ABSTRACT
Sports sandals described in one source as a cross between a dime-store thong and a ripped-up, stripped-down running shoe were conceived in 1983 by Mark Thatcher, a Colorado river outfitter. He was seeking an alternative to athletic footwear which he considered too slippery and spongelike for use on white-water rafting trips. After several years of unspectacular sales, centered primarily in the Western mountain region, sports sandals took off in popularity during 1991. Time magazine noted, Once the uncelebrated darling of Western college students, they are the coolest thing under your feet since Air Jordans and can cost nearly as much. Sports sandals, this summer's must-have shoe, are now standard equipment for hikers, mountain climbers and even some skydivers. The bestselling brand, Teva, manufactured by Deckers Corp. of Santa Barbara, California, was available in 30 different styles and cost from 35 to 80 dollars.
