Help me retire my flip flops

May 25, 2015 4:15 PM

Yes, yes, I know. Flip flops are the worst and I should be ashamed of myself. But you know what? I'm hot and they make me a little less sweaty and gross. Every second that I spend without socks makes my summer life more bearable. I believe these Reef flip flops are what I currently wear and they've served me very well, but I think it might be time to retire them to beach use only. What should I replace them with?

So, I know that flip flops are pretty horrible for you and I've actually got a achy knee (most likely patellofemoral pain syndrome that will not freaking go away) from a treadmill injury a few years ago. It actually hurts the most when I'm simply standing, not so much when I'm walking. So, I would like some good hot weather footwear that gives me some good support.

I'd also prefer something in leather that I wouldn't be embarrassed to wear with some shorts and a collared shirt, maybe to eat at a gastropub, an outdoor/deck dining establishment, or to a company picnic. But also something that I can wear to a summer festival and walk around for hours at a time in an urban setting.

Thanks!

posted by JimBJ9 to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (27 answers total)

I wear Sperry boat shoes. Only the Gold Cup line, with the memory foam inserts. The standard ones aren't that comfortable for me, but I've been wearing variations of the Gold Cup for nearly ten years, with many days of all day walking, and they're great.

I still wear flip flops too (Olu Kai only), but the boat shoes are my go-to summer shoe where flip flops aren't appropriate.
posted by primethyme at 4:19 PM on May 25, 2015 [1 favorite]

Like these, I think.
posted by primethyme at 4:21 PM on May 25, 2015 [1 favorite]

I find Teva flip flops oddly supportive and super comfortable (oddly because I never thought a basic flip flop could be). Personally I wear Mush, but it looks like they have a leather design too. I can walk for miles in them with no pain.
posted by cecic at 4:22 PM on May 25, 2015 [4 favorites]

Birkenstocks
posted by prk60091 at 4:24 PM on May 25, 2015 [12 favorites]

Seconding Birkenstocks. I have knee and lower back pain when I spend too much time in flip-flops but it's summer and I hate summer and I'm pregnant and 115 degrees at all times, so I'm NOT wearing closed-toe shoes. I got a pair of Birkenstocks and they are AMAZING. No knee and back pain and I wear them aaaalll day long. They're cuter than I expected, too.
posted by Aquifer at 4:33 PM on May 25, 2015 [1 favorite]

Yeah for all the bad rap they get, Birks are comfortable and don't look that bad - fashion hangups aside. Plus they hold onto your feet better than flip-flops IMO.

Or you could get a more formal leather sandal/shoe thing like this from Keen. Or the "classic" Keen sandal like this which depending on what you want is either the perfect match of closed+open or a hideous abomination that's neither sandal nor shoe.

As much as I hate clothing shopping the one thing about shoe shopping is that there are a lot of different types of shoes out there and it may take a while to find exactly what you want.
posted by GuyZero at 5:06 PM on May 25, 2015

Birkenstock Arizonas specifically sound like they'd be ideal if you feel like you need to retire the flip flops. Your toes can still breathe, you can still slip in and out of them as necessary, but they're a little more substantial and MUCH more supportive than flip flops.

And I know not everyone agrees, but I think Birkenstocks look really nice. I wear Birks probably 90% of the time, and I look fabulous.

I think they look slightly less hippyish if you get black instead of brown or taupe, if that's something you're concerned about.
posted by ernielundquist at 5:08 PM on May 25, 2015

nthing Birkenstocks. They come in many different styles/colors now so they are not so frumpy, and they are so comfortable once you break them in. They are expensive, but they last forever - I replace the soles on mine every 3-4 years, which gives you an idea of how long they last...
posted by goodbyewaffles at 5:08 PM on May 25, 2015

Tevas, absolutely. I get a new pair every summer and wear them pretty much exclusively.
posted by lydhre at 5:41 PM on May 25, 2015

Birkenstocks are in fashion right now, at least for women- and I can attest that they're super comfortable and last forever. Plus, they're a classic style so you can wear them forever.
posted by MadamM at 5:43 PM on May 25, 2015

My aesthetic runs more Docs and brogues but fuck if I don't love my Birkenstocks. They are so goddamned comfortable. If I'm forced to give up several months of socks in summer weather, I'm going to be spending them in Birks.
posted by phunniemee at 6:02 PM on May 25, 2015

Birkenstocks are probably the logical next step up from flip flops, as a lot of people have noted. I actually want to second GuyZero and recommend some of the options from Keen -- I have the worst luck with anything open-toed, I manage to smack my unprotected toes into things constantly, so I started exploring the closed-toe sandals from Keen and settled on a pair of their Newports. They breathe almost as well as lighter sandals but they keep my toes from getting crushed and provide surprisingly good support for the rest of my foot. I've worn these things hiking and sailing and kayaking and they work as well with jeans and khakis as they do with shorts.
posted by Two unicycles and some duct tape at 6:03 PM on May 25, 2015 [1 favorite]

