Originally contemplated in 1972, Jay “Sparky” Longley experimented making sandals in his Laguna Beach garage. With $200, Sparky bought a sewing machine and some rubber and started his conquest: To make the world’s best sandal. Sparky first started selling sandals to Dick Metz of Hobie where he could make 6 pairs and put them on consignment—they sold and Sparky made enough money to make 12 pairs. While this Hobie consignment operation went on, Sparky also tried selling sandals in the parking lot of the Sawdust Festival. From possibly angering Sawdust operators and other paying Sawdust vendors, Sparky was suggested to move down to San Clemente where he officially started Rainbow® Sandals, Inc. in 1974.
After years of hard work, trial and error, and tenacity, Sparky was able to develop a sandal that looked good, felt great, and didn’t wear out. Sparky spent years selling this sandal and after a while the word about Rainbow® Sandals started to catch on. In 2000 Rainbow® Sandals started to experience a faster-than-ever growth in sales. In 2002, Rainbow® Sandals had to open a corporate facility on 900 Calle Negocio in order to keep up with business. Today, Rainbow® Sandals makes 2,000,000 pairs of sandals a year. Rainbow® Sandals are created by hand, using specially formulated glue to keep the layers together and the straps in place (no more broken sandals littering our beaches). Sparky personally formulated the various densities of sponge rubber with “memory" to mold to individuals' feet (very comfortable). The reputation of making quality and comfortable sandals being passed from customer to customer is how Rainbow® has grown to be the popular sandal they are today.
“We love hearing the stories people write us about the countless miles they have walked in our sandals. All our customers say, 'I love my Rainbow® Sandals,' and I hope you will too." • Jay R Longley, Jr. •
GIVING BACK Rainbow® Sandals appreciates all the support we receive from our customers, community, and country. We are happy to be in a position where we can give back. 4% of Rainbow® Sandals Total Revenue in 2021 went directly to helping these great organizations:
1st Foundation Charitable Corporation A Home 4 Spot Agape Pregnancy Center American Girls Baseball Aspen Rugby Foundation Assistance League of San Clemente Beyond Blue Brave Global California Rifle & Pistol Association Capistrano Community Church Capo Beach Church Chabad Jewish Center San Clemente Challenged Athletes Foundation Chicago Police Foundation Coast Hills Church Coastal Conservation Association Coral Thrift Shop Crossline Community Church Crystal Cove Conservancy Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra Elephant Cooperation Elite Soccer League Family Assistance Ministries Feeding Freedom Foundation Feeding in Motion Festival of Children Foundation Fish for Life Foster the Earth Friends of San Clemente Graceful Warrior Project Growers First Gulf of Catalina Grey Whale Heer to Rescue Homeless Teen Help Hope Restoration Ministries I5 Freedom Network Junior Achievement of Orange County K1 Britannia America Foundation Kathy’s House Kelly Brush Foundation Kids and Country Kidworks Community Development Las Palmas Elementary School Laura’s House (Annual Gala) Lighthouse for the Blind & Visually Impaired Lobo PTA Manos Que Sobreviven Mares Foundation, Inc. Mary’s Kitchen Midcity Excellence Community Learning Center Miracle Ear Foundation Mission Basilica School National Wounded Warrior Center Noble Path Foundation Ocean Institute One Atta Time Pet Project Foundatio Project 3R Rady Children’s Hospital Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac Salvation Army California South Division San Clemente Chamber of Commerce San Clemente Historical Society San Juan Children’s Education Foundation San Onofre Foundation Senior Wish SERV Ministries Small Steps for Compassion Sonance Foundation South Coast Detachment 022 Marine Corps League Stars & Stripes Children’s Foundation Terra Nova Church The Flora May Foundation The Flourish Foundation The Little Red Dog, Inc. The Salvation Army, Orange County United State Conference of Catholic Bishops Viejo School Foundation Watchtower Bible Tract Society Wildcare Wood River Land Trust Wounded Warrior Project
REPAIR-REUSE-RECYCLE
“In 1974, I came across yet another broken sandal discarded on the sand, just like the ones I had found surfing on beaches around the world. That day I decided to make a better one. I was determined to make a comfortable sandal that was durable enough to last, and strong enough to hold together.
It was no easy task. The products and process that makes Rainbow® Sandals today didn't exist 40 years ago. In most cases I had to formulate my own materials and techniques including: • Formulating new densities of sponge rubber to allow the 'memory' that makes our sandals comfortable. • Creating a strap with 2000lb. test nylon webbing to prevent stretching. • Utilizing the Box 'X' Stitch used in parachutes to secure the toe piece. • Finding new sources of leather for the right look, feel and longevity. • Creating our own glue formula to keep them together. Our goal has always been to make a quality product that will not end up as landfill. Our commitment to that goal does not end when our sandals leave the store. When you are through with your Rainbows, if they are past warranty but still have life left, please return them. The layered construction allows us to repair where needed and instead of throwing them away, we will donate these sandals to protect the feet of the homeless, orphaned, and victims of natural disasters.
Rainbow® Sandals philosophy is to: Repair, Reuse, Recycle. It is a philosophy we hope you share too." – Jay “Sparky" Longley
