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We've been testing flip flops for over 13 years, including 16 of the very best in this review. Every single model was pushed to their limits, from trail hikes to paddle boarding to around-town hangouts, all in the name of helping you find your next pair. Every step of the way, we paid close attention to each flip flop's fit, comfort, support, traction, versatility, and style to provide objective and comparative scores. With such minimal footwear, quality and comfort are paramount to enjoying your days out on the lake, river, beach, or lounging at your local haunt. We've unearthed several top-notch options worthy of your consideration, regardless of your budget or intended use.
The Olukai Ohana flopped its way into our hearts by being one of the most comfortable flips we have ever tested. Not only does it hug your foot like a sea glass slipper, but it held up well despite our rigorous testing due to its heft and durability. Rather than deteriorating with wear, the 'Ohana conformed to our feet and continued to perform with style. With enough grip to keep you solidly on your feet, a comfortable footbed to provide support and a wide range of colors and patterns, you really can't go wrong.
The 'Ohana's use of dense and durable materials makes it one of the heaviest pairs we tested. That said, if you're looking for a stellar combination of comfort, support, and traction without sacrificing style, this shoe is more than worth its price tag. The 'Ohana is certainly not cheap, and we know not everyone is psyched to fork out the big bucks for casual footwear. If you want a flip flop that's a bit lighter on the wallet, take a look at the NeedBo NDB.
The Olukai Ohana scored high on every test. Watch as it grips this slick river rock without even a slip.
Teva, which means “nature” in Hebrew, has always sought to help people connect more intimately with the natural world. Since 2020, they've committed to making all their straps from recycled material. With the Teva Reflip, they decided to go a bit further by incorporating recycled materials into the whole shoe. The straps are recycled polyester, and the top, mid, and sole are made from a minimum of 70% recycled EVA. All this means that you'll have some peace of mind along with comfort while you trek around in these lightweight, comfortable, and very affordable slips.
The nylon straps on the Reflip are comfortable whether wet or dry and help hold the flip flops on foot. The footbed is extremely light and buoyant (this is the lightest flip we've tested) and has light molded support. The sole does not absorb water, so no matter how much time you spend with wet feet, they'll still be as light as when you went in. In this way, the Reflip outperformed other lightweight contenders that tended to absorb water and become squishy. The primary drawback of this shoe is that the dry traction leaves a bit to be desired. These were some of the least stable on steep, slippery slopes. That said, they got us to all our favorite swimming spots without any major slips — the rubber's high surface area performed well on slippery river rocks. Check out this model if you're looking for an affordable, lightweight flip flop that will provide superior comfort while you saunter between town and your favorite water spots. For a flip with a little more grip, consider the Teva Pajaro. It's slightly more expensive but gives a little better support and traction. (If you're looking for a shoe that excels in and around water, check out our favorite men's water shoes.)
The Teva Reflips are made of recycled material that floats like cork.
It's rare to find a bargain basement flip flop that will hold up to any abuse, but the NeedBo NDB is just that. While these certainly don't have the durability of the burlier models in this review, they are pretty comfortable and worlds better than your average cheapo flip. They will surely hold up for your next vacation, and if you lose them, it's not that big of a deal because they cost about as much as taking your significant other out on a cheap date.
While the NeedBo is surprisingly good, there are some clear downsides to purchasing a budget flip flop. The lightweight materials are bound to break down quicker than other more durable options, such as dense rubber or leather. Our main tester found that the nylon toe post is not as soft as those on more expensive contenders; therefore, it's not as comfortable over a long distance. Also, the footbed is a bit slippery when wet. Taking all that into account, you could realistically purchase three pairs of NeedBo's for the cost of most others in this review. So, if cost is your primary factor, these popularly priced slippers will do the trick. If you want something more durable, we love the Olukai Ohana for its versatility and good traction.
The NeedBo is a great budget flip-flop with multiple pattern and color options.
