Our Story

The evolution of a solution-first, resourceful creation company

A broken flip-flop changed everything

The beginning

In 2004, Kyle Parsons was walking the streets of Seminyak, Bali, when his sandal gave out. What he found next, a rustic pair of tire-sole sandals in a local boutique, sparked a life's mission. Twenty years later, that moment became Indosole: footwear born from Bali's artisan spirit, California's love of the outdoors, and a stubborn belief that waste doesn't have to be waste.

Tires are one of the world's most stubborn waste ISSUES

The problem

Every year, 1.5 billion tires are discarded worldwide. They can't decompose. Due to their structure, tires take thousands of years to break down, meaning the very first tire ever made is still out there somewhere. They pile up in stockyards, illegal dumping sites, and rivers. In tropical climates, stagnant water trapped in tire piles becomes a breeding ground for mosquitoes and the diseases they carry, like malaria, dengue, and zika.

In developing countries, tires are burned as a cheap fuel alternative, releasing toxic oils and fumes that harm both people and the environment. We needed to act, and we needed to act at scale.

SETT: sole engineered tire technology

The Solution

We spent years developing a process that turns discarded tires into the foundation of a great sandal. Each sole is made from 40% recycled tire, 30% natural rubber, and 30% new material — a formula that took over a decade to get right.

The JOURNEY

2004-2010: THE ROOTS

Suitcases full of sandals through airports. Rigorous trials. Deep dives into Bali's artisan culture. The Indosole brand launched in 2009, channeling a "Balifornia" spirit: Bali's craftsmanship and California's environmental passion.

2010-2019: An evolution of process

A decade working alongside Indonesia's skilled artisans. In 2017, we went back to the drawing board, reimagining how to scale without sacrificing impact. In 2018, we launched the ESSNTLS line with our SETT engineered tire technology.

2020-PRESENT: Celebrating 15 years

Bali shut down for nearly two years during the pandemic. We pivoted to feeding programs and grassroots relief and held on. In 2024, we launched the Easy Living series: proof that responsible products don't have to cost the earth, financially or otherwise.