Keen Kona Flip II Review
Compare prices at 2 resellers Pros: 100% recyclable, comfortable, light, machine washable
Cons: Poor traction and durability
Manufacturer: Keen
Our Verdict
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Keen Kona Flip II | |||||
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Price | Check Price at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $74.95 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $74.95 at Amazon | $69.95 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $55 List |
Overall Score ![]() |
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Star Rating | |||||
Pros | 100% recyclable, comfortable, light, machine washable | Comfortable, durable, good in water | Lightweight, great for hiking | Comfortable, versatile, stylish, great arch support | Durable, good arch support, comfortable straps, excellent traction, affordable |
Cons | Poor traction and durability | Heavy, a bit pricey | Extra straps can get in the way, pricey | Heavy, expensive | Heavy, not stylish |
Bottom Line | Comfortable flip flops that are both made from recycled materials and are recyclable when you're done | Super comfortable sandals that are as at home on the beach as they are at camp | An optional heel and arch strap make this contender super secure and great for hiking | Take these flops everywhere and your feet will love you for it | These tick off some of the most critical attributes we want in sandals: comfort, durability, and affordability |
Rating Categories | Keen Kona Flip II | Olukai Hokua | Astral Filipe | Olukai Ohana | Teva Katavi 2 Thong |
Comfort (25%) | |||||
Support And Stability (20%) | |||||
Traction (20%) | |||||
Versatility (15%) | |||||
Durability (10%) | |||||
Style (10%) | |||||
Specs | Keen Kona Flip II | Olukai Hokua | Astral Filipe | Olukai Ohana | Teva Katavi 2 Thong |
Sole Material | EVA | Gum rubber | Rubber | Gum rubber | Durabrasion Rubber |
Footbed Material | EVA | ICEVA | EVA | ICEVA | EVA |
Strap Material | Polyester | Leather | Polyester webbing | Synthetic | Suede |
Weight (ounces) | 15 oz | 19 oz | 14 oz | 17 oz | 20 oz |
Sizes | 7 - 15 | 7 - 15 | 8-13 | 7 - 18 | 7 - 14 |
Return Policy | 30 days free return | One year warranty against manufacturer's defects | Free returns | One year warranty against manufacturer's defects | Free returns if not worn/used |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Kona II is simple and comfortable, but they have some traction issues on hard surfaces. Overall we like them and have to admit that keeping the environment in mind by making them recyclable is highly appealing. Typically, flip flops don't last nearly as long as lace-up shoes and thus create an unimaginable amount of waste. Keep in mind most flip flops are made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which isn't recyclable and releases compounds that are toxic to humans and animals alike when they do slowly break down.
Performance Comparison
Comfort
While kicking the sustainability bar up a notch, the Kona retains a high level of comfort. The compression-molded EVA midsole felt like it was molded to our foot right out of the box. Upon initial viewing, the Kona appears to have excessive curvature and an odd amount of rise in the toe box. But, when you put them on, the curvature makes total sense. As you walk, the flip flop rolls with your step, which takes out a significant amount of audible flopping when compared to other flatter designs.
Support and Stability
The Kona has an extremely supportive and ergonomic footbed. Right out of the box it fit the form of our foot quite well, which was fortunate because the material is quite durable and firm. Even after a few months of use, there was little sign of breaking in or molding to our foot. Some testers found an issue with the almost banana-esque curve upwards from heel to toe, but these testers also had previously known they fit better with low arches and flatter footbeds.
The rounded sides and relatively thick soles did prove to be a bit less stable than the low profile wide flip flops that ranked at the top of this category. That being said, the Kona is decently stable but really makes up for any foibles with the excellent ergonomic support.
Traction
One of our biggest gripes with the Kona is its lack of traction relative to the more environmentally destructive flip flops. The materials result in a lightweight/less dense rubber sole, which doesn't feel as tacky on a variety of surfaces. Traction on trails and sand is great, but smooth surfaces such as granite slabs, hardwood floors, or tile can be treacherous when wet.
Versatility
The Kona is made to tackle the variable terrain of island life, but they adapt pretty well to desert life too. The water-friendly non-absorbent materials dry extremely fast after fording across creeks, and they didn't seem to create any noxious odors over time. The recyclable and lightweight EVA and rubber translate to good packability for backpacking. Unfortunately, the materials are also a bit slippery on hard surfaces like granite slabs or wood floors, which detracts from overall versatility.
Durability
Throughout our testing period, we attempted to put ourselves in the mindset of the designers of the Kona. Working with recycled materials and making a flip flop that is completely recyclable relegated them to using certain types of rubber and foam. The result is a reasonably durable flip flop that does break down faster than some of its heavy-duty competition.
The airy rubber that comprises the outsole of this flip was visibly damaged by the end of our testing. Little knicks and chunks were taken out, but the overall shoe was still entirely usable with lots of life remaining. It is important to know that you may not get the same life out of these as other similar flip flops. On the upside, and it's a big upside, when you have worn through this flip, they are entirely recyclable, which trumps the extra few months you will get from another pair.
Style
The Kona is best suited for action, not for impressing. That's not to say it isn't a good looking flip flop, just that it looks more at home on the beach or hiking through the rainforest than it does as casual footwear around town. The nylon strapping give it a "Chaco"-esqe look, which will surely gain some notoriety within certain crowds.
Value
The Kona isn't super cheap, and several aspects leave a bit to be desired. That said, if you factor in the environmental component, this is probably the best value of any flip flop available as it is the only one to be completely recyclable. If we ignore the environmental factor, as many of us find it so easy to do, the price isn't as justified based solely on performance.
Conclusion
If you care about the environment and have realized, as we have, that flip flops are dumped into landfills by the billions each year, the Keen Kona Flip II is a great solution. While they might not be the best performing flip flop on the market, purchasing something recyclable will send a message to corporations that we are thinking about sustainability and that recyclable flip flops are a positive step.
— Brian Martin