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It’s safe to say that flip-flops—also known as thong sandals—are an essential warm-weather shoe. Flip-flops are generally lightweight, water-resistant, and most are well under $100, given the shoe’s streamlined, minimal silhouette of a sole with one Y-shaped strap. Whether you’re looking to replace an old pair or you’re in the market for a new style, read on for the best flip-flops for women, as recommended by the real women we crowdsourced who wear these classic summer sandals not only throughout the spring and summer months—but year-round.
How to choose the best flip-flops for women
What size will be the most comfortable for you?
Flip-flops generally follow the same sizing as shoes. However, you may find that you’re between sizes. While manufacturer’s size charts can differ (always check reviews), generally speaking, it’s better to go slightly bigger than slightly tighter. Tight straps can lead to blisters, and toes that dangle over the footbed are uncomfortable to say the least. Cooks Flips recommends measuring your foot length, then adding one inch to the measurement. Compare this number to the measurement of a flip-flop’s footbed to find a comfortable fit.
Are there conditions that may make it more difficult to find a good fit?
When it comes to flip-flops, keep in mind things like arch support (should you have high or low arches) and your instep so that the footbed and straps are comfortable for your unique foot shape. You can add inner pads and cushioning to other shoes but for flip-flops, it’s pretty much impossible—so ensure they’re a good fit before making your purchase.
How often will you be wearing flip-flops?
If you’re just picking up flip-flops to wear to and from the beach, any choice that’s comfortable for you is likely going to be fine. If you’re going to wear one pair of flip flops all summer long, you’ll want to choose something with a more supportive design, an outsole with grip and is constructed from a durable material.
Our top flip-flops for women
Best budget flip-flop for women: Old Navy Flip-Flop Sandals for Women Partially Plant-Based
What we like: Old Navy flip-flops are some of the cheapest on the market.
What we don’t like: Because they’re so cheap, don’t expect much support.
If you’re looking for an under-$5 flip-flop, you cannot go wrong with Old Navy’s assortment of sandals which are now “partially made from renewable sugarcane,” according to the brand’s webpage. Reviewer Nicole Ongraffia-Guarino from New Jersey tells us that the cost of Old Navy flip-flops are “way more than affordable,” the quality is “amazing,” and the “amazing bonus is they come in every color.”
- Material: 100% synthetic materials (EVA/PVC)
- Weight: N/A
- Comfort: N/A
- Support: N/A
- Durability: N/A
- Sizes: 5-11
- Colors: Multiple color options
Flip-Flop Sandals (Partially Plant-Based)
Best designer flip-flop for women: Melissa Free Platform Wedge
What we like: The unique platform style offers a dressier take on flip-flops.
What we don’t like: The price point is way higher than most other flip-flops on this list.
“My favorite pair of flip-flops is Melissa Free Platform Wedge,” says Tracy Cheng, personal stylist and founder of the fashion blog Girl Shares Tips, who prioritizes style, comfort, and sustainability when it comes to buying flip-flops. “This stylish wedge features a comfortable footbed that will keep you feeling great all day long and the platform design adds extra height to your look without sacrificing comfort, so you can enjoy the benefits of wearing heels without the pain that often comes with it,” says Cheng. Trend-forward fashion lovers, this flip-flop may be the style for you.
- Material: Biobased EVA sole
- Weight: N/A
- Comfort: N/A
- Support: N/A
- Durability: N/A
- Sizes: 5-10
- Colors: Beige, Pink, Black, Green
Melissa Free Platform Flip Flop in Beige/Green at Nordstrom, Size 10
Best durable flip-flop for women: Clarks Womens Breeze Sea
What we like: The traction and durability are great for outdoor wear
What we don’t like: At $55, these flip-flops are pricier than most everyday pairs.
Deb Harrison from upstate New York says her go-to pair of flip-flops for years is Clarks Women's Breeze Sea for its durability and comfort. “They are ergonomic, which is important to me because my back is not a fan of the flat old-fashioned flip-flops and they can also be washed easily (important when it comes to summer activities and sweat). They also have a good grip for various terrain,” she says. “They are lightweight, yet sturdy, and have nice detailing at the strap. They are pricier than some of the more traditional rubber flip-flops, but they last!”
- Material: Synthetic upper / TPR sole
- Weight: N/A
- Comfort: N/A
- Support: N/A
- Durability: N/A
- Sizes: 5-12
- Colors: Multiple color options
Breeze Sea
Best flip-flop for travel: Teva Womens Voya Flip
What we like: Tevas are known for being lightweight, water-resistant, and for their stylish silhouettes
What we don’t like: The limited strap options.
