REASONS TO BUY
Toe strap comfy against skin
Molds well to feet
Classic aesthetics
REASONS TO AVOID
Not as supportive as competition
Water submersion not recommended
Rainbow Single Layer Premier Review
This time-tested classic offers great looks and comfort without having to spend big bucks
Credit: Zach Lovell
By Zach Lovell ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ May 20, 2025
RELATED: The Best Flip Flops for Men
Our Verdict
The classic look of the Rainbow Single Layer Premier is easily recognized across many regions and is a fixture of the flip flop world. With nubuck leather and a variety of colors to choose from, this timeless sandal offers decent build quality for the price, and its footbed gifts a custom feel after a week or two of use. While these offer decent dry-land performance, they aren't meant to be used in water, and we didn't find them as supportive. Besides a few setbacks, if you're seeking stylish comfort in your next flip flop, these are worthy of your consideration, but don't miss our full article on men's flip flops.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Rainbow Single Layer Premier | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  A Great Option for Classic Looks |  Best Overall Flip Flop |  Best Bang for the Buck | Best on a Tight Budget | |
| Price | $60 List $59.99 at Amazon | $80.00 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  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | This flip flop has rightfully stood the test of time as an affordable and comfy sandal with classic looks | A sandal that’s bound to be your next go-to flip flop if you prioritize support and durability | 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 | These dirt-cheap flip flops are great for shoppers who prioritize price first and foremost | A slip-on that offers iconic style on a budget with a customized fit |
| Rating Categories | Rainbow Single Laye... | Olukai Ohana | Teva Mush II | NeedBo NDB | Cushionaire Lane Co... |
| Comfort (35%) | |||||
| Support (20%) | |||||
| Traction (20%) | |||||
| Versatility (15%) | |||||
| Style (10%) | |||||
| Specifications | Rainbow Single Laye... | Olukai Ohana | Teva Mush II | NeedBo NDB | Cushionaire Lane Co... |
| Footbed Material | Leather | ICEVA | EVA | EVA | Leather, cork |
| Sole Material | Rubber | Rubber | EVA | Rubber | EVA |
| Strap Material | Leather and nylon | Synthetic | REPREVE recycled polyester | EVA | Vegan upper |
| Measured Weight (per pair) | 10.3 oz | 18.7 oz | 6.45 oz | 11.0 oz | 22.1 oz |
| Available Sizes | 7.5 - 15 US | 7 - 18 US | 7-16 US | 6 - 17 US | 8 - 13 US |
| Animal Products | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
| Percentage of Length as Toe Box | 20% | 17.0% | 20% | 17.2% | 17.3% |
| Measured Length | 11" (size 9) | 11.8" (size 10) | 11.25" (size 9) | 11.6" (size 10) | 11.5" (size 10) |
| Length of Toe Area | 2.2" | 2.0" | 2.25" | 2.0" | 2.0" |
| Unique Features | Moldable leather footbed, premier nubuck leather, double stitched | Quick drying lining, non-marking 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
We spent weeks with the Rainbow Single Layer Premier to ensure our evaluation was thorough. We found this sandal to offer decent performance for its price, and our friends and family loved its aesthetic.
Options like these Rainbows make our extensive testing process a breeze, with great next-to-skin comfort and moldable leather.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Comfort
The Rainbow Single Layer Premier offers a single-layer arch construction that molded to our feet fairly quickly. For those of us on the testing team who like a more minimal flip flop, this model strikes a sweet spot between too much and too little midsole, and scored fairly well.
Depending on use and weight, the break-in period took us around one week with the Rainbow Premier. Afterwards, this option felt like a nice modest amount of arch support and foot cradling, though the thinner sole construction wasn't as ideal when walking on more chunky trails. For medium to high-arched feet, this specific iteration of the Rainbow Premier might not be the best option, but they make a more robust version of the Premier with additional layering in the midsole. At the end of the day, these are comfortable flip flops as long as your feet don't need too much support.
After about one week, we found the molded leather to offer a customized fit, though testers with low to no arch liked these more than those with higher arches.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Support
As previously mentioned, the Rainbow Single Layer Premier isn't the most supportive flip flop in the review's lineup, but many will find it adequate for their needs.
With a classic design, this thinner midsole offers just enough support to be comfortable in casual settings, but we wouldn't recommend it for shoppers wanting a flip flop for more serious overland travel unless they prefer minimalist footwear. Fortunately, Rainbow also makes an excellent double-layer version of this flip flop that's significantly more supportive.
The single layer version of this flip flop wasn't the most supportive model tested, but for many, it'll be adequate for their intended uses.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Traction
The traction of the Rainbow Single Layer Premier was fairly decent throughout our testing process. On dry ground, we found confidence-inspiring traction across a variety of surfaces, from gravel to rock to deck wood. Unfortunately, it didn't perform quite as well when those same surfaces were wet, causing a more average scoring in this metric.
The Non-Slip Rainbow® Bottom used in the Rainbow Premier is appropriately named in drier conditions, yet as previously mentioned, it's not as ideal on slick, wet surfaces. As with any flip flops, the amount of traction needed simply depends on intended uses and how steep the terrain is. A common question our testing team kept asking as we pushed this sandal was, “Is the traction on this flip flop adequate for normal use?” We ultimately concluded that the answer was yes.
If you need an all-terrain option, the outsole of the Rainbows might not be the best fit, but for casual to moderate flip-flopping, these will likely meet your needs.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Versatility
With a classic no-frills design, the Rainbow Single Layer Premier is quite a versatile option across a variety of applications. While it scored very well, it didn't land quite as high on the charts due to its in-water performance.
As with most leather designs, this flip flop isn't recommended to be used in water for prolonged periods of time. Fortunately, the Rainbow Single Layer Premier is very versatile otherwise for moderate outdoor recreation, casual hangouts, and offers great looks for around-town socializing.
These were great for functionality and style, working well in both recreational and social settings. Just make sure these don't get too wet.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Style
Yes, style is subjective, but we polled a wide array of people varying in geographic location and generation to form a consensus. Sometimes, it's hard to beat classic aesthetics, and the Rainbow Single Layer Premier is quite timeless.
We found the style of the Rainbow Single Layer Premier to be a big positive. For years Rainbow has been producing these classic leather sandals with their unmistakable logo sewn into the toe strap, and has become nothing short of iconic. While these aren't the most dressy flip flops, they look great for dinner parties or a day at the beach.
Depending on the region or area you live or vacation in, these Rainbows have an iconic look that's easily recognized.
Credit: Zach Lovell
Should You Buy the Rainbow Single Layer Premier?
These fairly inexpensive flip flops offer an unmistakably classic aesthetic and decent all-around scores for many applications. If you like a more minimalist sandal, these are worth mulling over, but we'd steer you elsewhere if you need more support.
What Other Flip Flops Should You Consider?
If you like the classic look of the Rainbow Single Layer Premier but want better traction, consider the Reef Voyage Le. If you're needing more support, Rainbow makes a more robust version of this sandal with the Rainbow Double Layer Arch Support.
—Zach Lovell
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