Men’s Comfort Flip Flops
Some of us buy flip flops based on the right look or style, some buy based on the “right” name or brand. Most of us shop on price! And some of us, well probably most blokes, buy flip flops based on comfort factor.
If you’re a name / brand man and thought Havaiana flip flops where the king of style flip flops, you’ll need to re-assess that decision quickly. But that’s another story.
If you’re some-one who buys based on price, quality and comfort then take a look at the three best selling Rider canvas style flip flops
What do these comfortable flip flops have in common?
All of the flip flops have the amazing Rider foot-bed. The foot-bed (the bit of the sole that your foot rests on) is made from a secret formula of several plastics. There is a massive R & D facility in Brazil were the flip flops are made in which the scientists are developing new plastics and new ways to mix these plastics to create more comfort, durability and flexibility. When I first looked at all of this I doubted if a plastic could really create a good flip flop. But I have to say I am amazed at what they can do, the plastics seem to be able to achieve everything from an amazingly hard resistant sole to a really soft and flexible rubber, and they can even make them feel like different materials from velvet through leather to wood, it truly is amazing what is possible. And because the flip flops are made of plastics they are completely water proof, you can even throw them in the washing machine.
However, back to the foot-bed. These three flip flops all benefit from an anatomically moulded surface that is designed to significantly increase airflow around and especially under your foot. Why? Simple, who wants smelly feet - no one I’m sure - and the sweat that makes your feet smell (and your shoes or flip flops for that matter) is easily stopped if your feet can easily breath. The stippled surface of the foot bed encourages air to flow between your foot and the flip flop as you move around. Secondly the material that the foot-bed is made from is impact resistant, this means if you’re walking slowly it creates a softer more comfortable bed to walk on. But, if you hit the surface hard, by jumping or running the material toughens giving more support to your foot and absorbing some of the impact - it also makes it a lot easier to run, if you’ve tried to run on sand you’ll know it’s not very easy and the same is true if you try to run in soft soled shoes or flip flops.
The Rider comfort flip flops also all share the same strap technology, the straps are a composite of two materials - a central core that is strong and stretch resistant. Enveloping the strong core of the strap is a neoprene like material that grips your foot keeping the flip flops on and is extremely comfortable.
The Dakar Slide is a slip on flip flop that doesn’t have anything between your toes, if you’re a guy that doesn’t like the classic flip flop then the Dakar Slide is the right choice for you.
The Dunas and the classic Dakar both have a toe post that goes between your toes like the classic flip flop, but following the comfort schema the toe post is made from two canvas tapes back to back. Why two tapes? First it increases strength and durability and secondly the two tapes make a massive difference to how comfortable the toe post is. Two canvas tapes stops them from twisting and allow for much narrower tape so removing any chance of being uncomfortable.
What is different between these flip flops?
We’ve already highlighted that the Dakar comes as a classic flip flop with a toe post and as a slip on version in the Dakar slide.
The Dakar, both versions, also has a much more defined arch support. The Dunas has arch support built in through more material in the foot-bed under the arch of your foot. But, the Dakar has a bespoke molded arch support which is an integral part of the main sole of the shoe meaning it is much tougher and provides substantially more arch support than the Dunas. This extra arch support makes a real difference if you are on your feet all day. It has been proven medically that arch support is important for long term health if you are on your feet for a lot of the day on a regular basis.
Which is the best comfort flip flop?
It’s impossible to answer. The Dakar Slide is extremely comfortable and perfect if you do not like having a toe post between your toes. The Dunas is a classic and perfect for some-one looking for very comfortable flip flops for less than £20, it is also available in a wider range of colours. I’ve been wearing the classic Dakar for the past six weeks. They are great. Last year I had both Dunas and Cape flip flops. Comparing them is very difficult because each has their unique qualities, but I would say that the Dakar is worth the extra £3, they look that little bit cooler (in my opinion), they are very comfortable (but then so was the Dunas last year) and I’m sure I notice the extra arch support - but I’m on my feet all day so I would expect to.
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