Casual footwear company Freewaters teamed up with Therm-a-Rest to create a flip-flop that achieves big time comfort by utilizing sleeping pad technology.
I got the sandals, called the Scamp, in for a test a few weeks ago and have been flippin’ and floppin’ around in them since.
Initial reactions to the $36 sandals were favorable. The Therm-a-Rest foam footbeds provided plenty of the squishy comfort I was anticipating, while easily rebounding and maintaing shape after extended use.
The biggest beef that I, and I suspect many others, have with flip-flops is that they’re plenty comfortable but slip off the foot too easily. The Scamps, however, feature a ridge pattern of tacky foam that keeps the sandals secure on your foot, even when wet.
I wouldn’t go as far as to call it performance footwear, but the Scamp could definitely get the job done during a day of canoeing and light hiking.
Additionally, not only do the sandals feel good, but you can feel good about buying them, as a portion of the proceeds from the sale of all Freewaters products supports clean water projects around the world. Dig it!
Currently, Freewaters only features Therm-a-Rest foam in the men’s Scamp and men’s GPS sandal models. The Therm-a-Rest technology will be expanded into women’s flip-flops as well as men’s and women’s shoes for 2014. Be on the lookout for the expanded line.
—Patrick Murphy is an assistant editor.
