Flip-Flops

Featured review by Andrew F.

Comfortable, beefy, pricy flip-flop. They have solid arch support, a thick, grippy sole, soft footbed, and reasonably wide straps that make them comfortable to wear "around" or walking on most surfaces and trails. I found these benefit from a little break-in. Though the price is steep, they should last a long time and are a comfortable, good-looking option.

I am providing my initial impressions of my new flip-flops, the OluKai Hokua, having worn them for a few weeks and walked several miles in them. I strongly prefer flip flops that are closer to a water sandal like Chaco, Teva, Bedrock, Keen etc., rather than the three dollar foam pancakes you can buy at most supermarkets or Old Navy. I still wear a pair of Chaco Flip eco-treads, several years old, and a pair from Scott Hawaii that are very comfortable. A good pair of flips will last several years, outlast many cheap pair, and should be much more comfortable than lighter-duty flips.

Read more: OluKai Hokua reviews (3)

Featured review by Alicia MacLeay

Keen’s Bali sandals are the best casual/sporty sandals I’ve ever worn. I wear them any time I don’t need a technical sport sandal, which comes out to much of the time. So far I’ve used them as camp and after-hiking shoes (with and without socks), for gardening and other outdoor projects, at the beach, and as general around-town shoes (my other casual sandals have been lying in a neglected heap since the Bali sandals arrived a month ago). They’re obviously not meant for paddling or other technical watersports, and if you plan on doing any serious walking or hiking I’d leave them at home.

Read more: Keen Bali reviews (2)

Reviewed by Dan Locks

Comfortable, stable, and (so far) durable. They're great for walks and hikes with minimum bushwhacking and reasonably groomed trails. Excellent in clear water and the beach, but not for deep muck.

I bought them to replace a pair of Tevas which were beginning to load sand around the strap attachment points, and dropping it in my bag, car, house, and everywhere else. I've used them all summer in various activities from a tourist style vacations in cities, to muddy crag approaches, and launching boats off a sandy beach.   They were much better than expected for tourist style wandering—firmer than the Teva Mush or standard Reef flip-flops, softer than the rock-like Chacos. Plus the heel strap made the shoe feel stable.

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Featured review by James Milligan

I have now owned the Mush for about a year and have no complaints. They are still holding strong, though the tread is starting to wear around the heel and big toe. No odor has yet to emerge from the foot bed.

I bought these while working in the Zion Canyon Village. I was visiting the village for the day and I stubbed my foot on some uneven concrete. When this happened it caused the webbing to separate off the sole of my previous pair of Tevas. I cannot remember what model my old ones were, but they lasted about a year and took some pretty hefty abuse. The price is right, at only $25 you can’t go wrong with a pair of flip flops; especially if they last more than 6 months. My foot molded to the sole in just a couple days and the tread has held up pretty well considering what I have put them through.

Read more: Teva Mush reviews (2)

Featured review by Andrew F.

Sturdy, good-fitting flip flop that is relatively inexpensive and comfortable for extended wear. Solid sole/midsole with a more forgiving top layer, bomb-proof nylon straps that will never pull out. These have decent traction, a looser fit, and are extremely durable. Scott has been making flip-flops for eighty years in Hawaii—they’re clearly doing something right.

Scott’s website tells an interesting story about a shoemaker who relocated to Hawaii and opened a factory in 1932; World War II forced the Scott family to focus on flips instead of shoes. Scott Hawaii flips are still made in Hawaii today.  The Makaha is a men’s model with nylon straps—they also make flips with leather, rubber, and ‘vegan leather’ straps, and they make a number of female-specific flips.   I’m on my third pair of Scotts. The first pair were about twenty years old when our pup devoured the heel on one, and I just bought a new pair because the second pair is about 12 years old and look scrappy; they live in my car now.

