They look like summer, but they’re also made for the rainy weather.
US-made Salt-Water Sandal is not your ordinary pair—only ideal for walking around the city under the bright sun—as it boasts features that allow it to stand against the elements of nature, which means it can be worn even during rainy days or in the flood, if you’re up for that.
Joy Dauz, brand manager of Tykes Trading, Inc., the local distributor of the brand in the Philippines, told Manila Standard Salt-Water’s sandals are made of 100 percent genuine leather coated with a water-resistant sealant, which keeps each pair in tiptop form and, interestingly, gives each pair the unique ability to become even more durable when wet.
“The water-resistant sealant also helps keep the color stay put,” she said.
The material molds itself to fit snuggly on the wearer’s feet; an instruction included in the box teaches owners how to use the pair properly.
Citing a previous experience walking on hard stones wearing a pair of Salt-Water Sandals, Dauz also noted the material and the grip allow them to be worn for a few minutes of “light trekking.”
Salt-Water Sandals come in seven—almost identical—styles, the first two: Original and Classic, Original Mash-up, Shark Original, Slide, and the newly launched Retro and Retro Slide. All styles are flat and feature a weave-like design.
The Retro sandal, like its name suggests, is a blast from the past. An archive model relaunched by Salt-Water 50 years ago, this style is reminiscent of the Mexican Huarache sandal that was well-loved in the 1960s. It comes with an elegant basket-woven upper and an ankle strap.
The Retro Slide boasts similar design, with an easy-to-wear silhouette and a little more coverage than its Classic counterpart.
“It’s (Salt-Water) not really following any fashion trend, they just update colors since most buyers only like to collect colors,” said Dauz.
Colors include neutrals, with an addition of mustard, olive, and metallic silver, gold, and rose gold for select styles.
In the Philippines, Original in tan is the best-selling pair, according to Dauz. The brand is mainly patronized by moms who like to wear their pair along with their sons and daughters, as the brand also offers sandals for kids.
But TTI said they aim to tap into the millennial and Gen Z markets, those who love to go to the beach.
Salt-Water Sandal started in 1940s when Missouri-based Walter Hoy created sandals for his daughter with sturdiness and practicality in mind—at the height of the Second World War.
Hoy made the sandals using scrap leftover leather from military boots.
Salt-Water Sandals are available at CommonThread (Greenbelt 5, Rockwell), Mothercare (Alabang, ActiveFun BGC, Glorietta 4, Greenbelt 5, Podium), The Playground Store (Robinsons Magnolia, The Podium, TriNoma), Rustan’s (Alabang, Makati, Shangri-La), Mosaic (Powerplant, SM Aura, Shangri-La, Alabang Town Center, Vertis North) Baobao Babies (Cebu), and Modern Mama (Cebu).