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The Best Flip-Flops of 2024
The Best Flip-Flops of 2024
Oct 6, 2024 9:16 AM

  For the most part, flip-flops are transitional footwear. You wear them at times when you’d prefer to be barefoot, but the circumstances aren’t conducive to going au naturale. Perhaps you want to air out your dogs on a hot day after a workout. Or maybe you’re on your way to the beach or pool, where you’ll gladly fling them off the instant you arrive.

  Naturally, our experts have been wearing flip-flops since childhood. Our lead tester Scott Tharler’s favorite flip-flop-related memory is getting a free pair when attending a Dodger game on a special promotional evening. Surprisingly, those well-worn rubber and plastic flips lasted way longer than they should’ve.

  For this buyers guide, we rounded up eight pairs of high-quality flip-flops ranging in price from $30 to $80, We put them through their paces on a number of hour-plus long walks and also did a lot of strolling along the week and lounging around the patio and house. Dozens of miles—and several stinging blisters—later, we came to some meaningful conclusions (not the least of which is that most flip-flops aren’t meant for very long hikes).

  Below you’ll find the results, highlighting the best flip-flops according to our rigorous research. To help you more easily find the best flip-flops for your unique needs, we’ve included a buyer’s guide, an FAQ section, and a comparison chart.

  The Best Flip-Flops of 2024 Best Overall Flip-Flops: OluKai ‘Ohana Sandals Best Budget Flip-Flops: Rainbow Classic Rubber Sandals Most Comfortable Flip-Flops: Vionic Wyatt Best Overall Flip-Flops OluKai ‘Ohana Flip-Flops Specs Heel Height 0.5 inches Upper Synthetic Leather Footbed EVA Outsole Rubber Colorways 16

  

The Best Flip-Flops of 20241

  Pros Impressive lugs on the outsole for a flip flop Soft footbed Very large size range Cons A bit pricey for a flip flop Scott Tharler Say hello to comfort, style, and durability. Crafted to be all-day beach ready, with all the traction you’ll need to bump around in the shallows, and available in a rainbow of colors, the OluKai ‘Ohana Sandals ($75) are the only flip-flops in our line-up guaranteed to make the sun shine a little brighter.

  Alright, that last part wasn’t true. But what is true is that the ‘Ohana has everything you want and need in your next flip-flop. They are some of the most comfy flip-flops that have ever graced our feet — no lie. OluKai makes a number of island-ready sandals and footwear, but we’ve zeroed in on the ‘Ohanas as being one of the best for everyday wear.

  Just as you would expect, these go on easily, look stylin’, and feel great. The drop-in footbed is a super soft foam with just the right amount of give to feel like you’re walking barefoot on the beach, and it almost has the feel of fine-grained leather. So its the ultimate choice if you’re out at a festival, combing the beach, or photographing grizzly bears. We speak from personal experience on this one.

  One sunny Sunday in May, we were enjoying a family picnic along the river banks in Grand Teton National Park when a grizzly bear and cub appeared across the river. Without hesitation, we stood up, gathered our food, put it away, and started taking photos (always staying a safe distance away). The whole time we were scampering along the sloped shoreline through rocks, mud, and debris while snapping photos, we forgot we were wearing flip-flops.

  Our only gripe is that the leather strap feels a little stiff at first. But, it only took a few days for it to break in. Once that happened, we didnt even notice it was there.

  The outsoles on the ‘Ohanas are surprisingly grippy, and feature a knobby lug design that keeps them tacky when moving around on wet rock. And if you accidentally knock a sandal into the water, it’s no sweat — these flip-flops float.

  OluKai didn’t want anyone to be left out of claiming their slice of island life, either, as the ‘Ohanas are available in a rather astonishing size range of 5 to 12 in women’s, and 7 to 18 in men’s.

  $75 may feel a bit steep for a flip-flop, but believe us when we say it likely will be the last pair you’ll need to buy. The OluKai ‘Ohana Sandals are fairly well overbuilt to put up with life in and out of the water.

