COAST by FRANKIE4

Introducing COAST by FRANKIE4: The New Summer-Proof, Podiatrist-Designed Sub-Brand from FRANKIE4

FRANKIE4 has announced the launch of its new collection, COAST by FRANKIE4, introducing a category of summer-proof sandals and slides designed as a practical alternative to traditional warm-weather footwear.

For the first time in the brand’s history, the new collection, COAST by FRANKIE4, will also be available on Amazon (paid link) in the United States on March 16, 2026, marking an important step in expanding accessibility for American customers ahead of peak summer travel season.

The range combines FRANKIE4‘s podiatrist-designed Sole Hero® Footbed with materials engineered for sun, salt, water, travel, and American summertime conditions.

For many women (including the FRANKIE4 loyalists), ordinary sandals have long been the default option for beach, lake, resort, and pool environments, despite offering little support and limited durability. COAST Collection by FRANKIE4, was created in direct response to this gap. The range is designed to be supportive, water-ready, and suitable for both coastal and waterside use and everyday wear.

At the center of the new collection, COAST by FRANKIE4, is their podiatrist-designed Sole Hero Footbed technology, offering built-in heel, arch, and forefoot support. Although the footwear upper is crafted from leather, each style undergoes waterproof treatment to withstand exposure to sun, salt, and sand. The sandals and slides are finished with a slip-resistant sole* and a lightweight, flexible construction intended for travel and warm-weather environments.

“Women have not had many options between unsupportive slides and sandals that cannot withstand real warm-weather living and summer conditions,” says Gabrielle Thompson, Director of Footwear. “COAST Collection by FRANKIE4 was developed to address that gap. Our aim was to bring genuine foot support to a category that has traditionally prioritized convenience over comfort.”

The development of the collection, COAST by FRANKIE4, spanned five years, including extensive material testing and refinement. The design team explored contour profiles, toe shapes, and construction methods before finalizing a combination of waterproof-treated leather uppers, a PU footbed similar to those used in the brand’s sneakers, and a durable rubber outsole. Styling was informed by resort wear, resulting in a pool-to-bar aesthetic.

Founder and podiatrist Caroline McCulloch led the creation of the footbed’s contouring, drawing on FRANKIE4’s existing Sole Hero® Footbed technology; shown to improve comfort by up to 64% for women with heel pain*. Prototype testing continued for 18 months, involving multiple wear trials and laboratory simulations, including immersion in recreated seawater to assess durability and performance.

With distribution across FRANKIE4’s own channels and Amazon in the US, COAST by FRANKIE4 is positioned to meet growing demand for supportive, travel-ready summer footwear at scale.

FRANKIE4
https://us.frankie4.com | @frankie4footwear

A fashion-forward, B Corporation certified footwear label created to help all women rise to the occasion, all day, any day. Designed by women, for women, FRANKIE4 holds true to its podiatrist-founded history, proud Australian heritage, and award-winning, revolutionary engineering that prioritizes style and wellness through science. This defines each FRANKIE4 pair, and every collection has innovative design and research at its core. Now with over a decade-long design history, FRANKIE4 are inspired by a growing cult following and have an exclusive range of styles, from boots to sandals, that is curated to put fashion and comfort on an even footing. This has earned the brand over 150,000 five-star reviews and is reflected in their growing ecommerce site and expansion to nine brick and mortar stores across Australia, and flagship US store in Bellevue Square, Seattle.

COAST Collection by FRANKIE4

We’re COAST Collection by FRANKIE4, an Aussie footwear brand redefining what summer shoes can be. We saw the gap between stylish summer footwear and true support, and decided women deserved better. Backed by over 15 years of FRANKIE4 comfort expertise in women’s footwear and founded by podiatrists, we’ve created waterproof-treated leather sandals and slides designed for real summer living. Supportive, durable, and ready for coast, poolside, lakeside, or resort wear. Delivering arch support with our Sole Hero Footbed, secure grip underfoot, and summer-proof details that don’t fall apart after a few wears. Made for slipping on after sunrise swims and easing into long lunches turning into summer evenings. COAST Collection by FRANKIE4 brings FRANKIE4’s comfort intelligence to a relaxed, coastal-inspired lifestyle. Effortless to wear, easy to rinse, and designed to move with you. Built to handle the heat, made for travel, sun, and everything else. Finally, summer footwear that feels as good as it looks. Surf the new wave of sandals and slides on https://us.frankie4.com/pages/coast-by-frankie4

*Tested to meet ISO 13287:2019 (SRC) slip-resistant standards.
*Based on a 2025 independent study by QUT (Australia) in 2025 with 29 women with symptomatic Plantar Heel Pain. Results specific to the Jackie sneaker and Sole Hero Footbed tested. Individual experiences may vary. Comfort ratings are self-reported by study participants and may not reflect results for all wearers. This product is not a medical device and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition.

All images courtesy of FRANKIE4.
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