A recent fun discovery for us is the MALIBU SANDAL which is available for both women and men. Their sandals come in a very classic handwoven 10-strap design and they’re proud of using vegan-leather braided material which are also 100% water friendly. For all of their sandals, there’s a signature M-Grip outsole and anatomically correct ultra-soft footbed. Below is our favorite: the Malibu x Missoni Men’s Zuma sandal. Stylish right?
For a dressier option but with all the same great features is the Men’s Zuma Bison which is also available in black. We are always looking for products which serve multiple purposes so travelers can pack less — this is a great and comfy choice for long urban walks while taking in a tour of attractions in a well known city as well as for dinner in the evenings with a dressy pair of pants.
To give you an idea of the diversity of their styles and colors, from the brown leather look above (great for summer outdoor dining) and more stylish white/blue combo (you’ll fit right in on New England’s shores), how about this very cool and almost retro black and white number? They call it the Zuma Fast Timesand it has a classic handwoven 10-strap design like the others and can be used in and around the water. All their products have that great PU suede footbed that makes them ever so comfy. They recommend ordering a half size down from your athletic shoe size. For example, if you wear a size 11.5 running shoe, we recommend a size 11 Malibu Sandal.
Here’s what we love about the brand’s methodology and oh btw, they don’t even consider themselves a brand. Their definition of a “fashion brand” is one that tends to celebrate designers and believe things like “shoes make the man.” They tend to go after artists and free spirits, the ones who live fully and do it with style — you know, the thrill seekers by day and the trendsetters by night, including surfers, adventure enthusiasts and yogi types.
What else is cool about Malibu is their equal commitment to comfort and style. When we tested these out, they were incredibly comfortable straight out of the box — we haven’t put them to the test for a beach walk yet but they performed well on both concrete and dirt trails. We also love the fact that they’ve combined the ancient craft of Mexican huarache sandal-making with contemporary footwear design and engineering techniques, using cruelty-free materials.
A useful cultural factoid is that Mexican huarache style sandals date back many centuries. Their origins are unknown, but there are clear design links between Mayan Caites sandals and pre-Hispanic footwear seen on ancient codices. For travelers who love a cultural connection, their background is really cool.
Traditionally handmade and constructed out of raw leather, the huarache’s primal design language features an intricate woven pattern that’s iconic, durable and proven to withstand the test of time. Malibu Sandal’s 3-piece outsole features a soft anatomically correct polyurethane footbed for a super comfortable fit, a sturdy phylon midsole for strong structural support and a durable rubber sole for ideal traction. The Feature Details:
- Brace Bar provides your toes with a raised rail for ideal gripping action and custom fit.
- Heightened Edging is consistent from front to back and along the medial and lateral sidewalls. The elevated edge acts as a guardrail providing extra toe protection.
- Sculpted Arch Support creates stable reinforcement for your foot that feels secure in the footbed.
- Caldera Heel has a deep basin to give your heel ultimate comfort and secure footing.
- Signature M-Grip Sole is made of durable rubber and molded with our signature M-Grip pattern for excellent traction.
Every pair of Malibu Sandals are made with PETA-Approved Vegan materials, hand-crafted with water friendly materials, are 100% cruelty-free, inspired by the ancient craft of Mexican huarache footwear, re-imagined and designed in Southern California. Two thumbs up!
More information on their various styles (including women’s styles) and how to order can be found on their website at http://www.malibusandals.com/.
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
