OluKai Ho'opio Malua Review

The Malua is a stylish and versatile low profile flip flop that's perfect for the beach or everyday use. While the fit runs small and favors those with narrow feet, it is highly supportive and functional thanks to a tight-fitting nylon toe post, lightweight PU footbed, and rubber outsole that performs whether wet or dry. If you're looking for water-friendly footwear with a little style, we highly recommend the Malua.

Comfort

While not the most comfortable flip flop design that we tested, ladies who prefer a low-profile construction with a narrow fit will love the Malua. While the sizing is technically true to size (our lead tester didn't size up), the fit does run small, and the shoe isn't available in half sizes. We recommend sizing up for a better fit if you find yourself on the cusp. The soft, foam-padded PU strap and nylon toe post are comfortable right away and don't require a long break-in period, and they feel good whether wet or dry.

The nylon toe post and tighter straps add great comfort and security, while the lightweight PU footbed is structured yet pleasant to wear. So long as the low arch support and slim-fitting design fit your foot, we think you'll love to wear them at the beach or everyday warm weather outings.

Support

The Malua is a minimalist design that still includes decent support for those with low to moderate arches. The lightweight PU footbed feels great underfoot, while the slight rise in the arch, as well as the ridge beneath the toes, combine with the snug nylon toe strap for support and security, even in the water.

While some may find the toe strap runs too snug, it serves a great purpose for keeping the shoes on your feet, especially when they're wet and sandy at the beach. The design is relatively stripped down when it comes to toe protection, but the structure of the footbed and outsole is meant to hold your body in alignment, starting with your feet. And while they're not supportive enough for all-day use, we think you'll love them for the beach or casual outings, whether you want to dress them up or down.

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Versatility

Style and versatility are really where the Malua flip flops shine. Whether you're on your way to yoga class or the beach, these super cute water-friendly shoes are designed to provide comfort, a bit of arch support, and their lightweight construction makes them easy to pack for vacation.

The Malua comes in a variety of color options from neutral tones like black, white, and tan to tasteful hues in reds, blues, and greens, so there's something for everyone. While the fit is slightly small and best for those with narrow feet, if they do fit your foot, we think you'll love them for your everyday, casual use around town or near the water, as they're versatile enough to wear from the beach straight to dinner.

Style

The OluKai Ho'opio Malua is perfect for those who want a stylish shoe, but don't need all-day comfort. The low-profile flip-flop doesn't provide the greatest level of support, especially for those with wider feet, they are super cute, available in a variety of fun and neutral color options, and great for a day at the beach or park.

The Malua is one of our favorite slim flip flops. It's a step up from a flat rubber platform, but the minimal profile is great for those who don't like to wear chunky sandals. It fits right in with a pair of denim shorts, a casual maxi skirt, or your favorite jeans. While the narrow fit is not the best fit for those with wider feet, if the shoe fits you well, we're certain that you'll receive a compliment or two in these super cute and high quality flip flops.

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Traction

For such a stylish shoe, we were pleasantly surprised by the overall traction and security provided by the non-marking rubber outsoles. Not only are they durable, but they also feature a pod design that's both functional and inspired by the ocean that these shoes are made for.

Whether we were walking on wet or dry surfaces, these flip flops provided great performance. Other Olukai flip flop models that we've tested have also had awesome overall traction and durability, so there was no great surprise here. The exceptional grip, combined with a tighter toe strap, helps keep the shoe on your foot while you navigate stairs, decks, sand, you name it. While the Malua doesn't provide the best traction out of all the shoes that we tested, it's definitely a step or two above your average rubberized flip flop design.

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Should You Buy the OluKai Ho'opio Malua?

The OluKai Ho'opio Malua is definitely the perfect choice for ladies who are after a high-quality, functional flip flop that is comfortable to wear in and out of the water and will look great with almost any outfit you throw on. We recommend these low-profile flops for women with narrow feet, as the fit is snug and not for everyone. If you like the fit, you'll love the subtle arch support in addition to the great traction. After months of testing, this stylish design quickly became our go-to for days by the water, whether beachside or lakeside.

What Other Women's Flip Flops Should You Consider?

If you like the sounds of the OluKai Ho'opio Malua but want a little more support underfoot and a shoe that will better accomodate wider feet, we highly recommend the OluKai Ohana. The Ohana provides a soft and cushy foam in the footbed along with a larger, rubberized toe strap that's perfect for casual use in and out of the water. If you want a structured sandal rather than a thin flip flop, we recommend the Birkenstock Gizeh for excellent support without sacrificing comfort and style, although these are not water friendly. If you're after something cheaper, options like the Archies and the Birkenstock Gizeh Essentials EVA are great waterproof options, they just don't have the same performance when it comes to traction, style, and arch support.