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Whether you're lounging by the pool or running out to get the mail, the perfect pair of flip-flops should be comfortable and easy to slip into for everything from social hangs to more adventurous flip-flopping down hidden beach trails.
The best men's flip-flops are the Olukai Ohana. The Ohana offers long-lasting arch support that doesn't pack out over time, and traction to carry you across a variety of terrain. The Teva Mush II is a low-cost shoe that impressed us with its cushy comfort and overall high performance.
For 14 years, our testing team has pushed the best flip-flops to their limits. We've put the very best options through trail hikes, paddle boarding, and around-town traipsing to help you find the best fit, comfort, support, traction, versatility, and style.
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 during our rigorous testing due to its heft and durability. “Rather than deteriorating with wear, the Ohana conformed to my feet and continued to perform with style,” our tester remarked. 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 the price. 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 Teva Mush II. Its comfort is comparable to the Ohana, though it's not as supportive.
The 'Ohana stood out in our review due to it's generous arch support and incredible versatility, equally at home on the beach, by the pool, or hanging around town. Credit: Zach Lovell
The Teva Mush II is one of the lightest and least expensive flops in the lineup, becoming a standout model throughout testing for its exceptional value. We first took notice of the Mush II when its soft construction broke in within days, faster than some of its rivals, offering more support than we would have expected for a minimal-weight model, though something like the Olukai Ohana will provide much more stability and durability. The Mush II has a supple and inviting footbed that felt great for everyday use, though the constricting polyester toe strap took a bit of time to loosen til it was just right. Our testing team concluded, “The Mush II simply outperforms its dollar amount. It might not last as long as others, but our feet were happy in these all day, as long as we didn't get too adventurous.”
Weighing a mind-bending 6.45 ounces, this pair of flops can go with you anywhere as your open-toed footwear, whether traveling or backpacking. However, it doesn't have the best traction on steeper terrain if you're a more adventurous flip-flopper. We found the Mush II to perform well in more casual settings, whether on a relaxed hike or walk with the dog, though smaller rocks easily got stuck in the soft outsole. “We never had performance issues with lodged rocks, but it was a nuisance,” one of our gear experts commented. If you need a tougher and more capable pair, consider something like the Astral Filipe, which handled anything we threw at it during testing. While the Mush II isn't the most durable, it's a comfy pair that's a true bargain if you're shopping on a tighter budget.
While we can all agree that style is subjective, the OluKai Mea Ola was a crowd favorite for its aesthetics. With a full-grain all-leather design and canoe-whiplash stitching on the toe straps, these flip-flops are simply eye-catching. Depending on the dress code, we were even able to wear the Mea Ola in more formal settings with slacks. The best part? These are also among the most comfortable models we've tested, with a generous arch support that fits a wide variety of feet. These premium flip-flops unfortunately do also come at a premium price, so take a look at the Reef Voyage Le for a quality leather style that won't strain the wallet. The testing crew concluded, “The Mea Ola is a stunning pair of flip-flops that still offer all-day comfort, proving function and fashion can co-exist.”
The Mea Ola has a fully leather-wrapped design, which makes its outsoles less ideal for gravel-laden trails. The rubber lugs did offer great traction on surfaces like docks, pavement, and rock slabs, but in chunkier terrain, the leather outsole made contact with the ground, causing some slipping. Its cousin, the OluKai 'Ohana is a great alternative that also does much better in wet environments. As our flip-flop experts shared, “All-leather flip-flops like the Mea Ola aren't made for extended contact with the water, so make sure you determine where your flip-flops will be worn before making a decision.” If these are within your budget and you prioritize comfort and style, take a close look at the Mea Ola as your next pair of flip-flops.
