Reviews You Can Rely On

Olukai Ohana Review

An exceptional flip flop model that offers support and durability across a variety of settings, from the beach to the mountain town
gearlab tested logo
Olukai Ohana Review
Credit: Zach Lovell
Price:  $80 List
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Manufacturer:   Olukai
Zach Lovell
By Zach Lovell ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  May 20, 2025
Contributions From: Brian Martin
90
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#1 of 20
  • Comfort - 35% 9.4
  • Support - 20% 9.0
  • Traction - 20% 8.1
  • Versatility - 15% 9.0
  • Style - 10% 9.1

Our Verdict

Season after season, the OluKai 'Ohana continues to be a favorite amongst our testing team. Whether fishing along a river bank or enjoying a sunny camping trip, our feet were incredibly supported, thanks to the 'Ohana's high arch. From dry to wet conditions, our feet also experienced minimal sliding on the footbed, and the coral reef lugs on the outsole offered great traction across sandy rocks and wet docks. While these are among the heavier flip flops tested, we found the weight worth it when considering its durability. Check out our complete review on men's flip flops for comparisons.
REASONS TO BUY
Impressive arch support
Great footbed traction
Durable
Versatile for dry or wet environments
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavier than most
High arch won’t work for all

Compare to Similar Products

 
olukai ohana
This Product
Olukai Ohana
Awards Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Flip Flop
Top Pick Award
Best for Traction
Best Buy Award
Best Bang for the Buck
Best Buy Award
Best on a Tight Budget
Best Buy Award
Price $80.00 at REI
Compare at 3 sellers
$79.00 at REI
Compare at 3 sellers
$34 List
$34.00 at Amazon
$25 List
$24.99 at Amazon
$50 List
$34.99 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
90
79
76
67
66
Star Rating
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Bottom Line A sandal that’s bound to be your next go-to flip flop if you prioritize support and durabilityThis genre-bending flip flop can be quickly converted to a full-strap sandal, also offering some of the best traction we’ve seen yet in this class of footwearA comfy model that’s half the cost of the competition, offering great value for shoppers needing a pair of flip flops for everyday useThese dirt-cheap flip flops are great for shoppers who prioritize price first and foremostA slip-on that offers iconic style on a budget with a customized fit
Rating Categories Olukai Ohana Astral Filipe Teva Mush II NeedBo NDB Cushionaire Lane Co...
Comfort (35%)
9.4
6.8
8.5
7.0
7.0
Support (20%)
9.0
7.9
6.9
7.0
7.0
Traction (20%)
8.1
9.4
6.4
6.0
5.0
Versatility (15%)
9.0
8.1
7.7
6.0
6.5
Style (10%)
9.1
8.0
8.1
7.0
7.5
Specifications Olukai Ohana Astral Filipe Teva Mush II NeedBo NDB Cushionaire Lane Co...
Footbed Material ICEVA 60C closed cell EVA foam EVA EVA Leather, cork
Sole Material Rubber G.15 Rubber™ EVA Rubber EVA
Strap Material Synthetic Synthetic leather, nylon, and polyester REPREVE recycled polyester EVA Vegan upper
Measured Weight (per pair) 18.7 oz 15.9 oz 6.45 oz 11.0 oz 22.1 oz
Available Sizes 7 - 18 US 8-14 US 7-16 US 6 - 17 US 8 - 13 US
Animal Products No Not Specified No No Yes
Percentage of Length as Toe Box 17.0% 18.7% 20% 17.2% 17.3%
Measured Length 11.8" (size 10) 11.2" (Size 9) 11.25" (size 9) 11.6" (size 10) 11.5" (size 10)
Length of Toe Area 2.0" 2.1" 2.25" 2.0" 2.0"
Unique Features Quick drying lining, non-marking rubber outsole No-drop footbed, includes accessory straps to convert to fully-strapped sandal, non-marking razor siped rubber outsole Quick drying toe webbing, fast molding EVA, very low weight Wide sole to accomodate wider feet Moldable cork and leather footbed

Our Analysis and Test Results

The 'Ohana possesses all of the qualities we look for in a pair of flip flops. First and foremost, the feeling of slipping these on after a hard day of hiking, running, or working is amazing. The comfort is off the charts. After hurdling the critical comfort step, the 'Ohana proved to be durable, grippy, and versatile. There are no gimmicks, just a simple, well-made flip flop that speaks for itself.

olukai ohana - we logged weeks of testing with the 'ohana and were incredibly...
We logged weeks of testing with the 'Ohana and were incredibly impressed by the all-around performance.
Credit: Brian Martin

Comfort


Like most flip flops, the 'Ohana sole is formed from compression-molded EVA, but it also has a unique ICEVA drop-in footbed. The footbed really is the “ICEVA on the cake.” Olu Kai advertises the next-to-skin feel of the footbed to mimic walking barefoot on the beach and while it isn't a spot-on match, we found it to be a very inviting feel. These are comfortable right out of the box and after months of wear, they only become more formed and supple.


