Why Everyone Loves Sandals From Australian Brand Archies

Meet Archies, the sandal brand from Australia. Developed over five years by a physical therapist, these comfort sandals are so widely embraced in their home country that it's said "one in eight Australians wears them."

Their signature style combines the classic look of a flip-flop with a podiatry-designed arch support structure. And lately, they've been gaining major traction not just in Australia, but in Japan as well.

We chatted with Haruto Matsunaga, who handles PR for Krongthip Co., Ltd., to get the inside story on the brand's origins and the features that make their products special.

The Sandal Brand Worn by 1 in 8 Australians

"Archies is a comfort footwear brand born in Melbourne, Australia, in 2015, founded by physical therapist Daniel Jones.

He spent five years on research and development alongside physiotherapy experts and podiatrists to perfect a uniquely designed sandal that considers the strain on your feet.

In Australia, it's very common for people to wear flip-flops due to the lifestyle, but traditional flip-flops are basically flat and offer almost no support for the soles of your feet. They're also known to be hard on the knees.

The development started with the desire to create a sandal that supports the foot like an insole. Soon after release, Archies quickly gained a reputation for being 'so comfortable,' and today, they've become so popular that it's said 'one in eight Australians wears them.'"

An Original Design, from Material to Structure

Archies offers two styles: the thong and the slide. The brand started with the thong style. While the initial color palette was limited to just a few shades, the range has now expanded to 15 colors.

Here, we delved into the details of their flagship model, the Arch Support Thongs.

"The material is EVA-based, but we were meticulous about its creation, using a specially formulated material we call 'closed-cell foam.' In this material, the internal air bubbles each have an independent structure, creating a material that is incredibly lightweight and provides amazing cushioning.

One of the standout features of the Arch Support Thongs is the strap design. The straps are made to be a bit snug. This tightness ensures a secure fit across the top of your foot, making it harder for the sandal to slip off.

They might feel a little tight at first, but after wearing them for two or three days, they will mold to the shape of your foot, resulting in a comfortable, custom fit. If you feel the strap is too tight, you can also gently stretch it by hand for a micro-adjustment.

Another major feature is the 'one-piece construction.' This means all parts are molded together as a single unit.

Typical flip-flops have separate, plug-in parts for the toe post and straps, but over time, these parts can pull out or the joints can lose durability. Since Archies have a one-piece design, these kinds of problems are far less likely to occur.

Also, something we often hear from users is that the area between the big toe and the second toe doesn't get sore. This is thanks to the soft feel of the closed-cell foam I mentioned, as well as a toe post designed to match the shape of the foot.

We designed the shape of the toe post to align with the natural slope of the foot, from between the toes up to the instep. These two elements are what make them so different from ordinary flip-flops."

"What really sets Archies apart is the arch support. The arch area is designed to be about 2.2 cm high, a structure that supports your foot's natural bone alignment as you walk.

To ensure you get the most comfortable experience, Archies also provides a fitting manual. You'll get the best fit by aligning the sandal with the curve of your heel first and then adjusting the straps.

For sizing, we recommend choosing a size 1cm smaller than your regular shoe size. They are also extremely lightweight at only about 83g per sandal, which makes them perfect for travel."

The Slide-Type Model, Launching in Japan This Season

Archies offers another model, the "Arch Support Slides." This slide-type sandal is set to launch in Japan this season.

"This model was released and went on sale in Australia last year. The footbed's design is identical to the thong-style sandals. Since they're slides, you can wear them with socks, which opens up more opportunities to use them.

They are also fully equipped as recovery sandals, and many people wear them after sports like running and trail running, or after strenuous activities like mountain climbing and hiking.

A key feature of the slides is that they offer a more secure fit than the thong style. Also, since many Japanese people have higher insteps, we suggest choosing your regular shoe size, rather than going a centimeter smaller as you might with the thong style.

In Australia, the flip-flop season is said to last about eight months of the year.

From a podiatry standpoint, it's considered best for foot health to wear Archies sandals year-round. However, during the other four months of winter, most people switch to sneakers or leather shoes. This can change the condition of feet that were previously getting arch support.

That's why we recommend using Archies sandals as indoor footwear, like slippers, at home or in the office during the winter months.

In Japan, too, we believe that by wearing Archies indoors at home or in the office, you can experience the benefits of arch support more consistently in your daily life."

In Australia, the number of stores carrying Archies has grown to over 2,300. They are sold in surf shops, outdoor stores, and sporting goods stores, as well as Pilates and yoga studios, and even foot care clinics.

This shows that they're recognized not just as simple flip-flops, but as footwear that truly supports foot health.

In Japan, their availability is also expanding, primarily through select shops, where they are gaining traction as comfortable sandals perfect for everyday wear.

Archies combines the classic look of a flip-flop with insights from podiatry. Whether it's for recovery after outdoor adventures and sports or for relaxing during your downtime, we invite you to experience the incredible comfort for yourself.