The Birkenstock Arizona Soft Footbed is a version of the classic Arizona that reaffirms they're among the most comfortable footwear options available today. For over 50 years, Birkenstock has offered some version of this slide-in scandal, and they've rightfully stood the test of time, blending functionality and style seamlessly. After a few days of use, the cork footbed molded to our feet, providing a custom fit that kept our testers happy even after long days on the go. This model within the Arizona lineup offers a layer of latex foam in the footbed, improving upon an already top-notch design by adding cushion in concert with the firmer cork material. The suede foot straps were effective in securing our feet, even in uneven terrain, and the EVA outsole offered decent traction in most of our testing settings. Keep this option on your finals list as a comfy slide-in that's both capable and fashionable.
The Arizona isn't meant to be submerged in water, and even the manufacturer strongly recommends keeping them from getting wet due to concerns with the integrity of the sealant and potential color changes. At GearLab, we still investigated this firsthand and found the footbed lost some of its suppleness, and the upper had some mild discoloration. Besides a few considerations, this footwear offers unparalleled comfort and is highly functional for non-water activities. The Birkenstock Arizona is one of the most pricey options in our whole lineup. Fortunately, you get what you pay for, and this well-constructed sandal is made to last. If this model is out of your price range, take a look at the Cushionaire Lane Cork Footbed, which has a similar aesthetic but is not nearly as comfortable.
These incredibly comfy sandals offer support in many settings, from the city to the trail.
The Teva Pajaro is more akin to a hiking sandal than a flip flop. The sole is made for all-terrain traction. The wide straps are made from textile and leather and comfortably hug the foot, whether wet or dry. We hiked miles and miles in these hybrids and concluded that they are the most comfortable and versatile when it comes to long hikes or even backpacking. The wide straps were the best at protecting our feet against pokey brush, making them more versatile than your average beachwear, all without rubbing.
One drawback to the Pajaro is that the sole isn't as thick as the more durable rubber soles on other options. During testing, these provided less comfort on particularly sharp rocky terrain than some of the other competitors. They were comfortable enough, though; the raised lip and wide straps help protect the foot where others fail. Overall, these not-so-stylish flip flops performed great in all trail conditions, including steep technical terrain. Just make sure you bring some more fashionable footwear to don before you go dancing. A shoe like the Olukai Ohana will bridge the gap between casual and an evening out better.
The Teva Pajaro offers excellent traction and comfort in uneven terrain.
The Cushionaire Lane Cork Footbed offers an excellent aesthetic and comfort on a budget, serving as an alternative to other high-end cork options. This sandal is made with a moldable cork and leather footbed, gifting its wearers with a somewhat custom fit, and the included cushion eases the break-in period. We thoroughly enjoyed the look of the Cushionaire, and with several colors to choose from, you can find the right pair to match your style. The foot attachment straps were effective and easy to adjust, with the heel cup further helping secure your foot to the sandal. If price is a priority, this Cushionaire is worthy of your consideration as a budget-friendly option for this class of footwear.
The Cushionaire Lane Cork Footbed doesn't mold to your foot as much as other options, even after several days of use. These also don't have as much arch support, making them less ideal for wearers with higher arches. The Lane Cork Footbed doesn't have as much traction as others, though we found the traction improved throughout testing once we scuffed the EVA outsoles up a bit. Besides a few setbacks, this is an incredibly low-priced model, so if you need a cork footbed and money is tight, take a deeper look at the Cushionaire Lane. The Birkenstock Arizona Soft Footbed offers much more of a custom fit after breaking them in, and they support all three arches in your foot. However, the Arizona is almost three times more expensive.
The Cushionaire is an excellent budget option if you're seeking a cork footbed, and can even handle some variable terrain.
Credit: Zach Lovell
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Don't try this at home, folks. We went out on a ledge to test the traction of each of these fine flips. Here, the Rainbow Premier Leather prove their tread.
Credit: Jon Oleson
How We Test Men's Flip Flops
Before we wore any of the flips in our lineup, the work of this review began with market research. Each season, we look at over 50 models from various manufacturers before deciding on the strongest and most promising contenders to include in our review. Once we've narrowed it down, we thoroughly test each pair by wearing them through water, scrambling across rocky slabs, and through all manner of cityscapes. These warm-weather kicks got passed around to multiple testers for various opinions over several iterations, with key performance areas identified and scrutinized in the process. The result is this comprehensive review, which you can now use to get into a pair of comfortable and functional flops for yourself.
