12 Flip-Flops You'll Want to Buy This Summer, Even If You Swore You'd Never Buy Flip-Flops

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Flip-flops get a bad rap—even from us, as it happens. But like so many things that once seemed verboten and now feel kinda fine to wear wherever—lookin' at you, Crocs and sweatpants—flip-flops don't really deserve all the flack that's been thrown their way over the years. Does the idea of wearing a pair on a crowded subway car or out to dinner with the in-laws still conjure deep feelings of dread from the very core of one's being? Sure does! But long gone are the days when any of us, even the most ardent anti-flopper, should expend any serious energy railing against the humble flip-flop.

Here's the thing: Flip-flops do a job, and they do it well. They keep the bottoms of your feet covered when you're loping across the hot sand on the way to that perfect spot down the beach where you can lay out a towel and relax in front of the waves. They shield your soles from scorching cement as you shuffle from the pool to the poolside bar. And, sure, they will also keep you from making direct foot-to-sidewalk contact should you choose to wear them on your morning coffee run, a move that we here at Esquire will neither endorse nor rebuke. Plus, it's worth noting that they make pretty decent house shoes.

The world has come around, flip-flop haters. Maybe it's time for you to do the same (or just get another pair of sandals). And if you've always been pro flip-flop? Well, just do your best not to gloat, then pick up a pair or two from the list below. The more the merrier.

Top Flip-Flops

Havaianas has been making flip-flops for a long, long time and the Brazilian brand still puts out one of the best pairs around.

Mush II Flip-Flops

A soft, cushy footbed and nylon straps mean you'll be about as far from those plasticky, uncomfortable drugstore flip-flops as you can get.

OOriginal Flip-Flops

If you're big into both flip-flops and recovery footwear, boy do I have exciting news for you.

Striped Flip-Flops

J.Crew has been making gear for beachside escapades since 1983, the kinds of classic styles that'll last summer after summer. This highly-rated flip-flop is proof.

ORA Recovery Flip-Flops

Hoka does a damn-fine recovery flip-flop, too, with a thick, cushiony sole and a strap that won't leave you accidentally barefoot with one too-big step.

'301Alts' Flip-Flops

Turns out that guy from college who was way too good at hacky sack was onto something.

Leather Flip-Flops

A flip-flop that's equal parts rugged and rakish. Perfectly balanced all things from RRL should be.

Web and Leather Flip-Flops

If you need further proof the flip-flops are now a thing, fashion-favorite Gucci has hopped on the bandwagon, offering a style with its signature stripe.

Tabi Flip-Flops

Maison Margiela fans, rejoice! The brand's iconic Tabi boots, with its unmissable clove toe, now comes in flip-flop form.

Tuahine Waterproof Flip-Flops

Olukai is a name to know if you're in the market for a pair of flops, and its Tuahine style incorporates contoured arch support for extra comfort with a waterproof exterior.

Lowdown Flip-Flop

Don't discount that quick-drying footbed, making these an easy go-to for any aquatic adventures.

Ramses Sandals

If you thought that you were forced to choose between flops and Birks, behold, a revelation: you can flop your Birks! Glory be!

Why You Can Trust Esquire

We’re not going to say something is great unless it’s actually great. Every product in Esquire’s round-ups is carefully curated by our fashion and e-commerce teams.

When it comes to flip-flops, you can rest assured that we’re hand-selecting styles that we’ve personally tested, tried, and loved, along with styles that the rest of our stylish colleagues here at Esquire endorse for their own wear. We’ve had to go through a lot of trial and error, and these flip-flops are the ones that are simply the best.

Every pick on this list (and our other lists!) comes from years of wearing different things, seeing what we love and what we don’t, and going from there. No two tastes are the same, and no two men are the same. Your proverbial mileage may vary. But if you’re looking for the right place to start, with advice from folks who and care (possibly too much!) about this sort of stuff, this is the place to be.

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