11 Flip-Flops That Offer Great Arch Support
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When we think of shoes with arch support, flip-flops are typically not the first ones that come to mind. Which is a bummer, because flip-flops rock. Toes out, easy on-and-off, and a barely there feel—who could ask for more? Well, there is one more thing worth asking for: shoes that are actually good for your feet. And that’s why we decided to embark on a hunt for the best flip-flops with arch support.
It was not an easy task, so we enlisted a little help from an expert, Dr. Amnon Barnea of Walk NYC Podiatry, who knows just about everything involving footwear. He recommends looking for “a deeper heel cup to ‘hug’ the heels and provide them with much needed guidance and stability, and a thicker rubber sole that doesn’t easily ‘bend’ in the middle.” With that in mind, we searched the market for styles meeting Dr. Barnea’s criteria. From sporty sandals to beachy pairs, we found 11 varieties for every type of person out there.
Whether you’re looking for a pair to wear all day long or one to merely take you from street to sand, add some arch support to the mix. Your feet will thank you.
Tide Toe Post Sandals
A favorite of Dr. Barnea, Vionic specializes in comfortable shoes that help to provide relief from plantar fasciitis, heel pain, and other foot woes. This pair in particular has a podiatrist-design footbed and deep heel cup for stability and support.
Ora Recovery Sandals
Hoka is more than just its chunky sneakers. This flip flop, for instance, has the brand's signature oversized sole and rocker technology for a smooth stride. Dual layer construction makes for premium cushion.
Langdon Flip Flops
Tevas takes the beloved comfort from its strappy sandals and brings it to a pair of flip flops. Another pick of Dr. Barnea, these have a molded midsole and nylon shank to stabilize your feet.
Ohana Flip Flops
For a water-resistant pair, turn to OluKai. Aside from handling their own in wet conditions, these flip flops have a drop-in footbed that provides a fit that feels custom to your feet.
KALA 2.0 Sandals
These flip flops fit snuggly to your feet, with contoured support that hugs your heel as you walk. Cushioned straps and advanced traction are thoughtful design elements that enhance the feel and wear of this style. The neutral design makes them ideal for wearing them wherever you want.
Draftsmen Sandals
Yes, these leather flip flops have solid anatomic arch support. But the best part? A built-in bottle opener tucked into the sole of the foot.
Double Layer Arch Support Flip Flops
Rainbows are practically synonymous with men's flip flops, so you know you can trust this brand. And the name of these sandals pretty much sums up the arch support in this pair.
Flip Flops
With over 27,000 five-star ratings, the people have spoken. If you're looking for a pair that doesn't break the bank, we've got you covered. The ergonomic design features shock-absorbing insoles and a thick rubber tread.
Ooriginal Sandals
Straight from the future come the Oofos. This modernist design uses a special technology to absorb 37 percent more impact than traditional footwear foam materials, so each step is going to feel soft and supported.
Surfer Sandals
Three levels of targeted cushioning makes this some of the comfortable pairs around town. Absorbing shock and diffusing underfoot pressure, these shoes were engineered to be the be sporty answer to arch-supportive flip flops.
Gizeh Sandals
Naturally, Birkenstock has a rustically chic pair that you're going to wear all day long. The lived-in look is given a contoured footbed for extra support.
Frequently Asked Questions
What material should I look for?
A leather flip flop is better for avoiding blisters while a rubber may be best for flexibility and comfort. It comes down to your preference in look, as well as your intended use. If you plan to wear your flip flops to the beach, you will also want to look for a water-resistant or water-proof pair, which are typically made from rubber.
Should I size up or down if there are no half sizes?
This varies brand to brand. The best way to tell is to read the reviews. If you are still not finding a correct answer, try sizing up, as with smaller flip flops you run the risk of more chafing from the strap and foot slippage.
Are flip flops good for you feet?
Flip flops should be worn in moderation. While they aren't the best shoes for your feet, if you find a pair with appropriate arch support (like above), you can get a more supportive wear out of them.
Why You Can Trust Esquire
We’re not going to tell you something is great unless it's actually great. Every product in Esquire’s round-ups is carefully curated by our fashion and e-commerce teams.
Every pick on this list (and our other lists!) comes from years of wearing different things, seeing what we love and what we don’t, and going from there. No two tastes are the same, and no two men are the same. Your proverbial mileage may vary. But if you’re looking for the right place to start, with advice from folks who and care (possibly too much!) about this sort of stuff, this is the place to be.
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