Dan Opalacz is the co-founder and co-owner of Bedrock Sandals, an adventure footwear company he launched in 2011 alongside Nick Pence after the pair met while serving as AmeriCorps conservation workers in Northern California. Inspired by long days restoring rivers and hiking rugged terrain, Opalacz helped transform a handmade minimalist sandal into an award-winning outdoor footwear brand known for its durability, repairability, and innovative design. Based in Missoula, Montana, Bedrock Sandals has grown from a Kickstarter startup into a globally recognized company while remaining committed to environmental stewardship through its partnership with 1% for the Planet. As co-founder, Opalacz continues to lead product innovation, company strategy, and sustainability initiatives, driven by a passion for adventure, thoughtful design, and creating gear built to last.
Show notes:
00:03:45 - From Skiing to Surfing to Barefoot Running
00:07:19 - From Orthotics to Minimalist Footwear Founder
00:12:27 - Ancient Footwear Origins and Timeless Design
00:15:58 - Simplicity and Durability in Sandal Design
00:17:58 - Bedrock Sandals Durability and Grand Canyon Adventures
00:20:00 - Designing Sandals Built to Last Decades
00:22:14 - From Patagonia Repairs to Bedrock Clogs
00:24:47 - Bedrock's Clog Success and Mountain Shoe Innovation
00:27:53 - Advice for Following Through on Your Idea
00:31:16 - Acid Rain: A Growing Environmental Threat
00:36:31 - Humanity's Dominance Threatens Our Own Survival
","author_name":"Mandela Leola van Eeden"}