Ideal Bite

What's keeping your feet cool on the sand as the temperature rises?

06.06.2006

Submitted by idealbite on Tue, 06/06/2006 - 5:00pm.

The Bite:

Life's a beach with eco-friendly footwear made from recycled or natural materials likeold tires, jute, and hemp.

The Benefits:

Natural materials such as jute and cork are biodegradable. Used in lieu of glue, water-based cement’s the eco-friendlier choice - plus it's safer for the people making your sandals.
250 million tires are thrown away every year in the US alone. Reusing this rubber in beach footwear keeps trash out of landfills and your toes from burning as you're running to the waves.
Support companies that are making the connection between sustainability and business - companies like Chacos and Simple Shoes donate to green non-profits.

Personally Speaking:

Chacos, made from recycled tires and therefore incredibly durable, were Jen’s sandal of choice for water repelling and other sporty adventures in Costa Rica. Heather’s green Toe Foo flips by Simple Shoes are almost NEVER off her feet now that the weather has warmed up.

Wanna Try:

Toe Foo - by Simple Shoes; they support Stop Global Warming and other non-profits ($50-$55).
Chaco Sandals - collects old-but-still-got-some-mileage-in-‘em shoes, which are then delivered to shoe-less feet around the world (from $50).
Splaff Flops - a hemp and old tires blend ($39).
Kenya Sandal - by the volunteer-run Ecosandals ($29).

Cocktail Fact

Flip-flops are also known as “slops” (South Africa), “slippers” (Hawaii), “pluggers”(Australia), “thongs” (Western US), “jandals” (New Zealand) and “sayonaras.”