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Most flip flops aren't actually that comfortable to walk in. The soles are paper-thin, the thong straps barely hold your feet down, and there's no arch support to speak of. All that may have been fine when I was in college, but at 36 years old, my body simply won't allow it.
FitFlop's flip flops (try saying that five times fast) are the best flip flops for walking I've tried. Its FitFlop RELIEFF Recovery Toe-Post Sandals look like beachy flip flops, yet they're built like a recovery shoe. I wore mine all last summer, and I can honestly say they're the only flip flops with arch support I've found (in the history of time?) that don't make my feet or lower back ache after a full travel day.
They simplify my packing list
I was traveling a lot last summer (Spain, New York, Copenhagen, Virginia). I'm always anxious packing for hot destinations where I'll be walking all day. I want to plan outfits where I'll feel cute and comfortable — not achy or blistered.
For people with lower back pain, it helps to wear shoes with excellent shock absorption like these have. It prevents the impact of your step from rippling up your spine.
The FitFlops are the best flip flops for walking, but among the 16 other pairs I tested, the OluKai 'Ohanas have the best arch support. The 'Ohanas felt more sleek with a silky soft footbed and nylon toe post that's gentler on skin than rubber.
I packed the FitFlop flip flops more for aesthetic reasons than practicality — they look good with everything from breezy linen fits to bikinis. I figured I'd wear trusty walking sneakers for big travel days, but that these flip flops would be nice to have for quick pop-down-the-street outings.
Instead, they ended up being my most-worn walking flip flops on all my summer trips (including local stops to my neighborhood grocery store).
I wore them on long walks during my summer abroad
In Spain, I wore these flip flops on a walking tour of Cádiz in the June heat and humidity. Throughout my time there, I was shocked that the anticipated ache in my arches or calves never came.
If anything, my feet felt more cushioned than if I'd worn flat sandals, and were less swollen than if they'd been trapped in sneakers all day. Around hour eight, I started to get a small blister between my first second toes, where the plastic and humidity weren't mixing well. But by this time, I was more impressed than annoyed by these flip flops.
A few weeks later, I brought the RELIEFF flip flops to New York, where walking is mandatory and comfortable shoes are non-negotiable — though in the July humidity, comfort has to be balanced with breathability. I wore the flip flops every day for four days straight — standing in lines, walking across miles of concrete in the city, and at Rockaway Beach. This time, I was smarter and preemptively put Band-Aids on the spots I knew could get rubbed raw, resulting in zero blisters. I didn't even touch my preferred walking sneakers.
The technology behind the comfort
The comfort of these lightweight flip flops all comes down to their construction. FitFlop is a recovery footwear brand, and the RELIEFF flip flops feature their proprietary triple-density EVA sole (which the brand calls a "Microwobbleboard"). This targets the heel, arch, and forefoot with different levels of firmness. It provides shock absorption and pressure relief exactly where you need it, and is layered on top with an ultra-soft recovery foam that molds to your foot.
They fit my average-to-slightly-wide feet thanks to a roomy toe box that allows your toes to splay naturally. This feels like a huge upgrade from the narrow straps and rigid footbeds of most flip flops I've tried. These straps are just slightly textured, so my toes don't have to actively grip down.
They also feature a subtle wedge heel — around 1.5 inches — which can help take pressure off the tendons of your feet. A wedge heel is a feature many podiatrists recommend for people with plantar fasciitis, heel pain, or arch pain. Folks over on the r/plantarfasciitis subreddit agree FitFlops are better built for PF patients than those suede cork sandals (you know the ones I mean).
It's also worth noting that at no point did the wedge cause me to turn my ankle or for my feet to slide out the side — these shoes felt super secure underfoot.
They're stylish enough to wear anywhere
What surprised me most about the RELIEFF flip flops is how often I reach for them — even when I'm not prioritizing comfort. The design is sleek and understated enough that they don't scream "orthopedic" the way most podiatrist-approved shoes do.
The slight wedge gives them a more put-together silhouette than a standard rubber flip flop, and the minimal strap keeps them looking modern and understated. It's a subtle platform, but it adds just enough shape to make the sandals feel more like a styled choice than a casual default.
I've worn mine to the beach, with an exercise dress, through airport security lines, at restaurants, and on city sightseeing tours — and they've passed every test (although the humidity is their enemy).
Cons to consider
If you live somewhere with high humidity, the strap may cause friction. It helped when I put on preventative Band-Aids or wrapped the base of the strap in moleskin, but beware of this if you plan to wearing these for long walks in humid climates. The OluKai 'Ohanas are a great alternative, since their nylon toe post and jersey lining didn't cause as much friction as rubber pairs.
The FitFlops may also be too wide for people with narrow feet. However, since my feet are slightly on the wider side, I found the fit to be perfect.
The bottom line
The FitFlop RELIEFF Recovery Toe-Post Sandals ($60) are hands down the most comfortable flip flops for walking. They come with ergonomic features you rarely see in flip flops, including shock absorption, arch support, and a foot-conforming cushion.
I've spent two summers wearing mine across different climates and terrains. I still confidently recommend them to anyone who wants the freedom of a flip flop with the support of a recovery shoe.
Shop all FitFlop flip flops here.
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