Many consumer products were born out of the military. Satellite-positioning systems, clothing fabrics, furniture, computers, and even the Internet that you are using now to read this page are some of the things that can trace their roots back to military use. So, would you ever expect to see a pair of sandals making that list?
That’s the story from NBC News, which profiled a group of former servicemen who started a business creating flip-flops. Now, unlike the products we just mentioned, the Combat Flip Flops are not created for the U.S. military (and they’re definitely not recommended for use in battle); they are, however, military inspired in design, based on the men’s service and experience in Afghanistan (flip-flops have names like AK-47 and Bombshell). What makes this footwear company unique is the humanitarian aspect: although the company is headquartered in Washington state, the flip-flops are manufactured by Afghans in a shoe factory in Afghanistan, helping to boost and stabilize the local economy.
Combat Flip Flops Official Website
[Via: NBC News: Bond of brothers: Ex-soldiers enlist Afghans to craft military themed flip-flops]