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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip flops

85 replies

VoteyMcVoteFace · 02/08/2016 20:51

What is it with flip flops? the toe-post ones. Everyone round here wears them; I can't bear the bloody things. They hurt between my toes and make the front of my shins ache with the effort of trying to keep them on. My DD has been pestering me for some, bought her a pair today and she can't walk in the bloody things and her toes are all red, so clearly it isn't just me. So what is it, is there a technique or something? Or a pain threshold I have to get through? And why, anyway? Yucky feet on show and absolutely no support at all. Harrumph.

OP posts:
TeaRexit · 02/08/2016 23:04

But I have polished toenails & smooth moisturised heels

MarklahMarklah · 02/08/2016 23:08

I bought a pair of Roxy flip flops about 5 years ago. They had a padded sort of neoprene texture strap and toe post and the bit your foot 'sat' on was shaped to support the arch with little dimples for your toes.
Most comfortable things ever. Now they're falling apart and I can't find anything like them.

Bloopbleep · 02/08/2016 23:08

Sorry Tearexit still ugly & minging

SanityAssassin · 02/08/2016 23:27

I had a pair from BHS that were moulded sole, cost about a tenner and were so bloody comfy. wore them everywhere - they lasted 10 years before they broke :( gutted I've never seen any quite like them. Still love my Havianhas and Roxy ones but those were the best ever - miss them.

TheSnowFairy · 02/08/2016 23:37

I had this and found the toe post so uncomfortable, then tried on Mila flip flops from Clarks. They are so comfy, with a thick sole and padded toe post - they are the first pair I have ever worn regularly.

They are on offer now for around £20, well worth a try.

MrsMook · 02/08/2016 23:38

I've got wide feet and a gap between my big toe and next toe, so toe posts on flip flops are fine.

Birkenstocks are my true love though. Wide, straped on, supported arches, choice of colours, children's sizes. My feet are all about the comfort. Any hint of style is just a second rate bonus.

SistersOfPercy · 02/08/2016 23:48

I wore my birkenstocks for a week, they crippled me. They hurt the ball of my foot and my back was in half as I felt like I was trying to hold them on all the time because they were heavy (though in fairness I do have scoliosis so that may not have helped)

As for cheap ballerinas, love those! Asda especially. Six quid, can't go wrong. I was clever this summer and bought three identical pairs of the ones I loved because they are so so comfy. I have one pair left still to be worn.

I've also got havianas and I don't find them as comfortable as my fabric toe posts, but they are gold so this wins.

EdmundCleverClogs · 02/08/2016 23:48

Yuck, flip flops, the nastiest of all open-toe shoes! One of the reason I hate warm weather, everyone gets their ugly piggies out. I genuinely would rather face a shop full of topless, hairy, beer gut, sweaty blokes, than see and hear those knarly lower limbs flapping about for half the year.

I realise I'm in a minority, but you did ask Wink.

BeaLola · 02/08/2016 23:57

I am in in love with my flip flops - I could walk miles in them and probably have. More comfy than Birkenstocks which I loved too. I didn't get it until I tried havianas - can wear straightaway and do not rub at all - my 8 year old has a pair and loves them too. Sadly an outlet has popped up nearest me and I now have 6 pairs !

Brokenbiscuit · 02/08/2016 23:58

I hated flip flops as a kid as they used to hurt between my toes. Now I absolutely love them, and wear them all year round at home.

LavenderRains · 03/08/2016 06:25

I've got 2 pairs of Rocket Dog flip flops. They have a fabric toe post and comfy thick rubber sole. Come in loads of colours.

Can I ask? What style of Birkenstocks do people favour? I would love a pair but they all look so drab and ugly Confused

2under2madness · 03/08/2016 06:35

Animal or Weird Fish ones with fabric toe posts are so comfy.

3amEternal · 03/08/2016 07:05

gnarly lower limbs

Priceless! Totally agree, keep those flippers covered please. And that godawful slapping sound as they flip up and down. Only thing that cheers me is when someone stands on the back of one Grin. If you have to 'get them out' I find the hill walking sandals cover up the most skin, still fugly but better than a foot on a board.

PacificDogwod · 03/08/2016 08:10

[grin @ the haterz - you are lacking the right pair of flip-flops in your life.

Here's another thought for those who find they have to painfully hang on to their flip-flop and get sore/crampy toes from the effort: there's something not right their, there should not be a conscious effort of holding on.
Or you could try something like these. V v comfortable.

Snowberry86 · 03/08/2016 08:16

I have a lot of Reef ones that are over 15 years old and still going strong. I'm dreading the day they break.

wornoutboots · 03/08/2016 09:40

I can't stand toe-post flipflops
They just look like they're going to cause a broken toe one day.

And they hurt me when they rub

Chopstick17 · 03/08/2016 09:48

I love them(in a casual setting) definitely not at work. Plus my feet are not ugly!!! I treated myself to some havaianas flip flops last year and they have last so well given the wear so were worth the higher price. The first time i wore toe post shoes I did get sore but not any more. It can be quite hard to find sandal type shoes that aren't these days.

99GBPChargeToUseMyPostsJournos · 03/08/2016 09:52

I've never been able to find toe post flip flops that I don't end up with my toes hanging over the front of them. Really not comfortable. I don't think I have abnormally long toes...

BorpBorpBorp · 03/08/2016 10:07

I don't like them, they are uncomfortable to walk in for more than a few minutes and they fall off my feet. I have the same thing with ballet pumps, they just don't stay on, plus my feet get cold. I wear leather ankle boots for work and skate shoes for play, all year round.

TheDowagerCuntess · 03/08/2016 10:17

I love flip flops (jandals) for beach/pool wear. I must be the only person that doesn't get on with Havianas though! I found them really uncomfy - maybe it was just the one pair.

Don't like Birkinstoks either - I don't find them comfortable at all.

maddiemookins16mum · 03/08/2016 10:23

I only wear them by the pool on holiday, and the toe bit has to be material otherwise they are so painful. We have several flip flop wearers in our office, it looks so scruffy (like they are off to the seaside for a day, not in a fairly formal office) and the noise of them flipping and flopping all day is ridiculous.

BarbaraofSeville · 03/08/2016 10:26

Well the advert at the side is now showing me Crocs flip flips from Amazon, which I didn't know existed. They might be wasting their time - I know there is a lot of Crocs hatred on here.

www.amazon.co.uk/Crocs-Unisex-Adults-Crocband-Flip/dp/B002JCSXZQ/ref=sr_1_7?s=shoes&ie=UTF8&qid=1470216240&sr=1-7&keywords=crocs

goldopals · 03/08/2016 10:44

I wear thongs (as we Aussies call them) for short walks but any extended walking means i wear sandals

twinkletash · 03/08/2016 10:54

I'm Cornish and live in them from March-November (even in the rain) and feel quite sad when I have to wear actual shoes or boots Grin

minipie · 03/08/2016 11:04

I love love my Reef flip flops. I have worn them on hikes and up mountains and round cities and they have still been comfy. They are 10+ years old and have had a very hard life and still going strong. Amazing.

They are not the "basic" kind of flip flop though, with a totally flat sole . They have a moulded sole like this so it's more like wearing trainers. I don't find the "basic" style very comfy.

DH has the Reefs with the bottle opener in the sole and they are even comfier Envy