# Ghandi-Inspired Flip Flops Gurus are an Eco-Friendly Shoe with a 5,000 Year-Old History By Leslie Chen | Published 2013-08-22 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gurus References: [ilovegurus](http://ilovegurus.com/) & [ilovegurus](http://ilovegurus.com/aboutus/) Havaianas and Birkenstocks may be your go-to footwear for summer at the moment, but Gurus are a comfy new alternative that are also incredibly [eco-friendly](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-ripple-shoe). Started by friends Joe Choorapuzha and Prem Thomas - who met while they were both Investment Bankers at [Bank of America](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/irish-distillers) - Gurus "are a modern twist on a 5,000 year-old Indian classic" and are "inspired by the ancient wooden methiyedi (meth-ee-yed-ee) sandal, worn by Mahatma Gandhi," according to the company's website. Made up of natural latex sourced from their families' farms, the shoe creates no harmful environmental effects but actually helps the Earth as every single shoe sold promises a new tree planted. Gurus are currently available for pre-order on [Kickstarter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blizwheel-f05). ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.7/10 - Popularity: 94% | Activity: 98% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Eco-friendly Footwear:** Opportunity for companies to create innovative and sustainable footwear. - **Inspired by Tradition:** Opportunity for companies to draw inspiration from historical and cultural traditions to create modern products. - **Socially Responsible Business:** Opportunity for companies to integrate social and environmental causes into their business model. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Footwear:** Footwear companies can explore innovative ways to use eco-friendly materials in their products. - **Fashion:** Fashion companies can draw from historical and cultural traditions to create unique and meaningful designs. - **Sustainable Business:** Companies in various industries can adopt socially responsible practices and support environmental causes. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Hotel-Approved Sustainable Flip Flops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sustainable-flip-flops.md) - [Algae-Made Slippers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vegan-slippers.md) - [Hemp Fabric Crafted Sandals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/keen-x-gramicci.md) - [Military Grade-Inspired Sandals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mogami-terra.md) - [Cruelty-Free Slip-On Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/malibu-sandals.md) - [Eco-Conscious Hybrid Sneaker Sandals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hoka-hopara-2.md) - [Unisex Comfortable Perforated Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/yogeez.md) - [Woven Sandal Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/woven-sandals.md) - [3d-Printed Collab Flip Flops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3dprinted-flipflops.md)