The Greatest Flip-Flops of 2024

For essentially the most half, flip-flops are transitional footwear. You put on them at instances while you’d desire to be barefoot, however the circumstances aren’t conducive to going au naturale. Maybe you need to air out your canines on a sizzling day after a exercise. Or perhaps you’re in your technique to the seaside or pool, the place you’ll gladly fling them off the moment you arrive.

Naturally, our consultants have been sporting flip-flops since childhood. Our lead tester Scott Tharler’s favourite flip-flop-related reminiscence is getting a free pair when attending a Dodger recreation on a particular promotional night. Surprisingly, these well-worn rubber and plastic flips lasted approach longer than they need to’ve.

For this purchaser’s information, we rounded up a number of pairs of high-quality flip-flops ranging in value from $30 to $1,110. We put them by way of their paces on a lot of hour-plus lengthy walks and in addition did plenty of strolling alongside the week and lounging across the patio and home. Dozens of miles — and several other stinging blisters — later, we got here to some significant conclusions (not the least of which is that the majority flip-flops aren’t meant for very lengthy hikes).

Beneath, you’ll discover the outcomes, highlighting one of the best flip-flops in line with our rigorous analysis. That can assist you extra simply discover one of the best flip-flops in your distinctive wants, we’ve included a purchaser’s information, a Worth & Worth part, an FAQ part, and a comparability chart.

Editor’s Notice: We up to date this purchaser’s information on August 30, 2024, by including two new merchandise: our most fashionable decide, the Hari Mari Clipper, and our most versatile decide, the Astral Filipe.

The Greatest Flip-Flops of 2024

Flip-Flops Comparability Chart

How We Examined the Greatest Flip-Flops

GearJunkie is aware of footwear, whether or not we’re by way of mountaineering the PCT, path working a ridge within the Rockies, fording an area stream, or simply traipsing on the seaside. Fundamental tester Scott Tharler has written about tech and equipment — together with progressive footwear and attire — for practically 30 years.

In that point, he’s logged lots of of miles testing dozens of flip-flops, sandals, sneakers, and footwear. Particularly having made the annual pilgrimage to stroll the grueling week-long Client Electronics Present in Las Vegas over 25 instances, Tharler has discovered the true worth of a supportive insole.

Over that very same span, flip-flops have gone from being low-cost podiatric torture units to extremely wearable and — dare we are saying — even modern footwear. As the development supplies have modified and improved, the use circumstances for flip-flops have expanded. Taking that each one in stride, we got down to decide which flip-flops would work greatest for people in the commonest situations and conditions.

Throughout a number of weeks of real-world testing on the Large Island, we logged actually dozens of miles within the chosen units of slippers (as they’re referred to as right here in Hawaii). We walked on pavement, over unfastened gravel, across the pool, and on the seaside. Nothing hardcore in the best way of mountaineering, however we frequently strolled for greater than an hour at a time — not solely outdoor but additionally indoors by way of shops and round the home.

Taking issues a step additional, we’d typically tote round a second pair in hand simply to modify them out on the go. In actual fact, our lead tester obtained to know these flip-flops so effectively that — in a recreation he and his 7-year-old loved taking part in — he may actually determine which flip-flops had been being positioned on his toes along with his eyes closed.

We additionally introduced in a second tester, Ryan Kempfer, to check out a few pairs of flips in additional mountainous environs, the place he additionally took them strolling alongside lakeshores, rivers, and trails and on wildlife images adventures.

On the finish of the day, it’s all about consolation. And the toes know what they need. So even once we weren’t severely testing, we famous which flip-flops we intuitively reached for with out a lot thought. We’ll replace this information as we proceed to put on these flip-flops and additional assess extra ones. In the event you’re in search of women-specific choices, cruise by way of our Greatest Flip-Flops for Girls Information.

Purchaser’s Information: Methods to Select the Greatest Flip-Flops

The proper pair of flip-flops is a should in your summer season wardrobe. However, discovering the proper pair could be a little nerve-wracking. With so many choices, understanding what to contemplate when looking for flip-flops can generally be troublesome. We’ve narrowed down among the issues we’ve discovered to concentrate to over time.

By their very nature, flip-flops imbue a sure carefree spirit and sense of freedom. So, it appears antithetical to get so critical about choosing a pair. But when we discovered one factor from our tireless analysis, it’s you could’t correctly choose flip-flops simply by taking a look at them.

