The Best Flip-Flops of 2026

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 it’s 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 didn’t 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 ‘Ohana Sandals are fairly well overbuilt to put up with life in and out of the water.

Having one pair of go-to shoes that work for so many occasions is nice. The Women’s OluKai ‘Ohana ($75) is your ride-or-die flip-flop. It is ready to wear straight out of the package, and there’s no break-in period. You can wear these for extended periods, as they have a contoured footbed that cradles your feet and offers just the right amount of support. You can feel confident that your feet will still be happy even after walking for hours like we did. 

Aside from the comfort, the durability of these is another big factor that made us choose these as the Best Overall Flip Flops for Women. After 7 months of use, we’ve seen no signs of wear and tear on the footbed, straps, or rugged soles. The straps are securely fastened to the shoes, and we’ve tried to be exceptionally rough on these by pulling and tugging in an attempt to find any signs of weakness. So far, we haven’t found anything that makes us question the durability of these, and we feel like these are quality flip-flops that are made to last a long time. 

We also loved that they were thin enough to pack for a beach vacation easily. Don’t feel like you have to put them in your suitcase, though. We also wore these for full days of traveling and running through airports. The tread on the soles performed well when we were running and trying to make a connecting flight. That tread also made us feel stable when out on a boat with friends and while walking along the shoreline of the beach.

That high-quality tread does make these a little bit heavier than some other flip flops we tested, but it didn’t affect their comfort level.

We tested all of the flip-flops by leaving them out by the pool on a hot Florida day and saw that our black pair of OluKai ‘Ohanas was one of the top two that didn’t perform as well in this test. When testing by touch and with an infrared digital thermometer, we realized this was one of the shoes that got the hottest.

We loved these so much, this wasn’t a deal breaker. After several times with burned feet over the years, we’ve learned to flip them over or cover the footbed with her beach towel so they aren’t exposed to the brutal sun. You can also just throw these water-resistant shoes in the water to cool them down quickly.

Also, we noticed that these shoes have a smoother footbed than others. This led to a squeaking sound when walking after they got wet. Luckily, they dry quickly, so it’s not a deal breaker.  

If you’re looking for versatile flip-flops known for comfort, you will love the ‘Ohana. They were great for everything from the beach to running around town. With their more sporty look, we don’t consider these the most dressy. However, they still pair well with everything from shorts to swimsuits to casual sundresses. Lucky for us, too, they come in 14 colors.

If you don’t mind paying a little more to have a pair of flip-flops that’s going to last a long time, we think this one is a good investment. After months of wearing these, we can tell they’ll be able to last a long time.

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 foot’s 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 Classic Rubber Sandals are downright simple. But as many will tell you, sometimes simple is best.

We were surprised to find one of the cutest flip-flops also ended up being the lowest priced. The Teva Olowahu Flip-Flops ($34) are comfortable enough to throw on with a swimsuit and walk along the shoreline picking up seashells but also cute enough to dress up a little. Our flip-flop expert even paired these with a tropical dress to wear to a beach wedding in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The straps on these made us love them, but there are also some things to consider with this unique design. While this Y-strap style goes between your toes, these flips also come with additional straps and seven attachment points. Those extra straps can result in some interesting tan lines. To avoid that, just lather your feet in some reef-safe sunscreen before heading out in the sun, and you’ll be fine.

Also, the additional straps make it a bit challenging to slide them on quickly. What’s an extra 5 seconds for fashion, though? We didn’t find that to be a big deal at all. But, it was worth noting because you have to sit down and ensure all toes go where they are supposed to go.

The straps on this one didn’t provide any major discomfort when they were dry, but that was a little different once they got wet. While the straps across the top of our tester’s feet were rubbed a little when wet, the toe post (the part of the strap that goes between your big toe and the rest of your toes) caused the most problems because of its position.

Unlike the other traditional Y-strap flip-flops, which had the toe post cradled its widest side between your big toe and second toe, the Teva Olowahu has the thinnest edge positioned to meet the skin between your toes, and you can really feel the rub when it is wet.

