I currently have the best flip-flop tan of my life. That’s because, like many people,I’ve worked from home for the past several months, sothere’s been no need to put on any other kind ofshoes. The few times I havedonned socks and covered my feet with closed-toe footwear, it’s felt almost claustrophobic.
My go-to pairis the ($60). Ikeep wearing itseason after season because of itsdurability and comfort. Credit the shoe’smedium arch and high-rebound foam midsole, whichprovide enough support for longwalks around the neighborhood orshort hikes up inthe mountains. Around mile two, when flimsier options might hurt your feet, the Lowdownfeels just fine.
I’m not afraid to hike in the Lowdown, becausethe soleshave beefy three-millimeter lugs. That’s not as big as what you’d get on most hiking boots, but theyprovideenough traction to keep you stableon your feet. The other day,my son and I had to scramble down several steep dirt embankments to reach a favorite fishing hole. While other sandals would have put me on my ass, the Lowdownskept their grip.
I’ve worn my current pair for about 80 days straight and have probably putover 400 miles on them. The high-quality webbing strapsand the company’s rubber sole (the same oneit uses for its sandals) have endured long days of landscaping, driving, and scurrying up boulders in the foothills to catch the sunset. Now the footbeds bearan imprint of my toes,the soles are slightly worn down, and the webbing is filthy. But they aren’t showing any signs of falling apart.
Style-wise, the Lowdownlooks great with shorts and a T-shirtand also goes with jeans when you’re traveling. I’m a big fan of the tan solefeatured on the black, brown, and blue pairs—tan is making a comeback (exhibit A:the tan sidewalls on some new bike tires), and I dig the contrast.
Some of you might balk at the price, but these flip-flopsare actually a steal. Most others, including cheap beach cruisers,cost at least half the pricebut won’t last as long because of theirpoor construction. For $60, you can get hard-wearing sandals that will last for years to come.
Need a Less Rugged Pair of Flip-Flops? Here Are Two Other Pairs I Like.
Teva Voya Canvas ($35)
are my favorite après sandals. I’ll slip them on after ahike (or even a long day of skiing) andliterallysay, “Ahhhh.”They’re the plushest flip-flops I’ve worn, thanks to a squishy rubber-first layer under your foot that Teva calls itsMushtop sole. I also dig the simple canvas top, which hasnever rubbed my feetraw.
Hari Mari Dunes ($50)
Sometimes I just want to wear flip-flops that look good. I want them to be seen. And in terms of style, the wins, hands down. I love the multicolor sole and the otherwise simple design. Like all of Hari Mari’s flip-flops,this model doesn’tneed a break-in period. Bonus points for the groovedtop sole, which drains quickly when you’re playing in the water.