To wit, you is likely to be tempted to easily seize a pair from an area pharmacy, grocery retailer or roadside service station on an impulse. In any case, in case you’re getting flip-flops, you’re in all probability in your technique to do one thing enjoyable. However consider us, if these flip-flops — or worse but, your toes — break alongside the best way, you’ll be sorry.

On this helpful how-to-choose information, you’ll see all of the important data you must select a strong resolution to suit your wants. You’ll dive deep into which options matter most and why you must — or shouldn’t — contemplate specific kinds of flip-flops. (Trace: In the event you can see the opposite finish of the Y-strap poking by way of the bottoms of the soles, keep away from them in any respect prices!) Finally, under, you’ll discover all the things you must know to make an knowledgeable footwear determination so that you simply don’t must flip-flop about which to buy.

Flip-Flops vs. Slides and Sandals

It’s simple to inform aside a flip-flop from a slide, as a result of the previous has a toe put up and the latter doesn’t. However it may be surprisingly complicated to find out whether or not a selected piece of footwear is a flip-flop or a sandal. As an illustration, Teva sees them as completely different entities, individually providing a Teva Hydratek Flip (included right here in our listing) and a Hydratek Sandal. Hoka views flip-flops as a subset of sandals. And OOfos refers to its flip-flop as a sandal proper within the title.

For the needs of this information, we’re contemplating a flip-flop as any ethereal footwear that has a toe put up and no heel strap (that’d make it a sandal). And, for the reason that perform is simply as essential a side of the definition, you wouldn’t tackle a critical hike.

Versus our trusty minimalist Bedrock or Xero sandals, that are every slimmer than any of the flip-flops on this listing and we’d tackle any trek in a heartbeat. To see a full listing of sandals splendid for mountaineering, try our Greatest Mountaineering Sandals information.

With that in thoughts, it’s time to contemplate how you’ll use these flip-flops. Many product pages listing what the flips could be greatest for. However that’s merely a suggestion. As an illustration, the Hoka Ora Restoration Flip has “restoration” proper in its title, however we like them for strolling and hanging across the pool. Whereas we’d attain for the cushier OOfos Authentic to amble about with really achy toes.

Along with the midsole, the outsole performs an enormous half. For instance, we’d use the Reef Santa Ana as a deck shoe —p artially additionally as a result of the strap suits just a little snugger round our toes than among the others — however wouldn’t take them on a hike that’s too lengthy or has uneven terrain.

The Astral Filipe is flexible sufficient to be worn mountaineering, paddleboarding, or simply chilling. And though the Eager and Vionic are each succesful, we’d take the Olukai ‘Ohana into the surf first.

Water-Friendliness

It’s not only a matter of whether or not water will harm the flip-flops. The supplies in these flips are protected sufficient in the event that they get splashed or dunked. However then what? How comfy are they after they’re moist … and/or sandy? That may be when the toe put up wreaks havoc in your foot. To not point out your ears, from all of the squeaking.

If we needed to journey a methods in moist flip-flops, we’d need the Teva Hydratek Flip, the Vionic Wyatt, the Hari Mari Clipper, or the Eager Waimea Leather-based Flip-Flop. These are essentially the most amphibious on this listing.

Sizing and Match

One of many defining components of flip-flops is how forgiving their sizing is. These are supposed to be worn unfastened, placing them on the reverse finish of the spectrum from climbing, working or biking footwear. So that they don’t are usually sized very strictly.

As an illustration, our most important tester’s normally a dimension 9, however a dimension 7 within the OOfos Authentic — whereas cosy — completely match the size of his toes. To wit, we examined the Vionic Wyatt in a dimension 8.5 and ended up rating it as essentially the most comfy flip-flop, in order that speaks volumes. The upshot of sticking together with your common dimension or maybe sizing down a bit is that it provides you some flexibility in ordering flips that’ll fit your needs effectively.

Supplies

You’re prone to spot a complete bunch of phrases describing flip-flop supplies. However they actually boil right down to just some.

