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The Best Flip-Flops for Men Are Ready to Be Roasted

Contentious? Sure. Stylish? Sometimes. An indisputable summer essential? Forever and always, brother.

By Gerald Ortiz

July 18, 2025

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Debate ‘em all you want: the best flip-flops for men will still be here—on boardwalks and beaches, city streets and shimmering catwalks—long long after you decide what you think of them. In 2025, it's no longer so easy to dismiss the newly-buzzy silhouette as a lazy-man's sandal, the preserve of surfer bros and wannabe frat stars wherever the sun is shining. These days, the unofficial shoe of the summer has been plucked from the beach and plopped down, well, pretty much everywhere else, from Paris runways to London red carpets. Better yet, every pair worthy of your (hopefully pedicured) feet is immediately below.

The Best Men’s Flip-Flops, According to GQ

Featured in this article

The Best Overall

Hari Mari Fields Leather Sandals

$65

Huckberry

The Best Budget

Havaianas Top Flip-Flops

$18 $14 (22% off)

Amazon

The Best Upgrade

Massimo Dutti Leather Sandals

$180

Massimo Dutti

Show more

3 / 5

In This Guide

Best Flip-Flops Overall: Hari Mari Fields Leather Sandals

Hari Mari

Fields Leather Sandals

$65

Huckberry

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Comfortable cushioned footbed and midsoles
• Premium nubuck leather
• Non-slip soles

Cons

• The name rhymes :\
• Not water-friendly

What we look for in a great everyday flip flop is something that feels a little more substantial than the stripped back 10-buck flops, which can feel a little too close to the single-use joints you get after a pedicure. It should be cushioned, ideally with arch support, and feel more premium than a simple rubber footbed. For our money, the best flip-flops overall have to be Hari Mari’s Fields sandals.

They’re made with a plush nubuck leather footbed and straps for a comfy feel and have a premium memory foam midsole for an airy stride. The toe posts (so often overlooked) also use memory foam for a better feel and to reduce friction. Chafing? Never heard of her. The soles use natural rubber and are grippy enough to keep you stable on a boat deck, but we’d give them a day to dry out if you happen to get them wet—our only real gripe with these flip-flops. They’re not waterproof, but we do consider them the best for everyday wear. So unless you’re a surf bum or a professional swimming pool reviewer.

Best Budget Flip-Flops: Havaianas Top Flip-Flops

Havaianas

Top Flip-Flops

$18 $14 (22% off)

Amazon

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Affordable
• Plenty of colorways to choose from
• Classic flip flop design

Cons

• Flip flop tan?
• Light on the cushioning

Just because flip-flops can get expensive doesn’t mean they should. We won’t dissuade you from them, of course, but part of the charm of flip-flops is that they’re care-free and cheap, not precious and inaccessible. For the style and the money, the best of the flip flop lot is Havaianas. They’re simple, clean, come in a rainbow of colors, and are still made in Brazil to this day. They’re the platonic ideal of the flip flop, the physical manifestation of the flip flop emoji.

Best Upgrade Flip-Flops: Massimo Dutti Leather Sandals

Massimo Dutti

Leather Sandals

$180

Massimo Dutti

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Sleek, dressy look
• Comfortable toe post
• All-leather construction

Cons

• Stiff to start out

Massimo Dutti’s flip-flops are what you should grab when you’re ready to graduate from rubber flip-flops. They’re chic, elegant, and could maybe even stand up to the scrutiny at a fancy restaurant—maybe. The all-leather sandals come in a handsome dark brown and a sleek, nearly piano black, both of which match the aura of a pair of dress pants as well as they do some wide-leg drawstring vacation pants. While we love the simplicity and the elegance of Massimo Dutti’s flip-flops, we also love that they won’t cost you an arm and a leg. They’re not exactly cheap, of course. But you can think of these as an investment that you’ll want to have resoled again and again.

Best Flip-Flops With Serious Arch Support: Archies Flip-Flops

Archies

Arch Support Flip Flops

$40

Amazon

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Arch support
• Molds to your feet
• Secure-fitting straps
• Water-friendly

Cons

• Foot straps can feel a bit tight for some

Once you’ve accepted the vulnerability that comes with wearing flip-flops, the next logical concern is comfort. There’s only an inch of foam between your feet and the ground, after all, and a full day of walking can have your dogs howling deep into the night. The most comfy pair of flip-flops we’ve come across are from Archies.

The footbed is contoured to cup the heels and the toes and the carved arch gives the flip-flops rock-solid support. It’s made from a closed-cell foam which molds to your feet after a few wears for a custom fit. The adjustable straps have a stretchy and snug fit, too, which makes for an easy stride that won’t leave your toes struggling to grip the sandals with each step. On top of that, the sandals are constructed in one single piece which means that the toe post and straps are a unified unit and are far less likely to rip apart like most flip-flops.

Best Leather Flip-Flops: Ancient Greek Sandals Solon Flip-Flops

Ancient Greek Sandals

Solon Flip Flops

$310

Ancient Greek Sandals

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Luxurious aesthetic
• High-quality leather

Cons

• Break-in period

As fashion is wont to do, flip-flops aren’t immune from the elevated treatment. Now, there’s a whole subcategory of flip-flops made of luxurious leathers, lifted by a little heel to look down at all of the other cheap-o rubber versions that cost less than a matcha latte. They can get away with dressing down pleated trousers or punching up a pair of jeans, and while Auralee’s $700 leather flip-flops come to mind, we’d much rather pay for Ancient Greek Sandals’ Solons instead.

