Sanuk.com

Want to know what makes us smile?

The planet. Our planet. Planet Earth. You know, that big blue/green blob we live on? That big, spherical, wonderball all of us happyhumans meander around on….Ringing any bells? We thought so.

Chances are, if you’re like us, meandering always feels better when you’ve got a cushy pair of sandals under your toes. It makes trekking near and far a much more pleasant endeavor– and it’s something to be thankful for. So thankful in fact, that Sanuk wants to give Mother Earth a little love.

Recently, with the inception of The R.A.S.T.A Project and its line of signature sandals, Sanuk has devoted much of its focus to reducing its footprint–no matter how comfy it is. The R.A.S.T.A. Project which stands for Recyled And Sustainable Trade Alliance is a sub division of Sanuk Footwear.

The R.A.S.T.A. Project aims to reduce its impacton the world by providing footwear that is truly impact  free. Everything from the sandals’ materials (including: recycled-tired outsoles, jute, hemp natural latex and recycled plastic bottles) to the packaging as been chosen in a effort to be more environmentally friendly.

Now’s where the real fun begins. In an effort to make going green even more groovy….

This is your chance to hunker down in your Sanuks and help out planet little by little. Sometimes making a bigger initiative happen comes via baby steps. Here’s how you can help (and score some free Sanuk swag in the process)

Step 1: Do something GREEN –(taking out the recycle, conserving water, changing light bulb, riding your skateboard, bike, or dog to work- Anything to help our planet smile. If you’re stumped, try web searching “easy ways to go green”. It’s easier than you think— Get creative!

Step 2: Take a photo of yourself in the act as evidence! You’ll need a camera for this one, Ace.

Send 3: EMAIL your photo to Social@Sanuk.com. Provide your name and a little caption.

The deadline to submit photos is: Tuesday, October 5th at 10:00am PST (1:00pm ET). Once the entries are in, the Sanuk Team will compile your photos into a sharable “Show Us Your Green” Photo Album. Our team of warm-blooded, self-propelled amoebas will hand pick the winner(s)!

Winners will receive overstuffed SANUK MYSTERY BOXES!

For more information on The RASTA Project and Sanuk’s eco-friendly line of sandals, visit :

www.rastaproject.org or www.sanuk.com

Bonnaroo is one heck of a four day music festival. The main attractions of the festival are the multiple stages of live music of all kinds, craftsmen and artisans selling unique products, food, and much more. The event itself is world famous, but it’s all the happening behind the scenes that caught Sanuk’s attention.

(via: Bonnaroo.com)

Bonnaroo attracts a special type of human- one passionate about experiencing and sharing the joys of the human experience. Thousands from all reaches of the country flock to the festival because of what it represents. If you’ve ever witnessed its wonder firsthand, you know it is certainly a beautiful sight to behold. In order to make the festival more enjoyable for all, the Bonnaroo has a message board forum for attendees and fans.

The site, Inforoo.com, was established so anyone could learn important tips and valuable insight on the weekend. One of the threads on the forum was “Best Shoes?” to attend Bonnaroo. The forum started over 2 years ago and has flourished ever since. Hundreds of people bought Sanuks based on the recommendation of CarpeDM01 aka Matt Sloan and his promotion of how tailored to the Bonnaroo experience they were.

Discussing topics on the Inforoo forum has become more than just an exchange of information. It’s about creating a place for compassionate, like-minded individuals. It has become a place where strong relationships are forged, fueled and cherished. Thanks in part to Matt Sloan.

Sloan. 2008.

Here is just one of Matt’s replies: “Sanuks…trust me, I’ve tried everything else, and a good pair of ‘sidewalk surfers’ is absolutely the way to go. You dont want the flops, but the canvas ‘shoe’ style. They’re light, uber comfy, well vented (so you dont get swamp foot), dry out quick if they get wet, wont give you blisters, but also wont randomly fall off your foot either. And best of all, you dont have to be seen wearing Crocs in public! ”

This year, at Bonnaroo tragedy struck as the festival lost one of it’s greatest champions. Sunday, June 13, Matt Sloan lost his life at the festival he loved. Matt collapsed from heat exhaustion during the event. He was given CPR and rushed to the hospital but it was too late.  Although Matt was not officially affiliated with Sanuk, he truly stood by, advocated and spread us to everyone he could.

