Shoe soles

I’d like to make some indoor shoes, like this: http://www.sewmamasew.com/store/all-sewing-patterns/kimono-women-s-shoe-ithinksew-pdf-sewing-pattern--PTITSKIMONO.html

I want the sole to be fairly protective, traction, and durable. What should I use? Leather would be ideal, but I don’t know where I’d find it and I doubt my machine could handle it.

In the knitting/crochet world there are these things:

http://www.simplicity.com/c-732-slipper-soles.aspx

I've seen them at Michael's, but haven't tried them myself.  And I CANNOT vouch for the web site because I haven't ordered from them - I just posted it to give you a pic of what's out there.  I haven't used them, but it appears there is a stitch space to hand stitch things on to them which is why it's in the knitting/crochet section.  Is this something along the lines of what you were looking for?