When it’s sweltering hot outside and you just want to wear a shoe that doesn’t feel like a sweat trap, the best flip-flops on the market are ready to replace your trusty sneakers. Still, it’s one thing to slip on some flimsy thongs for the sake of letting your dogs breathe; it’s another to find a new pair of flip-flops that’s supportive, comfortable in the long term, and blissfully easy to wear. Luckily, there are quite a few options that check those boxes—plus, they come highly recommended by experts and well-shod SELF editors.
Our top picks
- Most Comfortable: OOfos OOriginal Sandal, $60
- Most Stylish: Birkenstock Gizeh, $100
- Most Durable: Olukai ‘Aukai, $90
- Best for Flat Feet: Chaco Classic Flip, $65
- Best for High Arches: Aetrex Maui, $60
- Best Platform: Crocs Getaway Platform Flip, $50
- Best Budget Pick: Teva Olowahu Flip-Flop, $34
- Trendiest: Havaianas Slim Square Flip Flop, $34
In this article
Shop the best flip-flops
Peak summer is nearly here, and you deserve the best, most comfortable flip-flops for all your plans (whether you’ll be staying close to home, racking up beach days, or some combination thereof). Check out our favorite pairs below, selected based on recommendations from podiatrists and SELF staffers.
Most Comfortable: Oofos Ooriginal Sandal
Our tester loved her Oofos Ooriginals so much that she forgot how many extra pairs she’d bought by the time she wrote her review. She initially tried this flip-flop because of its cushioning and seal of acceptance from the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), meaning experts consider it a good pick for healthy feet. She found they helped her feet recover after long runs—describing them as “pillows for your feet.”
The Ooriginal quickly became her go-to for pretty much any warm weather outing: “I’ve been known to wear them just about everywhere in the summer months, whether I’m running an errand in athleisure, or wearing a casual tee and jean shorts while out at a patio happy hour,” she said. Not a fan of thong sandals? We also love Oofos’s Ooahh Slide.
Sizes: US 5 to 16 | Materials: Foam
Most Stylish: Birkenstock Gizeh
Podiatrists and SELF staffers both love Birkenstock’s supportive sandals, which just so happen to look as good as they feel. The Gizeh is the brand’s answer to a standard flip-flop: It has a central thong strap and an adjustable buckle strap that goes across the middle of your foot to enhance the shoe’s fit. Its foot-cradling insole has Birk’s signature suede lining, which feels soft out of the box and only gets better the longer you wear it.
And, like other Birk styles, the Gizeh can be dressed up or down, making it an especially good pair of flip-flops for your next vacation if you want to save some room in your luggage.
Sizes: EU 35 to 42 | Materials: Suede, synthetic fabric, cork, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA)
Most Durable: Olukai ‘Aukai
“OluKai makes beautiful leather sandals,” one SELF editor says. “They have fantastic arch support and the leather has aged beautifully over time.” With a soft, contoured insole and grippy outsole, this flip-flop is made to be worn all day long.
Just keep in mind that it may take a few miles before the ‘Aukai fits the shape of your foot (a common issue with leather flip-flops). According to our staffer, the results are well worth the wait: “They took a little breaking in, but they’re extremely comfy now and still feel like new after years of wear,” she notes.
Sizes: US 5 to 11 | Materials: Leather, synthetic materials, rubber
Best for Flat Feet: Chaco Classic Flip
SELF staffers (including this flat-footed writer) love Chacos for their firm-yet-flexible footbed that’s approved by the APMA and their versatile design. The strappy Z/Classic is the shoe that won our hearts, but the breezy Classic Flip offers many of the same benefits in an easy slip-on beach sandal.
You can wear them on sand, on pavement, in an outdoor shower, or in your favorite body of water—the shallow lugs in the rubber sole will provide a little traction and the straps will dry out quickly once you’re back on land.
