Let’s get real: less than 1% of shoes sold in the U.S. are actually made here. Wild, right? At Oka Recovery, we’re on a mission to change that, and we’re not alone.
We’re part of a growing movement of brands (shout out to our sister brands Okabashi and Oka-B) that are proving you don’t need to outsource to create high-quality, affordable footwear. Our shoes are made in Buford, Georgia using USA-sourced materials and zero-waste manufacturing. We don’t just talk the talk, we walk it. In sandals, no less.
Supporting American manufacturing isn’t just patriotic. It’s smart. It creates jobs, reduces carbon footprints, and builds resilience. Especially in a world where supply chains can snap like a cheap flip-flop, local production is more than a buzzword. It’s a safety net.
But the big guys who make those sneakers that are oh-so trendy? Some of them support policies that make it harder for U.S. manufacturers to compete. The "de minimis" loophole, for example, lets overseas companies avoid tariffs by shipping cheap products straight to your door. That’s great for fast fashion. It's not so great for the American worker.
That’s why we work with the United States Footwear Manufacturers Association (USFMA). And not just to protect our brand, but to push for fairer policies across all industries. We’re opening our doors to USFMA’s Fall 2025 meeting right at our HQ. Because if we want change, we’ve got to show what’s possible.
Bringing U.S. footwear manufacturing from 1% to even just 2–3% would be a massive step forward. And we’re here for it. Every pair of sandals you buy from Oka is a vote for sustainable, American-made manufacturing. It’s a choice you can feel good about—with every step.
