9 Best Eco Friendly Flip Flops That Are So Comfortable and Stylish
Looking for the best eco friendly flip flops to get? There are so many of them out there but many are unfortunately low-quality and made with materials not good for the environment. So I’ve gathered a list of the best eco friendly flip flops that are durable, sustainable, and stylish.
Need some ideas on where to store your flip flops at home? Here’s a list of 41 shoe storage ideas.
Some links may be affiliate links.
The Best Sustainable Flip Flops
For a long time, flip flops have been made out of cheap plastic material that wasn’t associated with being high-quality. Nowadays, they have become more eco-conscious made with quality materials.
Good sustainable flip flops need to be comfortable, stylish, and have a positive environmental impact. These sustainable sandals are usually made with recycled plastics, natural rubber, cork, and even plant-based materials.
Not only are these eco-friendly flip-flops sustainable, but they also promote an ethical manufacturing process and transparent supply chain. The best sustainable brands prioritize fair labor conditions, pay fair wages, and promote eco-friendly production processes. This is the result of creating more fair trade flip flops and vegan flip flops.
What are Eco Friendly materials for flip flops?
- Recycled Plastics: Some sustainable flip flops are made with recycled plastic materials. This includes post-consumer waste (PET bottles) and plastics that appear in the ocean. Not only flip flops, but many other consumer products are also made with recycled plastics like these eco-friendly phone cases.
- Natural Rubber: Natural rubber is a renewable resource because it is created from the sap of rubber trees. Harvesting the sap from rubber trees does no damage to the trees. It also reduces the environmental footprint because the ones made from natural rubber are also biodegradable.
- Recycled Rubber: Recycled rubber is a popular material in eco friendly flip flops. It’s made from recycled tires so instead of these tires getting tossed in the landfill, they get turned into tire flip flops. Recycled rubber is also often used to make rubber mulch for playgrounds.
- Cork: Cork is obtained from the bark of cork oak trees, which is an eco-friendly material. The harvesting process does not damage the trees. Cork flip flops are lightweight, water-resistant, and possess inherent cushioning properties. Natural cork is also 100% vegan and made without toxic chemicals.
- Plant-Based: Some flip flop brands are incorporating more plant-based materials. This includes natural materials like corn, soy, or bamboo natural fibers, which are renewable, and biodegradable. If you want biodegradable flip flops, choose a pair that has plant-based materials.
- Organic Cotton: In certain instances, eco-friendly flip flops may incorporate organic cotton. This type of cotton is grown without the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers so it promotes healthier soil and water systems.
The Best Eco Friendly Flip Flops
1. REEF Drift Away Leather Sandals
Reef is one of the most popular eco-friendly flip-flop brands. These straps are made with rich premium full-grain leather and antique metal hardware. The leather footbed is layered with oil-embossed detailing and with a sugarcane midsole.
The leather is sustainably sourced and the bottom has a no-slip traction. These eco-friendly flip flops are incredibly comfortable and your feet won’t hurt even walking with them for a long time.
2. Indosole Recycled Vegan Eco Friendly Flip Flops
Indosole is a high-quality sustainable flip flop brand. This pair is made with upcycled ENVRO rubber tire outsoles. The footbed comes with arch support which makes it very comfortable to walk in.
The strap on these vegan shoes is made with eco-friendly materials and less water and natural dyes to make than traditional flip flops.
Indosole is a Certified B Corporation and is fair trade so it upholds high standards of transparency on social and environmental performance.
3. Allbirds Sugar Sliders
Did you know Allbirds don’t just have sneakers and flats but they also have slides? These pair of sustainable slides are great to go with a casual outfit. It’s made with their signature SweetFoam material which is made with sustainable sugarcane.
It’s also engineered with the world’s first carbon-negative green EVA. This makes it have a lower carbon footprint. The texture of these slides is super bouncy and has lots of cushion.
The straps on these Allbirds flip flops are made with 100% recycled polyester with a bio TPU strap end. Recycled polyester keeps plastic waste out of oceans and helps protect marine life.
The shoes come in 3 different colors – black, white, and orange.
4. Teva Olowahu Eco Friendly Sandal
For a pair of flip-flops with a more sophisticated design, this pair by Teva is a great choice. It’s made with recycled plastic and each pair saves 4 plastic bottles from ending up in landfills.
The straps on these recycled plastic flip flops are designed to be able to hold your feet in place while being incredibly comfortable. These eco-friendly sandals come in many different colors so there are many to choose from.
5. Sanuk Yoga Mat Flip Flops
Sanuk Yoga is an eco friendly shoe brand made with recycled materials and vegan materials. These pair of recycled flip flops have a slightly thicker platform at 0.25 inches. They name these flip flops “Sanuk Yoga” because it feels like you’re stepping on a soft yoga mat. Many reviews are saying it’s one of the most comfortable recycled flip-flops they’ve ever tried.
These vegan sandals have over 22,000 positive reviews on Amazon so it’s a huge fan favorite.
6. Rainbow Hemp Sandals
Rainbow Sandals is an incredibly popular brand and they’re known for their hard texture. The top sole and strap of the hemp flip flop are made with natural hemp which is one of the best sustainable materials.
These sustainable flip flops can feel a bit stiff and uncomfortable in the beginning but it’s meant to mold into the shape of your foot once you break them in. Since the quality of these hemp flip flops is very durable, they can last you a long time.
7. Chaco Lowdown Flip Flops
Chaco is known to be very lightweight and has a very good grip. The sandal is 40% lighter than classic sports sandals. It’s made with high-rebound EVA and the footbed has arch support so it’s very comfortable.
This style of flip-flops comes in 5 different colors. Chaco sandals are recommended and certified by podiatrists.
8. Huggoes Natural Rubber Flip Flops
If you want a pair of classic rubber flip flops that are sustainable, these are the best choice. It’s made with 100% natural rubber and is cruelty-free. It’s waterproof as well so you can keep your feet moisture-free.
These natural rubber flip flops are best for wearing by the pool, on the beach, or just to wear casually. The soft footbeds make it very comfortable.
This is a great alternative to synthetic rubber flip flops.
9. Okabashi Maui Flip Flops
Okabashi is a great flip flops brand that comes with arch support and is made with recyclable materials. The weight of the shoe is a bit on the heavy side but they are very comfortable and durable.
These are also waterproof so it’s convenient to wear by the pool or in a damp area.
9. Deux Mains Women’s Hand Painted Sandal
Deux Mains is a high-quality sustainable flip-flops brand that is handmade. They have some very unique designs and you can find some one-of-a-kind type of sandals on their website.
These handpainted sandals are made with sustainably sourced leather and repurposed tire soles. It’s handmade by skilled artisans in Haiti.
The sizes do run a little small so be sure to pick a pair that is up 1/2 size.
And that’s a wrap on the best eco friendly flip flops to buy to wear for your next vacation or just to use casually!
