I can't live without those basic rubber flip flops. They are my summer house slippers. They are my year round step out of the shower shoes. I keep a spare in the car.

I stock up on them every year. I take them traveling and at such a cheap price they are pretty disposable if they get nasty.

The best flip flops in the world (IMHO) are L.L. Bean's Maine Isle.

I have 4 pair and they last for years.

Enjoy wearing flip flops!

I honestly don't remember if I wore them as a kid. But I have never worn them in the past, oh, say 40 years. I did however buy a pair this year. I didn't think I could wear them because they hurt between my toes. My daughter said the trick is to get the ones with cloth between the toes and not plastic. This pair even has an arch support, which is a must for me now.

I can't walk very fast in them I've noticed, I have to work at keeping them on my feet, but I can wear them.

They are all I wear. I don't wear the flat ones as they make my feet hurt but I like the Croc kind. Very supportive.

I agree with Chi83 about the Crocs. They have an arch support otherwise I couldn't wear them. They cost more but I'm worth it.

My hairdresser swears by Fit Flops. They're cushioned and have good arch support. And she stands most of the workday.

I love, love, love, sandals by Keen Footwear. They are so comfortable!! There are two styles that I wear all of the time - year round. The first is called Bali. The second style was originally called Antigua, but now it is called Wiamea H2.

The Bali style is a slip-on. They do not have the "thing" between the toes.

I have about two dozen of each, in different colors. They have an antimicrobial footbed, and they have good arch support. When they get dirty, you just throw them in the washing machine. Don't put them in the dryer, though -- just air dry. They also have a unique toe guard that saves me from stubbing my toes.

Every year Keen comes out with new colors. It is really fun to match your casual shoes to your clothes!

Some examples (and, yes, I do have these colors):

Antigua /Waimea H2 :

Bali :

I can't wear the plastic ones, they rub the skin right off my feet. Love my Tory Burch, have every color, very pricey but I love them. Dog ate one, once..... Have a pair of Mickey Mouse from Disney, really love those, but, slippery when wet. Wore those and stepped off of the deck onto a wet stepping stone, broken foot. Very comfy though!

A guy with two left feet walked into a shoe store and asked if they had a pair of flip flips.

(-- Steven Wright ?)

Ooooo Lindsey, those are very cute sandals. I really like both styles but I would probably go with the 2nd one that doesn't have the "thing" between the toes.

I tried on a pair of Skechers a couple weeks ago, loved them, but was too cheap to pay 35 bucks for them, haha. They do have the thing between the toes but it had so much going on on top of the sandal it holds it on better. I may have to reconsider.......

I could never walk in them. Maybe my toes are too short

When they were the "in" thing, I never even tried a Birkenstock, but now many years later, and being more "seasoned", I've found them. Great arch support. They feel like home when I slip them on. The style below is the one I like - I have them in several colors. They are a bit pricey but as the birthdays pile up I feel my feet are worth it.

When I was pregnant with my first child, in 1968, I wore a pair. Only the rubber ones available in those days. They gave no support and my feet spread another size, which was okay because I started out as a quad A. I now have flat feet and can't wear them.

I could not wear them, even as a kid, because of the rubber thing between the big toe and other toes. It always rubbed me the wrong way. The Keen Bali look interesting.

I love keen shoes and have a great pair of their sandals.

I remember a few years ago the flip flops from Walmart and other very cheap sources were causing severe skin rashes and reactions with sores and infection. It was really ugly. I am sure they were from China and who knows what they were made of. I don't know if there is still any problems with them but if you start breaking out do a little Google research.

I used to wear them as a kid and years ago but I find now I am more sensitive about the toe thing. I do have some that are the fabric kind and they are much easier to wear.

Link to the information about the toxic flip flops.

Toxic flip flops

***Thank you*** for the link. The flip flops just went in the trash. On the other hand, I appreciate those who posted pictures, that Keene Bali one in turquoise is gorgeous.

The Keen sandals are not cheap, but sometimes you can find the colors / styles you want on sale. Naturally, you can find them on the Keen web site, but Zappos and other sites also carry Keens. REI, Nordstroms, etc.

And they last forever!

I usually buy my keen products at REI but definitely check out Sierra trading post website they had some great specials on them.

I would hope that the current flip flops no longer contain the toxic chemicals, but I might check if they are made in China.

I have I think 3 pair of the Crocs thong sandals in different colors. I just recently got these Columbia thong sandals in the green from the Sierra trading post sale

Suntech Vent T PFG Sandals (For Women) · More Info

I also really like the Columbia Kea thongs, I think the ring around the toe would hold better.

Columbia Footwear Kea Sandals - Nubuck Thongs (For Women) · More Info

Keen Florence thongs If anyone wears a size 5 here's a great deal on keen Florence thongs for $12.50!

I'm amused by how these discussions turn. OPs original post was about the good old fashioned generic rubber thongs. LOL Now we are into expensive sandals.

But watch....that might be a good or bad thing (the turn) as it seems that the OP ditched her 98 cent generic flipflops. Maybe they were made in China?!?!?! Who knows, but the OP certainly isn't complaining about the turn -- why should you. Oh, I get it. You're not complaining, you're merely pointing out the fact. But know what......nobody cares but you!

Well, I have really flat feet so I cannot wear the type of flip flops that we wore as kids (eons ago). I have to have some arch support.