  $75 at REICheck Price at AmazonCheck Price at Backcountry Best Budget Flip-Flops Rainbow Classic Rubber Sandals Specs Heel Height Average Upper Rubber, Nylon Footbed EVA Outsole Rubber Colorways 5

  

The Best Flip-Flops of 20242

  Pros Super simple and comfortable layup of rubber and foam On the lower end of price range Lightweight at 14 oz. Cons Exposed foam sidewalls will get worn over time Little outsole traction Limited size range Scott Tharler A low-key surfer go-to, the Rainbow Classic Rubber Sandals ($46) haven’t strayed far from the pair that stumbled out of a San Clemente metal-roof shack in 1974. These simple sandals are laid up with a few layers of closed-cell rubber, a smooth nylon strap, and not much else.

  Designed with break-in anticipated, the closed-cell rubber on the midsole is a bit softer than that used on the top sole, meaning they’ll wear into your arch profile exactly. The top rubber is dimpled to provide traction for your foots sole, hopefully resulting in fewer flung sandals. For those who are looking for a bit more cushion, there’s also a Double-Layer Sandal ($50).

  These sandals differentiate themselves from other cheap flip-flops by including a little arch support, which comes in the form of an extra wedge of foam tucked into the lay-up. Comparing them to a pair of cheapies we had lying around, we agreed that standing on the Rainbows felt much better comparatively.

  Be assured that these kicks are best made for beach and sidewalk cruising, as the soles provide a near-to-no traction-adding pattern, and we had little hope of sticking to the same surfaces our other sandals climbed in our traction tests.

  The only other letdown we had with the Rainbow sandals is their size range, which is a bit broad. Each offered size covers a range of two traditional US sizes. For many, this won’t amount to much, but for folks in between sizes, it can mean an overly small or large sandal to deal with.

  Compared to some other flip-flops, the Rainbow Classic Rubber Sandals are downright simple. But as many will tell you, sometimes simple is best.

  $46 at Amazon Mens$46 at Amazon Womens Most Comfortable Flip-Flops Vionic Wyatt Specs Heel Height 1.25 inches Upper Synthetic, fabric-lined Footbed Leather, EVA, Rubber Outsole Rubber Colorways 7

  

The Best Flip-Flops of 20243

  Pros Plush Great fit Superior comfort Cons Relatively expensive Scott Tharler The Vionic Wyatt ($80) were the first flip-flops to show up in the lab. And from the second we slipped them on, we knew they were something special.

  Two parts of the footbed jumped out at us. First, the outer material feels like soft microsuede. Second, the pronounced arch support is pretty hard to miss. Combined, they feel heavenly.

  Even the Y-strap (including the toe post) feels comfortable. In fact, only the strap on the Reef and the Keen came close for comfort. This one is wide, thin, not too loose, and not too tight.

  When walking around in these flip-flops, there were times when we actually forgot we were wearing them. We’d still reach for the Teva for long walks. But these buttery smooth bad boys are right behind them.

  Without question, the Vionic Wyatt flip-flops are on the expensive side. But you definitely get what you pay for in this instance. And we’d be happy to wear them pretty much anytime and anywhere.

  Check Price at Amazon Best of the Rest Teva Hydratek Flip Specs Heel Height Average Upper Recycled plastic, REPREVE® polyester yarn Footbed EVA Outsole Spider Rubber Colorways 3

  

The Best Flip-Flops of 20244

  Pros Comfy, textured footbed Grippy tread good for multiple terrains Great all-around balance of firm yet flexible Cons Heel is a little chunky Only a few color options Scott Tharler Once they arrived, it didn’t take long for the Teva Hydratek Flip ($65) to become our daily drivers. They just check every box.

  The footbed is relatively firm but with just enough sponginess. The topsole has a subtle texture, just enough so that (just as advertised) it doesn’t get slippery when wet.

  Speaking of non-slip, the treads had great traction on every surface we walked over. In fact, this flip is so good all-around, we’re willing to forgive the heel for being a little chunky. They certainly didn’t feel too high up while in use.

  Other than that, there’s not much to knock about them. The canvas toe post is comfortable, as toe posts go. And the lack of colorways doesn’t bother us, cause we’re totally good with the black ones we tested.

  The bottom line: The Teva Hydratek Flip is easy, comfy, and versatile—pretty much everything we’d want in a go-to flip-flop.

  $65 at REI Mens$65 at REI WomensCheck Price at Backcountry Keen Waimea Leather Flip-Flop Specs Heel Height 1.54 inches Upper Waterproof full-grain leather Footbed Foam Outsole Non-marking rubber Colorways 4

  

The Best Flip-Flops of 20245

  Pros Comfortable, scooped-out footbed Soft strap and toe post Nice tread Toe protection Cons On the expensive side Hybrid style takes a little getting used to Scott Tharler There’s a lot to like about the Keen Waimea Leather Flip-Flop ($80). In fact, for a while, they were in the running to be our favorite flip-flops overall. But ultimately, we figured that their one quirky feature would be seen by some folks as a benefit and by others as a detractor.

