Zuzu did something that no other sandal company has successfully done. They perfected a Sandal from an actual recycled tire that is both comfortable and functional for every day use.
Zuzu sandals are sustainably made in Israel and feature some of the thinnest and softest sandal straps that exist on the market. Suitable for anything from hanging with your pup, chilling on the hammock or hitting the trails, they have a great ground feel and are virtually indestructible (think of all those old tire places you see sitting around). They recently opened up to international shipping and we were super excited to share our feedback on their sandal. Knowing that these are both sustainably made and supporting a local brand just makes us super keen to share these with the world!
You can use the Discount Code of TBSR5 for 5% off your sandals You can find them
here on their International Website &
here on their Israeli Website Company Overview: We founded ZuZu Sandals after years of living a nomadic lifestyle. ZuZu is the ever-evolving fruit that grows from our immense mileage of walking, running, traveling, and exploring diverse trails and cultures in over 60 countries across 6 continents.
After walking, running and creatively experimenting with a wide range of materials, we finally decided to take up the glove (or the sandal, if you will) and create what we believe to be the perfect, minimalist barefoot sandal. A sandal that focuses on the things that matter most - sustainability, durability, minimalism, style, and most importantly, healthy feet.
As devout hikers who have spent years with a backpack on our backs, we know exactly what to give to those who want to stay active, travel light, see every day as an adventure and do it all in style. With attention to the tiniest details and a great love for nature, we are incredibly glad to give an answer to those who seek the most adventurous, stylish, environmentally friendly barefoot sandal out there (we feel you!).
Our inspiration for the design of ZuZu sandals was drawn from a long-standing heritage that originates in the Copper Canyon of Mexico. There lives the native Tarahumara tribe, known as "super-runners" for their legendary running abilities, which allow them to run up to hundreds of miles in extreme terrain conditions, with nothing but a pair of "Huarache" sandals on their feet.
We at ZuZu strive to combine the good old traditional knowledge with a modern vision and design. With the help of durable and innovative materials, alongside recycling and environmental consciousness, ZuZu is the ultimate barefoot adventure sandals that will take you anywhere.
Perfect for any activity, from chilling by the beach to a walk around town to ultra-marathons in the Alps. ZuZu brings a more natural way to feel the world.
In Hebrew, ZuZu means Move.
We welcome you to join the ZuZment!
You can see our whole video unboxing here:
About the Zuzu Flow Sandal - Ultra-durable tire soles with an unbeatable grip - Replaceable straps for a brand new style in minutes (optional) - A perfect balance between ground feel and feet protection - Zero drop 7mm soles for a barefoot experience - Stronger feet muscles and improved balance - Built to last for a VERY long time
Summary
With fantastic performance, these are your Do-All sandals for hiking, cycling, trail running, natural movement, yoga, and slacklining. It is the ultimate choice if you seek to enjoy water hikes and maximize your barefoot ground feel. All in all, ZuZu Flow brings a more natural way of walking the earth. * Outsoles tire patterns may slightly vary due to the tire's origin.
Disclaimer: These shoes were given to us to review, however our opinion is our own. This post also contains affiliate links which give us a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you and enjoy the read!
Manufacturing and Sustainability:
We're proudly crafting ZuZu Sandals in both Israel and Portugal. We ship all orders from Israel, where the final packaging and quality assurance takes place in the USA (handmade, handsewn).
Small business run by 2 Adventurers Tal & Nadav
The soles are all made from tires as part of a genuine desire to improve wherever possible. From an environmental point of view, using and reviving a highly durable material that is otherwise garbage, is the best way to minimize unnecessary pollution and energy waste.
They are built for performance, but that doesn’t just mean running. Walk, hike, or just relax – Zuzu Sandals are comfy as well as durable, and you'll find yourself wearing them everywhere!
Shipping and Returns: We're happy to accept returns on sandals for up to 30 days after you have received them. The sandals must be in a brand new, resellable condition and in their original packaging (please try on indoors only). All shipping costs of returns will be covered by the customer.
For more info, read our Returns Policy or contact our support team.
First Impressions: Zuzu Flow After a conversation with Tal and realizing right away what a kind and adventurous soul he was, they sent me a pair of sandals to try. Right at the pick up point with my loyal pup Charlie, I knew these were going to be very unique. The delicate leather straps were like no other sandal that I have tried (and I have tried quite a few) and it also came with extra silicon straps in case I wanted something a bit more firm. The tire was extremely light weight, extremely condensed and looked like it would survive the apocalypse or the next wave of corona if that happens. Just walking home with them, I was impressed by the ruggedness but still the great ground feel. The strap does have to be firmly secured to your foot to allow good foot function but that is very easily doable by just pulling the strap through the buckle and because it is so soft there is no chafing or discomfort.
