The best flip flops for men and women, from colorful classics to nude pairs that go with everything

• Flip flops are the unofficial footwear of summertime. You can wear them to the beach, a backyard barbecue, or anywhere that calls for casual attire.
• But this type of open-toe sandal has a reputation for being plasticky, flimsy, and uncomfortable.
• Sanuk's flip flops for men and women are soft as a cloud and made of cushy yoga mat material.

You know the person who shows up for a beach day in leather sandals with like eight buckles and makes everyone wait around for 20 minutes at the edge of the boardwalk while they take them off? Yeah, that person is me.

I never have the right footwear for the beach, because I've never found a pair of flip flops I really love, and flip flops are really the only appropriate footwear for the beach. Some people live in them from June through September, and I think they are onto something. Flip flops are so versatile — you literally don't have to think about them. Depending on the material, you might not even need to worry about sudden summer rainstorms while wearing them.

When most of us think of flip flops, we think of slim, inconsequential shoes with no real arch support that we mainly buy because they are cheap and simple. But these days there are plenty of comfortable options appropriate for more than just lounging poolside. Maybe you won't wear them to the office (or maybe you do, if you're lucky to work in an ultra-low-key office), but these picks are suitable for exercising, outdoor showers, and even lunch with friends on a hot day.

Here are the best flip flops you can buy:

• Best women's flip flops overall: Sanuk Women's Sling Flip Flops
• Best men's flip flops overall: Sanuk Men's Beer Cozy Flip Flops
• Best women's leather flip flops: Rainbows Women's Flip Flops
• Best men's leather flip flops: Rainbows Men's Flip Flops
• Best colorful women's flip flops: Havaianas Women's Slim Flip Flops
• Best colorful men's flip flops: Havaianas Men's Top Flip Flops
• Best nude flip flops: Tkees Foundation Flip Flops
• Best nonslip flip flops: Hari Mari Flip Flops
• Best affordable men's flip flops: Old Navy Classic Flip Flops for Men
• Best affordable women's flip flops: Old Navy Classic Flip Flops for Women
  
• Best flip flops with arch support: Keen Kona Flip
• Best comfortable flip flops: Oofos Sandals
• Best poolside flip flops: Vertico Shower and Pool Sandals

The best flip flops overall

When you do yoga, there's a moment when you press your hands into the mat during downward dog or sink into child's pose, and the world melts away. That sense of relief and comfort is in large part due to the mat itself. Yoga mats, though relatively thin, make you feel cushioned and supported even on top of a hardwood floor. Sanuk makes flip flops that mimic that experience.

The footbeds are made of actual yoga mat material. It's a cool, unique concept that translates well to real-life comfort. The brand's most popular style for women is the Yoga Sling 2, which has a 4.5-star rating and over 7,000 reviews on Amazon and is one of The Strategist's picks.

A stylish wrap-around silhouette that is clearly yoga-inspired makes these art-gallery-owner-chic. While not a true flip flop due to a piece of fabric that secures around the ankle, it still gives you that thong sandal look.

For men, there is the cleverly named Men's Beer Cozy Flip Flop. This is more of a traditional flip flop with thick straps, Sanuk's signature yoga mat footbed, and a curve for additional arch support.

The best leather flip flops

If you're looking for a flip flop that's comfortable enough to walk around in for hours, you need to get a pair of Rainbows. Rainbow has been making leather sandals for men, women, and kids for over 40 years with the intention of creating the world's best sandal.

While different styles have evolved over the years, all pairs are made to look and feel great on your feet and not wear out over time. Rainbows are my favorite sandals by far — they're extremely comfortable and supportive for a pair of flip flops. There's a nonslip rubber sole, sturdy leather on top, and a sponge rubber midsole. Essentially, what this does is create a fit that molds to your feet over time.

Rainbows come in single-layer and double-layer options. This refers to the layers in the midsole, so the double-layer offers more arch support. Even so, the single-layer sandals are much more supportive than your typical rubber flip flops. 

The leather makes these sandals feel more appropriate for wearing out and about. I wear my Rainbows with just about everything: jeans, dresses, bathing suits. My only recommendation is to be careful with these around water. If you do get them wet, they take a long time to dry, and over time water could ruin the sandals. — Remi Rosmarin

The best colorful flip flops

Havaianas are the ideal beach sandal — durable, colorful, and able to withstand rough conditions. Even if they get a little scraped-up and windswept, they'll still look cool after the fact.

The sandals come in a wide variety of color and style combinations. The most iconic styles — the ones you think of first when you hear the brand name — are probably the Havaianas Women's Slim Flip Flop and the Men's Top Flip Flop.

There are a few different iterations of the sandals for men and women. They both have a slightly curved footbed, though some have slim rubber straps while others have thicker straps, and some are stamped with the Havaianas logo.

Havaianas have been my go-to flip flops for years. They're simple, but comfortable enough to walk in for hours and look good with pretty much everything. Because they are plastic, they can snap over time, but I've only had this happen to two pairs out of the 10 that I've owned. I'll probably always keep a pair of Havaianas in my wardrobe. — Erin Mayer and Remi Rosmarin

The best nude flip flops

Flip flops are usually reserved for walking along the beach or even wearing in the shower at the gym, but Tkees takes the shoe style to the next level. Tkees makes simple, elegant sandals and flip flops for men, women, and kids. 