  Of course, we’re talking about the big toe protection. This is the only flip-flop we’ve seen that has this feature. And for those who worry about stubbing that toe—a legitimate concern with open footwear—this feature offers solid reassurance.

  The thing is, something about it just feels really…weird. It’s hard to describe. But something about slipping our toes up to a toe post while under that toe protector just feels off. It just takes a bunch of getting used to.

  In the meantime, these are amazing flip-flops if you can get past the oogie feeling of your big toe being protected while the others are still exposed. The scooped-out footbed feels well-cushioned. The toe post is soft and easy. And the grippy tread makes it a great boat shoe—or all-around flip-flop, for that matter.

  Ironically, we can’t help but wonder what the Keen Waimea Leather Flip-Flop would feel like without its signature idiosyncratic feature. But with or without it, this is a terrific (albeit expensive) option.

  $80 at REI$80 at Amazon Mens$80 at Amazon Womens Hoka Ora Recovery Flip Specs Heel Height Thick Upper Jersey textile strap Footbed EVA Outsole EVA Colorways 9

  

The Best Flip-Flops of 20246

  Pros Tread groove great for walking in and around water Improved toe post EVA good for recovery use Colorful Cons Tall heel Footbed feels oversized Middling comfort Scott Tharler As fans of Hoka’s hiking sandals, we looked forward to auditioning the storied Ora Recovery Flip ($60). Similar to the Crocs, we felt a bit disappointed.

  Right out of the box, they looked big—so distractingly so that we felt compelled to confirm that we’d received the correct size, which we had. To the naked eye, on closer inspection, they actually appear to be the same length as the Teva. But it’s not just an optical illusion because the “same-sized” Reef fit just inside the footbed scoop of the Hoka, making them look half a size different (despite both being labeled a size 9).

  Either way, they definitely have a thick outsole. In terms of how soft and cushy they are, they lie somewhere between the Crocs (not as cushy) and OOfos (super cushy). Therefore, we’d reach for these second for recovery, after the OOfos.

  Although we don’t like them the best for their intended main purpose, we do like them for walking in and around the pool. Their tread groove wicks water well and they feel plenty steady. Also, for what it s worth, these are clearly the most colorful flip-flops of the bunch, both in terms of their calming blue hue and that they’re offered in the most (nine in total) colorway options.

  Despite the fact that we’d only want to take short walks in the Hoka Ora Recovery Flip, we still like them in general. It’s just in the middle of the pack for us in terms of overall comfort: not bad, but not great.

  $60 at REI Mens$60 at REI WomensCheck Price at Backcountry Reef Santa Ana Specs Heel Height Thin Upper Vegan leather strap, padded jersey lining Footbed EVA Outsole Non-marking rubber Colorways 7

  

The Best Flip-Flops of 20247

  Pros Nice textured footbed Snug fitting, feels secure Good as boat shoes Cons Feels under-padded Not for long hikes Snug fitting, slightly tougher to slip on Scott Tharler We loved the Reef Santa Ana ($55) at first, but after considerable use, we reduced our enthusiasm to liking them.

  Slipping them on takes a little extra effort. Because the strap has an ever-so-slightly tighter feeling than the others, we had to scrunch our toes forward a few times in a row to get to the toe post. Its not a dealbreaker, but its not as easy to put on as the rest of the group.

  The next thing we noticed was the textured footbed. The ridges feel nice. But overall, the soles of these felt a little thin for long walks. Or to put it another way, we would’ve liked a little more padding in these flip-flops.

  Its not that we recommend most folks walk for miles in them like we did, but our feet felt tired and achy after doing so in these. They’re still fine for short to medium jaunts (less than a mile at a time). And we’d take them in an instant to the beach, the deck of a boat, or somewhere else soft—just not pounding the pavement.

  At the end of the day, we’d reach for the above-mentioned Keen before the Reef Santa Ana on pretty much every count. But these are still a fine choice if we wanted to save twenty bucks.

