Now that summer is (unofficially) here, I bet you’re on the lookout for a pair of sandals to take you from a day at the beach to a night out with friends. Well, I’m excited to share that I’ve found some comfortable flip-flops that are not only supportive enough for all-day wear, but also have Jennifer Aniston’s stamp of approval! The Friends actress has multiple pairs of Archies flip-flops, and I adore them as much as she does.
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A pair of sandals that are A-list and podiatrist-approved? You know I had to give them a try for myself, and I can confirm they’re the most comfortable flip-flops I’ve ever worn.
I know what you’re probably thinking: “Can flip-flops really be that comfy?” To which I honestly and wholeheartedly say “yes!” Listen, I, too, have been burned in the past by those cheap, flat flip-flops notorious for giving you blisters. So, when the brand offered to send me a pair to try, I was slightly skeptical — even if they did have a celebrity endorsement. Making me slightly less skeptical? Seeing them on Aniston wasn’t the first time I’d heard of Archies. A few months ago, I was working on a story about the best flip-flops for women, and these supportive sandals were recommended to me by Dr. Elizabeth Daughtry, DPM, FACFAS, a podiatrist who is certified by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery.
“They were created in Australia by a physiotherapist who garnered input from leading podiatrists and physiotherapists from Melbourne,” she told me. “They offer a traditional flip-flop and slides … I personally have a pair and use them as my ‘house slipper,’ to run errands, and go to the beach or the pool with my daughter.”
These arch-supporting flip-flops slap, as the kids say, and only in a good way. (Yahoo/Rebecca Carhart)
A pair of flip-flops loved by celebs and approved by podiatrists? Skepticism aside, I knew I had to give them a try. The verdict? I’m so happy I did. While Archies may look like your typical rubber flops, they have an orthotic design that’s super gentle on your feet. I found that the foam material molded perfectly to the shape of my foot, and the built-in arch support kept everything comfortable no matter how many steps I took. And if you’ve ever had a flip-flop blow apart on you (especially if that blowout was in front of strangers, and double especially if that blowout was in front of a group of dishy firefighter strangers), take comfort in the fact that these feature a one-piece design meant to prevent spectacularly ungraceful parking lot falls that make even first responders giggle.
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These stylish kicks also feature an elevated heel that reduces pressure, and let me tell you, I haven’t experienced a single blister thanks to the soft, bendable thong. In fact, I wore these for an entire day straight out of the box with no issues, and these have quickly become my go-to shoe for everything from dog walks to hitting the pool and running errands.
Since they are Hollywood and podiatrist-approved, it would stand to reason that these arch-supporting sandals would cost you a pretty penny. Nope, they’re $40. Which still might seem like a lot for a pair of thongs, but you can’t really put a price on shoes that are cute, comfy, easy to slip on and off and are engineered for optimum foot health.
The unisex design comes in 16 styles — which, yay, because I want to add another color to my summer rotation — and sizes range from 5-16 for women and 4-15 for men. Speaking of size, the only qualm I have is that they are only sold in full sizes. As an 8.5, I sized down to an 8 for my first pair, and while I appreciate the snug fit that keeps my foot in place, my heel does sit really close to the edge. For my next pair, I will definitely size up to a 9, and I’d recommend anyone else in between sizes do the same.
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There are 16 colors to choose from — I’m eyeing this sleek olive shade and the classic tan and white options.
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