Our testing of flip flops is divided across five different metrics:
Comfort (30% of overall score weighting)
Support (20% weighting)
Traction (20% weighting)
Versatility (15% weighting)
Style (15% weighting)
For more information on how we test these flip flops, see our full How We Test article.
Why Trust GearLab
We've been expanding on our expert opinion of flip flops for many seasons now. Our lead testers include Zach Lovell and Jon Oleson. Zach is an IFMGA Mountain Guide, never leaving home without a pair of flip flops or sandals to keep his feet out of hiking shoes, ski boots, or climbing shoes as much as possible. Zach began working in product testing over a decade ago and has collectively spent a few thousand hours assessing equipment and clothing across many genres. Jon is a farmer and nature lover who spends his days in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. Jon frequently wears his flips to go between the garden, his favorite rocky river spots, and evenings on the town. Also lending a hand to this review is Matt Bento. Matt was a member of Yosemite Search and Rescue for several action-packed seasons. Before that, he spent a lot of time on the road, driving all over the US to different climbing destinations, usually with flip flops on his feet.
We flip and flop our way up all kinds of surfaces to find the most versatile and comfortable options.
A picture is worth at least several hundred words. These flip flops look good even on our model, sasquatch.
The Phantom is excellent for a bit of foot relief before shuttle runs up Mt. Lemmon.
We take flip flop testing seriously. We also enjoy every minute of it.
Analysis and Test Results
Footwear is a critical point of interface between your body and the earth. The quality and comfort of the flip flop you choose will affect your whole body from the ground up. To help you zero in on the pair that best suits your body and needs, we have broken our review into multiple sections. Some folks wear flips from their bungalow to the surf break, while others bring them for critical foot respite during long thru-hikes. Regardless of where you fall on this spectrum, there are things that every pair should do well. Below, you will find a breakdown of the metrics by which we judged each model, making it easier for you to find the perfect match.
What's the Best Value?
Value can differ depending on perspective, so we did our best to boil it down to a price-to-performance ratio. This round, the Teva Reflip stood out as the best value for our pocketbooks and the planet. This well-priced flip flop is made almost entirely from recycled materials and does nearly everything the other contenders do, just maybe not quite as well as the most expensive options. The Reflip has held up very well to our rigorous testing despite being so light that they almost feel like you're not wearing shoes at all. One more upside: this flip is super buoyant, so you won't lose them if they fly off the boat while you're bumpin' through the waves.
Lose them off the boat? Don't worry, the well-priced Teva Reflip will float.
Credit: Jon Oleson
Truth be told, there is a lot of value found in almost every pair we tested. For example, the Olukai Ohana slips are so comfortable and durable that it isn't unreasonable to expect them to last many, many seasons if not a lifetime. When couched in this light, these expensive flippers may be worth the investment.
The Olukai flip flops will last through many miles and many adventures, which increases the value if you consider the durability.
Credit: Jon Oleson
If you don't need a super high-performing option, the NeedBo NDB is a fantastic bargain-basement choice. Having tested them now in several separate cohorts, we can safely say these are surprisingly good. They break in nicely and offer a lot of comfort for the price of a classy burger and fries.
These can be found for significantly less than the retail price listed. If you're into “dirt” cheap flip flops that perform quite well, the NeedBo NDB is an excellent choice.
Credit: Jon Oleson
While the iconic Birkenstock Arizona offers excellent quality, they come at a sometimes prohibitive price. While we feel they still give great value, there's a budget option to consider. The Cushionaire Lane Cork Footbed is nearly a third of the price and has a great aesthetic. These wallet-friendly slip-ons aren't as comfy as their more expensive cousin, but if price is a priority, this might be a great choice for you.
The Cushionaire Lane offers a cork and genuine leather footbed at a much lower price than the Birkenstock.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Types of Flip Flops
Throughout this review, we'll use the terms flip flop and sandal interchangeably, given that either term describes open-toed footwear. A traditional flip flop uses a piece of fabric/material between the big and secondary toes to attach the foot to the footbed. We also include slide-in sandals/flip flops in this review, where lateral straps are used to secure the foot instead of a between-the-toes thong. Which type is better? It solely comes down to personal preference and intended use.
Which type of flip flop is best depends on your needs and preferences.