  $55 at REICheck Price at Backcountry OOfos OOriginal Specs Heel Height Average Upper Closed-cell OOfoam™ Footbed Closed-cell OOfoam™ Outsole Closed-cell OOfoam™ Colorways 6

  

The Best Flip-Flops of 20248

  Pros Super cushy Great for recovery Machine washable Cons Not quite as steady as the others Scott Tharler As we’ve mentioned several times, the OOfos Original ($60) feels super cushy, and that’s mostly a good thing.

  After walking on pavement for 80 minutes straight in the Hoka or the Reef options, we grabbed the OOfos when seeking sweet relief. Even with blisters on our soles, these were okay to walk in, so they’re easily choice #1 for recovery.

  But we wouldn’t wear these for an actual hike. That’s when their cushiness works against them. We much prefer the aforementioned triumvirate of Vionic, Teva, and Keen for steadiness and overall comfort on longer walks.

  We like the Oofos for short walks in various conditions. For instance, we took these to the mall, the beach, the grocery store, and the gym (for post-workout). In other words, they’re great for walking indoors but also decent outside.

  If we handed out a “best for recovery” award, the OOfos Original would win in a landslide. Other than that, they’re not the first flip-flops we’d want for general use, but they’re still pretty good.

  $60 at REICheck Price at Backcountry Crocs Classic II Specs Heel Height 0.88 inches Upper EVA Footbed EVA Outsole EVA Colorways 4

  

The Best Flip-Flops of 20249

  Pros Inexpensive Very light Waterproof Cons A little stiff Uncomfortable for medium to longer walks Scott Tharler Not having worn this company’s iconic foam clogs but knowing how popular they are, we had high hopes when the Crocs Classic II ($30) arrived. But they turned out to be a bit of a letdown.

  Since they’re entirely made of foam, we pictured them feeling softer and more comfortable (like the OOfos). Instead, they’re kinda stiff to the extent that we felt relieved when taking them off.

  Honestly, we didnt jump to wear them once we established how painful our feet felt after long walks in them. But it’s a bit of a mystery because they have a nice textured pattern on the footbed. And they feel squishy to the hand when giving them a pinch. But in practice, literally every other flip-flop we tried was more comfortable than these.

  The fact that they’re super lightweight and waterproof is nice. And if you happen to have tween children, you may appreciate the fact that Jibbitz (Crocs charms that fit in the holes of its shoes) work on them at least until you realize that a 5-pack of those trendy charms can wind up costing as much as these flip-flops themselves.

  To be fair, Crocs Classic II aren’t the worst things we’ve strapped onto our feet. They cost half as much as the next most expensive flip-flops on this list, so they do represent a decent value. However, we’d rather spend the extra bucks and get something that feels better.

  Check Price at Amazon Flip-Flops Comparison Chart

Flip-FlopsPriceHeel HeightUpper Footbed OutsoleColorways
OluKai ‘Ohana Sandals $75 0.5 inches Synthetic Leather EVA Rubber 16
Rainbow Classic Rubber Sandals $46 Average Rubber, Nylon EVA Rubber 5
Vionic Wyatt $80 1.25 inches Synthetic, fabric-lined Leather, EVA, Rubber Rubber 7
Teva Hydratek Flip $65 Average Recycled plastic, REPREVE®polyester yarn EVA Spider Rubber 3
Keen Waimea Leather Flip-Flop $80 1.54 inches Waterproof full-grain leather Foam Non-marking rubber 4
Hoka Ora Recovery Flip $60 Thick Jersey textile strap EVA EVA 9
Reef Santa Ana $55 Thin Vegan leather strap, padded jersey lining EVA Non-marking rubber 7
OOfos Original $60 Average Closed-cell OOfoam™ Closed-cell OOfoam™ Closed-cell OOfoam™ 6
Crocs Classic II $30 0.88 inches EVA EVA EVA 4

  

The Best Flip-Flops of 202410

  Essentially a safer, more fashionable way of going barefoot, flip-flops are timeless; (photo/Scott Tharler) How We Tested Flip-Flops GearJunkie knows footwear, whether we’re through hiking the PCT, trail running a ridge in the Rockies, fording a local stream, or just traipsing on the beach. Main tester Scott Tharler has written about tech and gear—including innovative footwear and apparel—for nearly 30 years.

  In that time, he’s logged hundreds of miles testing dozens of flip-flops, sandals, sneakers, and shoes. Especially having made the annual pilgrimage to walk the grueling week-long Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas over 25 times, Tharler has learned the true value of a supportive insole.

