By Joseph T. O’Connor Explore Big Sky Managing Editor
During his three tours of duty, former U.S. Army Ranger Matthew “Griff” Griffin saw a need for local entrepreneurship in war-torn Afghanistan, and upon returning home he started Combat Flip Flops in 2011 with the motto “Business, not bullets.”
The company’s flagship model, the AK-47, is as tough as its assault rifle counterpart. With combat-grade rubber, they’ll tread any terrain, while an EVA midsole gives a cushioning touch. Top it off with an all-leather deck and thong, poppy designs and cast bullet casings, and you’ve got a nod to Afghan heritage in a flip-flop that will last.
The company is currently constructing flops in other conflict areas, specifically Bogota, Columbia, and has established partnerships in Laos and Kosovo. Combat Flip Flops manufactures sarongs as well, in a women-owned facility in Afghanistan. Proceeds from sarong sales help Afghan women attend secondary school. $70
