Our Canadian
"Origin Story"

Life, politics, and economics are becoming more and more confusing and challenging as of late for all Canadians.  

More and more we are receiving questions and concerns from loyal Salt Water Sandals across Canada asking “Who is Salt Water Sandals Canada”, and “Where are the sandals you sell produced?”.  

These are increasingly important questions when buying products for ourselves and our kids, so here is our “Origin Story”:

Who Owns and Operates Salt Water Sandals Canada?

  • Salt Water Sandals Canada (“SWSC” for short) was started in 2009 by Tyler and Remy, husband and wife team, out of our Toronto basement as a side hustle, before “side hustle” was coined.

  • SWSC was granted exclusive rights to import and sell Salt Water Sandals in Canada from Hoy Shoe Company (more on Hoy below).

  • In the early days, we stored and shipped sandals from our basement in Toronto (in the first year of operation Remy packed sandals while 7 months pregnant with our third child!).

  • Years later, we began using a third-party warehouse in Mississauga, where our sandals are currently stored and shipped across Canada to consumers and retailers.

  • In 2025, SWSC is still 100% Canadian owned and operated by Tyler and Remy.  Now 2 out of our 3 kids are active in the business (while in school) contributing to the online aesthetic and content you see at our website, and on socials (and making the odd cameo in lifestyle shots at our website!) 

Where are your Salt Water's Manufactured?

  • 100% of all sandals sold at saltwatersandals.ca, and at authorized retailers listed on our website, are made in China and imported to Canada by SWSC.

  • SWSC’s sandals are now 100% manufactured by two family-run factories in China, each of which have making Salt Water’s since 2008.

What is Your Fair Pay and Health & Safety Policy?

  • Pay to all SWSC team members and suppliers, no matter where they work, is in line with the legal requirements in each country, typically well above the legal minimums.

  • Salt Water factories in China have frequent scheduled and unscheduled visits (at least quarterly) to ensure the working conditions and standards upheld in North America are also met in China. 

Who is Hoy Shoe Company?

  • Walter Hoy created the first Salt Water Sandal in 1944, in St. Louis from scrap leather left over from making military boots in World War II. 

  • The first pair of sandals were made for Walter's daughter, Margery.

  • 80 years on, the Hoy family owns the Salt Water Brand, which is operated by the 4th generation of family members.

  • Hoy licenses the Salt Water brand to Distributors like Salt Water Sandals Canada around the world, including the UK, Europe, Australia, Asia, Israel, each of which import product from China for sale in their markets. 

  • Visit www.saltwater-sandals.com to learn more about Hoy. 

 

NOTE: “Salt Water Sandals Canada” is the “dba” or “trade name” for Meezy & Co. Inc. ("Meezy").  Meezy is 100% owned by Tyler and Remy.  Meezy also distributes the Le Surf Club ( www.lesurfclub.ca ) apparel line, which Meezy produces in Canada.