Pregnant and uncomfortable. A pretty familiar story for most women carrying their first child. But for Denise Dunn, this was the motivation for what was to become a revolution in arch support thongs.

“During pregnancy, I craved comfortable and open footwear, and as much as I loved wearing thongs, they provided no foot support,” Denise said. “That’s when I had my light-bulb moment, and Slappa’s Thongs were born.”

Fast forward …

Will the simple handshake be consigned to a form of greeting and social interaction from a bygone era?  And will the less formal celebratory “high five” meet the same fate?

The Covid-19 pandemic has forced us all to act, think, and live differently.

Yes, we have had to adapt, but us Aussies are a resilient bunch.

It’s some of the small things (and not so small things) that I’m sure …

Anzac Day has a strong meaning for my family and me.

We have attended many dawn services over the years. For us, these occasions honour the brave men and women who served our country and it is a special time of reflection for many Australians.

So, this ANZAC Day we would like to extend our thoughts to all Australians, especially those who served our country to enable the freedom we …

Australian’s all let us rejoice, our thongs make us feel free!

Yeah OK, maybe that’s a bit corny but hey, we are talking about some seriously comfortable and locally designed foot hugs here.

Why ‘An Advanced Australian Pair’? We often get asked are our Slappa’s Thongs manufactured here in Australia… well unfortunately, no they are not.

Why? Because there isn’t a single manufacturer on shore with the machinery capable of …

Saint Patrick was a fifth-century Romano-British Christian missionary and bishop in Ireland. Known as the “Apostle of Ireland”, he is the primary patron saint of Ireland.

Patrick was never formally canonized. Nevertheless, he is venerated in the Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion, the Lutheran Churches, the Old Catholic Church, and in the Eastern Orthodox Church as equal-to-the-apostles and Enlightener of Ireland.

The dates of Patrick’s life cannot be fixed with …

On February 16^th to 26^th, the South Australian streets come alive in the city and hills for the Santos Tour Down Under.

There will be more lycra and saddle sores than you can shake a spoke at… and if you own a coffee shop; well, all your Christmases are about to come at once!

Jokes aside though, the Santos Tour Down Under is Australia’s greatest cycling race, …

We all know it’s crucial to be sun smart at this time of year in Australia.

However, melanoma skin cancer was the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia in 2015 and it’s estimated that it will remain the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer in 2019. 

It’s also estimated that 1725 people died as a result of melanoma cancer in 2019 in Australia and over 15,000 new cases were diagnosed. These are staggering statistics; …

Bruce Munro: Tropical Light is a free outdoor exhibition featuring eight illuminated sculptures across Darwin’s CBD by world-renowned artist Bruce Munro.

The display will include a collection of new and existing work that reflects Mr Munro’s experiences in Australia and the Territory, including Darwin’s natural beauty, distinct wildlife, welcoming locals and spectacular sunsets.

Bruce Munro is internationally renowned for his site-specific light-based sculptures and installations.  

Tropical Light is a …

Did you know that in our lifetime the average person will walk over 150,000 km? (that’s about 216,262,500 steps), each foot takes 1.5 times our body weight while we walk, so it’s important to take good care of our feet.

OCTOBER 14-20, 2019 is National Foot Health Week, it’s a week to say ‘Thanks’ to your feet for all the support they provide you with each and every year!

One of the …

Did you know 1 in 10 people suffer from Plantar Fasciitis?!

The plantar fascia is a piece of strong and thick tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot. It connects the heel bone to the toes, creating the foot’s arch. Plantar Faciitis is inflammation for the plantar fascia, either through overstretching, overuse or a medical condition.

If you or someone you know suffers from Plantar Fasciitis …

The Mindil Markets will always be at the top of our Northern Territory must-do list; not just because it’s Darwin’s biggest, boldest and most energetic day out but because it’s the home and birthplace of Slappa’s Thongs.

Running between May and October (the Top End’s “dry” season) The Mindil Beach Sunset Market …

Mindil got its start in the mid-1980s when six locals decided to replicate an Asian-style night market. What began with just a few stalls in the town centre has since grown into a fiesta-style mega market. More than 300 stalls now operate under palm trees by the beach.