Our past experiences with comfortable flip flops led us to believe that often comfort is achieved with the sacrifice of durability. The 'Ohana proves that theory wrong by keeping our feet just as happy over a year after first wearing them.

We were comfy in the 'Ohana whether on a casual stroll or walking through streams.
Credit: Zach Lovell

Support


The attention to detail and ergonomics are exceptional on the 'Ohana for providing solid and consistent footing. The combination of the firm, grippy footbed, high arch support, and dense, tacky sole adds up to superior support and stability all around. Our main tester even uses these flip flops while at his standing desk as they provide excellent ergonomics and all-day wearability.


As with any high-arch footwear, the 'Ohana won't work for everyone. If you need a more modest arch, this option might cause pain or discomfort, so we'd recommend that you look elsewhere. Flip flops, on a macro scale, are frequently built with no arch at all and all of our testing team greatly appreciated the support of the 'Ohana.

olukai ohana - the 'ohana offers a generous arch and a dependable midsole, which...
The 'Ohana offers a generous arch and a dependable midsole, which made it a particularly supportive flip flop.
Credit: Zach Lovell

Traction


The “coral reef lug” outsole on this flip strikes a nice balance between having big grippy lugs without them being so big as to lose traction on wet, smooth surfaces, and the non-marking rubber grips incredibly well. This option came in towards the top of the charts.


The 'Ohana rubber stacks up admirably to grippy rubber found on climbing shoes. We find this flip worthy of scrambling around the wet granite boulders of our favorite swimming hole, something we wouldn't do in just any ol' pair of flip flops.

olukai ohana - even a 40-degree granite slab isn't too slippery for the 'ohana...
Even a 40-degree granite slab isn't too slippery for the 'Ohana. There are even many models of hiking shoe that would slip on this surface.
Credit: Brian Martin

Versatility


The 'Ohana has mastered all of the elements that make a flip flop highly versatile. The sole is grippy and durable, the footbed offers plenty of support, and the straps are snug but soft to keep uncomfortable rubbing at bay. Most notably, this model is equally happy in wet or dry environments, while still offering enough style to be worn in more urban settings.


On top of the outdoor versatility, the non-marking rubber soles let you transition indoors without scuffing up the floor. Of note: after splashing around in puddles and streams, we did notice a significantly longer drying period for the footbed than some other flip flops.

olukai ohana - the 'ohana can handle your day at the pool, the beach, or on long...
The 'Ohana can handle your day at the pool, the beach, or on long walks around town. We found these to beat out much of the competition in this metric.
Credit: Zach Lovell

Style


We have long been impressed with the aesthetics of the 'Ohana when considering its performance in other metrics. Is this the most stylish option out there? We don't think so, but it still looks great for around-town hangouts.


There are a plethora of different color schemes to choose from with the 'Ohana, and even the color options are understated and appropriate for a wide variety of occasions. Our testing team and their respective communities all found this option to offer decent looks, whether wearing the 'Ohana with jeans for a dinner party or rocking swimsuits on a boat.

olukai ohana - our testers loved hanging out in these flops for social gatherings...
Our testers loved hanging out in these flops for social gatherings and camp lounging. There are also a variety of colors to choose from.
Credit: Matt Bento

Should You Buy the Olukai 'Ohana?


The 'Ohana carries your dollar very far, especially considering that these can double as your around-town sandals and meet your outdoor recreation needs. Most importantly, our team has found these to be a very durable pair of flip flops, sometimes lasting twice as long as budget options. At the end of the day, the 'Ohana belongs in your shopping cart if you don't mind its high arch and heavier weight. It's a phenomenal choice for your next pair of flip flops.

What Other Flip Flops Should You Consider?


If you like the OluKai brand, consider the OluKai Mea Ola if you're needing something even more stylish, though it's not ideal for water use. For a true budget pair, check out the Teva Mush II or NeedBo NDB if price is the most important consideration.

Zach Lovell and Brian Martin