Flip-flops go way, way back.
All the way back to Ancient Egypt, where they were woven with papyrus and other plant fibers. Over 2,000 years ago in Japan, "tageta" were used for agricultural work in rice fields and walking through wet terrain. The design prevented farmers' feet from sinking in the mud. They offered the perfect balance of warm-weather comfort and protection for long days outside.
Today's flip-flops aren't designed for work – more like working your way to the beach or a hammock! Typically they don't offer much in the way of support or protection, so that's about as much adventure as they can handle.
We love the open-air freedom of flip-flops, but we've built ours with more durability, support, grip, and protection, so you can venture farther than the nearest palm tree.
Here's what to look for in flip-flips that are built to support feet and summer adventuring:
Arch support puts your feet in alignment, so the rest of your body can be aligned, too. Supporting the natural shape of your foot helps absorb the impact of each step. And if you are on your feet for long periods of time, that can really add up. We give our flip-flops a textured, contoured footbed with arch support.
Have you ever worn a flip-flop with such a thin sole that you actually felt a sharp object poke through? Not only does that mean it's not offering much underfoot protection, it also means it's lacking in the cushioning department. We took the light, resilient foam from our adventure sandals and used it when designing our flip-flops. The added bonus: it's a flip-flop that will last longer, too.
Although you typically don't move very fast in flip-flops, feet like to have confident footing – otherwise your stride becomes more like a shuffle. Flip-flop terrain usually involves water of some kind, too, so a grippy outsole is key. That's why we designed ours with Aquagrip rubber for more stick and less slip.
A flip-flop with toe protection?! Yup, because nothing ruins a great day in the sun like a stubbed toe. Our Waimea and Barbados closed-toe flip-flops have a KEEN.PROTECT toe bumper up front.
Flip-flops are the ultimate sunny day sandal, especially when they can keep your feet happy on the go, too. Shop our full collection of flip-flops here.