Sizing and Fit: My foot measures 26cm (10.2 inch) long and 10.1cm (3.9 inch) wide., Following Tal's Advice I got a size 42, they fit me comfortably with a bumper of space in front meaning I potentially could have sized down and they still would have fit well. They also have a super handy sizing guide on their website which we highly recommend using. Regarding the fit, it was easily adjustable with zero break-in time. It felt so comfortable immediately and was a pleasure to walk in. It does not interfere with my foot's function at all and I enjoyed playing frisbee, walking around and doing light sport in them around the park as well.
I did notice that for more strenuous activities, like running or trail hiking, switching to the silicon laces are more affective and make sure they are firmly secured to the foot.
Performance: With a 7mm Stack height the ground feel is phenomenal on these for just about every activity but still made of indestructible tire, so no glass, thorns or even the heat of the ground will penetrate it. You can use them for just about anything especially if you switch the straps as needed as mentioned before.
Lacing System
100% Pliable nubuck leather or 100% performance Nylon straps no hidden fees or more.
Coated Stainless Steel Buckles to hold the strap.
The leather is one of the most comfortable lacing systems we have tried yet. It is soft and pliable and requires no break-in time. It's the most comfortable sandal when it comes to the way it sits between the toes.
It is a one strap lacing system with the tightening and loosening being easy and hassle-free simply by pulling the lace through the buckle
Sole:
100% recycled tire (that simple)
It is mentioned on their website: for Performance "the tire grip easily outperformed any other sole we tried, and it hardly wears out over time."
To summarize things up, although recycled tires are pricier than any other sole material we could use, we believe it is superior to other materials and makes a real difference!
Weight and Movement:
Lightweight
Very flexible
Allows for natural foot movement
Good tread for light sport, hiking, and every day activity.
Feels so seamless with your foot
Sole and footbed:
100% recycled tire sole
Textile footbed built-in
Specs
Upper: Textile footbed built-in
Sole: 7mm 100% recycled tire sole
Drop: Zero Drop
Stack Height: 6.5/7mm
Weight: Lightweight
Price: 79$
Sizes available: 36-47
Care Instructions: To best maintain the elasticity of both straps and footbeds, avoid leaving your sandals in direct sunlight or near a heat source for a long time. It can dry out and impair the flexibility of the footbed and the durability of the straps.
Periodical cleaning with water, soap, and a brush will keep the sandal flexible and well-groomed. Do not dry the sandal in direct sunlight. A bad smell can develop due to the accumulation of bacteria and sweat on the footbed. The best way to prevent an unpleasant odor is to clean your sandals periodically. If your sandals get some unpleasant odor that won't go away using soap and water, simply rub some baking soda on the footbed and let it rest overnight. When morning comes, rinse and return to regular use. Please note - As with most materials, when our sandals are stored or placed in intense temperatures and conditions, there is a chance that they can lose their integrity or shape. Conditions such as direct sunlight, heat, cold, steam, or prolonged moisture may damage the sandals. These conditions are nothing to worry about when you're wearing the sandals, only if you store the sandals in any of these conditions or leave them in any of these conditions as part of the cleaning process, there is a chance they could be damaged. We recommend keeping your sandals in a dry, moderate temperature away from extreme temperatures and weather conditions. Future Improvements: I attempted to do the famous sea-to-sea hike in this sandal and I did get a fair amount of kilometers in but, especially with the rain and the mud, I needed a more rugged sole. From what I understand they are working on making a different sole type.
The Silicon straps could use a bit more security to really firmly attach it to the foot. but overall they are so so comfortable.
Where and How to Wear:
Everything! Hammock lounging, night out in town, its subtle and dark colors can go with anything, I have yet to test it out in the snowy mountains so here's to hoping I can give that an attempt some day.
Conclusion: This is the ultimate lightweight, indestructible sandal that can do just about anything. If you want a fashion change just give one of their colored straps ago. With amazing customer service and an extremely detailed website with just about every FAQ you may have, we are in love with this sandal and you should check it out too!
You can use the Discount Code TBSR5
You can find them
here on their International Website &
here on their Israeli Website Sean & Sara & Charlie <3
