Flip-flops Always Destroyed My Feet—but This $50 Cushioned Pair Has Arch Support and Never Gives Me Blisters

Travel + Leisure

4 days ago

To understand how much of a shock it is for me to recommend foam recovery flip-flops as travel shoes, you must understand that flip-flops and I haven't always been friends. They've historically shredded my feet, and I have an instinctive aversion to the idea of 'recovery shoes,' which sounds orthopedic and certainly not stylish. So it's even more impressive that I not only packed the Oka Recovery Flip-flops in my carry-on for a recent Caribbean trip, but I'm now dedicating an entire review to these squishy foam sandals.
I pack light when I travel, and these were the only pair of comfortable sandals I brought for a recent eight-day trip to the Caribbean. This meant I put a lot of trust in their durability and comfort—and they did not disappoint.
These Oka flip-flops are made from a single piece of injection-molded EVA foam, which results in a streamlined build that eliminates blister-inducing seams, rough edges, and anchor points. The 'recovery' part comes from the mid-rise arch support, excellent cushion, and a lightly textured foot platform that aids in circulation. The shoes are smooth, comfortable, and, unlike many other flip flops, they have a deep heel cup that feels both secure and supportive. The arch and heel felt instantly molded to my feet, which eliminated the foot cramping I've experienced from the flat, shapeless base of standard flip flops.
From arch support to chafe-free wear, these are some of the most comfortable flip-flops I've ever tried. I've experienced agonizing blisters in other sandals from rubbing against the strap anchors. That's not an issue with these—the straps are smooth and seamless, and I didn't experience any chafing even during all-day outings in the Curaçao humidity. The anchor points are built into the shoe, with a deeper curve than standard flip flops. This ended up around the same angle as the side of my foot, which also helped prevent abrasions even when I got sweaty.
These recovery sandals cleaned off quickly in the ocean, shook off dried sand after a beach day, didn't build up sweat underfoot, and were airy and breathable even in 90-degree heat. The outsole has just enough texture where I didn't feel unstable on wet pool decks or going up and down mild hills, and the molded heel cups and wide straps kept my feet secure. They had excellent shock absorption comparable to my heavier hiking sandals, and they were so lightweight and packable that they took up almost no room in my carry-on.
As far as style points go, it's pretty obvious I wasn't aiming for any vacation fashion awards. Comfort is my priority, and I didn't wear hot pink foam flip flops to impress the other people at the resort. That said, you don't have to opt for neon, and these sandals come in multiple colorways from bright to marbled to muted.
While I'm also not going to claim an awe-inspiring step count during this trip, I still was on my feet quite a bit. I wore these sandals during an extended tour of Limpi Recycling, walked the beach every day to my scuba classes , and took a half-day trip to Willemstad, where I sweated more than I have in recent memory. The fit was accurate, and even though they're unisex sizing, my normal size worked perfectly. They only come in full sizes, so if you're a half-size, I recommend sizing down. You can also machine wash them (according to Oka), but I haven't tried this, so do with that information what you will.
Oka also has some lovely sustainability initiatives. The shoes are made in the U.S., and they're fully recyclable—just send them back at the end of their life, and the foam can be broken down and turned into a new pair.
Here are a few other sub-$50 options for your next resort trip—or just for wearing around town. You can credit me for your poolside fashion inspo.
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