Nora Salama, co-founder of a custom clothing manufacturer, tells us Teva Voya Flips are her top choice when it comes to flip-flops for everyday walking. “They come with a cushioned style that molds to your feet for extra comfort and slip-resistant wear,” she says. “They also have a lightweight foam outsole which makes them feel light, and since they come with quick-dry webbing, they can be worn pretty much anywhere come rain or shine,” she adds. These flip-flops are great travel sandals, no matter the destination. “The shoe is designed to be recyclable, which is great if you want something environmentally friendly,” Salama adds.
- Material: Recycled plastic & EVA
- Weight: N/A
- Comfort: N/A
- Support: N/A
- Durability: N/A
- Sizes: 5-12
- Colors: Multiple color options
Teva Voya Flip (Antiguous Black Multi) Women's Sandals
Best flip-flop for women for the pool and beach: Crocs Crocband Flip
What we like: Crocs is a trusted brand name and the material and quality of the sandal is designed to last.
What we don’t like: Famously, Crocs lean into the “ugly” shoe trend and some wearers may not enjoy that.
Because Crocs are water-resistant, buoyant, and quick-dry, the brand’s sandals and clogs are ideal for the pool or beach. Liz Ho, camping guide, travel expert, and founder of Camping Guidance, tells us her favorite style is the Croband Flip. “They're so adaptable, whether I'm at a campsite, beach, or running errands—they're my go-to choice,” says Ho. “They dry quickly, they’re lightweight, and the contoured footbed provides excellent support for long days on-the-go. My pair has lasted for years, handling everything from sandy beaches to rocky trails.”
- Material: TPU upper strap & Croslite™
- Weight: N/A
- Comfort: N/A
- Support: N/A
- Durability: N/A
- Sizes: 6-12
- Colors: White; Navy; Black
Best flip-flop for women for wide feet: Vionic Shoes Tide II Toe Post Sandal
What we like: This flip-flop is offered in medium and wide B/C widths
What we don’t like: Because of its width, some wearers may find this style to be too loose.
Jennifer Kropf, editorial director at Healthy Happy Impactful, says she wore the Vionic Tide II Toe Post Sandal to a beach wedding and they kept her feet comfortable, even as she was “dancing the night away on the sand.” These flip-flops are also specially designed with the wider foot in mind—Vionic Shoes fit medium and wide B/C widths. The brand’s website notes the “Vionic Technology is biomechanically designed to hug your arches and support your feet in comfort,” and the “built-in orthotic is shown to be effective in helping to treat heel pain (plantar fasciitis).”
- Material: EVA midsole / TPR outsole / mixed materials upper
- Weight: N/A
- Comfort: Fits medium/wide B/C widths
- Support: N/A
- Durability: N/A
- Sizes: 5-12
- Colors: Multiple color options
VIONIC Tide II (White) Women's Sandals
Most comfortable flip-flop for women: Reef Cushion Breeze
What we like: Reef is a trusted name in comfortable, open-toed footwear, so the quality is expected to be high—and it delivers.
What we don’t like: The cushioning is soft and flexible which may be comfortable for some wearers, but the lack of firmness and structure may not work for everyone.
Reef is an outdoor-friendly sandal brand known for comfort—so it’s no surprise the Cushion Breeze makes the cut. Amna Muqeem, a Pakistan-based copywriter who “prioritizes comfort, support, and a snug fit!, style (I want my feet to look pretty), and durability,” says, “Reef Women's Cushion Breeze flip-flops are super comfy and provide great support to the sole because they have a higher arch. Plus, they dry quickly and don’t make those suction noises.”
- Material: EVA cushion / rubber sponge and plastic outsole
- Weight: N/A
- Comfort: N/A
- Support: N/A
- Durability: N/A
- Sizes: 5-11
- Colors: Multiple color options
Reef Cushion Breeze (Cloud) Women's Sandals
Best basic flip-flop for women: Yellow Box Dax
What we like: The simple, all-black colorway is versatile—perfect for those who want something easy and basic.
What we don’t like: There are no other color or style options, and sizing is capped at a women’s 10.
If you’re looking for a versatile, casual, middle-of-the-road flip-flop, you can’t go wrong with the Dax, an all-black sandal from the brand Yellow Box. It neither looks too fancy nor cheap —it’s got a slight platform wedge, a woven strap, and a low-frills profile that’s great for every occasion. “I love Yellow Box flip-flops because they’re cute, comfortable, and super lightweight (which makes them great for traveling). Plus, they’re affordable but look more expensive than they actually are!” says Texas-based therapist Heidi McBain.