Luckily, though, the straps dried quickly. Even if they are dry, you can still feel the rub between your toes if you are walking for extended periods of time, but these shoes aren’t really made for that purpose.

After wearing these for a few months, the fabric on the toe post seemed to soften up some over time and wasn’t quite as abrasive between our toes. We’d still love these more if the toe post was positioned differently, though. 

If you’re looking for fashionable flip-flops to wear on the town, the Olowahu is a great choice. They are cute and comfortable but aren’t the best for watersports or rugged activities. While they do offer fashion and some function, we lean more toward the fashionable side with this one. The straps on this one are also made from recycled plastic, and they are vegan, so these are a great choice for those who are focused on sustainability too.

If you desire versatility in flip-flops, look no further than the Astral Filipe ($79). These flips offer a lightweight feel, crazy sticky outsoles, and flexibility for adventures to the nearby beach or alpine lake.

When we first slipped these on, we immediately noticed the overall comfort and solid support they deliver. The stiff platform, level footbed, wider toebox, and rubber sole are big bonuses when choosing a flip, especially for adventure-minded individuals seeking stability and balance. We tested these shoes everywhere, from small hikes along the riverbed looking for grizzlies in Grand Teton National Park to chilling at our favorite downtown brewery and everywhere in between.

We felt balanced and stable and noted how sticky they felt on rocky surfaces, offering extra security and confidence, especially when the bottoms were wet. These flips also delivered all-day comfort, and our feet did not get fatigued even after walking multiple miles through town, along the beach or river shores.

Astral also designed this flip with an additional Super Strap that easily converts these flips to sandals. Putting on and taking off these straps was extremely simple and quick. We loved this option for when a simple stroll turned into a more adventurous hike that included off-trail exploring. Cinching the Super Strap turned a simple pair of flips into a sturdy, balanced sandal that can go almost anywhere.

However, there were two places we felt there was room for improvement. First, the indentations on the footbed were always noticeable; it felt like we were standing on tiny ridges at times. We thought this feeling would fade after a break-in period, but we could feel these raised insole pads even after a couple of months of wearing them. Though they weren’t painful at all, they just felt a bit odd.

Second, we were shocked at how slippery the insides of the flip-flop felt when wet, especially since the outsole/bottom was mega grippy in water. When the insides were damp (like after we dipped our feet in the water and then donned these flips without drying our feet), we felt a lot of movement and slippage, almost like our feet were on a slip-n-slide. Adding the Super Strap when the insides were wet did help to curb slipping, but this could be an issue when just worn as a flip-flop.

Neither of these was a deal-breaker, and overall, we loved the design, feel, and versatility. But, Astral — if you’re listening — if you address these two issues, the Filipe would be almost perfect! The Filipe is ideal if you’re looking for one flip to do it all: hike, stroll, cruise, or wander. We recommend trying them on first and perhaps getting Astral water shoes for your heavily water-based adventures.

The Chaco Classic Flip ($65) has a contoured footbed that delivers Chaco’s LUVSEAT arch support. We noticed the great support as soon as we slipped these shoes onto our feet. We really loved the footbed and sole on this one. While it is not as thick as some of the other flip-flops we tested, we saw this as a plus.

We were able to easily throw these in our overly packed suitcases to bring them along on an island vacation, and while these were thinner, the design of the sole and footbed was not lacking. The firm footbed and sole both had textured surfaces and great traction. These offered excellent traction and stability when wet.

Even though these performed awesomely in aquatic situations, they were also quite stylish. These have a somewhat sporty design but aren’t clunky and are super cute flip-flops.

We did find that these flip-flops have a break-in period, though. We made the mistake of wearing these for the first time on a day that involved a lot of walking and quickly learned that may not have been the best excursion to break them in. We wore them for about 5 hours that day and realized within the first hour that the straps were creating blisters on the tops of our feet. The area between our toes was fine, but the tops of our feet weren’t. 

