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With the Met Office predicting temperatures could climb to 30C this week, it looks like we’re finally in for a proper taste of summer – and just in time for the bank holiday weekend. While that means beer gardens and the return of our summer wardrobe, it also signals the come back of open toe footwear (and the need to book that pedicure).
I’ve always had a soft spot for flip flops, but in recent years I’ve leaned more towards sliders and Birkenstock style sandals, mainly to avoid the dreaded rubbing and lack of support. But then I found Archies – an Australian brand with an iconic style (just like UGG and Emu) – and I’m more than happy to channel that effortless, beachy aesthetic. Minus the surfing skills.
After trying several pairs myself, and watching family and friends become just as hooked, I wasn’t surprised to find that the brand has picked up a celebrity following too, with Jennifer Aniston and Kylie Minogue among its fans.
Simple in design but big on comfort, these flip flops deliver the kind of support you don’t usually expect from this style. When my mum was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis a few years ago, I set out to find a pair of summer shoes she could actually wear comfortably as a birthday gift. While there’s no shortage of supportive boots and chunky sandals, stylish, warm weather options were quite limited – with the exception of Archies.
Designed by podiatrists, Archie’s shoes aim to alleviate plantar fasciitis by supporting the arch and preventing overpronation: this helps maintain the foot's natural shape and takes the direct load and stress off.
They come in a wide range of colours, and at £35, they’re a relatively affordable option for something that could easily become your most worn pair all summer. Having owned them for a year now, here’s my tried and tested review of the arch-support flip flops.
Read more: Best shoes for plantar fasciitis, tried and tested
Archies arch support flip flops
Rating: 5/5
Sizes: 3-14
Colours: 16, plus four with crystals
Guarantee: 60 day comfort guarantee
Why we love it
- Arch support
- Affordable
- Wide range of colours
- Extremely comfortable
Archies arch support flip flops have quickly become my go-to, and that’s saying something, given I’m usually desperate to ditch boots and trainers the moment the sun makes an appearance.
Over the years, I’ve tried my fair share of flip flops and sandals, and the same issue keeps cropping up – they rarely offer proper arch support. That’s when I came across Archies. After seeing how much of a difference they made for my mum – who has plantar fasciitis – I tried them myself, and it wasn’t long before I picked up my first pair.
Now, I have the flip flops in three colours – white, black, coral, and pretty much wear them all summer long. There’s just the one classic, signature style available (alongside slides), and a wide range of colours, including butter yellow, brown, and hot pink.
Designed by physiotherapists, each pair is crafted from a single piece, giving your feet a more secure, stable feel, with no worrying about the thong pulling loose from the sole. The built-in arch support is engineered to promote proper alignment, while the closed-cell foam footbed gradually moulds to your feet, creating a fit that feels increasingly personalised with every wear.
Whether your feet are narrow or on the wider side, the straps are designed to sit securely without digging in. Although I felt the tiniest bit of rubbing for the first day of wear, there was none of that typical soreness or blisters that you get with new flip flops – a dream. Each pair’s flexible, slightly stretchy construction adapts to different foot shapes, keeping everything comfortably in place.
They’re fantastic for wear around the pool or at the beach, too. As they are crafted from one singular piece of foam, and do not contain any fabric or glued parts, they are waterproof, so can get wet and be rinsed down.
Buy now £35.00, Amazon.co.uk
Read more: Best arch-support trainers for stability and comfort – tried and tested