Credit: Zach Lovell
If you've only experienced the bargain bin version of flip flops or sandals from the beach store, prepare yourself for a veritable cornucopia: sporty models, casual contenders, stylish pairs, ones that are comfy out of the box, and ones that take a while to break in (but are worth it). They are constructed from diverse materials, including rubber polymers, foam, nylon, leather, and plastic. Some are lightweight and cheaper, thus less durable. Others are burly and rugged, built to last, and their price tag reflects that. Regardless of where they fall on the spectrum, we chose them because we felt they were sandals that fit our criteria of being diverse and able to accommodate various needs.
The Teva Pajaro is somewhere between a traditional sandal and a flip flop. The wide straps hold them on more like a shoe, while the tread is also more akin to a hiking boot. The raised lip offers more protection than most other contenders, while the lightly molded footbed offers enough support and comfort to keep feet happy mile after mile.
Credit: Jon Oleson
Comfort
Because everyone has different wants, needs, and radically different feet, comfort is a highly subjective category. Regardless of the subjectivity, we felt that this metric was the most critical of all, and it is weighted accordingly. If your flip flops don't feel good, you're not going to wear them, and isn't that the whole point?
We made a point to assess comfort straight out of the box and how each shoe felt after some break-in time. The Birkenstock Arizona Soft Footbed utilizes moldable leather and cork to create long-lasting comfort and support. In this version of the Arizona, latex foam makes these even comfy out of the box.
The Arizona is a long-running option from Birkenstock that offers support for all three arches in the foot.
Credit: Zach Lovell
The Olukai Ohana was decent right away but became even more comfortable throughout several hikes, thanks to its compression-molded EVA footbed. This ability to mold to the foot, combined with solid construction and durable materials, means increased comfort and personalization over time. The Reef Cushion Phantom 2.0 also impressed us all around and immediately felt good on our feet, with a nice blend of soft cushion and arch support.
The 'Ohana's sturdy sole offers excellent support on uneven ground, atleast for a flip-flop.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Other models also scored well in this metric, but for different reasons. The Teva Reflip was the lightest of the flip flops that we tested. It features a slightly molded footbed but, for the most part, is a simple flat slipper. The lightness and recycled EVA cushioning underfoot made it one of the most comfortable to wear over distances. You may want to choose a more rugged sandal for technical hiking, though, since the tread on the Reflip is minimal. That said, these flip flops performed well on wet river rock due to the high surface area of EVA traction. The same company brings us the Teva Pajaro, which couldn't be more different. It features a thinner, more treaded rubber sole that's highly suitable for technical hiking. The wide straps help hold the sandal on foot, providing protection and comfort on almost any trail.
The Teva Reflip was surprisingly light and comfortable on flat trails. For more technical trails, however, you may want to check out its cousin, the Teva Pajaro.
Credit: Jon Oleson
The OOFOS OOriginal also stood out in the comfort metric, with an incredibly squishy cushion and a rockered outsole making us feel like we were practically walking on clouds. With a similarly thick sole, the Hoka Ora Recovery Flip was comfy to wear, especially (as its name implies) as a recovery sandal after a long day on the feet.
Whether wet or dry, the rockered and cushioned sole of the Oofos OOriginal made for a very comfortable flip flop.
Credit: Zach Lovell
The next-to-skin comfort of the Reef Ojai Two Bar was unparalleled in our lineup, with a supple suede footbed and buckle-less foot straps. These had more modest arch support than others, but they were extremely comfy for our testers with minimal arches.
The Reef Ojai Two Bar is a stylish suede slide-in that also offers comfort on pavement or on the trail.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Support
If you've found yourself here looking for a pair of quality flip flops, you're likely in the same boat as our gear testers, who will often forego “appropriate” footwear for the comfort of a nice flip. What can we say? We're just laid back like that. Because of this, we went out of our way to use and abuse all the products we tested. We wore them down hiking trails, around slippery lakes and river rocks, and even in some dangerous social situations (where shoes would have been more acceptable). Don't judge us; we did this for you.