Okabashis (not the flip-flops)
posted by koucha at 6:31 PM on May 25, 2015

I've had the same pair of Teva Mush flippies since 2006, and they look and wear like practically new. Those things last.
posted by biddeford at 6:34 PM on May 25, 2015

I actually damaged my foot wearing Birkenstocks with the plastic uppers, if you are planning on getting them make sure to get the leather uppers with some give in them. It took me weeks to get over the bruising & swelling to the top of my foot. I also found the lack of give in the soles painful to my big toe, but I have had my big toe reattached after an accident so it is not a problem that would hit most people I imagine.

While there is a whole "snob" thing against them crocs make very smart, super comfortable flip flops with support & leather uppers, that are super tough & last for ages.
posted by wwax at 6:51 PM on May 25, 2015

For something nicer to wear to outside restaurant, for company picnic, etc. - how about leather crossband sandals? (and see lots of other examples on the same page) They cover more of the foot than a flip-flop, have a more supportive structure and footbed than a flip-flop, but are less strappy and confining than a more european-styled/fisherman sandal.

On the other hand, outdoorsy sandals like the Keen Clearwaters are great for things like sports and festivals. Maybe it depends on what you think you'll be doing more of this summer!
posted by hiker U. at 7:03 PM on May 25, 2015 [2 favorites]

I'm hot and they make me a little less sweaty and gross.

Obligatory reminder that Keen sandals like the Newport and Clearwater above will not make your feet less sweaty and gross unless you're around water and can wash them down regularly throughout the day. Also, a lot of people think boat shoes like Sperry Top-Siders are fine to wear without socks, but I still remember the day a colleague took his off in the kitchen... Ugh.

Anyway, if you want nice-looking, supportive men's sandals that'll last a long time and that won't stink, check out Teva, Born, and Ecco.
posted by limeonaire at 7:19 PM on May 25, 2015

There are lots of unisex styles of these leather "Jerusalem" sandals here. I can confirm that they are super comfortable once they're broken in, and the break-in wasn't that bad. They mold to your foot wonderfully and do not promote foot smell as they're so breathable. Lots of color choices, too. The black, brown and caramel (natural/light brown) colors are great, and they're very sturdy.
posted by Klaxon Aoooogah at 7:43 PM on May 25, 2015

Another vote for Keens for the toe-protecting and comfort reasons cited above. I'm due to replace mine after 6+ years, come to think of it. Birks were terrible for my feet (oh the ache) but keens have been uniformly awesome.
posted by Emperor SnooKloze at 8:00 PM on May 25, 2015

They're not leather, but I've had a pair of Chacos for a couple of years now and wear them almost exclusively spring through fall.
posted by jquinby at 4:48 AM on May 26, 2015

Nthing Birkenstocks. Olukai flip flops have good arch support, too, and several leather styles.
posted by Metroid Baby at 6:55 AM on May 26, 2015

I bought some Birkenstocks a year or so ago, and I love them. They're my go-to shoes during the spring and summer. They took a little while to break in, but they are some of the most comfortable shoes I've ever worn. I'd wear them all year round if I could get away with it.
posted by Telpethoron at 7:47 AM on May 26, 2015

Whatever summer shoe replacement you choose, make sure to have 2 pairs so that you can alternate wearing them while letting the others air out and rest. This will prolong the wearable life of both pairs significantly.
posted by poffin boffin at 8:32 AM on May 26, 2015 [1 favorite]

Rainbow leather sandals will convert you forever. The longest lasting sandals by far; I still have mine from, I can't remember how long ago, 6-7 years and they are functionally still nearly brand new. When you wear-in the leather, it gets that cool, semi shiny-worn look. They initially feel a little tight and need a break-in period; hang in there and you'll be happy and super comfortable after a week or two.
posted by incolorinred at 9:14 AM on May 26, 2015

I haven't tried these but I have heard great things about FitFlops from a friend who leads European travel tours and wears them all day for walking.
posted by Miko at 9:24 AM on May 26, 2015

Birkenstock makes flip-flops. I have a pair that I love, but it's kind of a woman's style, which you might not dig so much. There's also this variant from a different seller.
posted by culfinglin at 11:21 AM on May 26, 2015

Response by poster: Thanks folks. I'm surprised that Birkenstocks got such high marks in terms of foot support. I haven't worn them since just post-college, but I guess it might be worth giving them another shot.

Thanks!
posted by JimBJ9 at 6:21 AM on May 27, 2015 [1 favorite]