For the most part, flip-flops are transitional footwear. You wear them at times when youโd prefer to be barefoot, but the circumstances arenโt conducive to going au naturale. Perhaps you want to air out your dogs on a hot day after a workout. Or maybe youโre on your way to the beach or pool, where youโll gladly fling them off the instant you arrive.
Naturally, our experts have been wearing flip-flops since childhood. Our lead tester Scott Tharlerโs 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 shouldโve.
For this buyer’s guide, we rounded up multiple pairs of high-quality flip-flops ranging in price from $30 to $1,110. 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 โ and several stinging blisters โ later, we came to some meaningful conclusions (not the least of which is that most flip-flops arenโt meant for very long hikes).
Below, youโll 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, weโve included a buyerโs guide, a Price & Value section, an FAQ section, and a comparison chart.
Editor’s Note: We updated this buyer’s guide on August 30, 2024, by adding two new products: our most stylish pick, the Hari Mari Clipper, and our most versatile pick, the Astral Filipe.
The Best Flip-Flops of 2024
- Best Overall Flip-Flops: OluKai โOhana Sandals
- Best Budget Flip-Flops: Rainbow Classic Rubber Sandals
- Most Versatile Flip-Flops: Astral Filipe
- Most Stylish Flip-Flops: Hari Mari Clipper
- Most Comfortable Flip-Flops: Vionic Wyatt
OluKai โOhana Flip-Flops
- Heel Height: 0.5 inches
- Upper: Synthetic Leather
- Footbed: EVA
- Outsole: Rubber
- Colorways: 16
Pros
- Impressive lugs on the outsole for a flip flop
- Soft footbed
- Very large size range
Cons
- A bit pricey for a flip flop
Rainbow Classic Rubber Sandals
- Heel height: Average
- Upper: Rubber, nylon
- Footbed: EVA
- Outsole: Rubber
- Color options: 5
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
Astral Filipe
- Heel height: Zero drop
- Upper: Cushioned synthetic leather
- Footbed: EVA, level footbed
- Outsole: Flex Grip outsole made with non-marking, razor-siped, G.15 Rubber
- Color options: 3
Pros
- Lightweight
- Versatile thanks to Super Strap
- Deliver all-day comfort
- Extremely grippy outsoles
Cons
- Insides of flips were slippery when wet
- Ridges on insoles felt weird
Hari Mari Clipper Flip-Flops
- Heel height: Average
- Upper: Waterproof, washable full-grain leather
- Footbed: Plush, full-grain leather footbed
- Outsole: Nonmarking, molded rubber
- Color options: 2
Pros
- Stylish
- Comfortable right out of the box
- Leather is plush, waterproof, washable
Cons
- Expensive
- Minimal support means feet get fatigued
Vionic Wyatt
- Heel height: 1.25"
- Upper: Synthetic, fabric-lined
- Footbed: Leather, EVA, rubber
- Outsole: Rubber
- Color options: 7
Pros
- Plush
- Great fit
- Superior comfort
Cons
- Relatively expensive
Teva Hydratek Flip
- Heel height: Average
- Upper: Recycled plastic, REPREVE polyester yarn
- Footbed: EVA
- Outsole: Spider rubber
- Color options: 3
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
- Heel height: 1.54"
- Upper: Waterproof full-grain leather
- Footbed: Foam
- Outsole: Nonmarking rubber
- Color options: 4
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
- Heel height: Thick
- Upper: Jersey textile strap
- Footbed: EVA
- Outsole: EVA
- Color options: 9
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
- Heel height: Thin
- Upper: Vegan leather strap, padded jersey lining
- Footbed: EVA
- Outsole: Nonmarking rubber
- Color options: 7
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
- Heel height: Average
- Upper: Closed-cell OOfoam
- Footbed: Closed-cell OOfoam
- Outsole: Closed-cell OOfoam
- Color options: 6
Pros
- Super cushy
- Great for recovery
- Machine washable
Cons
- Not quite as steady as the others
- Heel height: 0.88"
- Upper: EVA
- Footbed: EVA
- Outsole: EVA
- Color options: 4
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Very light
- Waterproof
Cons
- A little stiff
- Uncomfortable for medium to longer walks
Flip-Flops Comparison Chart
Flip-Flops | Price | Heel Height | Upper | Footbed | Outsole | Colorways |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
OluKai โOhana Sandals | $75 | 0.5 inches | Synthetic Leather | EVA | Rubber | 16 |
Rainbow Classic Rubber Sandals | $46 | Average | Rubber, Nylon | EVA | Rubber | 5 |
Astral Filipe | $79 | Zero drop | Cushioned synthetic leather | EVA, Level Footbed | Plush, full-grain leather footbed | 3 |
Hari Mari Clipper | $110 | Average | Waterproof, washable full-grain leather | Plush, full-grain leather foot bed | Non-marking, molded rubber | 2 |
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 |
How We Tested the Best Flip-Flops
GearJunkie knows footwear, whether weโre 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 โ including innovative footwear and apparel โ for nearly 30 years.
In that time, heโs 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 โ dare we say โ 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 selected sets of slippers (as theyโre 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 โ not only outdoors but also indoors through stores and around the house.
