Sanük Wins Footwear Plus ‘Footwear Item of the Year’ Award

Further solidifying its reputation as today’s hottest footwear brand, Sanuk’s Sidewalk Surfers garnered a 2007 Plus Award in the “Item of the Year” category. Presented by trade publication Footwear Plus, the Plus Awards recognize overall design excellence in 21 distinguished categories as determined by the votes of thousands of footwear retailers nationwide. The 9th annual Plus Awards were presented at the FFANY show in New York earlier this month.

“This is a tremendous honor for us,” said Jeff Kelley, founder of Sanük. “Sanük is a David among the Goliaths of the footwear world and this award acknowledges there’s still plenty of room in the industry for innovation and a creative approach to doing business.”

Also known as the “Not A Shoe,” Sidewalk Surfers are footwear that looks like a shoe but is really a sandal. 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, simplistic 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.

“Sanük has really exploded into the mainstream footwear market with its Sidewalk Surfer,” noted Greg Dutter, editorial director of Footwear Plus. “Sanük has developed a fashion-forward style that speaks to the brand’s casual, surf roots as well as appeals to a broader customer base that is increasingly seeking wellness-based shoe constructions.”

The comfort and functionality of Sanük sandals, combined with their unique, authentic styles has 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.

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.

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 Traders.

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