Debate ‘em all you want: the best flip-flops for men will still be here—on boardwalks and beaches, city streets and shimmering catwalks—long long after you decide what you think of them. In 2025, it’s no longer so easy to dismiss the newly-buzzy silhouette as a lazy-man’s sandal, the preserve of surfer bros and wannabe frat stars wherever the sun is shining. These days, the unofficial shoe of the summer has been plucked from the beach and plopped down, well, pretty much everywhere else, from Paris runways to London red carpets. Better yet, every pair worthy of your (hopefully pedicured) feet is immediately below.
The Best Men’s Flip-Flops, According to GQ
In This Guide
Best Flip-Flops Overall: Hari Mari Fields Leather Sandals
Hari Mari
Fields Leather Sandals
Pros
- Comfortable cushioned footbed and midsoles
- Premium nubuck leather
- Non-slip soles
Cons
- The name rhymes :\
- Not water-friendly
What we look for in a great everyday flip flop is something that feels a little more substantial than the stripped back 10-buck flops, which can feel a little too close to the single-use joints you get after a pedicure. It should be cushioned, ideally with arch support, and feel more premium than a simple rubber footbed. For our money, the best flip-flops overall have to be Hari Mari’s Fields sandals.
They’re made with a plush nubuck leather footbed and straps for a comfy feel and have a premium memory foam midsole for an airy stride. The toe posts (so often overlooked) also use memory foam for a better feel and to reduce friction. Chafing? Never heard of her. The soles use natural rubber and are grippy enough to keep you stable on a boat deck, but we’d give them a day to dry out if you happen to get them wet—our only real gripe with these flip-flops. They’re not waterproof, but we do consider them the best for everyday wear. So unless you’re a surf bum or a professional swimming pool reviewer.
Best Budget Flip-Flops: Havaianas Top Flip-Flops
Just because flip-flops can get expensive doesn’t mean they should. We won’t dissuade you from them, of course, but part of the charm of flip-flops is that they’re care-free and cheap, not precious and inaccessible. For the style and the money, the best of the flip flop lot is Havaianas. They’re simple, clean, come in a rainbow of colors, and are still made in Brazil to this day. They’re the platonic ideal of the flip flop, the physical manifestation of the flip flop emoji.
Best Upgrade Flip-Flops: Massimo Dutti Leather Sandals
Massimo Dutti’s flip-flops are what you should grab when you’re ready to graduate from rubber flip-flops. They’re chic, elegant, and could maybe even stand up to the scrutiny at a fancy restaurant—maybe. The all-leather sandals come in a handsome dark brown and a sleek, nearly piano black, both of which match the aura of a pair of dress pants as well as they do some wide-leg drawstring vacation pants. While we love the simplicity and the elegance of Massimo Dutti’s flip-flops, we also love that they won’t cost you an arm and a leg. They’re not exactly cheap, of course. But you can think of these as an investment that you’ll want to have resoled again and again.
Best Flip-Flops With Serious Arch Support: Archies Flip-Flops
Once you’ve accepted the vulnerability that comes with wearing flip-flops, the next logical concern is comfort. There’s only an inch of foam between your feet and the ground, after all, and a full day of walking can have your dogs howling deep into the night. The most comfy pair of flip-flops we’ve come across are from Archies.
The footbed is contoured to cup the heels and the toes and the carved arch gives the flip-flops rock-solid support. It’s made from a closed-cell foam which molds to your feet after a few wears for a custom fit. The adjustable straps have a stretchy and snug fit, too, which makes for an easy stride that won’t leave your toes struggling to grip the sandals with each step. On top of that, the sandals are constructed in one single piece which means that the toe post and straps are a unified unit and are far less likely to rip apart like most flip-flops.
Best Leather Flip-Flops: Ancient Greek Sandals Solon Flip-Flops
As fashion is wont to do, flip-flops aren’t immune from the elevated treatment. Now, there’s a whole subcategory of flip-flops made of luxurious leathers, lifted by a little heel to look down at all of the other cheap-o rubber versions that cost less than a matcha latte. They can get away with dressing down pleated trousers or punching up a pair of jeans, and while Auralee’s $700 leather flip-flops come to mind, we’d much rather pay for Ancient Greek Sandals’ Solons instead.
