In a world where billions of shoes are produced, worn down, and discarded every single year, most of them ending up in landfills, Blumaka and FLEKS are rewriting the story of footwear. These two sister brands—connected through mission, material innovation, and a shared commitment to sustainability—are proving that comfort, performance, and circular design can walk hand in hand.
This Article Is Sponsored by Our Friends at Blumaka and FLEKS.
Who Is Blumaka? The Foam Innovator Changing How Performance Footwear Gets Made
Founded by Stuart Jenkins, a veteran innovator in the athletic footwear industry, Blumaka is built around a powerful idea: performance footwear materials should never come at the expense of the planet. After decades engineering solutions for top global brands, Stuart realized that the industry’s reliance on virgin foam and waste-intensive production processes was outdated—and deeply unsustainable.
So he created Blumaka as a radical alternative.
At their core, Blumaka develops high-performance insoles and footwear components made with extremely high percentages of recycled foam, meticulously engineered to be more durable, more supportive, and significantly more resource-efficient than conventional options. Stuart’s vision is deeply rooted in circularity: reinvent the foam supply chain to reduce waste, cut water use, lower emissions, and prove that recycled materials don’t just match virgin foam—they outperform it.
Blumaka’s mission is not only to make better products, but to make the footwear industry itself better. One insole at a time.
Why Blumaka’s Sustainable Insoles for Shoes Are Changing the Industry
Blumaka’s technology is impressive across their entire catalog, but one standout product—the Non-Slip Insoles—shows just how big their impact can be.
Here’s what makes them truly sustainable and performance-driven:
Recycled Foam at Scale
The insoles are crafted with reclaimed foam scraps that would otherwise be landfilled or incinerated. Instead of creating new virgin foam, Blumaka recycles, reprocesses, and reinvents existing materials into high-performance cushioning.
Low-Waste, Low-Water Manufacturing
Traditional insole manufacturing is water-intensive and waste-heavy. Blumaka’s process dramatically reduces water use while ensuring foam scraps from production are reintegrated—not discarded.
Durability = Lower Footprint
Long-lasting cushioning means fewer replacements and less material turnover. Longevity is one of the most overlooked sustainability benefits in footwear—and Blumaka prioritizes it.
Ethical, Transparent Production
Blumaka’s Eco-Stylist Certified rating reflects strong environmental practices, responsible labor policies, and a commitment to transparency throughout their supply chain.
Designed for Athletes
As part of Blumaka’s commitment to athletic performance, their insoles have been designed for and are used by top professional athletes. Numerous testimonials demonstrate the results.
When performance and sustainability meet, you get something truly exceptional—and Blumaka is raising the industry standard.
Who Is FLEKS? The Stylish Sister Brand Bringing Eco-Foam Innovation to Everyday Footwear
If Blumaka is the materials mastermind, FLEKS is the effortlessly stylish expression of that innovation.
Founded by Leah Larson, a designer with a passion for minimalist aesthetics and conscious living, FLEKS was created to fill a gap in footwear: shoes that feel incredible, look clean and modern, and are made with deeply sustainable, transparent practices.
Leah’s partnership with Blumaka enables FLEKS to build footwear using the same cutting-edge recycled foam technology—bringing eco-performance to everyday style.
Where Blumaka is the backbone of innovation, FLEKS is the lifestyle: comfort-first shoes designed for conscious consumers who want ethical craftsmanship without compromising aesthetic or function.
What Makes FLEKS’ Recycled Foam Sandals Truly Sustainable?
Here’s what makes them a great sustainable option:
High-Recycled-Content Foam Soles
Using Blumaka’s proprietary recycled foam keeps waste out of landfills while delivering ultra-soft, supportive cushioning.
Surprisingly Light Environmental Footprint
FLEKS’ manufacturing model reduces the water, chemicals, and carbon emissions typical of conventional footwear production.
Ethical Labor Practices
Their Eco-Stylist Certified rating reflects responsible manufacturing, transparent sourcing, and policies that prioritize safe working conditions.
Check out FLEKS’ Certified rating to learn more.
Designed for Circularity
Durability and recyclability are cornerstones of the brand—shoes that stay in rotation longer create far less impact.
Spotlight Product: The FLEKS East Beach Slide
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The East Beach Slide embodies everything FLEKS stands for:
- Ultra-comfortable recycled foam footbed
- Minimalist, modern design aesthetics
- Lightweight, supportive wear for everyday use
- A low-waste manufacturing approach backed by Blumaka innovation
It’s a simple slip-on with a seriously thoughtful footprint.
Shop the East Beach Slide at FLEKS.
What Core Values Unite Blumaka and FLEKS?
Despite having different founders and product focuses, both brands share a deep commitment to sustainable, ethical design. These values guide their work:
- Transforming how consumers and manufacturers think about footwear
- Deep respect for people, materials, and the planet
- High-quality, long-lasting designs
- Circular manufacturing principles
- Minimizing waste at every stage
- Transparency and ethical labor practices
- Always striving for lower-impact, higher-performance alternatives
Their Eco-Stylist Certified status reinforces that these values are not just marketing—they’re real, measurable, and embedded in the supply chain.
How Transparent Are Blumaka and FLEKS?
Transparency is one of the most important indicators of a truly sustainable brand, and both Blumaka and FLEKS score strongly here.
- Material Sourcing: Clear breakdowns of recycled content and manufacturing processes.
- Supply Chain Visibility: Responsible factory partnerships with ethical labor standards.
- Environmental Impact: Detailed commitments to reducing resource use, waste, and emissions.
- Product-Level Detail: Specific information on recycled foam content and durability.
Both brands continually work to expand their transparency—especially vital in an industry where hidden labor issues and material sourcing opacity are common.
Sustainably Made. Sustainably Worn.
Blumaka and FLEKS prove that sustainability and performance don’t just coexist—they enhance one another. From Stuart Jenkins’ foam engineering breakthroughs to Leah Larson’s minimalist lifestyle designs, these brands are inspiring a new generation of footwear: durable, ethical, comfortable, and better for the planet at every step.
We’re proud to welcome Blumaka and FLEKS to our Eco-Stylist Certified community.
Explore their collections, discover their impact-driven design, and take a step toward more conscious footwear.
👉 Shop Blumaka’s sustainable insoles
👉 Shop FLEKS’ minimalist, comfort-first footwear
Because every step matters—and together, we can walk toward a more sustainable future.
Garik Himebaugh is the founder of Eco-Stylist, the go-to resource to find ethical clothing. He’s also a sustainable personal stylist and international speaker on all things sustainable fashion. Garik loves coffee, climbing, and clothes.