Despite that first impression, we’re so glad we continued to test them and didn’t give up on them. The more we wore these, the more we loved them. The fabric on the straps softened up over time, and the footbed seemed to mold to our feet more as we continued to wear them. After months of wearing them, they’ve become one of our favorites.  

It is important to note, too, that our tester doesn’t have wide feet and still experienced this break-in period with the straps. The footbed fit her perfectly, but we don’t feel this would be the best option for those with wider feet.

The corrective footbed in these is recognized by the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) and is great for those who want a cute flip-flop with arch support. These are also great for those participating in aquatic activities who are looking for extra traction.

In addition, although the Classic Flips ranked high in performance and function and are good for your feet, we thought these were cute and had a lot of versatility. They are perfect to wear straight from the beach to brunch or as an everyday go-to shoe.

The Birkenstock Arizona ($145) is a classic slip-on we couldn’t possibly leave off this list. Though some may call them a sandal, we feel they fit in a flip-flop, since they’re a slide-on rather than an actual sandal. Ideal for summer evenings on the town, the Arizona excels in situations where comfort, ease, and style are equally important.

The soft footbed design feels great on bare feet, and we found them cozy in warm to slightly cool temperatures. For the fashion-forward (or backward?) individual, you can even wear them in colder temps with socks. The suede leather ages well (even when scratched up a bit), making these a timeless staple for footwear connoisseurs.

We tested the Arizona around town, out on the lake, and around the house. Because they’re a slip-on without a full enclosure system, they’re not ideal for hiking or aggressive movements, but we did find that the buckle system can be tightened on the go rather easily if you find yourself in a hurry and need some extra security.

The EVA outsole provided adequate grip in slippery conditions on the dock. Around town, the footbed support is ideal for long walks, and we can’t overstate how classic these flips look. You can dress them up with pants for a night out at your favorite patio bar, but they’re equally suitable for a quick dip in the nearby creek or river.

Because the footbed is contoured to complement the natural shape of the foot, podiatrists have recommended Birkenstocks for years for those dealing with foot or toe ailments caused by tapered toe boxes. In addition to their style and timeless look, the Arizona is great for anyone who prioritizes foot health.

Once they arrived, the Teva Hydratek Flip ($65) became our daily drivers. They checked 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 nonslip, 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 Hydratek Flip is easy, comfy, and versatile — pretty much everything we’d want in a go-to flip-flop.

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 Waimea Leather Flip-Flop would feel like without its signature idiosyncratic feature. But with or without it, this is a terrific (albeit expensive) option.

The Birkenstock Gizeh Birko-Flor ($100) is a stylish, Y-strap flip-flop with a contoured cork-latex footbed and synthetic Birko Flor straps. With a roomy fit and an adjustable buckle, it’s a great option for women with wider feet.

We loved the unique look and found it easy to dress up or down — even pairing them with business casual outfits at a work conference when other shoes caused blisters. The footbed felt firm at first but quickly molded to our feet for all-day comfort. While the plastic toe post took some getting used to, it broke in well.

The curved footbed edges added a sense of security, and these handled a night of dancing at an outdoor concert with ease — at least until the rain hit. These aren’t made for wet conditions, and we worried about the cork soles in the mud. After a slow air-dry, they held up fine, but we wouldn’t intentionally get them wet again.

If you want a fashion-forward, supportive flip-flop for dry conditions, the Gizeh Birko-Flor is a top choice. For a water-friendly version, check out the Birkenstock Gizeh Essentials instead.

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 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.

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. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s 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.

It’s 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 20 bucks.

The OOFOS OOahh Slide ($60) is built with OOfoam, a proprietary material designed to absorb 37% more impact than traditional footwear. While we didn’t verify that stat, we can confidently say these slides are incredibly comfortable and cushioned.

Unlike standard flip-flops, the OOahh has a wide strap instead of a Y-strap, eliminating any irritation between the toes. The footbed is soft and supportive and held up well even after being left in the sun — in fact, these stayed cooler than any other pair in our heat test.