I love simple flip flops. They are great to just run out somewhere quick in. I don't wear them if I'm out for the day because I do have high arches so my feet do ache. They are great when we head to the river, can go right in with them and rinse them off after. Just don't wear them in deep mud, freeing yourself can be quick humorous for the people with you. ;)

Hey, justlinda, that's a little harsh, in my opinion. Watchmelol clearly said she was amused. What's wrong with that? For me, it's been a very entertaining and instructive read. I am amused too. And I learned about some new shoes that I didn't know about. Thanks, everybody.

Lucille, the Bali color that you like is called Baltic, and it's a current color. (I'm guessing, though, that the color will be discontinued when the new colors are released.) The Keen site has it on sale for $53 but it's only available in women's sizes 5, 5.5, 6, 8.5 and 10.5. The Shoes.com site has them in all sizes (5 through 11 including half sizes) at regular price. The Zappos site also has them at full price in all sizes (including half sizes) except for size 6. Amazon has all sizes and half sizes in the Baltic color. Size 7 is regular price, but all others are on sale for $53. They are also eligible for Prime shipping.

Thank you murrysmom. My intent was merely a chuckle. It wasn't a complaint but merely an observation.

I have never worn them and I really don't think they look nice on adults. I think on children they are cute.
Sue

I can't stand any thing between my toe and I hate the sound they make when people walk in them..

I have a pair from Orthoheel. I got them from Footsmart.com. They have a good arch and the toe thingy is fabric. I bought them when I had a bout of plantar fasciitis and I bought some Orthoheel athletic shoes too. They really helped. Now I just wear the flip flops around anytime it's warm enough.

Ruthie, I agree about the horrible "flip flop" sound. But that's one nice thing about the Keens -- they don't make that sound. They don't flop away from your foot when you walk.

Those old fashioned Flip Flops are awesome, especially for 98 cents!! Those are the best ones, the colors are the only thing that is changed (lots more options nowdays). I am currently sporting a Flip Flop tan on my feetsies - lol! Thanks for bringing back a nice memory lucille :)

I'm 70 and flip flops are my favorite footwear. I love Teva Mush wedges. That slight wedge is so much more comfortable than flat flip flops. Very comfy. Very reasonable. Every year I replenish my collection.

I live in flip flops until the snow covers my toes! Will be checking out some of these styles.

I just bought my daughter 3 pairs from Old Navy. They always have a big variety of color and sizes. I used to have some Crocs, but I have to have straps for work so went to Teva sandals instead.

I've been wearing the 98 cent flip flops for 3 months now. No rashes and I feet haven't fallen off. LOL I've been wearing Walmart rubber flip flops for years and years.

Those were only one brand and although Snopes verifies that they were recalled after customer complaints there is not one iota of proof that they were actually toxic.

From Snopes : The definitive cause of Stiles' reaction to the flip flops is not known — while there might have been a noxious chemical incorporated into the footwear, the unfortunate woman (and others) could also have experienced an allergic reaction to some otherwise innocuous substance used in the manufacturing process.

This was all over the web back then and NOT a single person who allegedly had a reaction nor their doctors, nor Walmart actually tested the shoes for toxicity. Walmart merely pulled them, the single brand, to avoid dealing with the crazy lawsuits that would be sure to follow.

If you had explored the matter more deeply back then you would've learned that many doctors and people in the sciences said those "chemical burns" appeared to be simply a severe form of latex/rubber allergy.

Keen Footwear is also from China and Southeast Asia. The don't say Made in the USA for a reason. The components are from overseas. They just build them here. So there you go. Built in the USA.

Columbia footwear is also made in China. Including the sandals on this page.

When I saw the photos of the rash from the flip flops, that was the first thing that came to my mind was a latex allergy. MANY people are terribly allergic to latex.

always thrilled to fill my shoe holder with flipflops...I discovered Okabashi about 15 years ago...love them and they are sooo comfortable to your feets! I just throw them in the wash on occasion!
Okabashi

Raven I am grateful to you for putting up the link. Thank you. And I'm planning on getting one of the other kinds of sandals shown here. Snopes itself said the cause was never ascertained, so there does not appear to be enough info, and for 98 cents, I stand by my decision.

You never know when a 'heads up' link might be the one that saves your life, or saves you from a lot of grief. I think that concept was discussed in the recent fish thread. And I'd never heard about reactions to sandals. I'm as sure as I can be that some people here on KT have had their lives, health, and property saved by heads up posts here.

Thank you Lucille!

Well, as long as folks are promoting their favorite flip flop makers I thought I'd introduce these for when you want to wear your flip flops while you ride. Made in the USA, custom order:

Good one Stolenidentity! LOL

We called them thongs as kids growing up and wore them in the summer. I didn't like the inbetween toes and I like slip on but try to find ones that fit my wide high arched feet is hard.

If anyone is still interested in the Dawgs Z sandal I found them on the tanga dot com website for $9.99. Coupon code SUMMER15 gives you an additional 15% off. They don't have all the colors like others sites, but basic, black, tan, white, I think there's hot pink.......

https://www.tanga.com/deals/dawgs-hounds-summer-sale-june-15?internal_campaign=sidebar_navigation_features

Keen has not released their new colors for the Waimea H2 for this season, but they do have this one on sale for $45 (free shipping, too). The color is called Raya White. It's available in the following sizes: 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 10, 10.5.

Also, the picture I posted earlier of the Waimea H2 in Irish Green isn't a good representation of the color. This is better. (You can still find this color a few places.)