The times when flip flops were only meant to protect our feet are gone. Now it's something that people take time to choose depending on their sense of style and comfortability. Just like every other footwear, flip flops are also made of various materials that provide better grip, comfort and wear resistance.
We have researched thoroughly to create a buying guide to help you choose the right one according to your needs and goes with any outfit you wear. Following that, we have put together a list of ten best flip flops for men to make your shopping experience easier.
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Table of Contents
Let's go through the various types of materials flip flops are made of, how the strap type affects comfortability and style, and many more. Keep reading to make the best choice for your foot.
Flip flops made from rubber are so readily available that sometimes we can’t distinguish whether they are made from synthetic or any other material. Rubber and synthetic materials have their own advantages and disadvantages. We have briefly discussed them in the section below.
While shopping for any type of footwear, you will come across the terms outsole and insole. The outsole is the bottom part of footwear that touches the ground, and the insole or footbed is the part where we lay our feet. Make sure to use research the materials used on the outsole and insole before you make your choice.
Rubber has always been a popular choice for making anything that requires a better grip on the ground—flip flops, shoes, and even tires. It's also known for its elasticity, making the flip flops resistant to any damage due to bending or physical shocks.
Most of the flip flops we get in the market will have the outsole and the insole made of rubber. Since flip flops are made and preferred mostly for the comfortability while wearing, there are no tight straps that hold them to our feet. The rubber insole will grip firmly to our feet even when the flip flops are wet.
You must have noticed that rubber flip flops grips even better to our feet when it is wet. This is why they are preferred as beachwear and also for the rainy seasons. Compared to other materials, rubber has more gripping strength that prevents your feet from skidding off the ground.
One disadvantage of rubber is that it can make your footwear heavy. Since we use our toes to grip our flip flops, walking long distances while wearing heavy flip flops can be tiring. Synthetic materials entered the market to make flip flops as light as possible.
You can find flip flops made completely out of synthetic materials in the market. Synthetic materials commonly used for making flip flops are Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC), Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA), and phylon. These are lightweight and resistant to corrosion by seawater, oils, and chemicals.
You can also find flip flops made of synthetic insole and rubber outsole that make use of the feathery synthetic material and grippy rubber.
The strap width plays a major role in how stylish a pair of flip flops look. If you prefer wearing flip flops with casual shorts and t-shirts, the ones with wider straps will go well with your outfit as they match the style of sandals. At the same time, thinner straps are considered stylish and suitable for beach times because thinner straps retain less water and dry out quickly.
Straps may be made of rubber or synthetic material, but certain models cover the straps with a thick cloth-like material, for example, faux leather, so that it feels soft on your skin. Since straps are the most visible part of flip flops, people who are style conscious should also think about the strap pattern and material before making their choice.
Flip flops are available for indoor and outdoor use alike. You may go for the same style or choose different ones, but let's look at the choices you have and how could be better over the other.
Y-shaped straps are the most common ones you can find in flip flops. They are attached to the sole at three points—one used to grip the flip flops using your toes while the other two wraps around your feet while you are wearing them. The straps may have different widths that add style to the flip flops.
This type is preferred for outdoor use as you need as much grip as possible while walking or running through different surfaces like rocks, pavement, or soil. If you have walked through the beach sand while wearing flip flops, you would know how practical it is to have straps that you can grip with your toes that prevent them from slipping off your foot.
Toe Hole flip flops are designed in a way for you to slip your foot easily into them. This type has a single wide bandage-type strap that is attached at two sides into which you can put your foot. No strap goes between your toes for gripping, which makes them comfortable to wear indoors but not a preferred option for outdoor use.
Usually, toe hole flip flops have soft rubber insoles that give a cushioning effect to your feet. They are also lightweight and not designed to be extra grippy. Since these flip flops can also be used in bathrooms, the material will always be a quick drying one.
Flip flops that are ergonomically designed hugs all parts of your feet gently and comfortably but may leave your toes open. To spot ergonomically designed flip flops, you have to look for an insole that is shaped to fit the inward bend of your foot, called the arch of your foot.
This gives extra comfort and support to your feet while walking and doesn't tire you out quickly. When you are shopping for ergonomically designed flip flops, make sure that the design fits your feet completely, like a foot placed on a pillow.
Memory foam is the latest trend in the footwear market. It all started with memory foam mattresses that people accepted so quickly because of how comfortable they are. The material has seen tremendous success in the footwear industry because of the cozy cushioning effect it gives to the wearer.
This material is mostly used on flip flops intended to be worn inside the house. When you are buying memory foam flip flops, make sure that the outsole is made of rubber or any flexible synthetic material like EVA so that the cushioning effect of the memory foam is amplified.
Most flip flops available in the market are waterproof. Be it rubber or synthetic, any material that doesn't absorb water will make the flip flops waterproof. But lookout for the strap material—some models will have a faux leather covering on the strap that can absorb water and stay wet for a long time.
