Walking is seen as the most sustainable modes of transportation but one Ann Arbor-based start-up is taking a big step forward with that concept - Paper-Feet takes old billboard signs and cuts them into a paper-thin sandals.
Founder Jimmy Tomczak came up with idea while walking down his gravel driveway without shoes. "I wanted to toughen up my feet so we started experimenting with different materials," Tomczak says.
He had been using the old vinyl billboard sheets for a tarp and decided to turn part of one into a sandal. Now the 6-month-old firm is creating some testing products for limited sale. It hopes to have a final product by July and some of these sandals in local retailers later this year.
The sandals are pretty inexpensive. Paper-Feet is selling its first test pairs at cost. When shipping is added in the total price is under $10. The idea is to make a durable, comfortable, highly affordable sandal that makes outdoor adventure less cost prohibitive. The sandals can be bought at the start-up's website here.
"I think this idea has great potential," Tomczak says. "There is a great viral quality to these. Each pair is unique."
Source: Jimmy Tomczak, founder of Paper-Feet
Writer: Jon Zemke
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