The dense soles of the 'Ohana were very well suited for any terrain or situation our testers threw at it. This option offers fantastic arch support and a comfortable, very grippy strap system. Like a fine wine, the 'Ohana also only improves with age. The Chaco Classic Flip offers aggressive, firm arch support that any old river rat will recognize as classic, though it really works best with narrower feet. While Chaco has put countless years into perfecting their footbeds, we wondered why they didn't put the same thought into the straps, which are simple and comfortable but loose in a way that allows the Classic to flip and flop too much on more technical terrain.
We found that the Olukai flip flops had excellent arch support that kept them comfortable even on long trail days.
Credit: Jon Oleson
The Reef Santa Ana sports a supportive arch, and the cushioned footbed makes them comfortable for long walks on the beach or boardwalk. The one drawback is that the sole is thin — too thin to provide enough support for technical trails. Because of this, we found them most suitable for the beach or poolside.
With plenty of pliable squish, the Reef Santa Ana is a comfortable option for the pool or beach.
Credit: Jon Oleson
The Kiiu Thong Sandals have a very stiff sole, offering decent support in rougher terrain. When considering its wallet friendly price, this is a worthy budget option for adventurous flip floppers.
The Kiiu Thong Sandals' stiff sole allowed us to easily travel through rocky terrain.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Traction
Some flip flops are made for chilling by the beach, stumbling to and from the bar, and back to your Adirondack beach chair, likely not requiring much traction. For others, occasional scrambling in the Sierras or wearing around the crag in between climbs demand a higher level of grip. Again, we wore each model in situations where we probably could have lost a toe just to help you, the reader, figure out which pair will have the necessary traction to keep your ankles as safe as possible.
Knowing what environment you will be using your sandals in is key. Will it be smooth, wet granite boulders around Lake Tahoe? Or perhaps sandy shores or the deck of a boat? Whatever the environment, it's worth taking the time to match up your flip with your intended use. That being said, models like the 'Ohana are fantastic all-arounders that offer excellent grip in any situation.
The Teva Hydratrek excelled with wet traction, making for a great amphibious flip flop.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Several of the flops we tested have tread patterns made out of foam and, needless to say, do not perform well when the going gets tough. Others have monster truck-esque treads well suited for rocky trails, but that might not be ideal for the slippery deck of a boat where you need more surface area traction. When you need surface area to grip slick terrain, models like the Teva Reflip or Reef Santa Ana are well suited. The tread pattern is not ideal for gravel or mountain trails but performs as well as any other while navigating slick surfaces like algae-covered river rocks.
With a stylish, surface area type tread, the Reef Santa Ana is more suited for slick surfaces than steep or technical terrain.
Credit: Jon Oleson
The Teva Hydratrek Flip offers a very unique spider rubber outsole created specifically for wet surfaces. This design was inspired by tree frogs' feet and allows water to move throughout the outsole while still offering surface area to make contact with the ground. Their traction was dependable, especially around lakes, rivers, and streams.
If you're heading up a river valley with a backpack full of supplies, you can't go wrong with the Teva Pajaro, as it is highly specialized for all-terrain hiking. The wide straps and rugged tread mean you won't lose them on steep hills or in a strong current.
The Teva Pajaro provide excellent traction in any trail condition.
Credit: Jon Oleson
The Cushionaire Lane Cork Footbed didn't top the charts in this metric, though its traction did improve as we broke in the outsole, with nicks and scratches in the EVA rubber actually offering better performance after about a week of heavy use.
Once we scuffed up the soles of the Cushionaire, the traction improved, though it still didn't top the charts in this metric.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Versatility
Some might argue that versatility in a flip flop is a bit of a misnomer, but we at GearLab use our flops hard, so knowing how they will perform in different situations is crucial. The ideal flip flop would grip its way up a Tuolumne granite slab, keep us comfortable on a trans-Atlantic flight, and not upset the groom's family at the next backyard wedding, all while keeping our ankles nice and airy. It's a tall order, but some options in our lineup delivered.
All the flips we tested are good in most situations, though some are more specialized in a particular area. If you are the type of person who owns multiple pairs, one for each occasion, this section may be less important. However, for those of us who don't like to change shoes, versatility is a crucial ingredient. To us, the perfect flip looks good enough to wear to a party, is sticky enough to scramble up a rock face while wet, and tough enough to last for years. This may sound like a stretch for a simple warm-weather shoe, but a few of the models we reviewed come pretty close, most notably the 'Ohana. This burly flip features grippy material on the strap and footbed, meaning that it'll stick to your feet in pretty much any situation — including running up a rocky hill when wet. It's also comfortable, highly durable, and very fashionable.