Also, there are flip flops available in the market that cover your toes and are open at the heels. They have holes on the toebox, the part of flip flop that covers the upper part of your feet, that allows water to seep through quickly. This design offers the protection of shoes but doesn't allow water to collect inside.
SOLETHREADS Everlast is made from more than one material. The outsole of these flip flops is made of rubber infused on phylon, making it tough and shock absorbent with maximum skid resistance. Your trekking adventures will be made safe and comfortable by the rugged, sweat-resistant phylon material on the insole and the Y-shaped PVC straps.
You can choose from two stylish color variants of military black and black and lime combo. Customers who bought this product have been using it for more than three months without any noticeable wear and tear. They have also found it to be comfortable and extra grippy.
Adidas Men's Adilette is made of two materials, both of them contributing to its lightweight design. The insole is made of super-soft cloudfoam plus that fits the shape of your foot ergonomically. On the other hand, the outsole is made of lightweight EVA material that is resistant to water.
You can walk comfortably in your house in these stylish toe hole type flip flops. Customers who bought this product are impressed with the stylish full black color and the signature Adidas three stripes on the upper bandage.
KazarMax XXIV flip flops gives you the unbeatable comfort of memory foam. These Y-shaped flip flops have an outsole made of polyurethane and an insole made of memory foam that gives the wearer a super comfortable cushioning effect while walking.
The wide straps add to the style and comfort of wearing these flip flops as they grip your feet gently but firmly. The insole is also ergonomically designed to fit the arch of your feet while the rest of your foot sinks into the memory foam, providing pillow-like softness.
SOLETHREADS Cloudstepper has a bulky and durable build with a heel height of 1inch. The insole is made of lightweight EVA that also provides cushioning to your feet. For protecting your feet from external shocks, the outsole is made of phylon with friction grooves that grip firmly to the ground while you walk, run or trek on rocky terrains.
Your foot is supported by an extra layer of shock-absorbent plates placed between the insole and the outsole of these flip flops. The straps are also water and stain-resistant, made of stylish and water-friendly rexine material. Customers who tried this product have left fantastic reviews about the comfortable fit of these flip flops.
A simple and colorful flip flop series for your perfect beach times. United Colors of Benetton Basic Flip Flops are made of EVA material that is light and also cushions your feet for a comfortable walk. You can use these flip flops for indoor and also outdoor use.
This series of flip flops are available in multiple color combinations and has a flat insole. Customers who bought this product have left reviews saying that the product is lightweight, durable, and provides a much better grip on the feet and also on the ground.
BATA Men's Camp Flip-Flops goes well with any casual outfit of your choice. These flip flops are built completely off rubber that provides a superior grip on the ground. The insole has tiny rubber patterns to grip your feet firmly to them.
The reviews show that these Y-shaped flip flops have provided the customers with great value for money, perfect fit, and a style choice that goes well with outfits for casual hangouts and outings.
An easy-to-wear trendy design that took over the footwear market by storm. Zerol Waterproof flip flops come with a perforated toe covering that lets water seep through, making it a perfect wear for the rainy season. The insole and outsole are made of lightweight EVA material that is super soft, flexible, and comfortable to wear.
Popular reviews show that customers find it trendy and wear it to bathrooms, beaches, gyms, pools, and even while traveling. The product comes in five color variants for you to choose from, depending on your sense of style.
FLITE Men's Flip Flops ware made of Poly Vinyl Chloride known for its water-resistant properties. The insole of these flip flops has thick parallel grooves that grip firmly to your feet. For even more comfort and grip, the straps are built wide and made of the same material as the rest of the flip flops.
You can buy them in four color variants to match your lifestyle and usage. Customers who have bought this product have used them for more than a year without any issues, and some of them have even purchased them a second time, impressed with the build quality and style.
Sparx Men's Flip-Flops are made to match your casual outfits. Even though the soles are thick, the EVA material, which is water-resistant, makes these flip flops lightweight. You can buy them in three color variants of blue, green, and red.
These flip flops come with wide straps made of faux leather that is water-resistant and durable. Customers who bought this product are normally looking for flip flops that are durable and lightweight for everyday use and found that this product checks all those boxes. They found it fitting perfectly to their feet and comfortable to wear because of the soft insole.
Neoz Men's Flip-flops has a unique design that ergonomically fits the shape of your feet. The entire product seems like it is carved out of one piece of rubber. You can consider these flip flops for daily use as it is lightweight and durable.
The thick soles make this flip flops resistant to shocks, and treads on the rubber sole grips the ground firmly. Among the reviewers, many bought this product repeatedly because of the comfy design and skid resistance. Neoz Men's flip flops are available in five color variants to suit your sense of style.
Add more variety to your wardrobe and make your lifestyle vibrant. Browse through our buying guides and recommendations for the best running shoes, hoodies, and sneakers for men in India.
Now you are familiar with the various styles of flip flops, the materials used to make them, and how it may influence the gripping strength and wear and tear. Make sure to read the description of the product to find out about the build material, as some may seem like rubber but may actually be synthetic or the other way around.
Author - Arun F Xaviour
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The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.
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