Dopie

Dopie was released in the UK and then Europe during 2007. ECO Imports Pty Ltd is excited to be bringing this exciting new concept in shoes to Australia during Autumn 2008.

Dopie - Letting your feet go naked.

Here's something to brighten up your feet as you move towards summer. This strange-looking colourful footwear looks like the born-again sole of a Nike Air Rift sneaker. In fact, the Dopie sandal is a collaboration between industrial designer Matthew Harrison and the eco-friendly shoe company Terra Plana. Developed over two years, the Dopie is the result of the search for a "sandal in a simpler and pure form: a single shape sole to protect the foot that folds up between the toes to provide control. An optional strap is provided to add extra functionality to Dopie beginners." We love the crazy colour range and the minimal use of materials in the single moulded form, which is made from recycled EVA and foam rubber. The Dopie craze has already begun in the U.K. and Europe where the sandals have been on sale since April.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but you either love sandals or you positively hate them and, in truth, I personally fall very much in the latter category – though this probably has more to do with the fact that I rate feet as being just about the most unappealing part of the human body.

Having said that, I can see why sandals would appeal to others without a curious aversion to feet though it must be said that the basic design of your everyday sandal is hardly the most inspiring of forms. That could be about to change, however, thanks to this new take on sandal design known as the Dopie.

Apparently the result of a "search for a sandal in a simpler and purer form", the Dopie, apart from having a cool name, are manufactured from EVA and rubber so as to provide comfort promoting flexibility whist being light and are designed to remain firmly attached to your feet courtesy of a sole that folds up between the toes. And, for those new to wearing Dopies they even come with a detachable strap to assist beginners with learning how to wear them.

From a design perspective we love the look, however, as to whether they are comfortable, we\’ll have to reserve judgment - though we remain somewhat unconvinced. That said, we don\’t doubt that they might well prove particularly popular with the surfer crowd.

Cool Hunting asks: Could the Dopie sandals be this year’s Crocs? The foam rubber and recycled ethylene-vinyl-acetate (EVA), the same foam material used in Crocs, is designed to be held in place on one’s feet only by the folded bit that goes between the toes—the strap pictured is just for “beginners."

Unlike Crocs, the Dopie sandals are hardly fashion travesties. In fact, it would be difficult to tell a person were wearing them at all if they weren’t in one of the brighter colors available. It’s not like flip-flops, having fought a long battle to make their way into mainstream respectability, are exactly difficult to slip on and off. But I can’t help but be curious about how well the design works. Not 40 USD dollars worth of curious, mind you, but I expect Chinese manufacturers are laboring as we speak to create five-buck knock-offs.

www.treehugger.com

Dopie Sandals are...by Bonnie Alter, London on 07.25.07

Not sure about these... They are environmentally correct--made of recycled EVA and foam rubber by Terra Plana, one of treehugger's favourite ecological shoe makers. Minimalist in design, they are a combination of those indian sandals that used to kill your toes and some kind of teenage mutant ninja turtle. They are made of a single shape sole to protect the foot that folds up between the toes to provide control. You keep them on by clutching the toe part, but the strap is handy if you can't quite master the grab (and it's detachable for when you have). They are quite light, flexible and waterproof. Not half as ugly as last year's fad, those Crocs, which are regrettably still being flogged all over cottage country (and are remarkably indestructible) but they may not be quite so handy for gardening. Perhaps skateboarding, or just looking very cool as you stroll to the nearest cafe.

From ProductWiki, free unbiased product reports for the consumer.

Dopies are trying to oust the Crocs market for ubiquitous, yet not-quite-sure-why popularity. The Dopie sandal tries to break the mold of traditional sandals by foregoing the strap. Instead, by using light material and a rigid sole, a 'nipple' was created for the toes which would be enough to hold the shoe onto the foot. After a lot of prototypes and serious studying of ancient examples from Tibet, the Dopie was formed. The toe-hold is made of a soft foam for comfort while the rest of the sole is made from EVA plastic and rubber. An optional strap comes with the shoe in case you're doing an activity that might cause your shoe to fall off (roller coasters, skateboarding, etc.) They're available in a variety of colors.