They’re made from vegetable-tanned leathers which have a premium feel and sheen that breaks in beautifully over time. The leather outsole leans into the dressy feel, but keep in mind that they won’t make them feel as comfy as other sandals. Each pair is handmade by shoe artisans in Greece, where mythological gods were known to wear sandals. You might not find yourself on Mt. Olympus with these slip-on sandals, but you’ll feel like some kind of fashion deity at least.

More Flip-Flops We Love

Teva

Mush II Flip-Flops

$34 $30 (12% off)

Amazon

If Havaianas are Oreos, than Teva's Mush IIs are the double-stuffed version. They've got all the same components but come with an extra-thick EVA footbed with decent arch support. They'll run you a few bucks more than Havaianas, but the supplemental cushion is worth it.

Gianluca L’artigiano del Cuoio

Handmade Leather Sandals

$110

Amazon

Italian-made artisanal leather sandals aren't the type of thing you find on Amazon, right? Wrong. These these chic flip flops are made entirely of vegetable-tanned leather in Italy and cost just about a hundred bucks.

Bedrock Sandals

Cairn EVO Sandals

$115

REI

You can argue all you want about whether or not these qualify as flip flops, but these technical sandals feel like an evolution of the thongs we didn't know we needed. With resolable Vibram soles, lightweight and durable poly-nylon webbing straps, and a cushy EVA foam footbed, these outdoors-ready joints get a major pass.

Reef

Fanning Flip Flops

$65 $50 (23% off)

Amazon

Yes, the infamous bottle opener flip flop. It comes with a nasty little bottle opener attached to the sole, not to mention an Air Max-style heel bubble (for dunking?) and neoprene straps, aka unbeatable vibes. Pair 'em with big-ass cargo shorts and a ratty tee, wraparound sunnies and bump some Puddle of Mudd on the JBL.

Oofos

OOriginal Recovery Sandals

$60

Amazon

After a day of pounding the pavement, your dogs might need some major TLC and the recovery shoe pros at Oofos have got you sorted. The OOriginal Recovery Sandal is a flip flp that feels more like a sports physio prepping you for the next game, but that doesn't mean you can't take 'em out for a coffee run.

Birkenstock

Gizeh Thongs

$140

Birkenstock

The top dogs of crunchy sandals has obviously got its skin in the flip flop game. Birkenstock's Gizeh thongs feature the German label's famous contoured cork and leather footbed, grippy rubber outsoles, and premium leather uppers.

Todd Snyder

Tuscan Leather Thong Cross Sandals

$268 $199 (26% off)

Todd Snyder

These are what we call "treat yourself flip flops". Made from luxurious Italian leather and crafted in Tuscany, Todd Snyder's posh sandals are like absconding from your 9-to-5 to a lavish coastal vacation, ready for a pair of billowy linen pants and an open-collar shirt.

The Row

Dune Flip Flops

$865

Mr Porter

Infuriating as they can be, The Row's Dune flip flops have become a huge topic of conversation. The minimalist design and throwback appeal are par for the course for the Olsen twins, but what's getting most of the attention is the eye-watering price tag which have placed the Dunes into status flip flop territory whether they deserve it or not.

Keen

Barbados Flip-Flops

$60

Amazon

Stubbed toes are the third leading cause of profanity which is why Keen's Barbados flip flops feature a rubber toe protector to keep your lil' piggies safe from harm. Aside from practical innovation, that extra safety feature gives the flip flops a gorp-y slant without going full hiking mode.

Olukai

Ohana Beach Sandals

$80

Amazon

Spiderman-like traction, womb-like comfort, and unmistakable Island vibes make up these Olukai Ohana flip flops. There's no doubt that these are a mainstay of Hawaii, so lean into the tropical energy and don't try to wear these with your pleated dress pants.

What to Look for in a Great Pair of Flip-Flops

As elementary as flip-flops seem, there are a few key things we look out for when determining the bad from the good from the best. There aren’t many components to a pair of flip-flops, which makes it even more imperative to get them right.

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Materials: The cheap and cheerful flip-flops are usually made from some kind of EVA rubber, the same stuff that Crocs are made out of. It’s soft, supportive and waterproof—perfect for poolside hangs and aquatic adventures. Nicer versions will use natural rubber which tends to last a bit longer. And the most luxe flip-flops are made of leather, ideally a full-grain cowhide that has decent structure.

Construction: There ain’t much to flip flop construction. You’ve got a footbed, an outsole, a toe post, a plug, and straps. For most flip-flops, these are all separate components which are pieced together, glued, and/or stitched. Flip-flops with an exposed plug at the sole are more likely to fall apart after some time, while toe plugs that are sandwiched between a midsole and outsole are more durable. Some flip-flops are even moulded as a single piece which makes them even more durable.

Comfort: Flip-flops are as bare bones as it gets. They’re essentially barefoot shoes which means comfort is a major priority. Ideally, flip-flops will have a cushioned footbed with some arch support as well as a heel cup that hugs your heel. The toe post can often cause irritation and chafing, so we also looked for flip-flops that addressed this either with different materials or construction.

How We Test and Review Products

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We make every effort to cast as wide of a net as possible, with an eye on identifying the best options across three key categories: quality, fit, and price.

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Production Credits
Photographs by Bowen Fernie and Natalie Piserchio
Styled by Tyler Austin