Super Sandals and Clogs
whopaulhugh@whopaulhugh
+0.1%
since Oct 16
The idea
I believe comfort footwear keeps taking share, and that smart, sustainable sandals and clogs become the norm rather than a niche. This basket leans heavily on the brands already leading that shift (around 63%), adds a slice of the chemical and materials companies greening the foams and plastics inside them (around 27%), and keeps 10% in cash. It's built broad rather than concentrated in any one name, meant to be held for years, and I'd rethink it if comfort footwear's growth clearly stalls or the shift toward greener materials loses momentum.
What it owns
- These companies already dominate the comfort sandal and clog market, positioning them to capture growth if the category expands. · Birkenstock Holding plcIt makes cork footbed sandals and clogs that mold to the wearer's foot, a proven version of custom comfort in the category., Deckers Outdoor CorporationIt owns Teva sport sandals, HOKA, and UGG, giving it direct exposure to innovation in performance and comfort footwear., Crocs, Inc.The company owns the clog category and is expanding into sandals with new comfort designs as a growing part of its business., Steven Madden, Ltd.It sells fashion sandals and clogs through brands like Dolce Vita, bringing style and trend appeal to the comfort footwear category.33%
- Large sport and outdoor companies have the research capacity and scale to develop technically advanced, sustainable sandals and comfort footwear. · On Holding AGThe company develops foam from captured carbon and invests in lab-built materials, applying material science to comfort footwear and sandals., Nike, Inc.It commands the largest footwear research budget and is developing comfort and material technology including slides and recovery sandals., Amer Sports, Inc.It owns Salomon, which builds outdoor sandals and recovery slides with waterproof and grip technology for challenging environments., V.F. CorporationIt owns Vans and The North Face, brands that sell slides, clogs and outdoor footwear with growing comfort and weatherproof technology., Wolverine World Wide, Inc.It owns Merrell, a major brand in hiking sandals and water-ready outdoor comfort shoes, plus Saucony.30%
- Producers of plant-based and lower-carbon foam and plastic materials supply the core cushioning and sole components that make modern sandals work. · Huntsman CorporationIt supplies polyurethane foams and materials for shoe soles and footbeds, and is developing lower-carbon and recycled versions., Braskem S.A.It makes EVA foam from sugarcane instead of oil, producing the core material for squishy sandals and clogs from renewable sources., Dow Inc.It produces plastics and foam chemistry for midsoles and sandal soles, and is developing recycled and bio-based alternatives., Celanese CorporationIt makes engineered elastomers and polymers for stretchy, bouncy shoe components, including advanced materials for breathable footwear.15%
- These suppliers enable footwear brands to replace virgin plastic with recycled content while maintaining product performance and durability. · Eastman Chemical CompanyIt breaks down used plastic into raw material that can be remade into new products, enabling the shift away from virgin plastic in footwear., Avient CorporationIt produces plastic and rubber compounds with recycled content used in soles, straps and coatings, creating a practical path to circular footwear.12%
- Cash10%