As a species, we've been wearing flip flops or sandals for a very, very long time. The first flip flops we know about appeared on Egyptian murals around 4,000 BC, but you can bet folks were probably rocking this simple, elegant footwear way before they figured out how to write or chisel. Constructed from wood, papyrus, rawhide, and even palm fronds, flip flops were, and remain, the most universally used footwear out there. Everyone from princes to paupers loves a comfy pair of flops. Little has changed, except now there are a staggering number of designs and construction materials available today.
Choosing Your Activity
Consider what you'll be doing and where you'll be going in your flip flops. Are you going to be using them more in an urban setting? Or will you be taking your flops to the great outdoors? Do your outside aspirations include water? Flip flops that are good for hiking might not be your cup of tea stylistically, as they sometimes have padded straps or thicker tread. If you spend most of your time in town, narrowing in on the more stylish flops probably makes the most sense. Be honest with yourself about what you really plan to get after the most. We know making a decision is hard, but as the saying goes, a journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step. So what's it going to be?
Urban Use
If you find yourself wearing flip flops every day, be it after work, before work, out on the town, or just around the house, you might fit into this use category. Regardless of the activity, comfort should still be high up on your list of demands. There are several flip flops in our review that offer all-day comfort and the durability necessary for everyday use.
Water Activities
For our flip flops enthusiasts whose priority is water sports, look for the version with the best traction and stability when wet. Strategic water-specific modifications like a sole that puts tons of rubber in contact with any surface while channeling water away is ideal. Never assume that a flip flop with good trail traction also has good wet-surface performance.
Another significant concern with water activities is the likelihood of losing your flip flop! We're not sure how many flip flops have been lost at sea, but it has to be in the millions. Considering the flotation of a flip flop along with the overall cost might be pertinent as you set sail.
Hiking
Whether it's carrying a surfboard to the break or a lengthy hike, you're going to need a flop that offers some arch support and actually stays on your foot if you're looking to get off the sidewalk regularly. Traction, stability, and durability are all very important to those looking to use this class of footwear for less casual use. Flip flops that excel in this category should be durable, rugged, and packable, whether that be in a backpack or clipped to a harness. Several of the flops we tested did well in this category. Remember, even if your flops have great traction, they're worthless if your foot doesn't stay in place, so look for footbeds that have great foot security.
Looking Good
Let's face it, we all want to look good, and while style is a subjective and often controversial topic, we bravely dive in with some generalities. Clean, simple lines, low-key colors, and leather are all features we find visually pleasing in a flop. While one person's favorite is another's fashion nightmare, we can almost guarantee the most stylish options in any social setting will not be the heavily treaded hiking variety or recovery flip flops.
Footbed Breakdown
There really isn't anything quite as comfortable as a nicely broken-in and molded footbed with the perfect arch support slipped on after a long hike. The open-air against your disgusting feet and the arch support massaging your barking dogs, it's almost too good to be true. If you are on the hunt for this euphoric post-hike foot love, it's important to consider what you want in a footbed and what you need in regards to fit. The flip flops we tested ranged from nearly flat and hard to moldable and high-arched. In between this wide range were flip flops offering ultra-plush footbeds and other bargain options that are moldable but firm.
Light Foam Footbeds
While flip flops constructed from this lightweight and squishy foam can be comfortable off the shelf, they are generally of less durable construction, and the low-density material wears quickly. We have found it not uncommon for ultra-cheap low-density footbeds to blow out within a month or two. The affordable price tag is undeniable. You could have five or more pairs of these flip flops for the cost of the heavy-hitting dense rubber-soled options, but your feet could pay the price. While we don't have any of these sub-five dollar flip flops in our review, be cautious about going too inexpensive.
Foot Molding Footbeds
A handful of the flip flops we tested fall into this category. While each has a different foam density and feel, the main point is that these are generally more durable than the light foam footbeds but a bit less durable than the chunky and durable contoured footbeds, discussed in the next section. These foot molding footbeds are almost universally constructed from EVA or ethylene-vinyl acetate. This polymer can be crafted into an insane variety of density, flexibility, and environmental resistance. Also, the ability to easily mold it makes it ideal for mass-produced flip flops. No, it's not the greatest on the environment, but hey it's summer, and we've been virtue signaling all winter, time to slip on some highly refined Brazilian crude oil and hit the beach.
Contoured Footbeds
This is where the rubber meets the road, or any surface you want it to meet actually. The contoured footbeds seem to be the creme of the crop with ultra-comfortable, form-fitting designs and ergonomics that rival the most comfortable shoes. As a general rule of thumb, these flip flops are comfortable out of the box and only seem to get better with age. The footbeds come formed with wide and high arch support, decent heel cups, and sometimes a separation for toes. Wearing these flip flops generally gives you the sense that your entire foot is being supported and cushioned. Not only are these usually the most comfortable, to create the necessary contoured structure requires more durable materials, either high-density EVA or leather in some cases. Ultimately, contoured footbeds allow you to find a pair of flip flops that work for you and keep them in your family for a long time versus getting a new pair every time you are headed to the beach.