  Over that same span, flip-flops have gone from being cheap podiatric torture devices to highly wearable and—dare we say—even fashionable footwear. As the construction materials have changed and improved, the use cases for flip-flops have expanded. Taking that all in stride, we set out to determine which flip-flops would work best for folks in the most common conditions and situations.

  During several weeks of real-world testing on the Big Island, we logged literally dozens of miles in the eight selected sets of slippers (as they’re called here in Hawaii). We walked on pavement, over loose gravel, around the pool, and on the beach. Nothing hardcore in the way of hiking, but we often strolled for more than an hour at a time—not only outdoors but also indoors through stores and around the house.

  Taking things a step further, we’d often tote around a second pair in hand just to switch them out on the go. In fact, our lead tester got to know these flip-flops so well that—in a game he and his seven-year-old enjoyed playing—he could literally identify which flip-flops were being placed on his feet with his eyes closed. We also brought in a second tester, Ryan Kempfer, to try out a couple of pairs of flips in more mountainous environs, where he also took them strolling along lakeshores, rivers, and trails, and on wildlife photography adventures.

  At the end of the day, it’s all about comfort. And the feet know what they want. So even when we weren’t seriously testing, we noted which flip-flops we intuitively reached for without much thought. Well update this guide as we continue to wear these flip-flops and further assess additional ones. If youre looking for women-specific options, cruise through our Best Flip-flops For Women Guide.

  

The Best Flip-Flops of 202411

  From beach strolls to scrambling along the rocky banks of this very river taking photos of grizzly bears, the Olukai Ohana performed beyond expectations; (photo/Chris Kassar) Buyers Guide: How to Choose the Best Flip-Flops The perfect pair of flip-flops is a must for your summer wardrobe. But, finding the perfect pair can be a little nerve-wracking. With so many options, knowing what to consider when shopping for flip-flops can sometimes be difficult. We’ve narrowed down some of the things we’ve learned to pay attention to over the years.

  By their very nature, flip-flops imbue a certain carefree spirit and sense of freedom. So it seems antithetical to get so serious about selecting a pair. But if we learned one thing from our tireless research, it’s that you can’t properly judge flip-flops just by looking at them.

  To wit, you might be tempted to simply grab a pair from a local pharmacy, grocery store or roadside service station on an impulse. After all, if you’re getting flip-flops, you’re probably on your way to do something fun. But believe us, if those flip-flops—or worse yet, your feet—break along the way, you’ll be sorry.

  In this handy how-to-choose guide, you’ll see all the essential information you need to choose a solid solution to fit your needs. You’ll dive deep into which features matter most and why you should—or shouldn’t—consider particular types of flip-flops. (Hint: If you can see the other end of the Y-strap poking through the bottoms of the soles, avoid them at all costs!) Ultimately, below, you’ll find everything you need to know to make an informed footwear decision so that you don’t have to flip-flop about which to purchase.

  

The Best Flip-Flops of 202412

  Theres lots to consider when choosing among different flip-flops, like those from KEEN, Vionic, Reef, and Hoka pictured here; (photo/Scott Tharler) Flip-Flops vs. Slides and Sandals It’s easy to tell apart a flip-flop from a slide, because the former has a toe post and the latter doesn’t. But it can be surprisingly confusing to determine whether a particular piece of footwear is a flip-flop or a sandal. For instance, Teva sees them as different entities, separately offering a Teva Hydratek Flip (included here in our list) and a Hydratek Sandal. Hoka views flip-flops as a subset of sandals. And OOfos refers to its flip-flop as a sandal right in the name.

  For the purposes of this guide, we’re considering a flip-flop as any airy footwear that has a toe post and no heel strap (that’d make it a sandal). And, since the function is just as crucial an aspect of the definition, you wouldn’t take on a serious hike. As opposed to our trusty minimalist Bedrock or Xero sandals, which are each slimmer than any of the flip-flops on this list and we’d take on any trek in a heartbeat. To see a full list of sandals ideal for hiking, check out our Best Hiking Sandals guide.