Proprietary Synthetics

You could have seen a few trademarked names within the above comparability chart. Typically, they level to recycled supplies, just like the REPREVE yarn used within the Teva Hydratek Flip. And generally, as with OOfos’s OOfoam, they’re merely the model’s personal tackle EVA foam. Both approach, it’s good to grasp which pure materials the artificial is attempting to exchange.

EVA

Ethylene-vinyl acetate is a thermoplastic, closed-cell foam with rubber-like qualities. It’s meant as an alternative to supplies comparable to pure rubber, neoprene, and PVC foams made out of harsh chemical compounds. Due to its sustainability issue, EVA is used fairly a bit in in the present day’s flip-flops.

Leather-based

Identified for its sturdiness and patina, actual leather-based will get a little bit of a nasty rap. Nonetheless, it’s extra breathable than vegan leather-based. When mindfully sourced, such because the LWG-certified leather-based used within the Eager Waimea Leather-based Flip-flop, it’s really extra environmentally accountable than the fake model. The waterproof, washable full-grain leather-based of the Hari Mari Clipper was mushy and plush and considered one of our favourite supplies of all flips.

Rubber

You may even see it listed as “Spider Rubber,” “Non-marking Rubber,” “Vibram” or simply plain “Rubber.” Simply know that there’s almost definitely going to be some rubber in your outsole. It’s an enormous a part of what cushions and protects your toes and is what makes our greatest finances choice, the Rainbow Rubber Sandals, so splendid.

Consolation­­­­

As free-flying as flip-flops are, they aren’t all the time so cozy. In fact, that is dependent upon how a lot you intend to stroll in them. However just a few components weigh closely in avoiding that undesirable journey to the ol’ first-aid field.

Toe Posts

The a part of the flip-flop that each defines and is almost definitely to injure you. Take a better take a look at it. Fairly persistently, those that entail a folded piece of material really feel extra comfy, such because the Olukai ‘Ohana, the Vionic Wyatt, the Eager Waimea, and the Reef Santa Ana. The others look harmless sufficient, however are inclined to irritate the toes on lengthy walks — greater than 20 minutes or 1 mile — particularly after they get moist.

Heel Top

How excessive your heel is off the bottom makes an enormous distinction. You’re in all probability used to sporting flatter footwear, so a flip with an enormous carry, just like the Hoka Ora Restoration or the OOfos Authentic, could really feel bizarre and throw off your steadiness. Some distributors listing the heel-to-toe drop on product pages. In the event you’re like us, you’ll respect a flip-flop with a minimal dip (or none in any respect). Something over half an inch (roughly 13 mm) could really feel off-putting.

Firmness vs. Cushiness

With out getting too deep right into a philosophical dialogue about which is “higher,” simply know this subject may be very subjective. Everybody has their very own “Goldilocks” level. In the event you’re buying on-line, this may be particularly difficult to determine, however we’ve helped take out among the guesswork.

The OOfos Originals are tremendous soft, whereas the Crocs Basic II flip-flops are on the agency finish. We discovered the Olukai ‘Ohana, the Vionic Wyatt, and the KEEN Waimea Leather-based Flips to all supply the proper mixture of firmness and cushiness that we cherished. If you’re buying in particular person, discover your excellent level by flexing the outsole to see how inflexible it feels.

Mixed with how soft the footbed feels, that ought to point out the way it’ll carry out for you. However be careful, as a result of virtually all flip-flops really feel good while you initially put on them, and the variations between them could be small; however in case you pay shut consideration to those subtleties, your toes will thanks in the long term.

Colours

This in all probability isn’t among the many greatest components for many males choosing flip-flops. However it’s price noting that some fashions supply just a few hues to select from, whereas others supply as many as 9. For what it’s price, six was the typical from our listing.

As with each different piece of footwear and attire, it’s onerous to go incorrect with a primary black (which can get sizzling if omitted within the solar) or a impartial earth colour. However since flip-flops are supposed to be enjoyable, be at liberty to flaunt one thing colourful.

Worth & Worth

With just some outliers, a lot of the flip-flops on this information are proper across the $62 group common. Naturally, flip-flops could go on sale, so do take note of the retail value. Something with an MSRP under $30 might be rubbish, prone to disintegrate the primary time you make a critical misstep.

Likewise, on the opposite finish, something above $60 could supply diminishing returns. Briefly, anticipate to pay one thing within the $30 to $60 vary for a median flip-flop.

Often Requested Questions