Flip flops don’t interest me much. For starters, there’s no heel. (Boo.) Also, they don’t make much of a statement. (Except, “Hi. I’m shorter than usual today.”) I’ve made an exception for homegrown Hari Mari sandals by Dallas owners Jeremy Stewart and Barrett Horton. I’ve been sampling a pair for the last few days (mostly walking the dog and such), and I’m quite pleased. So what makes these stand out from the millions of flip flops already being manufactured? One, they’re truly comfy. The footbed has been tailored to the perfect level of cushion. Not too soft, not too hard, just right. (Call me Goldilocks.)
“Hari Mari’s comfort starts with its unique memory foam-lined toe posts that make them easy on toes from day one, and continues with soft-squeeze mid-soles and firm arch supports to make any trek, from the park to the beach, an enjoyable one,” Stewart says.
Secondly, from the shoes’ materials to the proceeds, Hari Mari is a humanitarian brand. Each pair is made with reprocessed rubber, foam, and biodegradable hemp. For every set sold, $3 heads to Cook Children’s Hospital to help families battling cancer. Lastly, to keep the footwear out of landfills, a incentive program offers shoppers a 15 percent discount on a pair of new flops with the return of the old ones.
“In my mind, a perfect flip flop also needs to be eco-responsible,” Stewart says.
I’m into the simplicity of the design. The debut collection, “Parks,” contains white bottoms with solid-color straps in green, blue, brown, black, and more, all for a clean $60 a pop. Shop online.
Update: Available at Adeline on Lovers Lane.
