Sanük Wins Apparel Magazine 'Innovation of the Year' Award

On the heels of winning Footwear Plus’ “Item of the Year,” Sanük announces its second major industry award in two months. Sanük has been awarded Apparel magazine’s ‘Innovation of the Year’ award for its Sidewalk Surfer sandals.

“We are very pleased with the broad acceptance of our brand,” comments John Vance, president of Sanük. “This award is humbling, and proof that what we have created is truly ground-breaking.”

Sidewalk Surfers were born out of the belief that most of today’s footwear is plagued by too much foam, gel, air cells, gizmos and gadgets that promote overall foot weakness and lead to common foot injuries. Sanük’s Sidewalk Surfer sandals feature “Barefoot Un-technology,” a patented, deconstructed design that attaches a shoe upper to a sandal footbed, which provides superior comfort and allows the foot to bend and flex the way nature intended. As Sanük’s branding clearly states, “Sanüks are not shoes, they’re sandals.”

“In this first-ever “Innovation” award, Sanük is being recognized for being one of the truly innovative organizations in the industry,” notes Michael Cole, associate editor of Apparel magazine. “Sanük has demonstrated excellence through product design and launch, IT-related implementation and other outstanding business strategies that have been recently executed.”

The comfort and functionality of Sanük sandals, combined with their unique, authentic styles have attracted a loyal following of pro athletes, musicians and celebrities including Shane Dorian, Donavon Frankenreiter and Brad Pitt. Sanük has experienced triple-digit growth since the Sidewalk Surfers were first released a little over two years ago.

“Our dealer network is wild,” states Jeff Kelley, Sanük’s founder. “It runs the gamut from Barneys in New York to Fred Segal’s in LA. Just about every surf shop in America as well as standout outdoor accounts such as REI and Eastern Mountain Sports carry Sanük.”

Available in men’s, women’s and children’s styles, Sidewalk Surfers typically run $48 for women to $55 for men. In 2008, Sanük will expand its line of Sidewalk Surfers to include a number of cold weather styles.

For more information visit www.sanuk.com or contact Jessica Smith at (970) 963-4873 or jsmith@backbonemedia.net.

About Sanük
Sanük is the Thai word for the “pursuit of happiness.” Sanük was launched in 1999 in the garage of local Huntington Beach surfer, Jeff Kelly. Sanük’s sandals feature the simplicity and comfort of ‘Barefoot Un-technology’ design in a wide variety of authentic surf culture styles. Sanuk USA designs, markets and sells to the domestic US market as well as Canada, Europe and the Caribbean through its domestic licensee C&C Trader