REASONS TO BUY
Exceptionally affordable
Great aesthetics
Next-to-skin comfort
REASONS TO AVOID
Loose toe strap
Minimal arch support
Poor traction scores
NeedBo NDB Review
If price is a priority above all else, these bargain flip flops are worth a closer look
Credit: Zach Lovell
By Zach Lovell ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ May 20, 2025
RELATED: The Best Flip Flops for Men
Our Verdict
The Needbo NDB is a flip flop option that's several times less expensive than the competition, though it still offers some decent performance in a few metrics. As with any budget model, it all comes down to intended use, and our testing team concluded that the Needbo can handle light-duty recreation and offers a nice aesthetic for social gatherings. With a supple toe strap and a corduroy-textured footbed, we loved its next-to-skin feel, and with some break-in time, we even got some modest foot molding. The rubber sole doesn't provide much in the way of traction, and there is very little support for arches, but it's hard to beat a flip flop at this price point if you're not demanding much from your sandals. See how the Needbo compares to other flip flops in our complete review.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
NeedBo NDB | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best on a Tight Budget |  Best Overall Flip Flop |  A Great Option for Classic Looks | Best Bang for the Buck | |
| Price | $25 List $24.99 at Amazon | $80.00 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $60 List $59.99 at Amazon | $34 List $34.00 at Amazon | $50 List $34.99 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | These dirt-cheap flip flops are great for shoppers who prioritize price first and foremost | A sandal that’s bound to be your next go-to flip flop if you prioritize support and durability | This flip flop has rightfully stood the test of time as an affordable and comfy sandal with classic looks | A comfy model that’s half the cost of the competition, offering great value for shoppers needing a pair of flip flops for everyday use | A slip-on that offers iconic style on a budget with a customized fit |
| Rating Categories | NeedBo NDB | Olukai Ohana | Rainbow Single Laye... | Teva Mush II | Cushionaire Lane Co... |
| Comfort (35%) | |||||
| Support (20%) | |||||
| Traction (20%) | |||||
| Versatility (15%) | |||||
| Style (10%) | |||||
| Specifications | NeedBo NDB | Olukai Ohana | Rainbow Single Laye... | Teva Mush II | Cushionaire Lane Co... |
| Footbed Material | EVA | ICEVA | Leather | EVA | Leather, cork |
| Sole Material | Rubber | Rubber | Rubber | EVA | EVA |
| Strap Material | EVA | Synthetic | Leather and nylon | REPREVE recycled polyester | Vegan upper |
| Measured Weight (per pair) | 11.0 oz | 18.7 oz | 10.3 oz | 6.45 oz | 22.1 oz |
| Available Sizes | 6 - 17 US | 7 - 18 US | 7.5 - 15 US | 7-16 US | 8 - 13 US |
| Animal Products | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Percentage of Length as Toe Box | 17.2% | 17.0% | 20% | 20% | 17.3% |
| Measured Length | 11.6" (size 10) | 11.8" (size 10) | 11" (size 9) | 11.25" (size 9) | 11.5" (size 10) |
| Length of Toe Area | 2.0" | 2.0" | 2.2" | 2.25" | 2.0" |
| Unique Features | Wide sole to accomodate wider feet | Quick drying lining, non-marking rubber outsole | Moldable leather footbed, premier nubuck leather, double stitched | Quick drying toe webbing, fast molding EVA, very low weight | Moldable cork and leather footbed |
Our Analysis and Test Results
We logged hours and hours wearing the Needbo NDB, investigating its merits across several key metrics. While this isn't the most supportive flip flop option, it offers some comfort and style at a price several times less than other high-end models.
After weeks of testing these flip flops, this budget model might be the right choice for those shopping on a skinny wallet.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Comfort
The Needbo NDB didn't score the highest in the comfort metric, but its EVA foam offers some foot-molding and the nylon toe strap was very comfy against the skin. While many traditional flip flops offer little arch support, most of the higher-quality models in our review do provide it, so the Needbo NDB fell back in scoring.
The Needbo NDB features a cozy, corduroy-like footbed texture that pleasantly surprised our testers. Unfortunately, the toe straps were quite loose, causing some unwanted foot movement, leading to our toes instinctively gripping the footbed and creating some foot fatigue. If you're needing a pair of lounging flip flops for the beach or pool, these comfort setbacks might not even show up on your radar, but if your feet demand arch support, we'd look elsewhere.
While these offered excellent next-to-skin comfort, the toe strap was extremely loose for all of our testing team.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Support
Given its minimal arch support and loose-fitting toe strap, the Needbo NDB doesn't offer the most support. However, there's just enough heft in the midsole for this option to earn a few points back in scoring.
The Needbo NDB has a standard EVA foam construction that's essentially flat out of the box, but with a couple days of wear, we found the foam to mold to our feet, offering at least some arch shaping and some stability to keep our feet on the footbeds. Similar to the comfort metric, there are a few redeeming qualities of the NDB for some to be happy with this budget-priced model, but if support is a priority, you're best to keep shopping.
The modest midsole of the Needbo made them less supportive, though many will still find it adequate for their needs.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Traction
On dry surfaces, the Needbo NDB held up fairly well in traction testing, but on wet and slippery surfaces, we weren't quite as confident on our feet. The rubber outsole does do its job, just not as well as we'd like. As with many of the lower-traction designs, steeper terrain was challenging, whether it was dry or not.
Outside of simply analyzing the traction of the outsole, we also looked at the footbed traction of the Needbo NDB. Given how loose the toe strap is, this aspect of the metric exam was particularly low scoring, with our feet skating across the footbeds anytime the terrain got steeper.
If keeping these on moderately sloped surfaces, they'll likely do the job. If going into more adventurous terrain, we'd urge caution.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Versatility
With more modest scores across comfort, support, and traction, the Needbo NDB has a bit narrower field of uses, from casual lounging to light-duty recreation to around-town hangs.
With a modest weight of 11 ounces, these Needbo NDB flip flops are easy enough to bring along for a variety of trips, and their low price point might make them more ideal for travel in the event the sandals get lost, stolen, or damaged.
These did relatively well in this metric, keeping up with our testers around many outdoors settings and offers a nice aesthetic for town hangs.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Style
We were impressed with the 17 different patterns and colors offered for the Needbo NDB, and our beige/brown color tested offered a fantastic aesthetic when considering its price.
While many of the bottom-priced flip flops look cheap, the Needbo NDB actually offers a clean style that we felt looked far nicer than its price suggested. While other metrics took a bit of a hit throughout testing, style is certainly a positive of the NDB in our book.
Typically, we don't see budget models with nice looks, but the Needbo offers a great aesthetic.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Should You Buy the Needbo NDB?
If price is what you care about most, the Needbo NDB should be on your contenders list. It's not going to take home first prize in any of our main metrics, but we did appreciate its next-to-skin comfort and aesthetics. If you need a pair of flip flops that can handle a greater variety of demands, keep looking.
What Other Flip Flops Should You Consider?
For a bit more money, the Teva Mush II offers better quality construction, comfort, and support than the Needbo NDB. Alternatively, the Astral Filipe is a great choice if needing a sandal that can do it all, with an easy-to-install heel strap that converts the flip flop into a full-strap model.
—Zach Lovell
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