Iconic footwear brand Sanuk has teamed up with Protect Our Winters (POW) for the second season of their eco-conscious footwear collection. Known for blending surf culture with sustainability, Sanuk has once again delivered an environmentally thoughtful line of footwear just in time for the northern hemisphere winter.
This limited-edition Sanuk x POW capsule collection introduces two puffer jacket-inspired styles for men and women, crafted with low-impact materials that aim to keep your feet cozy and your carbon footprint minimal. Alongside this product launch, Sanuk has reinforced its commitment to climate action by donating $25,000 to POW to support efforts in protecting our natural playgrounds—from coastlines to mountaintops.
We had the pleasure of speaking with Katie Pruitt, Vice President and General Manager of Sanuk, to dive deeper into the inspiration behind this collaboration, the materials used, and the brand’s future sustainability goals.
Tell us about the inspiration behind the Sanuk x Protect Our Winters collaboration. How did this partnership come about, and what drew Sanuk to work with POW?
This is our second year teaming up with Protect Our Winters for a capsule footwear collection, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to continue this journey together. We were originally drawn to Protect Our Winters (POW) because of our shared commitment to protect our outdoor playgrounds. At Sanuk, sustainability is at the core of everything we do, and partnering with an organization like POW – known for its dedication to climate advocacy – felt like the perfect fit. We are honored to once again bring this collaboration collection to life.
What makes this collaboration even more special is that it goes beyond just a commitment to the environment. Both Sanuk and POW work with incredible professional athletes like Danny Davis, a legendary professional snowboarder, and Michelle Parker, an activist and big mountain free skier. Their love for adventure and the outdoors drives their advocacy, and they help amplify our joint message about the urgency of climate action, especially through their social channels. Together, we’re aiming to inspire our community to not only enjoy the great outdoors but also to protect it for generations to come.
This is the second season of the Sanuk x POW collection. What new elements or changes are being introduced in this season’s lineup?
Our 2024 Sanuk x POW collection features an elevated design with some new product specs and materials. This capsule features men’s and women’s boots that effortlessly combine both function and fashion, with:
- Retro puffer-jacket inspired nylon upper with recycled polyester mudguard and heel counter
- Refreshed colors with a mountain silhouette printed design
- Water repellency treatment for protection from winter weather
- Recycled polyester microfiber lining for an ultra-soft feel against the skin
- Molded, high-rebound Contoura® Susterra insole and podiatrist designed arch support for extra comfort
- Contoura Susterra uses dent corn to create Susterra bio-propanediol, which replaces some of the main petrochemical ingredients in traditional polyurethane, saving carbon emissions and non-renewable energy use. This remarkable compound uniquely enhances our foam with higher rebound and flexibility.
- Lightweight 20% Recycled EVA midsole for a lighter step
- Grippy rubber outsole made partially of recycled content with next-level durability and traction
Winter Puffy Chiller Mid Pow – Men
The footwear styles in this collection are puffy jacket-inspired and made with low-impact materials. Could you share more about the materials used and how these choices align with Sanuk’s environmental goals?
At Sanuk, we’re all about creating products that tread lightly on the planet, using eco-conscious and low-impact materials whenever possible, and our Sanuk x POW collection is no exception. For the Puffy Chiller POW collection, we utilized recycled polyester for the mudguard, heel counter and microfiber lining. The midsole is crafted with recycled EVA foam, making it flexible, lightweight and shock absorbing. This collection and all of our styles are crafted with our environmental goals top of mind, as we aim to reduce our waste, water usage, energy consumption and carbon footprint at every stage.
How does Sanuk view its role in addressing climate change, and what steps is the brand taking to minimize its environmental footprint?
As a brand rooted in surf culture and with a deep love for the outdoors, protecting the environment isn’t just an initiative – it’s a core part of our purpose, and we’re committed to reducing our footprint wherever we can make the biggest impact. From sourcing Earth-friendly materials and packaging to making products that are machine washable to extend their lifespan, we continuously strive to utilize more responsibly certified and sustainable materials in our products and packaging. We incorporate recycled, renewable, regenerated and certified preferred or natural materials within our products – with a clear understanding of what our products are made of and where they come from, we can make better and more informed sourcing decisions.
Our aim is to use our combined scale to fight climate change by reducing our energy impact in our offices, decreasing our travel footprint, utilizing preferred raw materials in our products and packaging and working with our supply chain partners to reduce energy consumption. We know that energy is the largest contributor to climate change, so we use renewable energy whenever possible. It’s all about making a meaningful impact, not just talking about it.
For customers looking to make a positive impact through their purchases, what advice would you give on choosing sustainable footwear and supporting brands that champion environmental causes?
Consumers looking to shop more sustainably or reduce their carbon footprint hold a lot of power in their purchasing and spending habits. In a market full of fast fashion, it’s more important than ever to really take a look at the companies you support and make sure their values align with your own. When shopping for sustainable clothing and footwear, consider factors like the materials used—look for recycled, renewable or responsibly sourced options. Check out the brand’s sustainability goals and see if they prioritize environmentally friendly manufacturing practices or offer recycling and take-back programs. Consider product durability and longevity. There are also websites and apps that provide sustainability ratings for consumer products brands, which is another good resource to check before you spend.
Sustainability is an ongoing journey for many brands. What additional steps is Sanuk taking to further reduce its environmental footprint?
As a part of our partnership with Protect Our Winters, Sanuk has donated $25,000 this year to support POW’s mission to fight for climate policy changes that strive to create a positive, lasting impact on the health and preservation of our outdoor happy places. We also annually donate to The Surfrider Foundation, and for our 2024 footwear collection with the organization, we combined our products made with low-impact materials with offsets purchased for the small remaining emissions they create to make them carbon neutral. We continue to collaborate with organizations like these to inspire environmental protection and provide educational content to encourage others to join the movement.
Looking ahead, are there any future sustainability initiatives or collaborations that Sanuk is excited about?
Absolutely! We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with Protect Our Winters, but that’s just the beginning. We are always looking for ways to level up our sustainability initiatives, so stay tuned for some exciting updates! There’s a lot more to come as we push the boundaries of what it means to create sustainable, feel-good footwear.
Sanuk’s collaboration with Protect Our Winters isn’t just about footwear—it’s about fostering a movement that prioritizes climate action. Through innovative design, responsible materials, and advocacy, this collection takes a meaningful step toward protecting our planet.
Stay tuned for more updates on Sanuk’s sustainability journey (and awesome range of footwear!).