Tkees are made with leather (some with vegan leather) which gives them a more sophisticated feel than plastic options. The sandals are thin, but have a rubber sole for extra support. Each pair has a soft, cushioned footbed for added comfort. They're the perfect shoe for when you need something to throw on, but want something a bit more sophisticated than a rubber flip flop. One of the best parts about Tkees is the inclusive range of nude shades. The Foundation flip flops come in a range of neutrals to match a variety of skin types. 

Generally, they're very comfortable, but I don't recommend them for city exploring. Because they're so thin, I think they're best for the beach, pool, or anywhere else where you don't mind if your feet get a little dirty. Additionally, the thin leather straps can get a little uncomfortable if you're walking for a long period of time. But, by the same token, they're very durable because of this construction.

The style and durability of these shoes make them feel worth the price. If you're looking for a luxury pair, they're a great option.  — Remi Rosmarin

The best nonslip flip flops

I don't have the kind of life that requires me to own "boat-safe" shoes, but Hari Mari makes me wish I did. "Boat safe" in this case essentially means nonslip, so they're suitable for just about any slick terrain. These are flip flops for everyone, even people who don't normally wear flip flops. They're cute and sporty, but more attractive than your average pair.

What really makes Hari Mari flip flops unique is the memory foam toe, designed to minimize the awful chafing you get from other thong sandals. It's described by the brand as "a formidable cylinder of memory foam encased in soft nylon to help grip toes, reduce abrasion and do away with painful break-in periods."

The brand has been featured by Fast Company and Insider Reviews reporter Amir Ismael recommends the Fields Flip Flop. At $60, they're on the pricier side, but many of the styles have 5-star ratings on Zappos and cost less than $40.

The best affordable flip flops

If you've never owned a pair of Old Navy flip flops, we probably didn't go to high school together. I strongly associate their simple designs and rainbow colors with days spent at the public pool or the mall with my friends.

The signature thing about Old Navy flip flops is that they are cheap — not affordable or inexpensive, but cheap. Most pairs are normally $3.99 when not on sale, but they are seemingly always discounted. If you like the look of Havaianas but don't want to spend a lot of money (especially if they may become sand-logged), check out the Old Navy Classic Flip Flops.

They come in men's and women's sizes that look the same aside from minor adjustments to accommodate different foot shapes. Old Navy offers the Classic style in tons of colors, including some fun pastels. 

Of course, being so cheap, you sacrifice some quality and comfort. Don't be surprised if you have to replace one each year. But, Insider Reviews Guides Editor Les Shu wears the Men's Old Navy Classic Flips Flops to the gym showers regularly, and find that they hold up nicely. He does recommend actively replacing them often if you do use them for the gym, to prevent bacteria buildup.

The best flip flops with arch support

You go to the beach and upon stepping onto the sand, your flip flops start to sink into it and, before long, slip right off and get buried in the flip flop graveyard. Then, the burning sand on your bare feet causes you to convulse in some strange dance. If this sounds familiar, what you need is a pair of rugged flip flops that can tackle rough environments: the Keen Kona Flip.

The Kona Flip has a thin profile that makes it easy to pack, yet the compression molded footbed provides comfort. It has good weight balance: light enough that it doesn't hold you down, yet heavy enough to help you walk competently on sand, water, muddy trails, rocks, pavement, or wherever your adventure takes you.

I wear the Kona Flip because it's the flip flop that changed my view on flip flops. I used to think all flip flops were cheap sandals that aren't designed as footwear and hated wearing them on sand. But since having worn my pair on a variety of surfaces, I find it to be very sturdy, easy to wear, and, in my opinion, stylish. I also find it fits my feet almost perfectly, like a glove (if feet could wear gloves, that is). And, I've never lost mine while walking on the beach.

The Kona Flip is available for men and women, and fairly identical. On Zappos, it has a 4-star rating; most customers found it fits true to size and width and offers moderate arch support. Despite the high marks, some complained that it didn't fit right; some of these customers seem to be loyal Keen fans. Considering the high price, you should try one on before buying or purchase from an online retailer with a good return policy; few dissatisfied customers gave kudos to Zappos' customer service. — Les Shu

The best flip flops for all-day comfort

Oofos reinvented the flip flop to make the most comfortable sandals we've tried. The special foam is built to absorb even more shock than your average sports shoe.

Oofos specifically markets these sandals as recovery shoes for people who need more arch support and impact absorption than others. Many athletes and people with feet problems swear by them.

I discovered Oofos sandals at a shoe store about five years ago and I've been wearing them at the beach, around the house, and while traveling ever since. These flip flops offer stability, comfort, and durability.

They are formed to fit the curve of your arch, so Oofos' sandals offer much more support than your average pair of flip flops. They absorb impact and they don't move up and down as you walk, either.

I've bought Oofos for a few different family members and they're all converts. Even though the sandals are a bit pricey, they are worth it because they will last and last. You can even machine wash or hose them down after a day on the beach to get rid of all the sand they pick up.

They may not be the most beautiful sandals you'll own, but they sure will be the most comfortable. — Malarie Gokey

The best poolside flip flops

Vertico Shower and Pool Sandals are great for wearing in water. They're more of a slide than a flip flop, but they will still give you that satisfying slapping-sound when they hit the base of your heel.

Considering these rubber shoes are pretty orthopedic looking, they are very popular: They have almost 2,500 Amazon reviews and a 4.4 rating. I came across them in The Strategist and was surprised to find out they had such a rabid fan base.

They're chunky and a little bit ugly but in a cool sort of way that reminds me of Everlane and Crocs at the same time. The sandals are so comfortable you may not even want to take them off when you're no longer poolside. Unlike regular flip flops, there's traction at the bottom to prevent slipping.