Street Beat: Sanuk
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From: SurfSalad.com September 09, 2010 |
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Photo: Sanuk
Sanuk founder, Jeff KelleySanuk is the Thai word for fun. It's also the name of a progressive footwear company based in Southern California. Since 1997, Sanuk has provided creatively inspired yet well-designed shoes and sandals for anyone who lives the adventurous life.
You don't see many companies that mix funk with function. So meet Sanuk and its founder Jeff Kelley, who started making sandals out of inner tubes and carpet. Jeff was psyched to be a part of this week's Street Beat. Go ahead, get your fix with Sanuk's kicks.
- Danny Spyra
Photo: Sanuk
The Sanuk Vagabond, for the traveler in all of us
BNQT - THE SIDEWALK SURFERS HAVE SEEN TREMENDOUS SUCCESS. CAN YOU EXPLAIN A FEW VARIATIONS IN THE FALL 2010 LINE?
Jeff - We have 4 profiles on the Sidewalk Surfer. The original wide model Vagabond, The squared toe Chiba, the narrow dressier profile on the Boardrooms and pickpockets and our Light Weight Vulcanized styles.
Photo: Sanuk
The Poncho, straight out of Joseph and the
Technicolor Dreamcoat
BNQT - THE ROOT SANDAL SERIES PLAYS WITH SOME FUN AND FUNKY PRINTS. HOW DO YOU COME UP WITH THE VIBRANT DESIGNS?
Jeff - We wanted to set Sanuk apart from the basic black sandals with jacquard straps and leather that was dominating the market. It's Funny. When Sanuk started we introduced green carpet, Leopard, and Guatemalan prints and they were considered outrageous. Now it's hard for us to do anything that people consider crazy.
Photo: Sanuk
The environmentally friendly Rasta sandal
BNQT - WHAT DOES THE RASTA IN SANUK'S RASTA PROJECT STAND FOR AND WHAT KIND OF MATERIALS DO YOU UTILIZE IN THIS SERIES?
Jeff - RASTA means Recycled And Sustainable Trade Alliance and is also the nickname for one of our surf team members Dave Rastovich. Dave was awarded environmentalist of the year from the surf industry in 2009 and was involved in the movie The Cove. In Dave's collection we use Hemp, PET (recycled bottles) Natural. Latex, Organic cottons and recycled tires. This collection is one of the most environmentally friendly you will find.
Photo: Sanuk
The Yoga Mat
BNQT - IS THE WOMEN'S YOGA MAT THE EQUIVALENT OF THE BEER COZY FOR MEN? WHAT CHARACTERISTICS DO THESE SERIES HAVE?
Jeff - Yes the men's Beer Cozy sandal does have a yoga mat foot bed. The beauty of this material is it reacts like a Temperpedic foam. It squishes into the shape of your foot and doesn't bounce back real fast like normal sandal materials. That creates a custom fit feeling like nothing else on the market.
Photo: Sanuk
The Boardroom, perfect for office meetings
BNQT - I LOVE THE CLEAN, STYLISH LOOK OF THE BOARDROOM SIDEWALK SURFERS. WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION FOR THEM?
Jeff - We really listen to our customers and the Sanuk Facebook page is a great tool for this. We heard repeatedly from our customers that they didn't want to take their Sidewalk Surfers off and we needed to make something they could wear to work so we created the Boardroom series.
Photo: Sanuk
The Scurvy, laces in or out
BNQT - FINALLY, THE SCURVY SERIES SPANS ALL 3 GROUPS (MENS, KIDS AND WOMENS). WHAT IS THE SANUK TWIST ON THE TRADITIONAL BOAT SHOE?
Jeff - We removed the stiff Stichdown board used in normal shoe manufacturing so our Vulcanized shoes including the Scurvy's would allow the foot to bend and flex. This is an important feature of all our shoes. By allowing the foot to move naturally you strengthen the muscles in the feet that support the arch and also helps to improve balance.
Street Beat Archive:
Bob Carlson with Arbor Collective
Whitney Morris with O'Neill Girls
Dustin & Dylan Odbert with ambsn
John Harbin with West Wetsuits
Nicole Hanriot with TAVIK Swimwear
Matt Gleason with Liquid Force
Jonathan Paskowitz with Lightning Bolt
The yoga mat sandals are a must have!