10 of the Most Comfortable Men’s Flip Flops
The best men’s flip flops are those that look great, are durable, and are above all comfortable. We have rounded up some of the best designs on the market, from sporty styles for those who love to stay active or classic designs for everyday wear.
If you are looking for supportive footbeds to head off any future foot issues like plantar fasciitis or ankle or leg pain, make sure flip flops you are interested in are podiatrist approved with the APMA Seal of Acceptance.
If you are the type of person who lives in flip flops all summer (or even all year long), we have come up with the definitive list of the most comfortable flip flops for men on the market.
Read More: The Most Comfortable Men’s Shorts by Inseam Length
The OluKai ‘Ohana Sandals are a great option if you want a high-quality, versatile sandal with good arch support that looks great. The strap on the ‘Ohana is made of water-resistant synthetic material, so they look like a slightly dressier shoe, but their functionality makes them great for the beach since they can get wet or covered in the sand without being ruined.
The footbed is an anatomical ICEVA drop-in footbed with a compression-molded EVA midsole, so you know they are going to be super comfortable. They are a bit of an investment, but they will outlast many other brands, so you won’t have to spend as much money buying new footwear every year.
Pros:
- High quality
- Good arch support
- Elevated look
Cons:
- A bit of an investment
Why we love them:
For comfort, fit, durability, and quality, the Olukai Ohana is tough to beat.
Available from Zappos
Rainbow sandals have a pretty devoted following. They are kind of an interesting flip flop because they have a long and challenging break-in period that some wearers can’t get through. If you manage to break them in, Rainbow sandals will mold to your feet and are one of the most comfortable footwear that you can find. On the plus side, they do look great and will last for years.
Rainbow has many different flip flops to choose from, with their most popular styles having a nubuck leather y-strap and a nylon toe piece. The leather styles are very versatile and will work well, either dressed up or down. If you need a good amount of arch support, you can get their Double Layer Premier Leather with Arch Support, or if arch support isn’t too big of an issue, you can stick with their single-layer options.
Rainbows used to be made in the U.S, but most designs are now made overseas. If you are looking for made-in-the-USA, try their line of made in America flip flops. One other problem that you may find with some Rainbow designs is that they don’t have the best grip, so if you wear them when it is raining, you need to be very careful.
They are a little pricey and aren’t a good option if you plan to get them wet, but they look fantastic and are great in terms of comfort level (once they are broken in).
Pros:
- Can be dressed up or down
- Super comfy once broken in
- Durable
Cons:
- Don’t have the greatest grip
- Tough break-in period
Why we love them:
This is a style that takes a little bit of work to reach a good comfort level, but once you get there, you will be devoted.
Check the price on Amazon.
If you need a comfy sandal that you can get wet, check out the Crocs Crocband Flip. They are great for the pool or waterside activities since you don’t have to worry about fabric getting wet or ruined. The footbed is way softer than the standard Crocs Clog that most people are familiar with.
The Crocband also has a good amount of arch support so that you can wear them all day, and they will still feel comfortable. They come in a lot of different colors, including some pretty bright options if that is your thing.
Pros:
- Waterproof
- Soft footbed
- Lots of color selection
Cons:
- Some issues with sizing
Why we love them:
These are a very versatile flip flop that works well for a lot of different people and different situations since they are comfy, have good support and are sturdy. They are also easy to wash and clean.
Available from Amazon
If you want a classic beach sandal, you can’t go wrong with the Teva Mush II. This comfortable flip-flop is excellent for the pool, the beach, or just hanging around. The footbed is super soft and squishy and manages to mold to the shape of your feet pretty quickly without having to deal with a long break-in period.
It comes with a nice-looking fabric thong strap that has a few cool patterned color options. The outsole also has a little bit of grip, so it won’t slip as much as some of the other options if you are walking on a wet floor. Overall the Mush II is good quality for a relatively low price.
Pros:
- Easy to break-in
- Bit of grip
- Nice patterns on the strap
Cons:
- Not much arch support
Why we love them:
If you wear regular plastic flip-flops, these make a nice upgrade without a huge cost.