The Teva Reflip will tackle most trail conditions, and also look good while you're refueling in town afterward. This flip flop proved to be surprisingly versatile.
Credit: Jon Oleson
The Teva Reflip and Needbo NBD can also handle a wide range of trail conditions and offer a sleek, simple style that doesn't turn any heads, but doesn't invite ridicule over your choice of footwear.
The Birkenstock Arizona Soft Footbed isn't the most ideal option for wet outdoor environments, but it does boast amazing comfort for long days on your feet and an iconic aesthetic for evening hangs. Even though the manufacturer strongly recommends that you don't submerge the Arizonas, we still tested this ourselves. We confirmed these are best to keep dry, with the footbeds getting far less supple after we submerged them.
The Birkenstock Arizona has great versatility on dry ground, but we strongly suggest you keep these from getting soaked.
Credit: Zach Lovell
The Rainbow Single Layer Premier is another solid choice for varied terrain and situations. It's highly comfortable (both when brand new and with miles underfoot), provides decent traction, and is moderately durable. It's not quite as stylish as the 'Ohana, but the sleek, soft leather look will surely impress some. Just don't take this pair with you for your next water adventure, as the soft footbed tends to absorb water, and the leather takes a long time to dry. An option like the Reef Fanning may not be as stylish of a choice, but it's always ready to party with a bottle opener on the sole.
Although they will go there, the Rainbow Premier Leather slips are not well suited for water applications. They absorb water and become squishy, and take longer to dry out than the other competitors.
Credit: Jon Oleson
Style
Style, probably even more than comfort, can be a very subjective category and thus a personal choice. However, we can make some basic judgments on the style, or at least what the company was shooting for when they developed their shoe.
The flips we tested span the style spectrum from fine-crafted leather to rugged outdoor-specific models that look closer to hiking shoes than casual footwear. A handful of them make for excellent all-around flips — capable in outdoor situations and classy enough for a backyard garden party or even a wedding (depending on how formal it is). The 'Ohana is one such genre-bending option that effortlessly allows one to slide from the river to the dinner engagement.
Style is subjective, but some are better for around-town hangs than others, such as the Olukai 'Ohana, located at the front of the line.
Credit: Zach lovell
The Birkenstock Arizona is a stylish sandal that has long been a fixture in casual footwear fashion. It's undeniably recognized at a restaurant, dinner party, or gatherings in the warmer months of the year, regardless of one's age. How many sandals are worn by a high schooler AND their parents?
The look of the Birkenstock Arizona is unmistakable, and has been around for over 50 years.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Another you may want to consider for classy situations that accept a more casual theme is the Rainbow Premier. These aren't the most adventurous of flip flops, but they offer a classic natural look and feature high-quality leather material married to sandwiched layers of EVA foam. When we unboxed these, it was like looking at a slightly faded polaroid of our father's flip flops, worn in 1987, Coors Light in hand. When a flip flop can transport you back in time (or draw out some deeply repressed memories), you know it has some classic style.
We also loved the style of the Reef Ojai Two Bar, with gorgeous suede color options and a slightly different slide-in aesthetic from the Birkenstock Arizona. Without buckles on the adjustment straps, these have a cleaner look in this class of footwear that looked great in shorts or jeans.
The Rainbow Premier Leather flips have a classy, natural look and are super soft and comfortable right out of the box.
Credit: Jon Oleson
Conclusion
It is difficult to overstate just how many flip flops there are on the market today. Walk into any big box chain store, and you will have hundreds to choose from. Our best advice is to first ditch the idea of using those horrible-for-your-feet-and-the-environment disposable shoes and find something that offers support and will last at least a few seasons. This review is chock full of excellent options, with a few that are highly specialized for certain applications. If you've never had a pair of ultra-comfortable flip flops, you are truly missing out on one of life's great pleasures.
There's nothing quite as good as enjoying the outdoors and letting your climbing shoe bunioned feet breathe!