Running between May and October (the Top End’s “dry” season) The Mindil Beach Sunset Market takes place on Thursday and Sunday evenings …

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a cause very close to our hearts and this month we are proud to be joining the #CFArmy to help spread awareness of CF by donating $5 from every pair of White, Red and Orange Slappa’s plus all proceeds from our Aqua Waterproof Beach Bags to help cure CF.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common inherited …

We have always been great allies with America be it through trade, politics or war, and with ANZAC Day being next week we wanted to take a moment and honour just how special that history of friendship has been.

For this subject we’re pleased to have a Guest Contributor that has not only lived on both continents but is one of very few military personnel to have …

Autumn is officially here and in most states and territories that means cooler weather. For some this is a welcome reprieve from what has been a particularly hot summer, particularly in the Southern states; for others it’s an opportunity to chase the warmth and travel.

So here are our 6 top tips for comfortable air travel to warmer climates.

1. Wear comfortable clothes

If you want to be able to …

Reflexology is an old technique that aims to increase blood flow to certain parts of the body to relieve pressure and pain. These points, often found on your feet and hands, are connected directly to the body’s glands and organs. Every person’s experience with reflexology is a little bit different.

With reflexology, you may experience cold or hot sensations, the need to breathe deeply, sweating of the hands and feet, …

Especially in Australia where they become the standard footwear for 90% of the country! In fact, our beloved thongs even make it onto Traveller.com.au’s list of Summer Holidays in Australia: 13 Things That Shock Foreign Visitors where according to them.

We Really Like Wearing Thongs: Yes, thongs. Not flip-flops or jandals. Thongs. Get used to it. And in summer we’ll wear thongs pretty much everywhere. We’ll wear them to the …

Slappa’s Thongs has always been a family business; anyone who has come to see us at the Mindil Beach Markets in Darwin or has called past our house in Fannie Bay to pick up a pair while they’re in town will know that we all eat, sleep and breathe Slappa’s Thongs and have tens of pairs each from over the last 8 years. They are …

We often receive emails with wonderful feedback from our customers who have been travelling all over the world saying how they were so glad they purchased Slappa’s Thongs before leaving on their trip.

Recently our founder and owner Denise Dunn trekked the Inca Trail and explored the wonders of Machu Picchu in Peru, so we sat down with her to find out how Slappa’s had helped her …

This month is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and as a cause close to our hearts we want to take this opportunity to share some information and help raise awareness.

We are excited to announce both our Magenta Pink and Fuschia & Pink Slappa’s will be discounted to $32 for the rest of October and $5 from every sale we will be donating to the …

We at Slappa’s Thongs have always felt flip flops were catwalk worthy but this year they were officially debuted on the runway at New York Fashion Week!

Marie Clare stylist Monica Russell predicted in July this year;
“According to our fave street style stars the casual footwear once reserved for the dash from the car to the beach has now made it’s way to the …

After the success of My Magnificent Chilli Mud Crab recipe  I thought I’d share one of the easiest recipes, an all time favourite with all my family and something to warm up your tootsies in winter.

Growing up in a family with 8 kids you soon learnt a few survival tricks and one of these was to be able to cook. Perhaps this is why most of my family are …

July is racing carnival time in Darwin and it’s one of our favourite times to get dressed up and head out with friends; no matter where you’re headed this Dry Season never leave home without a pair of Slappa’s in your bag!

Or accept our challenge to get “crafty” and you’ll never need to take them off at all…

We all loved to get dolled up from time to …

While peak wedding season for most of Australia is between November – March, here in Darwin the majority of couples choose to tie the knot during dry season which is May – October so in the spirit of all things LOVE we thought we’d talk a little about getting married in Darwin…

Darwin is the perfect place to get married; it’s unique, spectacular locations ensure your …

This week is National Family Week in Australia; an annual celebration of families that aims to recognise and appreciate the vital role that families play in Australian society. They ask us to take time this week to reflect on the critical role that families play in teaching, supporting and nurturing children, especially as they grow.