Available from Amazon
Reef flip flops are super popular, and you can find their many styles all over the place pretty quickly. You have probably heard of their Fanning design that has the bottle opener on the bottom of the outsole, which is cool and everything, but as far as comfort, the better design to go for is the Rover.
The Rover is great because not only does it have excellent arch support, but it is a great all-rounder sandal. It is water friendly but doesn’t look too beachy, so that you can wear it almost anywhere. It’s also very durable and has great traction, so you don’t have to worry about slipping on wet surfaces.
The Rover comes in multiple colors and requires minimal break-in since they have a contoured foam deck that makes them feel great almost right away.
Pros:
- Great arch support
- Water-friendly
- Good traction
Cons:
- It may take a bit of time to break in.
Why we love them:
This is a good pick for people who need a bit more cushioning in the heel.
If you need some serious arch support, you may want to look at the Vionic Unisex Wave Toe Post Sandal. It is more of an orthotic design than other options, they are a little expensive, but that is usually the case with orthotic designs. Regardless, this is a super comfortable, supportive, and very durable shoe.
The outsole is pretty solid and firm, which is helpful for support. If you want a flexible sole, this isn’t the option for you.
Since it is a unisex style, you should be careful with sizing if you are ordering online. One great feature of the Wave is that it is easy to clean since all you have to do is wipe them with a damp cloth and leave them to air dry.
Pros:
- Lots of arch support
- Very durable
- Comfy
Cons:
- The sole isn’t flexible
Why we love them:
If you need serious arch support, these make a great choice and are well worth a look.
Available from Amazon
As you may expect, the Keen’s flip flop offering is not your standard beach style; the Waimea falls on the sporty side of things. They have that toe protection thing that Keen loves, which gives them a very distinctive look.
The Waimea has an EVA midsole, which provides a nice amount of cushion and absorbs shock. They are washable and water-friendly, with a lightweight rubber outsole with some traction, although it isn’t meant for hiking. This style is intended as a casual beach sandal, not for hiking or anything like that.
Pros:
- Designed so your foot won’t slip or slide
- Big toe is protected
- The tread pattern on the sole provides great traction
Cons:
- The look isn’t for everyone
Why we love them:
If you love flip flops but find yourself stubbing your big toe in regular styles, these are a great design to check out.
Available from Amazon
Sanuk make many really comfy sandals; one of their best, the Men’s Fraid Not Flip Flop, is a particular favorite of many. It has a soft EVA footbed with suede lining, which is great for absorbing sweat and helping to stop your feet from slipping off the footbed. The strap is a frayed canvas that has a terry cloth liner that is notable for its worn-in look.
Sanuk’s are generally known for being pretty good quality, so you should be able to get many years out of this design.
Pros:
- Unique distressed look
- Super comfy
- Suede lining absorbs sweat so your foot won’t slip
Cons:
- The suede lining means they aren’t great around water.
Why we love them:
Sanuks sandals and flip-flops are almost all amazingly comfy and have a fresh beachy look.
Available from Amazon
Quicksilver is always a reliable brand for any beach-type clothing, so it is not a surprise they have an excellent option in their Carver Suede 3-Point Flip-Flop.
It comes in three colors and has a soft suede strap and cushy rubber sole with arch support. The Carver has a reputation for being well made, lasting a long time, and having a reasonable price for what you are getting.
Pros:
- Well made
- Great price
- Durable
Cons:
- Some of the colors dye bleeds onto your feet
- Not good around water because of the suede
Why we love them:
These make a good everyday design since they are v
Find at Amazon
If you like a classic style, look no further than the Sperry Top-Sider Baitfish Thong. You can find these sandals all over the place; they are particularly popular with sailors and people who enjoy boating because of their nautical-inspired design and non-slip rubber footbed.
They have a lightweight EVA midsole for comfort, and the strap is full-grain leather that is comfortable right from the start.
Pros:
- Moderate arch support
- Slightly dressy
- Durable
Cons:
- If your feet are wide, you may find them a little tight at first until they stretch out.
