Flip-flops and slides: when and where are they best suited for? In this article on flip-flops vs. slides, we’ll provide an answer to that query. Both slides and flip-flops are readily available, simple to wear, and unisex, which increases their adaptability for a person’s outfit.
Let’s take a deeper dive into the evolution, design, construction, and practicality of both slides and flip-flops so you can pick the one that best serves your needs and complements your personal sense of style.
What you need to know about flip-flops
Despite having an open back and exposed toes, flip-flops are nonetheless classified as sandals. A single strap on the flip-flop is carved into a V shape above the toe box. The thong, a single piece that stretches between each foot’s first and second toes, is the distinguishing element of the flip-flop. The thong is used to keep the shoe firmly in place on the wearer’s foot.
Despite having a thin rubber sole, flip-flop shoes are often not suitable for slippery terrain. Flip-flops are the most popular footwear for going to the beach due to their style and lack of coverage. Flip-flops are also the perfect footwear for manicures and tanning sessions by the pool and on the beach.
A brief history of flip-flops
Flip-flops were first made in Japan as Zori sandals, which are a type of thong sandal that is native to that island. During World War II, American soldiers stationed in Japan found that they both liked thong-style sandals. They started making a Zori sandal that was more like an American shoe by using rubber, which eventually became the flip-flop we know today.
What you need to know about slides
A slide is a style of footwear with just one broad strap covering the toe box, and it has no back support. It has no material that fits between the toes like a flip-flop does to help you hold onto the shoe. The wider toe strap, which is typically made of Velcro material, is designed to fit the foot more securely. Instead of using a thong as you do while wearing flip-flops, this is how the slide stays in place. So, this is the main distinction between these two categories of footwear.
Slides are ideal for wearing to the gym, sauna, and locker room showers because of how simple they are to put on. In this situation, slides are the ideal footwear option. Slides not only offer a simpler on-and-off process than flip-flops, but they also have a more supportive sole. Some designs even include a nubby surface that, when worn, gives you the impression that you are having a massage. These sturdy soles are better suited for wearing in the shower and right after a workout.
A slide sandal provides greater cushioning and support than a flip-flop, which has a thin sole. Slides typically feature a non-slip bottom that would be ideal for a shower or sauna floor. However, it isn’t optimal for wearing on the beach, as they frequently become trapped in the sand and surf because they are too thick and heavy on both the top and bottom. Furthermore, removing sand from the nubby surface of a slide is difficult.
A brief history of slides
In the 1960s and early 1970s, slides, a sort of cross-cultural footwear, gained popularity. The slides that are popular today are a modernised form of the Birkenstock slide, which featured the traditional two buckles and double straps. The hippy or eco-friendly crowd typically wears Birkenstock slides, which were typically worn by hippies or eco-friendly crowds and were less common among males than among women. Although the most popular shoe is the Adidas slide, which Germany produced in 1972 for soccer players, it is still referred to as a slide in the US.
The difference in how they fit
The wedge or thong piece that fits between two toes is the main characteristic of flip-flops. It also has a thin piece of rubber that makes up the flip-flop’s bottom. The slide varies largely in one way: it uses a strap that is fastened to the shoe sole with Velcro or is formed of a single length. A slide’s bottom is often designed to be slip-proof and is thicker than the bottom of a flip-flop.
The difference in material
The main component of both flip-flops and slides is rubber. However, there are also sophisticated designs that are constructed of leather or pleather. It is advised to purchase slides and flip-flops made of a flexible material to have the most comfortable experience when wearing one.
The difference in design material
Flip-flops are distinguished by the use of a V-shaped strap with only one piece attached between the toes to secure the slipper to the foot. The use of a single fat strap attached with Velcro in a tight form across the toe box is one of the design aspects of slides.
The difference in durability
Because of the lack of material and the nature of how they are held on the foot, flip-flops can be less durable than slides. Because of the Velcro snap strap over the toe box, which can easily break apart if the back of the shoe is walked on, slides are more forgiving. This is referred to as a blow-out for a flip-flop wearer, and it is also the end of a flip-flop if constructed of cheap material.
The different benefits each type of footwear offers
Slides are most suited for wet surfaces such as pools and public restrooms. This footwear is simple to put on and takes little care of itself when it gets soiled. Flip-flops are preferable for the beach, swimming pool concrete, and sandy areas. The basic design allows for more tanning when outside, which is why these are ideal for these settings.
Bottomline
Picking a pair of slides is perfect for when you are going to the gym, sauna, or shower. However, if you are planning on going to the beach or a swimming pool, there is no better option than flip-flops. Now that you know more about slides and flip-flops, buying the best slippers for yourself will be an easy task. You could just get one of each because they both have different functions.