  

The Best Flip-Flops of 202413

  Reef’s Santa Ana flip-flops make for decent boat and deck shoes; (photo/Scott Tharler) Designed Footwear Use With that in mind, it’s time to consider how you will use these flip-flops. Many product pages list what the flips would be best for. But that’s merely a suggestion. For instance, the Hoka Ora Recovery Flip has “recovery” right in its name, but we like them for walking and hanging around the pool. Whereas we’d reach for the cushier OOfos Original to amble about with truly achy feet. In addition to the midsole, the outsole plays a big part. For example, we’d use the Reef Santa Ana as a deck shoe—partially also because the strap fits a little snugger around our feet than some of the others—but wouldn’t take them on a hike that’s too long or has uneven terrain. And although the Keen and Vionic are both capable, we’d take the Teva Hydratek Flip into the surf first.

  

The Best Flip-Flops of 202414

  To a large extent, the treads on flip-flops determine what they’ll be good for; (photo/Scott Tharler) Water-Friendliness It’s not just a matter of whether water will damage the flip-flops. The materials in these flips are safe enough if they get splashed or dunked. But then what? How comfortable are they when they’re wetand/or sandy? That can be when the toe post wreaks havoc on your foot. Not to mention your ears, from all the squeaking. If we had to travel a ways in wet flip-flops, we’d want the Teva Hydratek Flip, the Vionic Wyatt, or the Keen Waimea Leather Flip-Flop. Those are the most amphibious on this list.

  

The Best Flip-Flops of 202415

  One of the most water-friendly options on our list, the Keen Waimea Leather Flip-Flop incorporates both a toe post and toe protection; (photo/Scott Tharler) Sizing and Fit One of the defining factors of flip-flops is how forgiving their sizing is. These are meant to be worn loose, putting them at the opposite end of the spectrum from climbing, running or cycling shoes. So they don’t tend to be sized very strictly. For instance, our main tester’s usually a size 9, but a size 7 in the OOfos Original—while snug—perfectly fit the length of his feet. To wit, we tested the Vionic Wyatt in a size 8.5 and ended up ranking it as the most comfortable flip-flop so that speaks volumes. The upshot of sticking with your regular size or perhaps sizing down a bit is that it gives you some flexibility in ordering flips that’ll fit you well.

  

The Best Flip-Flops of 202416

  The Vionic Wyatt was definitely the most comfortable flip we tested; (photo/Scott Tharler) Materials You’re likely to spot a whole bunch of terms describing flip-flop materials. But they really boil down to just a few.

  Proprietary Synthetics You may have noticed a couple of trademarked names in the above comparison chart. Sometimes, they point to recycled materials, like the REPREVE® yarn used in the Teva Hydratek Flip. And sometimes, as with OOfos’s OOfoam™, they’re simply the brands own take on EVA foam. Either way, it’s good to understand which natural material the synthetic is trying to replace.

  EVA Ethylene-vinyl acetate is a thermoplastic, closed-cell foam with rubber-like qualities. It is meant as a substitute for materials such as natural rubber, neoprene, and PVC foams made from harsh chemicals. Because of its sustainability factor, EVA is used quite a bit in today’s flip-flops.

  

The Best Flip-Flops of 202417

  The all-EVA Crocs Classic II are fairly firm and very light; (photo/Scott Tharler) Leather Known for its durability and patina, real leather gets a bit of a bad rap. However, it’s more breathable than vegan leather. When mindfully sourced, such as the LWG-certified leather used in the Keen Waimea Leather Flip-flop, it’s actually more environmentally responsible than the faux version.

  Rubber You may see it listed as “Spider Rubber,” “Non-marking Rubber,” “Vibram” or just plain “Rubber.” Just know that there’s most likely gonna be some rubber in your outsole. It’s a big part of what cushions and protects your feet and is what makes our best budget option, the Rainbow Rubber Sandals so ideal.

  

The Best Flip-Flops of 202418

  Comfy and stable, we loved the Teva Hydratek Flip for daily use; (photo/Scott Tharler) Comfort­­­­ As free-flying as flip-flops are, they aren’t always so comfy. Of course, that depends on how much you plan to walk in them. But a few factors weigh heavily in avoiding that unwanted trip to the ol’ first aid box.

  Toe Posts The part of the flip-flop that both defines and is most likely to injure you. Take a closer look at it. Pretty consistently, the ones that entail a folded piece of fabric feel more comfortable, such as the Teva Hydratek Flip, the Vionic Wyatt, the Keen Waimea and the Reef Santa Ana. The others look innocent enough, but tend to irritate the feet on long walks—more than 20 minutes or one mile—especially when they get wet.

