Back in the spring, my social feeds became overrun with ads for Archies flip flops. They looked like the perfect Y2K flip flops — slim straps, lightweight foam arch support, and a simple silhouette that wouldn’t hijack an outfit.
I’ll admit: I am their exact target audience. I have high arches, chronic lower back pain, and a strong aversion to any footwear that looks too orthotic.
The Archies Flip Flops deliver the classic flat rubber flip flop look, but with real arch support and a surprisingly durable design.
What we like
What we don't like
I continuously clicked on the ads, tempted by their $40 price tag and trendy colors like butter yellow and chocolate brown. While writing our guide to the best flip flops with arch support, I finally got to see if the claims rang true. After wearing them regularly for six weeks, I can confirm that Archies flip flops indeed deserve the hype.
They’re the most supportive and well-designed minimalist flip flop you’ll find
Most supportive flip flops have one major problem: they look supportive. I love wearing my FitFlop RELIEFF Sandals and OluKai 'Ohanas (as seen in our guides to the best walking sandals and arch support flip flops), but both pairs are noticeably chunky.
Here, the arch support isn’t visually obvious or aggressively rigid. I feel it more after I've been walking for more 20 minutes (which is the same point at which cheaper flip flops will start to turn on me).
Archies' closed-cell foam footbeds have contoured to my foot the more I've worn them. They have a raised V-shaped ridge beneath the toes, so my toes don't have to claw at the bottom for grip. Furthermore, the slightly stretchy straps easily fit my slightly wide toe box without any constriction or rubbing.
Lastly, Archies are made using a single-mold construction. If you've ever worn flip flops from Old Navy or Havaianas, you've probably had the thong strap break or pop out from the footbed. Archie’s one-piece mold eliminates these weak points. I wore mine across rocky riverbeds, where my feet slid around and pulled hard on the straps. Other pairs I tried broke under this same pressure, while Archies stayed firmly intact.
They’re still flip flops — and that’s important to remember
Archies are intentionally low-profile, which means there’s limited cushioning between your foot and the ground. I can feel gravel and uneven surfaces underfoot when I wear them. They don’t have great traction over sand, either.
I also wouldn’t wear Archies on an all-day sightseeing trip (instead I’d pack Vivaia's Sport Sandals or the FitFlop RELIEFF sandals).
But Archies aren’t trying to be rugged. They’re supposed to be fashion-forward flip flops that don't wreck your feet — and in this lane, they succeed better than anything else I’ve tested. You can wear them for up to 60 days and Archies still offers a refund (minus shipping).
So — buy or bye?
After wearing my Archies flip flops regularly for six weeks, I can confirm they live up to the hype. They’re not the most supportive flip flops money can buy, nor are they built for marathon sightseeing days.
That said, if you've been looking for a slim, stylish flip flop that won't leave your arches aching after an hour, I haven't found a better option. I like having sandals that slide on easily without sacrificing the support that my feet and lower back demand.
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