Skip to main content
eBay
Write a guide | My Guides |  
New! Learn all about eBay Guides

Flip Flop Buying Guide

Flip Flop Buying Guide

Flip flops are a style of shoe that has been around for centuries. Yet, recently, this simple shoe has turned itself into a multi-billion dollar industry that continues to be a dominant presence in the shoe world. The flip flop is aptly named after the sound the shoe makes against the ground. As one walks, this loose sandal flips up and flops back down, hitting both the soles of the feet and the ground in a snapping motion. Flip flops are generally considered to be a casual style of shoe. They commonly consist of a Y-shaped strap that holds the foot in place. The strap connects to the flat sole between the first and second toes, and then wraps around the sides of the feet to firmly hold the foot in place. There are other designs of flip flops as well, such as a single strap wrapped over the front of the foot or toe area as opposed to in between the toes. With a variety of styles available, it is important to consider all options before making a purchase. With a little research, there is a perfect pair of flip flops for every individual.

History of the Flip Flop

The flip-flop sandal has been worn by individuals dating as far back as the ancient Egyptians of 4,000 B.C. At that time, the shoes were made out of papyrus and palm leaves. While the style of shoe was common worldwide, each geographic location used different materials to construct the flip flop depending on what was available. For example, Africans made flip flops out of rawhide, while South Americans used twine from the sisal plant. Flip flops did not become popular in the United States until soldiers brought home the Japanese style known as the zori sandal from World War II. The zori sandals were redesigned to fit the American culture in the 1950s, and soon caught on to become a popular trend in the 1960s. What began as a casual shoe popular among teenagers and beach-goers soon became a nationwide phenomenon.

One of the most popular brands of flip flops today is Havaianas, which was introduced in 1962 by the Brazilian company Alpargatas. By 2010, there were more than 150 million pairs of Havaianas produced each year for consumers to enjoy. Today’s flip flops come in all colors and styles, from plain and solid colored to embellished and multi-colored.

Types of Flip Flops

Considering flip-flop shoes have been around for thousands of years, there are a variety of styles and brands to choose from depending on what the consumer needs. Styles will vary depending on the region of the world in which one shops. Flip flops can have a casual look, but can be fancier and dressier as well. Different designs include the zori, the jandal, thongs, comfort-inspired flip flops, high-heeled flip flops, and contemporary designs.

Zori

The zori style of flip flops was created by the Japanese in the World War II era of the 1940s, and was originally made out of straw and rice. These shoes were geared more towards women, who would wear them mainly as slippers inside the home. Modernized versions of the zori sandal typically have a bottom made out of rubber, with the remaining portion of the shoe containing leather or another sturdy type of material. These flip flops tend to be wider than other styles, and have thin, long straps to hold the feet in place. Some zori shoes are still handmade today, and occasionally are designed with Japanese flowers to represent their origins.

Jandal

The creation of jandals expanded the flip flop market immensely. Designer John Cowie merged the words "Japanese" and "sandal" together to create the term jandal, which is still commonly used in Australian and New Zealand cultures today. The jandal was the first time the flip flop was geared towards outside purposes, and the jandal became especially popular to wear to the beach. The jandal was soon produced in mass quantities to meet the public’s demand, and has became the shoe of choice for days spent at the beach, by the pool, or in any other warm and casual setting.

Thongs

Thong style flip flops are the most common design of the sandal, especially for women. These have two straps that connect to either side of the sole, and then extend out and attach near the front of the shoe in between the big toe and second toe. The remaining material stretches over either side of the foot to hold the flip flop in place. The straps are typically thinner than other types of flip flops, and come in a number of different designs and colors to accommodate a variety of tastes and preferences.

Comfort

There are a variety of flip flops that are geared towards providing an extra amount of comfort to the feet. These comfort flip flops offer a large amount of support and stability. They often have extremely soft footbeds and are designed to fit the curves of the foot as well. For maximum support, comfort flip flops usually contain either a larger number of straps or straps that are wider in size than the average style of flip flops. Comfort flip flops will provide the user with longstanding support in a casual shoe.

High-Heeled Flip Flops

For a more fashion forward approach, some women choose to wear high-heeled flip flops for a highly stylish look. There are many different versions of the high-heeled flip flop, with some made of wood, foam, cork, or plastic materials. Some are designed with a thin and low heel (otherwise known as the kitten heel), while others have a wide and chunky heel. Some stiletto style flip flops are even available with a long and thin heel. If the user is looking for a high-heeled look but wants a bit more stability, a platform style flip flop would work best as it raises the entire shoe off of the ground. High-heeled flip flops are, of course, quite different from the average flip flop, and are generally less comfortable than a flat-soled sandal as well.

Contemporary

As flip flops continue to evolve, they are worn in a variety of settings besides just the beach. From business offices to formal events, the flip flop is becoming more and more common. Because of this soaring popularity, some designers have turned the average sandal into a multifunctional device. For example, ArchPort flip flops contain a storage space in the insoles of each shoe to stash items such as credit cards, keys, and cash for the user’s convenience. The Reef brand of flip flops designed built-in bottle openers into the bottom of their flip flops as well, which is a great addition for any party attendee.

Health Concerns Surrounding Flip Flops

As more and more people began wearing flip flops, controversy formed around the safety and comfort of these shoes. Some specialists believe flip flops cause foot problems and other health issues related to walking and posture, especially in younger people who wear flip flops on a regular basis. Due to their lack of foot support, most flip flops are tough on the feet if worn for long periods of time. They can cause a person to feel pain in the legs, ankles, and feet. Other considerations are hazards that may be on the ground. With the foot so exposed in a flip flop, wearers have little protection from hot sand, contagious viruses, glass, or other environmental hazards.

How to Find Flip Flops on eBay

Now that you are familiar with the many styles of flip flops available for purchase, it is time to go shopping. eBay has the ability to provide you with thousands of options when it comes to finding the perfect flip flop, and all are just a click of a button away.

To begin, you can start with a keyword search to find the right pair of flip flops for you. Go to the eBay homepage and enter your preferred keywords into the search box at the top of the page. If you want to see a large range of what eBay has to offer, simply type "flip flops" into the search bar and click search. All of the options available within eBay at the time will appear for you. You can browse through all sizes, styles, colors, and brands until you find the pair you need. If you want to be more specific in your search, this can also be done through the use of a keyword search. For example, if you are looking for a pair of Havaianas size 7/8 flip flops, type this exact phrase into the search box and click search. eBay will only populate the items that match this description, making the entire search process quick and efficient for you.

If you are not interested in performing keyword searches in order to find a great pair of flip flops, browse through eBay’s categories instead. Begin on the eBay home page and navigate to the Fashion category. Flip flops can be found under the Clothing, Shoes and Accessoriessection, including subcategories such as Women ’ s Shoes, Men ’ s Shoes, and Unisex Clothing, Shoes & Accs.

Conclusion

Flip flops have been around for many centuries, and have evolved into a comfortable and convenient pair of shoes to wear nearly anywhere. While it is hard for some to get used to the look of a flip flop in settings such as an office environment, these sandals continue to be a popular trend for people of all ages. It is important to consider the health issues that can come with wearing flip flops, but as long as one balances one’s shoe selection and doesn’t wear a flip flop at all times, occasional wear can provide comfort and casual style. With so many different brands and styles to choose from, flip flops are a great choice for anyone looking for an easy and comfortable pair of shoes to slip on in the warm summer months.

Author information
eBay
Was this guide helpful?

Choose a template