It's hard to beat the style of a classic flip-flop like the Rainbow Single Layer Premier. This timeless mainstay in the world of flip-flops has been reliably made for years, with a leather construction and an iconic aesthetic that create a nearly cult-like following. After about a week of wearing these, we found the molding made them very comfy and almost felt like custom-fitted flip-flops. While the Single Layer doesn't offer as much support, its more robust sibling, the Rainbow Double Layer Arch Support, is a great alternative if you need a more heavy-duty midsole. Our team summarized, “Models like the Rainbow Single Layer are a great reminder that classics are classic for a reason. These are simple, no-frills flip-flops for the shopper who appreciates their looks.”
While we appreciated the leather look of the Rainbow Single Layer Premier, it isn't meant to be submerged in water for prolonged periods. As with most leather sandals that aren't specially treated, getting the Rainbows soaked is likely to cause permanent damage. Our testing team shared, “Getting leather wet pulls the natural oils out, which leads to the leather drying out significantly, ultimately becoming stiff and brittle.” If you do need to take your flops on more watery adventures, consider the OluKai 'Ohana or the bargain-priced Teva Mush II. If the setbacks of the Rainbow Single Layer Premier aren't deal-breakers for you, these flip-flops are well worth your consideration…their time-tested looks are likely to stay in style.
For all-terrain adventuring with open-toed footwear, the Astral Filipe became our go-to pair of flip-flops. Astral has become a leading brand in the world of water shoes, and their sandals offer the same dependable outsole quality with superior grip across a variety of surfaces, from wet docks to water-polished granite. Uniquely, the Filipe can be quickly converted to a fully strapped sandal, with included heel straps, boasting unparalleled foot security in this class of footwear. While these don't have much in the way of arch support, especially compared to options like the OluKai 'Ohana, they offer a dense midsole and a zero-drop footbed. Our lead tester commented, “If traction is a priority, the Filipe should be on your finals list, especially if you don't need flip-flops with the highest arches.”
The Filipe didn't provide the softest next-to-skin feel, with its toe strap causing some mild chafing for some of our testers with wider feet. Fortunately, those on our team with average and narrow feet had fewer issues with this, but take a look at the Teva Mush II or the Rainbow Single Layer Premier if you're hunting for a more supple toe strap. While the comfort considerations are worth keeping in mind, these are incredibly well-made flip-flops, and our gear experts concluded, “The Filipe was the most trustworthy pair in this review for rugged terrain, whether wet or dry.”
The KuaiLu Yoga Mat Leather is a travel-friendly model that is more affordable than most flip-flops in our lineup. Beyond their low price, these offer over an inch of memory-foam cushioning that kept our feet happy all day long. The Yoga Mat also has 18 color options and a clean look that worked well with jeans or even dress slacks, making them a great choice for beach-to-town days. At only 11.6 ounces in a size 9, these are easy to bring along in your carry-on luggage or day bag, though they aren't the lightest flops we reviewed. “With a list price that's comparable to a burger, the Yoga Mat Leather is a no-brainer if you need a high-value flip-flop, as long as you don't get too adventurous in them,” one of our flip-flop leads commented.
The rubber outsole of the Yoga Mat Leather did well on pavement and dry docks, but its minimalist tread pattern was less effective on gritty trails or wet rock. The generous amount of cushioning in the midsole was much appreciated by our entire testing team, but the edges of the footbed slowly broke down over time, making them slightly more prone to ankle rolls on uneven paths. If you want a midsole with better longevity, it might be worth spending more money on the OluKai 'Ohana, which also has a heftier outsole for hiking. Despite a few setbacks, our flip-flop lead, Zach Lovell, concluded, “These flip-flops look and perform way better than we expected, given their ridiculously low price. For travel or casual wear, toss the Yoga Mat Leather on your finals list…you're unlikely to find a better price.”
The KuaiLu Yoga Mat may be a budget pair of flip-flops, but they kept up with the premium competition in multiple metrics. Credit: Zach Lovell
Product Comparison Table
We thoroughly enjoy testing flip flops, from hanging at the pool to questing up a mountain trail. We even take these flops into terrain not recommended for open-toed footwear to ensure our examination is as thorough as possible. Credit: Zach Lovell
How We Tested
Before we wore any of the flips in our lineup, we began the review with market research. Each season, we review dozens of models from various manufacturers before selecting the strongest and most promising contenders for 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, with key performance areas identified and scrutinized in the process. The result is this comprehensive review, which you can now use to find a pair of comfortable, functional flops for yourself.
