Sustainable flip-flops

What makes our sustainable flip-flops so special?

We asked ourselves whether it was possible to make flip-flops that not only look cool, but are also comfortable and, above all, robust enough to stand up to life as outdoor footwear. Our sustainable flip-flops answer this question with a resounding ‘yes’, as they are the perfect choice for anyone looking for a lightweight shoe that’s just as suitable for short walks as it is for trekking tours or longer backpacking trips. What makes our sustainable flip-flops so special is, above all, their unique material composition: a large proportion of our sustainable flip-flops is made from cork, a sturdy natural material that offers excellent hygiene and care properties. The grippy Vibram sole on our flip-flops ensures a firm grip on all kinds of surfaces, making them ideal for light hikes in temperatures where you’ll want to treat your feet to as much air and lightness as possible. Thanks to extra heel padding and adjustable straps, our flip-flops offer maximum comfort – whether in everyday city life or out and about in the countryside. A soft, narrow toe strap provides extra support whilst being particularly gentle on the skin – chafed skin between the toes is a thing of the past! AND for those who really can’t get on with the toe strap at all, we also have flip-flops without a strap, such as the Dog2go Scott or DogX Newseed.

What makes our flip-flops sustainable?

The secret behind the comfort and durability of our flip-flops and barefoot flip-flops lies in the materials we use to make them. When producing our eco-friendly flip-flops – just as with our trekking and hiking boots, our approach shoes and our sustainable trainers – we rely on cork, a renewable natural raw material. Cork is incorporated into the anatomical footbed, the upper material of the straps and the extra-cushioned sole in the heel area of our flip-flops for men and women. We source this organic raw material from sustainable production in Portugal, where our family-run shoe manufacturing business is also based. This allows us to keep transport distances as short as possible whilst also supporting the local economy and a tradition that is deeply rooted in Portugal. Furthermore, we use cork offcuts to manufacture the footbeds and the upper material of our flip-flops, and we recycle cork from wine cork production. This enables us to keep the environmental footprint of our sustainable flip-flops as small as possible. We aim to revolutionise the outdoor and sports industry with footwear that not only looks good but is also comfortable and durable, and has been manufactured with consideration for the climate, people and the environment. Our casual cork trekking sandals prove that flip-flops can be healthy for your feet, sustainable and, on top of that, extremely robust! Our eco-friendly flip-flops are available in various styles for men and women.

Facts about our sustainable flip-flops:

• Handcrafted in a family-run shoe workshop in Portugal.
• Sturdy and non-slip natural materials.
• Flip-flops with and without a toe strap.
• Upcycling projects with Scott and Newseed. 

What materials are our sustainable flip-flops made from?

Our sustainable flip-flops are made largely from recycled cork, which is used in the upper, the footbed and the outsole. The multi-layered cushioning of the specially manufactured outdoor sole, made from a rubber-cork blend, ensures a soft feel underfoot and absorbs the impact of your steps. For our Eidaxal and Quaxi models, we use an extremely grippy and deeply treaded sole from Vibram. Depending on the model, the upper material of the strap also features cork, felt or leather, reinforced with a durable lining made from linen, recycled cotton or microfibre. The toe strap is made from soft webbing and moulds itself perfectly to your toes – so chafing is a thing of the past! In the production of the toe straps for our upcycled flip-flops, we use offcuts from ski climbing skins or – in the case of our latest model, the DogX – recycled climbing ropes from the Rosenheim-based brand NEWSEED, which are made from abrasion-resistant polyamide.

Why does cork play such an important role in the production of our flip-flops?

It’s no coincidence that the main component of our sturdy flip-flops is cork: this natural material, which we source either in recycled form through our Cork Collect Challenge or from sustainable production, offers excellent comfort and hygiene properties and is also extremely hard-wearing. Cork is naturally water- and dirt-repellent and ensures a healthy foot environment, as it absorbs and stores moisture, so your feet never feel damp. When you’re not wearing your cork flip-flops (such as at night), the absorbed moisture is simply released again. Cork is also temperature-regulating, breathable and has antibacterial properties, so no unpleasant odours develop even after prolonged wear. The cork content in the specially designed, cushioned outsole not only makes our sustainable flip-flops lighter but also optimises their environmental footprint, as it allows the amount of rubber otherwise used in the sole to be significantly reduced.

What distinguishes the different styles of cork flip-flops at Doghammer?

Our cork flip-flops differ primarily in their sole construction and the feel when walking. Common to all models is the durable and non-slip upper made from recycled cork and EVA, which offers reliable grip even when wet. The wide strap with a toe bridge also ensures stability and a secure fit on the foot.

Depending on how you plan to use them, you can choose between different sole options: models with a Vibram sole offer particularly good grip and are ideal for outdoor activities. Variants with a treaded EVA sole are lightweight and comfortable for everyday wear. Our barefoot toe-separators, on the other hand, feature a sole made from 50% natural rubber and a flatter construction – without the additional 3 mm heel cushioning. This creates a more direct, natural walking sensation compared to our classic toe-separators.

What’s the story behind the resole service for our cork toe-separators and our configurator?

Generally speaking, looking after your toe-separators requires very little attention, as you can simply wipe off any surface dirt. Even though we place the utmost importance on using hard-wearing and durable materials when manufacturing our eco-friendly cork toe-separators, the adventures you experience with your outdoor toe-separators on your feet will inevitably leave their mark. True to the motto ‘Repair rather than throw away’, we’d like to offer you the chance to extend the lifespan of your cork flip-flops many times over with our resole service! After extensive use, simply treat your cork trekking sandals to a new Vibram sole and they’ll be ready for your next adventure. With new soles, you can climb to the summit in them many more times – or simply have a great, and above all, comfortable time, no matter where you wear them. By the way, if you’d like to create your very own personalised pair of cork flip-flops, you can use our configurator to design exactly the hiking flip-flops you’ve always wanted! If that’s not enough for you, you can also build your own custom outdoor flip-flops with us in a Doghammer Selfmade workshop.