Journal

When we started Sandos, we wanted more than just another rubber jandal. We wanted to create something that felt good to wear, looked better, and was made with care — from the ground up.     That journey begins in Sri Lanka, the home of natural rubber. Rubber is a renewable resource, tapped directly from the tree in much the same way as maple syrup. Small cuts are made in the bark, and the tree slowly releases a milky liquid latex. This process doesn’t harm the tree — it continues to grow and produce latex for years to come. Once tapped, the latex is collected and processed into sheets of natural rubber. Before it becomes your Sandos, it looks completely different: soft, raw, and creamy in colour. From there, it’s carefully shaped and crafted by hand in our factory. Every pair is cut, moulded, and finished with the kind of attention that machines alone can’t deliver.     For us, showing this process is important — it’s a reminder that your Sandos jandals aren’t just another fast-fashion summer throwaway. They’re made from a natural, responsibly sourced material, and carefully hand-finished by skilled craftspeople.     The result? Flip flops that feel good, look good, and carry a story worth telling - from tree to toe.    

Sandos flip flops are more than just another summer shoe. They have a story, a soul, and a connection to the people and places that shaped them - Sri Lanka.     Sri Lanka is where Sandos are carefully handmade using natural rubber and ethical practices. It’s a country full of colour and energy — bustling streets lined with tuk tuks, spice-scented markets, coconut palms swaying by the beach. We were lucky enough to visit Sri Lanka and see this first hand. What we found there way exceeded our expectations. It is a country of beauty, flavour, colour and genuine people.    Beyond being the birthplace of our flip flops, Sri Lanka has a way of slowing you down and reminding you what matters. The rhythm of daily life is unhurried and grounded, and we wanted Sandos to carry some of that feeling too: shoes you can slip on, relax into, and live summer at your own pace.    

Most flip flops are made with EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate), a type of plastic foam derived from petrochemicals. While it’s lightweight and inexpensive, EVA is non-biodegradable and contributes to the growing problem of plastic pollution. In contrast, our FSC-certified natural rubber is a renewable, biodegradable resource. It breaks down naturally over time, leaving less impact on landfills and oceans. It’s proof that comfort and durability don’t have to come at the planet’s expense. Better for people, better for the planet.  By choosing Sandos jandals, you’re supporting a more ethical and environmentally responsible supply chain - one that values people as much as it values the planet.  

Do you need arch support in jandals? Discover a softer, more natural alternative to rigid arch support with Sandos’ comfortable women’s jandals.

There’s something universal about a great pair of jandals — simple, effortless, and made for sun-soaked days. Whether you’re heading to the beach, out for coffee, or packing light for a holiday, jandals are the ultimate warm-weather essential. In New Zealand, we call them jandals. It’s a staple of summer style — easy to wear, easy to love. But step outside NZ, and jandals go by many different names. In Australia, they’re known as thongs (always good for a double take), while in the US and UK, you’ll hear flip flops — a descriptive, onomatopoeic name that’s become the global default for this style of summer sandal. In South Africa, jandals are often called slops, a relaxed, everyday term that fits their laid-back lifestyle. In Sri Lanka, where our jandals are made and they basically the national uniform, they’re typically referred to as slippers, highlighting their comfort and versatility. Different names, same essential: your versatile summer must have for warm weather, beach days, and wherever the day takes you. At Sandos, we think about jandals a little differently. While most jandals are known for their generic, often overly fussy designs, we’ve refined the shape, elevated the materials, and designed them to feel more considered. These are premium jandals you can wear beyond the beach — styled up, worn out, and lived in all summer. And we can assure you they are the most comfortable summer jandal you've ever worn.  So whether you’re searching for the perfect summer sandal, or simply the perfect pair of everyday flip flops, it all comes back to the same idea: effortless summer footwear. Whatever you call them — jandals, flip flops, thongs, slippers, or slops — they’re a global essential. We’ve just given them a slightly more elevated take. We hope you love them as much as we do.  View our full collection to find your favourite pair.