Our testing of flip-flops is divided across four different metrics:
Comfort (35% of overall score weighting)
Versatility (30% weighting)
Stability (20% 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 on flip-flops for many seasons now. Our lead testers include Zach Lovell and Jon Oleson. Zach is an IFMGA Mountain Guide and never leaves home without a pair of flip-flops or sandals to keep his feet out of hiking shoes, ski boots, or climbing shoes whenever 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.
We take flip-flop testing seriously. We also enjoy every minute of it.
Analysis and Test Results
If you've only experienced the bargain bin version of flip-flops from the beach store, prepare yourself for a 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). Flip-flops can be 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 they fit our criteria for diversity and the ability to accommodate a range of needs.
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.
Worse Value
Better Value
What's the Best Value?
The Teva Mush II 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 Mush II has held up fairly well to our rigorous testing despite being so light, though if you're hard on your flip-flops, these won't last quite as long. 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.
The Mush II proved that performance doesn't have to always come at a price. Credit: Zach Lovell
Our least expensive pair of flip-flops in this review is the KuaiLu Yoga Mat Leather, priced lower than most lunches. These are light enough to fit in your luggage, yet they have a semi-formal aesthetic that lets you go straight from the pool to the business-casual event on the patio.
Despite their bargain price, the KuaiLu Yoga Mat Leather looks great and has more cushion than most of its competition. Credit: Zach Lovell
Comfort
While comfort is subjective, it's likely the most important metric for your next dog walk or afternoon at the pool. Every pair was worn for months during urban hangs, lake days, and beach vacations to properly assess this metric. We looked at the overall cushion of each model, the against-skin feel of the straps and footbed, and paid extra attention to each flip-flop's arch support. We also made a point to assess comfort straight out of the box and how each shoe felt after some break-in time.
The Olukai Ohana was decent right away but became even more comfortable throughout several days of wear, 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
Another standout option that scored well in this metric was the OluKai Mea Ola, which offers a sculpted footbed and a mid-height arch that worked well for a variety of arch needs. With a slightly lower arch than the Mea Ola, the Rainbow Double Layer Arch Support offers a nice leather footbed that molds well to the feet, though it took about a week to break in. If you want shorter break-in times, the Teva Mush II is a great, inexpensive choice with a moldable insole that forms to your feet after just a few wears.
These Rainbows held their own in this metric, thanks in part to their moldable footbeds. Credit: Zach Lovell
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 KuaiLu Yoga Mat Leather has about 1.5 inches of cushion at the arch of the foot. Given that it has memory foam in the midsole, this is a very squishy flip-flop that offers a pillowy-soft experience for in-town strolls or waterside relaxation.
There are few models that have as much foam as the KuaiLu Yoga Mat Leather. 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 Mush II is a ridiculously light pair of flip-flops, only weighing 6.45 ounces, making them easy to bring anywhere, whether traveling or backpacking
A pair of light flops like the Mush II are easy to justify bringing in the suitcase or backpack. Credit: Zach Lovell
The Needbo NBD can handle a range of trail conditions and offers a sleek, simple style that doesn't turn heads but doesn't invite ridicule for your choice of footwear. The Astral Filipe won't necessarily be an eye-catcher, but with its ability to convert into a sandal, it's an incredibly versatile and capable option.
The Astral Filipe can be transformed in seconds from a flip flop to a full-strap sandal, making them impressively versatile. 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 on your next water adventure, as the soft footbed tends to absorb water and the leather takes a long time to dry.
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
Despite its lower price point, the KuaiLu Yoga Mat Leather is a surprisingly versatile pair of flip-flops, with a very stylish aesthetic that some of our testers were able to wear directly from the dock to a semi-formal dinner. The EVA foam is also extremely squishy, which we loved for all-day wear around the house and some hiking as long as it was on the more casual side.