Since Slappa’s Thongs is a proud family owned and run business, I …

The opening night of Mindil Beach Sunset Markets 2018 Season is fast approaching! Slappa’s Thongs can’t wait to be back where it all began for us 8 years ago and we thought we’d share some interesting history and facts about the iconic markets that have long been the heart of Darwin’s dry season .

During the mid 80s, six entrepreneurs shared their vision to bring a …

As a lot of you know Roger and I are married and we also work together every day in the business.   It’s always been very hard for us to organise any kind of time away – let alone a special holiday without the kids!

But this time last year Roger and I set sail in the Kimberley for 10 full days. We unplugged ourselves from the world and our business; …

Last year I did a special blog to give you a sneak peek behind the scenes, talking about the production of Slappa’s and my choice to have them produced in China.

Doing business with China means entering a totally different world, and it’s one I have been a part of for the last 8 years.

It’s been a very steep and interesting learning curve for me!  And one of …

The holiday season has passed for the moment, what a relief! Don’t get me wrong, I love spending time with the family and enjoying the Christmas and New Year celebrations. But, it’s a bit overwhelming at times and I’m eager to get back into the business.

Of course, that said, there is another Public Holiday on the horizon and it’s a biggie….

Being an Aussie girl, born and …

Summer is in full swing, the holiday season is upon us, and it’s definitely the season for thongs!

Here in Darwin, we’re hoping for a dry Christmas but we’ll still have fun even if it does rain.

I’ll admit, sometimes I’m a bit of a bah-humbug over the holiday. But, it does give me extra time with the family and for that reason alone I cherish this annual holiday.

We’re halfway through November, and that means December is fast approaching so I’ve got one thing on my mind – gifts!

Gift shopping is a fun activity for me.  I know it can be troublesome and stressful but it’s  a great way to focus on those who mean the world to us.

Every year I like to get my family gifts I think they’ll love because I love them.

Post Exercise Recovery Tips

What you do before and after any form of exercise seriously impacts the speed and quality of your recovery. While training may seem like the most important aspect, aches or pains caused by incorrect recovery can be just as crippling as any injury caused during exercise. Here are some easy tips to ensure you recover correctly.

Foam rolling

Self-stretching or myofascial release, also known as “foam …

What’s the best treatment for heel pain?

There are several treatment options for heel pain. Research shows that the best approach is to combine several therapies for best result. These include stretching, massage, ice therapy, strengthening exercises and custom orthotics.

Do orthotics work for foot pain?

Yes. Orthotics work by placing your foot in its most optimal functional position. This allows all the structures to function, as they should; avoiding …

Spring is here, and you all know what that means… it’s time to break out of your winter footwear. Yep, time to get your tootsies ready for summer!

All across Australia, the temperature is starting to rise and here is sunny Darwin that means the build-up has kicked off. Of course, summer isn’t quite here yet, which is a good thing because that gives you plenty of time to condition …

August in the Top End is always awesome!

I thought I’d share some of the amazing awesomeness that the Dunn family get up to at this time of year …

You probably know that our whole family is bonkers about bike riding.

What’s really special, is when you’re riding for a close-to-your-heart cause.

Earlier this month, it was a pleasure to welcome an inspiring young man to Darwin …

Work life balance is very important to me. My passion is my family, friends and Frank, my dog –  you’ve seen him starring in our 7^th birthday video.

Life changed for our family when I took a simple idea – thongs with arch support – and built it into a successful business that now allows our family to have financial freedom.

I had a young family at home when …

This is the time of year the Northern Territory starts to bloom. The Wet Season has ended and the Dry is in full swing. Darwin is lush and full of life, kicking off with heaps of happening, fun stuff in July. Making it the perfect time, especially for those of you who don’t live in Darwin, to come on up and see the sights.

I’m giving you the heads up …

I am a huge supporter of Australian made, both clothing, footwear and produce for the table.

From when I first started buying my own clothes and footwear I’d more often than not, choose to buy items made in Australia.

I’m not sure if it had something to do with being brought up on a farm. Or I just felt it was important to support Australian businesses.

But one thing I …

Please don’t strike me down with a lightning bolt for misquoting the bible!  I’m not getting a God complex.  Promise!

