By Katie Bowles

If you’re one of the many people who are interested in the minimalist shoe trend (think Vibrams), you’ll want to check out Virginia-based startup Bedrock Sandals. The activewear sandals made by Bedrock are a surprisingly comfortable alternative to heavier and hotter hiking and running shoes. Outdoor sports-lovers may not have hot-weather gear on their minds just yet, but if you order a pair now, they could be broken in by summer.
Bedrock is also pretty environment-conscious. The company, originally established in Northern California, is now based in Charlottesville and crafts its sandals locally with United States-made materials. Along with benefiting local economies, Bedrock donates one percent of its yearly sales to 1% for the Planet, a charity that supports the development environmentally-conscious businesses.
Bedrock Sandals offers three variations of sandals: the Bedrock Earthquake Sandals, Primal Sandals and Syncline sandals, ranging from $64 to $70. Order them here.