Looking for the best flip flops out there? There are so many to pick from these days it’s difficult to know what to look for. The “best” flip flops will depend partly on how you plan to use them and how dressy you need them to be.
Flip flops are made from a wide variety of materials. Let’s start with the most basic: rubber or plastic. These are ideal for the beach because the materials are tough enough to withstand sand, pebbles, rocks, salt water and heat. But they’re light enough they won’t weigh you down and easy to put on and take off without using your hands. You’ll probably have your hands full of beach items, so this is an important consideration!
Flip flops - easy to make a fool of yourself in these things
If you’ll be in or around water with your flip flops, look for construction of anti-slip material. Wearing flip flops that aren’t slip resistant is a recipe for a twisted ankle or a cut or sprain. They should be firm enough to support the bottom of your foot, yet flexible enough to bend as you walk. Some flip flops have an antimicrobial material built into them, something that’s important to a lot of people. Rubber flip flops are thought to offer good shock protection for your feet, but this is really only true with two or more layers of material. The cheaper, one-layer flip flops offer very little protection for your feet, and should be avoided if you’ll be doing more than a little bit of strolling around in them.
However, a growing number of people are developing allergies to rubber and foam, and if you’re one of these, be sure to double-check the material before purchasing. The last thing you want to end your day in the sun with is a case of hives. Plastic flip flops are a great alternative. They are a little slicker than rubber when they get wet or oily, so you may need to take a little more care if you choose the plastic version. These may last a little longer than the rubber ones, though, so you may be rewarded by not having to buy a new pair every year.
You could be allergic to foam - then will have to ditch them
Be sure to look for flip flops that are flat and have a sole thick enough to protect your feet, yet are thin enough to let you walk safely. Platform flip flops are out there, but are pretty treacherous on uneven surfaces. You’ll find yourself sinking into the sand and twisting your ankle. Save platform or wedge flip flops for flat, even surfaces and dressier occasions, and use something more practical in the sand.
Be sure to look for flip flops that are the right size. Too big and your feet slide around; too small and they’ll pinch your feet on the side where the straps wrap around. This is more important with flip flops than other shoes, since there’s almost no support with flip flops. You need to make sure they are a good fit or you’ll end up donating them to a charity shop rather than wearing them.
Luckily, flip flops are not dear, so you can have several pairs of them. Try some white or beige ones for the beach or pool. These can stay out in the sun all day long without getting too hot to put your feet back in. For cooler times, dark brown or black look elegant and stylish.
There are more than one colour
Flip flops come in both casual and dressy styles. If you’ll be going directly from the beach or pool to a casual dinner, you might want to find some with leather uppers or a bit of bling on them. Flip flops with pretty cloth straps in a variety of colours can add some zing to your outfit. Some also have pretty embroidery along the straps, and if you can find some embroidery to coordinate with a part of your outfit, you’ll have a totally put together look for very little money!
Dressy flip flops are available, and some consider thong sandals to be flip flops as well. Dressy thongs are great for more public occasions, like shopping at a mall or going out to a casual dinner, especially in warmer climates. For these times, consider thong sandals of leather, in either natural, suede or in various colours. The natural materials are dressier than rubber or plastic, and this type of shoe usually has a nicer finish than “regular” flip flops. They can even have shiny gold or silver finishes, making them perfect for an evening out.
Very bling
An evening out is a situation where you might want to consider thongs with a wedge or even platform thongs. With the right finish, these can finish off your casual outfit and let you walk or dance through the night in comfort.
Speaking of comfort, if your feet ever begin to hurt after a period of wearing your flip flops, take them off for a while and wear something with more support, especially on the sides. Podiatrists are seeing stress fractures in people who wear flip flops with poor shock absorption. After wearing them for too long or doing physical activities like running or jumping in them, feet and legs can suffer. Especially for younger children, whose bones are still developing, this is an important consideration.
We usually “grip” flip flops with our toes to keep them from falling off, and this can cause fatigue and pain of the foot. If you experience this, it’s time to take a break and wear something that gives your foot a break.
Imagine what the foot looks like!
But there are advantages to flip flops, too. If you’re one of the many people with feet that get hot and/or sweaty, they’re the perfect answer. Since your feet aren’t enclosed in shoes that cover your entire foot, they can breathe and stay much cooler. These people should try to avoid the plastic flip flops, though, since that particular man-made material doesn’t breathe like leather or even rubber can.
So consider the occasion and consider your comfort as you select flip flops. With just a little money and some time selecting the right pair—or several pairs—you’ll expand your wardrobe with hardly any effort at all!