I’m just a humble thong creator.  All things thongs are my passion though.  You know this because you kindly follow my blog, and/or the Slappa’s Thongs newsletters and many of you are with us on Facebook.  Thanks for being there, reading, commenting and sharing ❤

So, yes, we all know …

One of the things that we Territorians love about living in the Top End is our outdoors lifestyle unique to this terrific tropical Territory.

We have some of the most un-spoilt natural beauty spots in Australia, many of which are ocean and freshwater locations which provide some of the best fishing you could hope for.

And Slappa’s make great fishing footwear!

Slappa’s Thongs have been sponsors of the Darwin Flyrodders …

Did you think I had illusions of grandeur with that title?

Have those Slappa’s folk invented some way to morph the humble thong into an actual shoe?   The kind you can wear for any occasion … well yes, we have, pretty much!

That may sound ambitious, since an occasion can be anything from fine dining, race day, clubbing, a wedding, Christmas Day, Valentine’s Day …  Oh, here’s some V day …

January – the peak of our Aussie summer and so, peak thong fashion time. It’s hot, hot, hot and there’s no better way to keep those twinkle toes feeling cool and better still – looking cool!

Take a peak at some of these pretty as a picture fashioned-up feet rockin’ their Slappa’s …people are so clever! Pretty polish, anklets, a bit of bling or a ribbon and viola!

How you …

With new sellers and many of our sellers having their own Facebook pages, I reckon there’ll be more than a few first time Slappa’s wearers around the beach and barbie this summer.

We even had a Facebook post last month of a pair of Slappa’s Thongs in the Sahara Desert!

Thanks to our lovely customers who took photos, making Slappa’s a part of their travel experience.  We love to see …

If you’re a lover of foot fashion, then this is the time to thong-up for summer!

A great spin-off to wearing Slappa’s Thongs is that not only do your feet look pretty, but they’re also happy feet :).

Many of our customers tell us how much they love Slappa’s Thongs for their good looks and their great arch support. A big …

Who would have thought a girl from a little county town called Auburn in SA, who packed up and moved to Darwin in 1993, would become a designer, manufacturer, importer, retailer, wholesaler, blog writer, successful online seller and social media guru?

Not me! Yet here I am, recognized as a finalist in the Telstra 2016 Business Women’s Awards (NT) in the Entrepreneur Category.

What a great honour it was to …

Before any great trip there is the inevitable question of what to pack.

For me, one of the biggest packing decisions is “What shoes should I pack?” Not only do shoes take up so much room, you never end up wearing most of them. And, bugger it, you are on holidays! So why not wear your thongs?

In actuality, having your thongs be your travel shoes makes sense and is the practical thing to …

Darwin’s Mindil Beach is the home of the Lion’s Beer Can Regatta. The main event is a boat race where all the boats are made from empty beer or soft drink cans. The challenge is to sail around the course, find the object hidden under water and bring it back to the tent on the beach.

Easy! Well think again there are literally no rules. Boats need to be prepared …

COME ON! Darwin Darwin Darwin Oi Oi Oi here we go, here we go, here we go, and here we GO to Darwin for the Davis Cup 2015!

The Northern Territory Chief Minister Adam Giles and Sport and Recreation Minister Gary Higgins were joined by Tennis Australia’s Todd Woodbridge to make the historic announcement in Darwin.

“This is huge for the Territory and great news for local tennis fans, Mr Giles …

“Have you always wanted to purchase Slappa’s Thongs but weren’t sure of your size and didn’t want to pay the costs of returning and exchanging?”

Well now you can!

Slappa’s Thongs in conjunction with PayPal are excited to be able to offer our customers who purchase Slappa’s Thongs online and pay through PayPal the opportunity to …

Easter for me is a special time of the year spiritually but just being able to stop work, no rushing, spend time with family and friends and be happy is very important. But for most in Darwin the excitement does not stop here!

Firstly the Dry Season is not far away or has already arrived, so it is the first opportunity for most people to go out camping, the run off …

I’ve written before that a favourite past time for my family is to spend a lazy day chilling at the Darwin Waterfront.

While it is possible to get all your needs from the shops, cafes and restaurants all around you, in the true spirit of Slappa’s Thongs culture, I want to share with you the packing list we use for days of self-contained bliss.

