did not wish to make any comment about the footwear, saying they were a commercial item.

But Mr McFall says he was involved in making thousands of pairs and he sings their praises.

The Jandal became popular because it is hard-wearing and made of blown rubber.

Although there are "umpteen" dozen types of flip-flops around nowadays, Mr McFall still favours the Jandal.

Of course, this type of footwear is not without its perils.

In a crowd someone will inevitably stand on the back of one and send you flying into the person in front. The thong is wrenched off and you have to risk being trampled to get it back.

You are also vulnerable to stubbed toes, bee stings, burns and bruising, especially if you are prone to dropping cups of tea or hammers.

Doctors also advise against wearing them when mowing the lawn.

According to Auckland podiatrist Belinda Smith, thongs can be good or bad for the foot.

They do not cause conditions, but if you already have a foot problem they should perhaps be avoided.

On the good side, thongs exercise the small muscles inside the foot as you walk, since the toes must contract to keep the flip-flops on.

But those who are flat-footed can slide off the side, wearing that side out so the big toe starts hitting the ground. This can cause ankle instability, muscle fatigue, arch and heel pain and other problems.

Again on the good side, thongs are fantastic in showers, especially communal ones, because those who go barefoot can contract warts that grow on the bottom of the foot.

Says Ms Smith: "I tell kids who I've treated for verrucas [warts] that from now on any time they go to the swimming baths, every time they go to a camping ground, the gymnasium, anywhere they are going to use a communal shower, they must always shower with Jandals on their feet."