Combat Flip Flops is a line of sandals made in Afghanistan as part of two Army Rangers’, and their business partner’s, dream to help the economy in the war-torn state.
A new video out follows photographer and athlete Jed Conklin as he goes through a Ironman Race in support of Combat Flip Flops.
The promotional video takes a fun spin on the Combat Flip Flops tagline: “Bad for Running, Worse for Fighting.”
“Are you going to race in [Combat Flip Flops] tomorrow?” the cameraman asks him.
“No,” Conklin says.
“Why not?”
“Because I don’t run in flip flops.”
Combat Flip Flops were born when Army Rangers and Afghan veterans Donald Lee and Matthew Griffin met with businessman Andy Sewrey and decided they wanted to help grow a “sustainable, profitable economy that’s not related to war, drugs, or government contracting.”
That’s right, Combat Flip Flops are made in an Afghan factory and the proceeds go to support the local Afghan economy.
Here’s what it says about the company’s founding on the about page:
“In 2009, Griff began traveling back to Afghanistan with Remote Medical International in order to help the Afghan military with medical supplies and training for the growing Afghan National Army. During the visit, it was apparent that business, not bullets make the difference. Within Kabul, there were a staggering amount of small businesses thriving, construction of multiple story office buildings, and enough construction equipment working to make any American contractor envious. The money pumped into the economy got Afghanis to put down their guns, learn a trade, and work to improve their local environment. Business, not bullets.”
An in depth story can be found in The Seattle Times here.
Check out Combat Flip Flops and preorder them here.
Conklin’s video can be found via the Nemo Equipment Blog.