From on-water days to evening social gatherings, the KuaiLu can go many places as long as you aren't getting too adventurous. Credit: Zach Lovell
Stability
The stability of a flip-flop can make or break your next day on the trail or the water, especially if you get more exploratory in your open-toed footwear. We took a deep dive into each model's footbed shaping, width, and heel-to-toe drop to determine how likely we were to roll an ankle. We also took a close look at the outsole of each pair, with dependable traction making a pair more stable on uneven pavement or trails.
Our favorites in stability include the OluKai 'Ohana, Oofos OOriginal, and the OluKai Mea Ola. The 'Ohana boasts a slightly raised edge on its footbed and a relatively wide outsole that kept side-to-side movement to a minimum. It also offers one of our favorite tread patterns for gritty trails, which is particularly handy when hiking down to the beach.
The Olukai 'Ohana has a wide last and a slightly cupped footbed that gave us confidence on or off pavement, even if we were carrying a backpack. Credit: Zach Lovell
Some models create stability by utilizing minimal drop from the toe to the heel, such as The North Face Base Camp II. This model doesn't have much arch support or a particularly fancy outsole, but its mostly flat platform was confidence-inspiring while huffing a bag up stairs or scrambling around the banks of a pond.
The textured, nearly-flat footbed of the Basecamp II allowed our feet to more naturally keep us in balance in terrain like this. Credit: Zach Lovell
We also loved the Vibram sole of the Chaco Rapid Pro Flip, which offered excellent grip on rock slabs and wet trails, though the toe straps were looser for our testers with lower-volume feet, leading to some foot slippage when side-hilling. The outsole is also fairly flat, reducing the likelihood of our ankles rolling.
The sole of the Rapid Pro Flip cradles the foot while gifting excellent grip across a variety of surfaces. Credit: Mark Lovell
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 finely crafted leather to rugged, outdoor-specific models that look more like 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 Olukai Mea Ola is a particularly eye-catching model, with ornate designs and a fully leather-wrapped construction. Some of our testers were even able to wear these with dress slacks at more formal occasions, though wearing open-toed footwear to dressy events might not be allowed in all states.
Yes, style is subjective, but our testers' respective communities all were big fans of the Mea Ola. Credit: Zach Lovell
The Reef Voyage Le and the Rainbow Single Layer Premier both feature a similar leather aesthetic that's likely to suit many shoppers' styles. The Voyage, however, offers a fully waterproof leather while the Rainbow can't really get wet.
The Reef Voyage Le has great looks and can easily go from the water to the restaurant. Credit: Zach Lovell
If you're wanting to save your hard-earned cash for other gear, the KuaiLu Yoga Mat Leather offers the best “style-per-dollar” in our entire lineup. After polling dozens of friends and community members, the consensus is that they're aesthetic enough for more dressy occasions, and one of our testers reported a “jaw-dropping” response when they revealed how inexpensive they were while wearing them with slacks.
The Yoga Mat Leather can be worn effortlessly with jeans and a button-up shirt, while still looking great with swim trunks. Credit: Zach Lovell
Other Notable Flip Flops
Some other models caught our eye when selecting options to test, but didn't quite make the cut. However, they're still worth taking a look at.
Bedrock Rockhound - Bedrock is well known for their popular, adventure-ready Cairn Evo sandals, and the Rockhound is their venture into more casual footwear. With adjustable straps and a molded footbed with arch support, these are more sturdy than many of the options we tested, but still have the slide-in ease of a flip-flop.
Archies - Men's - These are an arch-supportive pair of budget flip-flops made with a proprietary closed-cell foam (meaning it won't absorb moisture and odor over time). Our women's team tested the Archies in women's sizes and loved them, finding the foam to be comfortable from the get-go, and even better over time as the material molded and stretched to accommodate the shape of the foot. We plan to include men's sizes in a future update.
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.
