For some, it’s about being seen in their sunglasses. Maui Jim believes it’s also about WHAT you see. That’s why they make shades that deliver on both performance and fashion.

Take the Maui Jim “Mavericks” for instance; this modern aviator frame has the most advanced lens technology available for all-day comfort in one timelessly stylish package. It’s the kind of sunglasses you will want to wear every single day.

For the on-the-go types, we love the Maui Jim “Surf Rider”. It features patented PolarizedPlus2® lenses that virtually eliminate all glare and 100% of harmful UV rays—perfect for catching a wave, driving to work, and everything in between!

Paddling forward to give back. OluKai is a brand that is deeply grounded to the ocean and the culture, history and community that surrounds it. This spring, OluKai held their interpretation of the traditional Hawaiian celebration, the Ho’olaule’a, on Maui’s north shore. The event blends elite competition with family-friendly cultural activities. They also gathered some of the world’s best SUP (stand-up paddle) and outrigger canoe paddlers to race the legendary 8-mile Maliko downward run.

The OluKai Ho’olaule’a is truly a celebration and expression of gratitude, inspired by the strong tradition of giving back in the Polynesian culture.

2012 OluKai Ho'olaule'a from OluKai on Vimeo.

Karen Wrenn wears the Soft Kore | G12 Lenses

As part of Kaenon’s year-long 10^th anniversary celebration, they launched their Celebration Video Series highlighting amazing people and stories.

Check out the video below featuring standup paddleboarder Karen Wrenn and her inspiring journey through the Channel Islands:

Kaenon's endurance paddler, Karen Wrenn, talks about her motivation during her unprecedented 150-mile paddle between all 8 of Southern California's Channel Islands.
The five-day journey required her to dig deep and focus on what really mattered to her most in paddling and in life.

On July 2010, founders of the new footwear brand Freewaters, Eli Marmar and Martin Kim, sat down with UntilThen.org co-founders Phil and Dalene Hamer and professor and climatologist Russell Qualls. Within a few hours, Projectfreewaters was born.

Since its inception, Freewaters has always been a footwear company grounded in the commitment to make this world a better place. When it came time to decide on which social initiative they would become involved with, it just made perfect sense to help with the worldwide water crisis.

Six months after their meeting about creating their own clean drinking water project, the five were off to Kenya to put their plan into motion.

Fast forward to the present: Projectfreewaters has successfully completed six wells in Tulwet, a small rural village in Kenya.

With over 3 million people dying each year due to unsanitary water, Projectfreewaters’ work has just begun. Freewaters hopes that with their small contribution to global water project initiatives, they are able to spark inspiration and a call to action towards helping in this growing world crisis.

“We Can Do No Great Things, Only Small Things With Great Love.”

The concept of 9five™ started in the very same year in which it shares its namesake (’95). Their first sunglasses offering, however, manifested itself in 2009 with the launch of their Spring/Summer Collection.

Taking inspiration from a classic era in skateboarding, along with the counter culture that supported it, 9five draws vibe and style from the skateboarding obsessed, crate-digging niche that thrived during this golden era. Those lucky enough to have been a part will certainly see the parallels in the core of their eyewear design, as well as 9five’s drive to modernize their influences and look past what’s current.

Check out 9five sunglasses on Zappos.com!

Penny founder Ben Mackay received his first plastic skateboard when he was 5-years old. "I got my board second hand and painted it blue with gold pinstripes. I thought it was the baddest thing ever." Nearly 30 years later, he realized it was time to bring that little plastic board back for good.

With 12 years experience in skateboard manufacturing, Mackay and the rest of the Penny crew has a strong appreciation for what it takes to make great quality skateboards. "I've channeled everything I've learned in manufacturing and design to come up with a high performance, long lasting, and mega fun plastic skateboard," says Mackay. From looking at any skateboard you can see whether its fundamentals are balanced. You can see it as each component comes together to make the final product and you can feel it under your feet and in your hands. And it's what sets Penny Skateboards above the rest.

Each Penny Skateboard is built with the highest quality raw materials and fanatical attention to detail. Penny Skateboards are designed and built to look good, perform well, and exceed all your expectations. Penny Skateboards - since forever.

Infusing a dose of fashion-forward thinking into the world of tech accessories, Hex is a brand that’s built for the modern, tech-savvy customer. Their smart, high-quality designs fits seamlessly into your busy, fast-paced lifestyle—without losing style or street cred!

Check out Hex accessories on Zappos.com!

While it’s true that Hurley has some pretty awesome boardshorts, all you  creative types will most definitely enjoy the freedom of customizing your very own boardshorts with the Hurley Phantom* Create.

The good folks at Hurley challenged us at Zappos HQ to flex our design muscles with the Phantom Faceoff Contest. Click HERE to vote for your favorite pair! The two styles with the most “likes” will be created and given to the lucky (and talented) Zappos employees who designed them.

* Hurley’s Phantom boardshorts have been named “Boardshort of the Year” by the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) the past four years in a row!