Taking things a step further, weโd 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 โ in a game he and his 7-year-old enjoyed playing โ 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, itโs all about comfort. And the feet know what they want. So even when we werenโt seriously testing, we noted which flip-flops we intuitively reached for without much thought. We’ll update this guide as we continue to wear these flip-flops and further assess additional ones. If you’re looking for women-specific options, cruise through our Best Flip-Flops for Women Guide.
Buyer’s 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. Weโve narrowed down some of the things weโve 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, itโs that you canโt 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 youโre getting flip-flops, youโre probably on your way to do something fun. But believe us, if those flip-flops โ or worse yet, your feet โ break along the way, youโll be sorry.
In this handy how-to-choose guide, youโll see all the essential information you need to choose a solid solution to fit your needs. Youโll dive deep into which features matter most and why you should โ or shouldnโt โ 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, youโll find everything you need to know to make an informed footwear decision so that you donโt have to flip-flop about which to purchase.
Flip-Flops vs. Slides and Sandals
Itโs easy to tell apart a flip-flop from a slide, because the former has a toe post and the latter doesnโt. 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, weโre considering a flip-flop as any airy footwear that has a toe post and no heel strap (thatโd make it a sandal). And, since the function is just as crucial an aspect of the definition, you wouldnโt 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 weโd take on any trek in a heartbeat. To see a full list of sandals ideal for hiking, check out our Best Hiking Sandals guide.
Designed Footwear Use
With that in mind, itโs time to consider how you will use these flip-flops. Many product pages list what the flips would be best for. But thatโs merely a suggestion. For instance, the Hoka Ora Recovery Flip has โrecoveryโ right in its name, but we like them for walking and hanging around the pool. Whereas weโd 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, weโd use the Reef Santa Ana as a deck shoe โp artially also because the strap fits a little snugger around our feet than some of the others โ but wouldnโt take them on a hike thatโs too long or has uneven terrain.
Theย Astral Filipeย is versatile enough to be worn hiking, paddleboarding, or just chilling. And although the Keen and Vionic are both capable, weโd take the Olukai ‘Ohana into the surf first.
Water-Friendliness
Itโs 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 theyโre wet … and/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, weโd want the Teva Hydratek Flip, the Vionic Wyatt, the Hari Mari Clipper, or the Keen Waimea Leather Flip-Flop. Those are the most amphibious on this list.
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 donโt tend to be sized very strictly.
For instance, our main testerโs usually a size 9, but a size 7 in the OOfos Original โ while snug โ 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 thatโll fit you well.
Materials
Youโre 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 OOfosโs OOfoam, theyโre simply the brand’s own take on EVA foam. Either way, itโs 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 todayโs flip-flops.
Leather
Known for its durability and patina, real leather gets a bit of a bad rap. However, itโs more breathable than vegan leather. When mindfully sourced, such as the LWG-certified leather used in the Keen Waimea Leather Flip-flop, itโs actually more environmentally responsible than the faux version. The waterproof, washable full-grain leather of the Hari Mari Clipper was soft and plush and one of our favorite materials of all flips.
Rubber
You may see it listed as โSpider Rubber,โ โNon-marking Rubber,โ โVibramโ or just plain โRubber.โ Just know that thereโs most likely going to be some rubber in your outsole. Itโs a big part of what cushions and protects your feet and is what makes our best budget option, the Rainbow Rubber Sandals, so ideal.
Comfortยญยญยญยญ
As free-flying as flip-flops are, they arenโt 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 olโ 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 Olukai ‘Ohana, 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 โ more than 20 minutes or 1 mile โ especially when they get wet.
Heel Height
How high your heel is off the ground makes a big difference. Youโre 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 youโre like us, youโll appreciate a flip-flop with a minimal dip (or none at all). Anything over half an inch (roughly 13 mm) may feel off-putting.
Firmness vs. Cushiness
Without getting too deep into a philosophical discussion about which is โbetter,โ just know this topic is very subjective. Everyone has their own โGoldilocksโ point. If you’re shopping online, this can be especially challenging to figure out, but we’ve helped take out some of the guesswork.
The OOfos Originals are super cushy, while the Crocs Classic II flip-flops are on the firm end. We found the Olukai ‘Ohana, 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 indicate how itโll 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.
Colors
This probably isnโt among the biggest factors for most men selecting flip-flops. But itโs worth noting that some models offer only a few hues to choose from, whereas others offer as many as nine. For what itโs worth, six was the average from our list.
As with every other piece of footwear and apparel, itโs 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.
Price & Value
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
That depends on where, how far, and how long youโll be walking, as well as what youโve just been doing. For instance, after a workout or run, recovering in something cushy like the OOfos Original feel nice. If youโre 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.
Among the shoes we tested for this guide, we had difficulty choosing between the Olukai ‘Ohana and Vionic Wyatt. Both offer a great balance of firmness with just enough โ but in our opinion, not too much โ cushion.
Long-term durability takes more than a month or two to assess. So, weโll keep you posted. But so far, none of the selections show serious signs of wear. Itโll be interesting to see how additional time, sweat, and wear affect them.
Sure! Especially in summer โ or year-round, in warmer climates. We havenโt 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.
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