Some of our recommendations maximize traction and waterproofing for walking in mud and sand others are all about comfort and don’t have much tread. We aren’t recommending anyone try that last one, but it goes to show that flip-flops have quite the range of applications. Someone even ran the Baltimore Marathon in a pair.

We all wear our flip-flops in different places-by the pool, at a campsite, around the house, or in a public shower ( which isn’t a bad idea, by the way). We’ve also found cork and leather flip-flops to last longer, generally, than rubber or foam options. Rubber and foam make your flip-flops more water-resistant and aid with comfort on your first wear, whereas natural materials add an aesthetic touch that ages beautifully and forms to your foot over time. Quality flip-flop soles are made with a combination of synthetic materials, such as rubber and EVA foam, and natural materials like leather and cork. Best for Lots of Standing: Crocs Baya II Flip Flops.Best for Post-Run Recovery: Hoka Ora Recovery Flip.Best Overall: Olukai Ohana Flip-Flop Slides.We’ve done the research on this unicorn footwear-read on to see which models we think perform the best.

Our feet have surely thanked us for it-but what if we told you that there are flip-flops out there that not only provide support for your arches, but are also carefully designed to be as lightweight and comfortable as possible?

As runners, many of us are tuned in to shoe ergonomics well enough to see shoes like those and look the other way. The shoe’s name alone elicits imagery of flat, flimsy strips of foam purchased hastily at a beachfront bodega. The perfect compromise? Flip-flops with arch support.įlip-flops don’t often come to mind when we think of foot health, especially when it comes to arch support. Others, however, may prefer something they can kick off with a bit more ease, perhaps right before settling into a hammock or hot tub. For some people, that shoe is a slipper or a sandal, preferably one that’s well-designed to support and preserve the natural shape of your feet-after all, you don’t want sore feet when you’re ready to hit the treadmill again. After a long summer day in your daily trainers, there’s no feeling more satisfying than slipping into shoes that let your feet stretch and breathe.

Flip flops for flat feet