Read more: Scott Hawaii Makaha reviews (2)

Reviewed by Gilad Skolnick

I bought my first pair four years ago, and they were the best flip-flops that I ever had. It's like walking on clouds. I can walk miles in them without my feet hurting. The unique padding is something that I haven't encountered yet in any other flip flop. So when I lost them while on a hiking trip this past winter in Guadalupe National Park (Texas), I had to buy another pair right away.

The soft foam base molds to your feet over time, but even before that it is quite comfortable with no break-in needed. It's made for the water, which is perfect for the beach, crossing streams, or just letting your feet breathe after a day of hiking. I strapped them onto my backpack when I did the Rim to Rim hike across the Grand Canyon, Mt Whitney, and everywhere else, and after a day of hard work it is such a luxury to treat your feet to these flip-flops. I can't believe I forgot a flip-flop at my motel last year.

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Featured review by Nationalparkman

Quite possibly the greatest sandal ever made, seriously. These are without a doubt the best sandals I have ever worn. The heat moldable footbed contours to your foot the first day you wear them and from then on you are set!I have had these for three years and I still wear them every day. The best part is that they are so form fitting and stable that you can go just about anywhere in them. I have even ventured out on rock and onsighted a 5.6 before jumping 30 feet to an awaiting and refreshing Colorado River below.Truly the greatest slackline, campsite, beach cruising, cliff jumping, lazy summer day sandal ever made.

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Featured review by Kyle Saaf

I bought myself a pair in military green. I am mostly a cyclist and camper, and I dabble in hiking and fishing. These sandals are great for around the campsite and after a ride. I wouldn't recommend wearing them while hiking, but put 'em in your pack and the first sign of water, slap them on!

My Bokos performed exactly as I wanted them to. Around the campsite, they were easy to slip on while I was still wearing my socks. They are easy to kick off when I hop into the tent, they clean up really easily, and they dry fast overnight. I also was surprised at the durability. Obviously they are no hiking boot, but they can handle light activity.

Read more: Bokos Sandals reviews (2)

Reviewed by Wmrodie

These are great casual flip-flops and can be found very inexpensively online. For the price and for flip-flops, these worked me.

Even with the soft compression material these fit well and stay on your feet. These are very comfortable until they have worn down and compressed. Also, traction is pretty good for a flip flop, not that I am climbing or hiking in these, but for overall daily wear not bad! My negative comments are that when you get out of the pool or step in puddle, the upper foot bed becomes so slippery that my foot squeeks and wants to slip out of the shoe. So, they are not great after-swim flip-flops. With the above stated, I think I paid about $13 for the first pair, then I found some for like $10. For the Teva brand, I am satisfied with my purchases and usage.

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Reviewed by Sarah Krizo

These sandals are great for a family vacation. I have had the ones with the pink straps for about 3 years now and they still look and feel great. These flip flops look nice enough to wear out to dinner, they are comfortable enough to walk around in all day, and I can wear them into the water if we're at the beach. I wouldn't wear them out in the woods because I think that branches would probably scratch them. My husband has a pair and he cut the sole a little when he stubbed his toe on our granite steps. I wouldn't be comfortable wearing them into a chlorine pool. They would probably be fine but I won't take the chance. I bet the pink straps would show any water stains. The price seems high for flip-flops, but I'm glad I have them and will buy another pair when they wear out.

Fit: I have somewhat low arches and the arches in these flip flops feel great. Comfort: They didn't require a break-in period.  I've never experienced chaffing, they are pretty soft.  Support: I had low expectations for them (they're flip flops) but they are more supportive than I thought they would be. Water resistance: They do take a couple of hours to dry once they get wet but I've worn them into the campground shower and the lake and they've handled it well. Traction: There is some grip in the sole which is nice. Construction & Durability: Great.  Well made and worthy of the price tag. Conditions: I have worn these flip flops on several vacations over the last 3 years and most nights and weekends during the summers.

Read more: OluKai 'Amo Flip-Flops review (1)