When you, and your flops, flop

One of my dearest and bests recently showed her dearest and best when she lost her footing on a wet sidewalk at a theme park. 

 

She blamed her Yellow Box flip flops.  I blame myself.

 

I blame myself because I know better.  I choose my flip flops carefully to match occasion and need, especially in bad weather.

 

As you may expect, many flip flops are constructed from waterproof material like rubber, foam or ethyl-vinyl acetate.  These materials are cost-effective, durable, and a cinch to manipulate in design. 

 

But while the ability to shed water is brilliant on top of your foot, it can make things a bit slippery on the bottom.

 

Companies have latched on to user friendly materials to create fashion forward flops like these:

 

 

 

 

While these shoes are very comfortable, and fun with any casual outfit, the bottoms have little texture to create grip.

 

When these materials are exposed to water and force, like when walking on a wet sidewalk, for instance, the material absorbs some of the water.  Then the shoe filled with water sits on top of the sidewalk covered with water.  It is the flip flop equivalent of walking on ice cubes. 

 

Point being, you fall down. 

 

The better choice in rain is an adventure or beach flop like those made by Teva or Reef:

 

 

 

 

Although these shoes are also made of inexpensive, waterproof material, the bottoms are generally crafted of deeply treaded rubber.  Like a tire.  This additional layer creates a stabilizing grip that keeps you upright in bad weather.  A perfect choice for spring time and tropics!

 

Don’t put away the Yellow Box for good, though.  Adventure sandals are perfect for bad weather, but these shoes need a break to dry thoroughly.  Long time wear can result in an unpleasant odor.  Sit them in the sunshine, the next time you see it, and take the fashionable flops for a stroll.