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Materials: Polyester jacquard, EVA, rubber
Best for High Arches: Aetrex Maui
Amazon
Yet another supportive flip-flop approved by the APMA, the Aetrex Maui is made for all-day comfort, even if you’re on your feet for most of it. The foam sole absorbs the impact of your steps while mapping the shape of your foot. There’s plenty of support in the midfoot, the toe post is surprisingly soft, and the rearfoot helps take the pressure off of your heels. Headed to the pool? Bring them along—they’re light enough to float.
Sizes: US 5 to 11 | Materials: EVA, foam
Best Platform: Crocs Getaway Platform Flip
Crocs
Crocs
Getaway Platform Flip
Love the chunky look? Opt for the Getaway Platform Flip from Crocs. It has the same smooth, pillowy ride as the brand’s beloved clogs, but comes with its own summer-ready features, too: The thong straps are smooth and soft, the sole bends and moves with your foot, and the wedge heel clocks in at 1.75 inches high.
It’s currently available in some seriously cute pastels. Now, if only it were compatible with Jibbitz.
Sizes: US 4 to 11 | Materials: EVA, foam, proprietary resin
Best Budget Pick: Teva Olowahu Flip-Flop
Teva’s strappier varieties are some of our favorites for traveling, hiking, and generally bopping around—so it’s no surprise that the brand makes a darn good flip-flop, too. The Olowahu has a lightweight feel, a lush footbed, and an approachable price tag.
And don’t worry about them getting too funky—they’re treated with a peppermint-based oil that helps prevent odors.
Sizes: US 5 to 12 | Materials: Recycled polyester, EVA
Trendiest: Havainas Slim Square Flip Flop
Havianas
Slim Square Flip Flop
Havainas have joined the Y2K resurgence and we’re not particularly mad about it. Complete with a square toe, these flip-flops feel like a nostalgic throwback—but their cool colorways and minimalist design save them from looking too dated. Whether it’s your second time wearing these poppy flips or you’re just dipping your toe into 2000s style, they’ll make a delightful addition to your summer rotation.
While Havainas’s sandals are famously comfy, we wouldn’t recommend wearing them on busy, walking-heavy days. They’re just a little too thin to keep your feet happy for extended periods of time.
Sizes: US 6 to 11/12 | Materials: Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), rubber
Frequently asked questions about flip-flops
Should anyone avoid wearing flip-flops?
You can’t knock flip-flops for their laid-back style and convenience, but they aren’t always the best choice for your feet, Elizabeth Daughtry, DPM, FACFAS, a podiatrist based in North Carolina, tells SELF. “Flip-flops can be comfortable and stylish, but should also be used sparingly,” she says. Most pairs don’t provide enough support and shock absorption to keep your feet comfortable in the long-term, so they shouldn’t be your go-to shoe for days with a lot of walking or strenuous activities.
Beyond that, you may want to avoid wearing flip-flops if you have issues with balance, Dr. Daughtry says—instead, she recommends a supportive sandal with a secure strap system. People with diabetes should also be wary, Erik Sims, DPM, managing partner of Sims & Associates Podiatry in New York, tells SELF. He explains that flip-flops can easily chafe and create blisters, which may turn into open wounds. As SELF has previously reported, people with type 2 diabetes are more susceptible to infections in their feet, so it’s important to check them regularly for cuts and wear shoes that won’t cause irritation.
What should you look for in a good pair of flip-flops?
With all that being said, flip-flops can come in handy in the summertime—Dr. Daughtry likes them for running errands, walking around the house, and going to the beach or pool. You just need to find the right pair.
Dr. Sims recommends looking for ones with firmer soles, arch support, and deep heel cups (which will cradle your heel and help the shoe fit better). Dr. Daughtry says it’s also helpful if there’s a groove for your toes. This can help your foot stay in the flip-flop and prevent you from subconsciously gripping in your toes and forefoot, which can contribute to foot pain and plantar fasciitis.
Overall, it’s most important that your flip-flops feel sturdy—avoid any that feel thin, flimsy, or totally flat, Dr. Daughtry says. As SELF has previously reported, if you can bend the shoe in half, it’s not structured enough to support your foot (but it should still make a great fly swatter).
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