It’s playtime with Sanuk

They had me at the Happy Hour cooler filled to the brim with picnic essentials — drinks, snacks, frisbee, mat and a pair of flip-flops — which greeted me as soon as I entered my hotel room. The note read: “Chill! Hope you enjoy fun-filled days with us.”

For two days, “chill” became  the operative word on our recent trip to Pico de Loro in Hamilo Coast, Batangas. Upon arrival, we were whisked to the spa for the much-needed R&R, and enjoyed refreshing cocktails and delectable hors d’oeuvres served by the lagoon right before sundown.

The Primer Group of Companies, exclusive distributor of Sanuk sandals in the Philippines, recently invited a group of stressed-out lifestyle writers and bloggers to experience what it feels like to walk, run, and jump into our own “Space 2 Play” wearing Sanuk’s spring/summer 2014 collection. The theme tied in perfectly with Pico de Loro’s vibe, which encourages everyone to live a life of action and exploration one (Sanuk) step at a time.

The new collection is broken down into three categories: Tropic FUNder, featuring floral and animal prints; Derby Daze, with pinstripes and polka-dots, and Ethnical Behavior, with handcrafted embellishments, ethnic textiles, bold prints and patterns — design elements that define the brand.

“This summer, Sanuk opens doors to new design possiblities as we launch a bevy of choices not just for men, but for women as well who love to look good and feel good while at play,” shares Irene Nieva, AVP of PhilGear International Inc., a member of the Primer Group of Companies, over dinner by the beach, “Sanuk even hired a lady designer to update its women’s collection — prints abound, some are studded, but all boast a slimmer silhouette.”

The Sanuk spring/summer 2014 collection also showcases two new features: Thinnovation soles, which create a slimmer and sleeker silhouette; and Instaplay footbed, which is water-ready and offers the comfort of stepping on a yoga mat.

Thinnovation was developed for those who prefer a slender form while still keeping the comfort of the Classic Sidewalk Surfers.

“It’s the same shoe, but with a trimmed sole that makes it look slimmer and sleeker,” explained Nieva.

Thinnovation is showcased beautifully in men’s styles such as Commodore, Seeker and Mainstay.

“Style-savvy teens and yuppies go for thin soles, while men (especially dads) go for the classic,” she noted.

For women, there’s the Runaround and Toe the Line collections, the perfect casual laceless sneakers for running errands and everything in between — just slip into it and go!  The fun part is choosing the styles, colors, and prints to match your lifestyle and personality. 

Another girly must-have is the Yoga Sling, an update on one of the brand’s most iconic styles — the Yoga Mat. With its sole made from real yoga matting, Yoga Sling comes with a lightweight stretch-knit fabric upper for maximum comfort.

“Every pair is still hand-assembled and features the same level of comfort Sanuk fans have come to know, love, and expect from the brand,” said Nieva.

The Instaplay footbed can be experienced in Sanuk’s Pave the Wave Collection — sandals and flip-flops that can take you from the mall to the beach.

You can wear it while cove-hopping, snorkeling, paddling, or even onboard the jet-ski — just like what we did one hot day at Pico de Loro. Each pair has a good grip, lightweight (even when wet), washable and dries quickly.

So water you waiting for? Go out, play, and enjoy an endless summer with Sanuk.

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Visit www.sanuk.ph, www.primergrp.com. Like Sanuk Philippines on Facebook.