I was recently offer the chance to check out Havaianas Sandals, and give my opinion on them. As you all know, I’m really good at giving my opinion on things!

Well, I have to say, that the sandals themselves, are cute, and fun, but I do feel that they are a bit on the expensive side for a pair of rubber flip flops. Havaianas sandals range in price from $18 for a very plain design, all the way up to $200 for a pair adorned in Swarovski Crystals. They do have a “Make Your Own” section where you can custom build by picking your sole and strap color and decorate them with jewels or pins of your choice. A pair of Women’s Top style with 2 pins on each sandal would run $35. More than I would typically pay for a pair of simple flip flips, but after a bit of research, I learned that Havaianas aren’t all plastic and rubber, these sandals actually have a purpose behind them.

Havaianas, along with its parent company, Alpargatas, believe in social and environmental responsibility. They participate in many programs and contribute to organizations ensuring that they do their part to support society and our planet.

Some of their initiatives include:

The Institute for Ecological Research (IPE) is a non-government organization in Brazil devoted to the conversation of socio-economic benefits through science, education and sustainable business. With Havaianas donating over $1 million dollars to the cause, IPE is able to promote habitat restoration, landscape conservation, education and community involvement. The sustainable initiatives include argo-forestry, organic coffee, tree nurseries and handicrafts using locally grown species.

Conservation International (CI) is a private organization dedicated to the conservation and sustain-ability in endangered ecosystems around the world. By purchasing Havaianas CI sandals, you are helping to protect the threatened Brazil marine ecosystem. Part of the product’s net sales will be used to help finance marine conservation projects on the coast of Brazil. The partnership project also supports inventories, monitoring and other studies on Brazilian marine ecosystems, focusing in the Abrolhos Seascape.

Alparatas Institute has helped over 250,000 students gain knowledge, experience, and confidence for a better future. School Action is an innovative subsidiary of Alpargatas Institute that focuses on promoting the value of Physical Education in public schools. The program incorporates several sports and recreational activities to keep children and teens off the streets, so far it has already either renovated or built 24 sports facilities.

Alpargatas’ first priority is developing and implementing programs of work safety, occupational health and environmental sustainability.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to really get a good feel for these sandals, as the sizes that were sent to me were not really working for me. I typically wear an 8 1/2, which usually ends up as a 9 in flip flops. I tried both the 7/8 and the 9/10. Neither really fit well. The 7/8 was too short, leaving my heel at the very edge of the sole, and the 9/10 was perfect in the sole, but the straps were too big, making me feel like my feet were floating in them. One other thing to remember, if you do order any sandals from them. If you order a women’s size, you will receive the comparable size in a men’s. I was completely confused when I was ordering a 9/10 but receiving a 7/8.

All in all, I think they’re cute, but I really think that their environmental initiatives is where it’s at for this company!

Check out us.havaianas.com for more information about their sandals, shoes or their environmentally sustainable initiatives.

* I did receive a pair of Limited Edition Slim Geometric Flip Flops in Navy Blue from Havaianas for review purposes.