Why we love them:
The Sperry Top-Sider Men’s Baitfish Thong Sandal makes an excellent travel flip flop because of the arch support, durable sole, and versatile look.
Find at Zappos
Tip for finding the comfiest flip flops
When shopping for a flip flop, it is worth taking the time to find a good quality design that works well for your feet. Some studies show that wearing poor-quality flip-flops can lead to a range of health issues down the line, so it is important to invest in good brands that won’t hurt your feet in the short or long term.
Podiatrists recommend good arch support, thicker soles, and a deep heel cup, in addition to making sure you are wearing the right size. They also recommend looking for designs made from high-quality soft leather or other similar material that won’t irritate your skin.
Support– Support and comfort pretty much go hand in hand. If footwear has no support, most people will find that their feet start to hurt fairly quickly. If you are young and have healthy feet, you can probably get away with wearing cheap drug store flip-flops that have no support, but you may find that you pay for it later on with foot issues down the line.
For most of us, though, it is a good idea to have at least some level of support, especially if you are wearing sandals for long periods. Higher quality brands with good support are usually fine to wear all day long but not for walking long distances. If you are worried about messing up your feet, you can always check out the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) to find flip-flops that have Received the APMA Seal of Acceptance.
Style– There isn’t a lot of room to get super stylish when looking for a flip flop. Most are your basic y-strap, thong design. You can get sporty styles that will work well if you are super active in the summer, like the Keen. If you want something that looks a little more upscale, you can try a leather strap design (i.e., Rainbow) or just a leather look-alike style (OluKai ‘Ohana). If you want a useful beach style, you can’t go wrong with Teva or the Reef styles.
Material– Depending on when you are planning on wearing your footwear, it is worth considering what type of strap material will work best. Leather looks amazing, but you don’t want to get it wet, so it’s best to avoid leather strapped sandals if you are going to the beach. However, leather is often recommended by podiatrists as good material to avoid skin irritations and blisters.
If you want a strap that dries quickly, you can’t beat rubber. The most comfortable straps are often made of fabric, but in a summer shoe, you will need to make sure the material is fast drying.
Versatility: If you wear flip flops all day, every day in the summer, it is handy to have one that will be comfortable wearing for long periods and is adaptable to different situations or places that you may find yourself.
One of the most versatile styles that can get you through the summer, from the beach to somewhere a little fancy, is the OluKai ‘Ohana. They can take you from an unexpected hike to a more formal activity with no problem.
Break-in period– Trying to break in some brands of flip flops can be an unpleasant experience. The brands to watch out for are Rainbow and Chaco’s, as they tend to be notorious for long break-in periods. Unfortunately, they are also two brands known for being the most comfortable once the break-in period is over and the sandal has molded to your foot.
Durability– If you are spending $50 on a flip flop, most people are going to want to get multiple years of wear out of them. Of the brands, we listed above, you should be able to get a minimum of 2 plus years out of most of the different options.
Water- In the summer, you never quite know when you may find yourself around water, so it great to have footwear that you can get wet, and dries off quickly and not be ruined.
Some of the best styles for water use are Crocs, Keen, Reef, and Teva styles. You can get all of these styles wet and either towel dry them or leave them to dry in the sun, and they will dry quickly.
Budget – To get a good quality, pain-free, non-slip sandal that you can wear all the time, expect to pay somewhere from $40-$70. Everyone has different needs, but in this price range, you have a lot of great options.
Fit– The fit of any style that you choose is going to be very important. When trying sandals on, make sure the footbed can contain your entire foot, so you don’t get a lot of side-to-side movement. Your heel should be centered and aligned with the footbed. The toe bed should have enough room, so your toes can spread naturally without hanging over the sides.
Sources:
- Comfy Airport Outfit Looks for Women - October 12, 2021
- The Best Comfortable and Beautiful Silk Dresses Available - October 9, 2021
- Review of Old Navy’s EveryWear V-Neck for Women - June 5, 2021