These slides are ideal for wider feet, offering the largest size range of any flip-flop we tested. The strap has a bit of extra room, which made it slightly loose on narrow feet but perfect for those needing more width. Just note that the open design makes them easy to slide on and off.

While not built for active wear, they’re excellent for post-workout recovery or everyday comfort. The textured footbed helps with grip, but without a toe post, they feel less secure during movement.

We also tested the  OOFOS Ooriginal ($60), which uses the same foam and has a Y-strap for a more locked-in fit. Both styles showed some dirt after yard work and beach walks, but a quick spin in the washing machine brought them back to life.

Endorsed by the APMA, the OOahh Slide is a top pick for those with foot issues or anyone seeking a plush, recovery-focused sandal, especially for people with wider feet.

The Astral Rosa ($79) stands out for its two-in-one design: a flip-flop that transforms into a sandal thanks to removable Super Straps. We loved the versatility — it’s like getting two pairs in one.

Right out of the box, we noticed the wide toe box, which gave our feet plenty of room to spread out. Even without wide feet, we appreciated the lack of rubbing from the Y-strap. We questioned the fit at first but were impressed by how secure they felt, even after jumping into a pool. The grippy footbed held our feet in place, wet or dry, and they dried quickly afterward.

Installing the Super Straps wasn’t intuitive, but once we watched Astral’s how-to video, setup was quick and easy. The straps added noticeable security on e-bike rides and during whitewater rafting, although one rubber piece broke on the first outing. The straps still functioned, but the minor failure was disappointing.

A unique design detail is the raised toe bar between the toes and the ball of the foot. We sized up (no half sizes) and found the overall fit good, but the toe bar sometimes rubbed slightly while walking in flip-flop mode. It wasn’t painful, but did take some getting used to, and we think the shoe might be better without it.

All in all, the Astral Rosa is a great pick for those who want a hybrid flip-flop/sandal that can handle water, stay secure on your foot, and perform across a range of activities. It’s more functional than fashionable, but the versatility makes up for it.

The Reef Cushion Breeze ($40) remains one of our favorite budget-friendly flip-flops. Although it costs less than half of the most expensive models we tested, it provides exceptional comfort. The cushioned footbed feels great underfoot, and even after 7 months of wear, it still has plenty of life left.

We were also impressed with how easy these are to clean. After a mishap in the yard left one tester bleeding on her pair, the sandals cleaned up surprisingly well and looked good as new. That kind of durability at this price point is a win.

The Y-strap is another highlight. Made with vegan leather and lined with soft webbing from recycled plastic bottles, it’s gentle on the skin — including the toe post — and didn’t cause blisters or discomfort. Bonus points for sustainability.

The main drawback is the limited color options (only four), although the available choices easily match most outfits. We also noticed they squeak when wet. The smooth footbed doesn’t provide as much grip on slick surfaces, but the textured outsole still felt stable.

If you’re looking for an affordable, everyday flip-flop that’s comfortable, easy to clean, and environmentally friendly, the Cushion Breeze offers great value.

Why reinvent a classic? The Birkenstock Arizona Essentials EVA ($50) successfully aims to be lighter, more affordable, and water-friendly.

We were skeptical at first. As longtime fans of the original leather Arizona, we didn’t think it needed a reboot. But after slipping into the EVA version, we were pleasantly surprised. A few quick buckle adjustments dialed in the fit, and from then on, they felt more like easy slides than structured sandals, just with that familiar Birkenstock look.

Despite their lightweight design (about half a pound), these sandals provide genuine support. The contoured footbed follows the shape of your feet, featuring a deep heel cup, solid arch support, and a spacious toe box. They’re not flimsy and are much more comfortable than basic slides or thongs. At less than a third of the weight of the Chacos we tested, they’re very light.

The EVA foam squeaks when wet, and yes, they’re occasionally prone to what we’ll call “foot farts,” which happen when air gets trapped underfoot. If you’re sensitive to that kind of sound, consider yourself warned.

Still, the Arizona Essentials EVA is a standout for a lightweight, colorful, easy-on-and-off slide that delivers surprising comfort and value.