- Material: Synthetic upper and EVA footbed
- Weight: 3.8 oz
- Comfort: N/A
- Support: N/A
- Durability: N/A
- Sizes: 6-10
- Colors: Black
Best splurge flip-flop for women: Aetrex Emmy Braided Thong
What we like: The thoughtful materials and construction of this orthopedic shoe
What we don’t like: The price point is on the high side for everyday flip-flops.
At almost $80 a pair, these flip-flops from Aetrex are a splurge—but, according to account executive Simone Migliori, the higher price point is worth it for the thoughtful design elements. “I love recommending the Emmy flip-flops from the orthotics brand Aetrex because it combines arch support, UltraSky material for cushioning, and superior comfort,” says Migliori. Each pair is made with Aetrex’s signature arch placement that is “proven to help relieve plantar fasciitis and common heel/arch pain. In addition, it helps to support natural alignment, relieving strain on your knees, hips, and back.” Plus, the faux-leather braided strap keeps the flip-flops looking stylish.
- Material: Faux leather upper / UltraSky™ midsole / rubber outsole
- Weight: N/A
- Comfort: N/A
- Support: N/A
- Durability: N/A
- Sizes: 5-11
- Colors: Black; White; Brown; Red
- Price on publish: $79.95
Aetrex Emmy Braided Thong
Best leather flip-flop for women: Rainbow Luxury Leather
What we like: The simple, tonal leather makes for a premium flip-flop
What we don’t like: At $70.99, the price point is not cheap.
Many of our crowdsourced flip-flop wearers cited Rainbow as their favorite sandal brand. Carolina Bonetti, editor at Press Pass LA and a voice actor, is a fan of this leather style, a more elevated look than the typical rubber flip-flop. “I’ve been buying these flip-flops for years and they last me close to a decade every time. They’re made of fantastic quality materials that really break in by molding into your footprint as you wear them. They also look terrific as they age,” she says. “I’ve taken them all over the world and their arch support makes them perfect for long days of walking adventures.”
- Material: Full grain leather
- Weight: N/A
- Comfort: N/A
- Support: N/A
- Durability: N/A
- Sizes: 5.5-11
- Colors: Buckskin; Nogales Wood; Oak; Tahitian Tan
Price on publish: $70.99
Best ergonomic flip-flop for women: Archies Arch Support flip-flops
What we like: The thoughtfully designed arch support is highly praised and rated by wearers
What we don’t like: As with any orthopedic shoe, this flip-flop likely won’t be the miracle sandal for some folks with particular foot ailments.
Archies flip-flops are especially beloved by people who have plantar fasciitis or achilles tendonitis—each pair offers up to 2.2 centimeters of orthotic support and an elevated heel “to reduce stress on the calf.” Plus, the flip-flops are thoughtfully made from a closed-cell foam material designed to mold to the shape of the foot. Life insurance agent Lisamarie Monaco cites these flip-flops as her top pick. “Not only are they stylish and versatile for various occasions, but they provide excellent arch support, making them superior to traditional flip-flops” she says. Monaco also praises the “reasonable price point and a wide range of color options.”
- Material: Specialized Closed-Cell Foam Material
- Weight: N/A
- Comfort: N/A
- Support: N/A
- Durability: N/A
- Sizes: 5-16
- Colors: Multiple color options
Price on publish: $40
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Are flip-flops bad for your feet?
While many of the flip-flops we’ve sourced on this list are designed to provide some arch support, long-term wear of these sandals may not be ideal — according to WebMD, “Wearers [of flip-flops] can suffer foot pain due to lack of arch support, tendinitis, and even sprained ankles if they trip.” Like with any kind of footwear without much built-in support, it’s advised you use your best judgment—for instance, you’ll want to avoid flip-flops for sporting activities, but for a stroll around the pool or neighborhood, these summer sandals are hard to resist. The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) recommends tossing your flip-flops after a year if they show signs of severe wear.
Why are Havaianas flip-flops so popular?
Brazil-based Havaianas have become especially popular since expanding to the U.S. in 2007. According to the Havaianas site, the construction of the flip-flop is unique: The brand’s “first design was inspired by the traditional Japanese Zori, a sandal composed of a thin sole made of rice straw and fabric straps.” As such, many wearers cite Havaianas flip-flops as comfortable, affordable, and stylish with many colorways offered.
Which flip-flops are best for walking?
Whether you’re going to the grocery store or pool, be sure to look for flip-flops with plenty of arch support, great traction on the soles, and comfortable straps that won’t dig into your foot.
Is it ok to walk long distances in flip-flops?
The APMA doesn’t recommend walking long distances, doing yard work, or playing sports in flip-flops.
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