  Heel Height How high your heel is off the ground makes a big difference. You’re probably used to wearing flatter shoes, so a flip with a big lift, like the Hoka Ora Recovery or the OOfos Original, may feel weird and throw off your balance. Some vendors list the heel-to-toe drop on product pages. If you’re like us, you’ll appreciate a flip-flop with a minimal dip (or none at all). Anything over half an inch (roughly 13 millimeters) may feel off-putting.

  

The Best Flip-Flops of 202419

  From this group, the beige Reef heels were the thinnest, and the telltale blue Hoka were thickest; (photo/Scott Tharler) Firmness vs. Cushiness Without getting too deep into a philosophical discussion about which is “better,” just know this topic is very subjective. Everyone has their own “Goldilocks” point. If youre shopping online, this can be especially challenging to figure out, but weve helped take out some of the guesswork.

  The OOfos Original are super cushy while the Crocs Classic II are on the firm end. We found the Teva Hydratek, the Vionic Wyatt, and the KEEN Waimea Leather Flips to all offer the perfect combination of firmness and cushiness that we loved. If you are shopping in person, find your perfect point by flexing the outsole to see how rigid it feels. Combined with how cushy the footbed feels, that should give some indication of how it’ll perform for you. But watch out, because almost all flip-flops feel good when you initially wear them, and the differences between them can be small; but if you pay close attention to these subtleties, your feet will thank you in the long run.

  

The Best Flip-Flops of 202420

  The OOfos are good in a variety of situations, but we like them best for recovery; (photo/Scott Tharler) Price With just a few outliers, most of the flip-flops in this guide are right around the $62 group average. Naturally, flip-flops may go on sale, so do pay attention to the retail price. Anything with an MSRP below $30 is probably garbage, likely to fall apart the first time you make a serious misstep. Likewise, on the other end, anything above $60 may offer diminishing returns. In short, expect to pay something in the $30 to $60 range for an average flip-flop.

  Colors This probably isn’t among the biggest factors for most men selecting flip-flops. But it’s worth noting that some models offer only a few hues to choose from, whereas others offer as many as nine. For what it’s worth, six was the average from our list. As with every other piece of footwear and apparel, it’s hard to go wrong with a basic black (which may get hot if left out in the sun) or a neutral earth color. But since flip-flops are meant to be fun, feel free to flaunt something colorful.

  

The Best Flip-Flops of 202421

  The Keen Waimea, Vionic Wyatt and Teva Hydratek are three of our favorite flips; (photo/Scott Tharler) FAQ What are the best flip-flops to walk in? That depends on where, how far, and how long you’ll be walking, as well as what you’ve just been doing. For instance, after a workout or run, recovering in something cushy like the OOfos Original feel nice. If you’re going on a short walk, the Reef Santa Ana is a decent choice. And if you want flip-flops for a longer walk, we highly recommend the Vionic Wyatt, the Teva Hydratek Flips, and the Keen Waimea, each of which is good for longer distances over a variety of terrain.

  What brand of flip-flops are the most comfortable? Among the shoes we tested for this guide, we had difficulty choosing between the Teva Hydratek and Vionic Wyatt. Both offer a great balance of firmness with just enough—but in our opinion, not too much—cushion. But those particular models are the only flip-flops we’ve tried from either brand, though we’ve rocked Teva sandals in the past.

  What is the most durable brand of flip-flops? Long-term durability takes more than a month or two to assess. So, we’ll keep you posted. But so far, none of the selections show serious signs of wear. It’ll be interesting to see how additional time, sweat, and wear affect them.

  Are flip-flops fashionable for men? Sure! Especially in summer—or year-round, in warmer climates. We haven’t personally donned anything worthy of wearing with a suit. But for everyday use with jeans or shorts, heck yeah. Throw on a pair of flip-flops and make a fashion statement. And before you do, maybe consider trimming those claws and moisturizing. No judgment.

  

  

The Best Flip-Flops of 202422

  The Best Flip-Flops for Women of 2024 We tested the best flip-flops for women of 2024 with options for every budget. Top picks include Olukai, Teva, HOKA Chaco, and more!

  

The Best Flip-Flops of 202423

  The Best Water Shoes of 2024 We tested the best water shoes of 2024 with options for every budget. Top picks include Astral, Xero, NRS, and more!

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