Upon Matt’s passing, the inboxes here at Sanuk were flooded with touching sentiments like these:

“This one person has touched so many lives of people that he only met through a Internet forum, let alone all the people that were lucky enough to meet him in person”. – Alessia T

“He will be a void in what has been our family for years. Inforoo was not just a message board, it was full of kind and helpful people, and Matt epitomized that.” – Sean H

“I have never met this man before. We have never talked, yet he sold me your shoe…He turned a lot of people on to your product. He was honest about your product. He was your best salesman, free..And best of all, ‘you don’t have to be seen wearing Crocs in public!’ was the line that got me.” – SCROG

“This week I am wearing Sanuks all week in honor of Matt.” – John O

Matt’s passing has touched countless individuals across the country- including us. Here at Sanuk, we cherish our loyal followers and advocates all over the world. It’s these relationships that help fuel what we do. This is why, this fall, in honor of Matt, Sanuk will be releasing a Sidewalk Surfer in his honor. The model will be appropriately named “Carpe DM” – an homage to Matt’s online forum handle through which he helped hundreds of people bring comfort to their lives.

If you would like to help to carry out Matt’s legacy, donations may be made to St. Andrew’s on-the-Sound, 101 Airlie Road, Wilmington, NC 28403. Please designate to ‘Matt’s Trees’. We here at Sanuk are looking forward to the release of Matt’s model. We hopes to do justice to such an influential, positive and compassionate figure who has made others better because he cared.

Click here to visit the forum where Matt made his mark.
Click here to view the forum posting on Matt’s passing.

In the wake of such tragedy, its only right that everyone

Smile…Pass it on

We don’t need to be told that we are the most comfy sandals around, but we never get tired of hearing it! When you’re hot, you’re hot! And our Yoga Mats are on fire (no, not literally, put away your fire extinguisher).

Unless you’re a penguin wrangler at the North Pole, you’ve probably noticed that summer time is in full effect. You’ve got your beach bod trimmed and ready to rock and sway to the rhythm. Your new threads are spot on. You’ve got a killer pair of shades to boot. But wait- what’s that on your feet? Sanuk Yoga Mats?! Oh baby… Now you’re talking!

Read the whole article to see what else is hot this summer: What’s In For Summer 2010

Will you be caught wearing a pair? Your toes (and social life) will thank you… Trust us.

Eat your heart out Twilight. Take a hike Jonas Brothers- because Sanuk has a few fanboys (and girls) of their own. UpDowna (short for Up a mountain, Down a Beer) is a blog run by humanoids that live for all things backpacking, hiking, camping, climbing, wilderness survival, skiing, snowboarding, and (of course) ice cold beer.

In a recently in a post entitled “Happy Feet“, they gave us some big time unsolicited groupie love that rivals that of all those giggly Justin Beiber fanatics. The post reveals quite clearly that they are big proponent of our Sidewalk Surfers. Bunny (who is a dude by the way) notes how, “everyone is making a big deal over those 5 toe things. If you like them that’s your thing, but I’m sticking to my guns with the comfort of my Sanuks!”  Now that is what we’re talking about.

Bunny’s favorite uses of our swag including (but certainly not limited to) road trips, base camping, kickin’ around houses (and caves), picking up the mail box, making beer runs and “any other quick I need shoes situations”. For the UpaDowna crew, Sanuk’s are “not just footwear…but a must have piece of gear in [their] arsenal!”

photo via. UpaDowna

For the full post click here!

Last weekend, Sanuk teamed up with Revolution Surf Shop to support Boarding for Breast Cancer. The event, We Do it for the Love, was a Fashion Show Fundraiser. The participants to took to the stage in style! The runway never looked so good! Bonus style points for the TubeFlop piggyback!

Happy Heads- always a crowd pleaser.