For our days at The Waterfront, …

Darwin mud crabs have a very sweet, delicious taste and can be enjoyed many different ways. Most times we just eat them …

The best comfort food you can get in Darwin is “Laska” eat it Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner.

If you don’t know what a Laska is and have been to Darwin well you better get on the next plane back to Darwin! You’ve missed Mary’s famous Laska at Parap Markets.

A laska is a spicy Malaysian soup made from Asian spices, chilli, candlenuts, and coconut milk, served over homemade rice noodles, …

After long delays with getting the final building permit,  the new tavern at Berry Springs has finally opened. “It has been a Berry long wait for a beer!” quoted the NT News.

Berry Springs is about a 40-45 minute drive from Darwin if you go via Finn Road or about an hour if you take the Stuart Highway. We opted for Finn Road as our friends had never driven that way before so …

In Darwin, our kids get four weeks holidays in the dry season in the middle of the year and six weeks holidays for the Christmas break.

You’ll understand why Darwin is the home capital to the best thongs in the world, when you learn that during our dry season the temperature is a glorious 30-32 degrees Celsius every day and the wet season is hotter.

In the Slappa’s Thongs household, …

The pace has certainly picked up over the last few years when it comes to great coffee shops in Darwin. Having lived in Darwin for over 20 years I can say The Cool Spot at Fannie Bay, Duck’s Nuts in the City and The Groove Café in Nightcliff now have some serious competitors.

On the dance floor at the Ladies Day event in Darwin, I’m sure I caught a few expressions from other women which I read as saying, I wish it were fashionable to swap the high heels for some comfortable thongs or orthotic friendly shoes!

Sadly, …

If you have a love for flowers and trees October is definitely a great time to visit Darwin. The air is filled with the sweet smells of trees blossoming. Rain trees, flame trees and frangipani’s are a mass of magnificent flowers and also attract plenty of native birds.

The flame tree has a striking red/orange flower which is so beautiful and bright. Such a happy tree with so much character and can …

Mindil Beach Sunset Market is a great supporter of home grown music. Every Thursday and Sunday from the Sound Shell you can sit down at the tables set up by the markets, enjoy your dinner and a few drinks while listening to something different each week ranging from Reggae, folk, rock, jazz and country. Some of the local bands and musicians that have performance this year are Bridey Rose, Dave …

Fast becoming known for producing great music and bands, Darwin has come a long way since Yothu Yindi released ‘Treaty” in 1991 and it just keeps getting better and better.

Triple J’s Home and Hosed, Dom highlighted some of the amazing and talented musicians in the Northern Territory, dedicating an hour of his show to bring the wide variety on offer.

One of the bands GREEN STONE GARDEN are a …

Mangoes are a delicious exotic fruit which remind us of summer and perhaps holidaying on a tropical island.

Their flesh is a rich yellow and orange similar to Darwin’s memorable sunsets and the skin often has a red tinge.

Mangoes are a great comfort food as they smell great and their flesh is soft and silky.

A big part of farming in Darwin, and it is great to hear the mango season is …

Wow what an amazing year it has been for Slappa’s Thongs. New colours, New website, New branding, New stockists and lot’s, lot’s, lot’s of New Slappa’s clients.

The year started with a very quick trip to China to see the new shipment be produced, packed up and sent to Darwin ready for the start of the Mindil Beach Sunset Market season. I was very excited as the new colours Red, Orange, White, Olympic Blue …

Slappa’s were born at Mindil Beach Darwin, a place where locals and tourists get together to eat, shop and be entertained.

It really is the soul of the Territory, multi-cultural, relaxed, friendly and fun.

From the moment the sun goes down over the Timor Sea like one huge fireball, Mindil Beach comes alive with colour, sounds and the most delicious smells.

Mindil Beach is a comfortable walk from Darwin City …

Olympic Blue is often the colour chosen by conservative people. It is a calming colour which represents the colour of the sky, ocean and coolness. It gives people inspiration, sincerity and spirituality. Other people who wear darker blues are truthful and respect friendships. If your life is chaotic and needs relaxing, Olympic Blue is a great choice for you.…