Brought to you by Mark Thatcher, the guy who invented , Sazzis are sandals with individual toes cut into the sole. It's kind of like Vibram's concept: Let your toes work independently and you get more traction, stability and agility on awkward terrain.
No one has applied this concept to a sandal … until now. (Unless you count the ancient Anasazis.) Thatcher says his new “Toe Motion Footwear” was inspired by the pueblo-dwelling tribes of North America, whose goal it was to be light and powerful in both mind and body. He is striving for a similar result by building performance footwear “that better connects us to the environment and the outdoor activities we love.”
The quick-dry Digit is designed for maximum traction and stability on uneven terrain, in amphibious environments, pitching seas or just a long walk down the trail. Sazzi says that this sandal handles it all while allowing you to stay better connected to the experience. A full-length shank in the midsole offers puncture and shock protection while helping to spring you into your next step.
The Decimal lets all 10 of your toes move independently on a traditional flip-flop platform, keeping you agile in uneven conditions. Webbing between each toe provides security and stability not found in most standard flips. And it has a full-support footbed that makes these kicks suited for a trek up the mountain, around town, after yoga or on the beach.
So far, testers are giving these two thumbs up. Stay tuned for a full review.
Both models will be available the first week of September. Digit: $100. Decimal: $80. .
—Berne Broudy