Sanuk Yoga Chakra Review

The Yoga Chakra is a cushy flip-flop best suited for simple jaunts, hanging out looking cute, and, unfortunately, not much more. While we found this shoe comfortable and plush, it didn't provide hardly any support or stability and had the severe issue of absorbing water that then took days to dry out. This is a sandal to consider for comfortable city life and wearing around the house, but not one to consider for much beyond that.

Performance Comparison

Comfort

Comfort is the one category where the Yoga Chakra was able to shine. With plush jersey-lined straps and soles made out of real yoga mats, this sandal is super cozy and feels like a pair of slippers you're allowed to wear outside. Requiring zero time to break in, the Chakra is a real treat for tired feet and casual outings. It doesn't offer much stability or support, but for pure cush factor, it's a fun and affordable choice. Keep in mind that it does run a bit narrow. If your idea of comfort is something with more structure and integrity, check out our favorite flip for comfort, the OluKai Ohana or the impressive Birkenstock Gizeh, our Editors' Choice.

Support & Stability

The footbed of the Yoga Chakra is made out of yoga mats which have been sealed around the edges. Supportive and stable aren't exactly words that go hand-in-hand with yoga mat material. This flip-flop is pillowy and cushioned, so it doesn't provide any more integrity than a slipper. On top of that, the footbed is sealed off at a downward angle which allows the foot and toes to slide off the edges. Bottom line, this is a flop for casual light affairs, not one that you grab for hiking or being on your feet for hours at a time. If those are qualities you need, be sure to read about our Editors' Choice, the Gizeh, which scored a perfect 10 in this category. The Vionic Tide II is also a great option for a supportive flip-flop as it has orthotics built into the sole.

Durability

Not to sound like a broken record, but this flip-flop is made from yoga mats and soft jersey-lined fabric. It's not a piece of junk, but it's also not particularly durable when you put it up against rough terrain or dirt. If you need something to wear around the house, while driving, or when going to the grocery store or a study group, this is a comfortable and affordable option that will serve you well. But for much outside of that, we would suggest looking elsewhere, as this shoe will get dirty and show wear easily. It all depends on what you plan to be doing and how hard you are on your summer shoes. If you know you need something that can handle rough and tough adventures, then look to something made from materials like rubber and polyester webbing like the Flip EcoTread, Tide II, or our Top Pick for Hiking and Scrambling, the Astral Rosa. The Gizeh is also a great option if you want something leather and stylish, as is the OluKai Lala.

Water Resistance

The worst performance we saw in the entirety of our flip-flop competition was when we put the Yoga Chakra in a river to see how it would handle water. This sandal was the polar opposite of water-resistant; instead, it absorbed water and held onto it for days. Yes, days. Every other flip we tested was completely dry within 20 minutes like the Rainbow Single Layer Premier, or at least dry in the footbed quickly with the straps taking maybe a couple of hours max (usually only about 30 minutes though). The Yoga Chakra was still releasing water when we put weight on it three days later. With small amounts of water, it did okay, though even then the yoga mat footbed was slippery and the straps stayed damp for a long time. Needless to say, if your warm weather plans involve much more than small splashes of water, steer clear of this shoe.

Traction

The sole of the Yoga Chakra, at least when new, had fairly adequate traction, but the slick surface of the yoga mat footbed didn't, especially when wet. The straps were tight enough to help keep our foot from moving around too much, but overall we didn't feel particularly secure or protected when scrambling around on more complicated terrain. If you want a sandal meant for traction, read about our Top Pick for Hiking and Scrambling, the Astral Rosa, the burly Merrell Around Town, or the impressively secure and stable Vionic Tide II. The Gizeh, our Editors' Choice, also had excellent traction.

Style

Sadly, even in the style department, the Yoga Chakra ended up dead last. We asked close to 20 women to rate our 11 tested flip-flops in order of most to least stylish, and this one just didn't impress. It's cute, and some women rated it higher, but overall it wasn't a crowd favorite. For some serious class and style be sure to read about our Top Pick for Stylish Adventures, the OluKai Lala or the Editors' Choice Gizeh. Our Best Buy winner, the Teva Olowahu, was also a big hit, as was the OluKai Paniolo with its intricately stitched footbed.

Best Applications

The name of this sandal says it best: the Yoga Chakra is best suited for light activities like walking from your car to the yoga studio. It's a comfy shoe that feels plush to have on, but it simply doesn't have the integrity or durability to withstand any hard outdoor use or long hours on your feet.

Value

For $34 this is an affordable shoe that you can add to your wardrobe without any financial stress. But because we don't feel it's well suited for a lot of more robust activities, you will likely have to buy another pair for days at the beach or afternoon hikes. Ultimately we think it's smarter to spend a bit extra and get a more well-rounded shoe. Or check out our Best Buy winners, the Base Camp Lite for $35 or Teva Olowahu for just $25. Both options will serve you better in the long run.

Conclusion

Overall we were disappointed with the Yoga Chakra and feel that, outside of very casual urban use, it's not a good fit for a lot of scenarios. The yoga mat footbed has little to no integrity and had some real problems when coupled with water. The materials and construction don't add up to a particularly durable product, though if all you want is something soft and cushioned for hanging out or running small errands, this could be a fun addition to your shoe collection.