Flips flops have always been the favorite footwear of a lot
of Pinoys. They’re very comfortable, very convenient to use and their more
affordable than shoes and other types of footwear. But over the course of time,
flip flops have evolved from its humble beginnings and become a fashion
statement for most people. There are now different brands and styles of flip
flops that appeal to different ages and people with different preferences that
it can sometimes be a difficult choice on which pair of flip flops to get. So
I’ve listed a few of the most popular brands in the market to help you in
finding that awesome pair of slippers.
MOST POPULAR: Havianas
Havaianas is one of the most popular brands of flip flops in
the Philippines today. In the past, it has mostly associated as a high-end
brand of slippers that has a history of being durable and at most stylish
thanks to the numerous designs that the company has released since its rise to
popularity.
There are even certain designs that were meant to coincide
with certain events such as their UAAP collection that features design elements
inspired by the different universities associated with the sports organization.
And on top of that, Havaianas has released a number of slipper designs that have
rubber add-ons like butterflies, letters and other small trinkets.
MOST COMFORTABLE:
Crocs
Crocs is another high-end brand enjoyed by a lot of
Filipinos today. Their popularity is mostly attributed to the comfort they
bring to consumers. Yes, they’re not really the most stylish pair of slippers
in the market but they are oh so comfortable to wear. The bulgy tip of the
classic crocs slippers actually makes it more like a half-shoe rather than a
pair of slippers.
But nevertheless, Crocs have made variations in their line
that provides more style compared to the first generation of slippers they’ve
come up with.
MOST ORGANIC LOOKING:
Sanuk
For those looking for a more relaxed look and a more organic
feel, a nice option would be to get a pair of Sanuk slippers. Unlike those from
Crocs and Havianas, Sanuk slippers are usually made from synthetic fiber or
some sort of woven material. This gives the brand a name for providing
consumers with a very light and comfortable walking experience.
Sanuk slippers also use high quality rubber making them
quite durable. Moreover, unlike the brightly colored footwear from Havaianas
and Crocs, those from Sanuk mostly uses neutral colors such as brown, beige,
cream or black which makes it perfect to wear if you’re that person who doesn’t
want too much attention.
MOST POSH:
Birkenstock
Birkenstock is probably one of the oldest flip flops brand I
can remember. They have been with us for more than a decade and has been the
brand of choice for high end consumers looking for a pair of slippers for that
laid back event/occasion or just a comfortable weekend at home.
Birkenstocks are usually made from high quality rubber and
leather. This combination allows for consumers to experience the durability and
weather resistance of leather and at the same time give consumers the premium
feel provided by leather, which is the reason why Birkenstock can charge
premium prices for their products.
MOST SPORTY: Nike
Another old brand that has a notable line of flip flops is
Nike. Nike is one of the biggest brands in the world that provides products for
individuals with an active lifestyle. Their product line includes apparel for
both men and women, and even accessories for electronic gadgets.
But Nike’s most profitable and most well-known product is of
course foot wear. Their name is almost synonymous with shoes from every type of
sport known worldwide, which includes basketball, golf and soccer. So it’s not
surprising that they have also come up with their own line of flip flops. And
just like their shoe line, Nike has different products to cater for different
individuals involved in different forms of activities.
And with Nike’s history and proven track record gives their
line of flip flops consumers are guaranteed with a product that is both stylish
and yet sporty enough to match their active livestyle.
MOST AFFORDABLE:
Islander
Islander is the only Filipino brand to make it on our list.
Unlike other less known local brands of flip flops in the country today,
Islander provides its patrons with a very comfortable product without the
premium price tag offered by foreign brands.
Islander slippers are made from high quality thick rubber
for its sole and synthetic fibers woven together for its strap. It is extremely
affordable with a price tag that will not exceed P200, it is almost 80-90%
lower compared to the other names on our list.
OTHER NOTABLE BRANDS
Aside from the ones we’ve mentioned above, there are also
quite a number of brands that consumers can try out if they’re still not
satisfied with the quality or the price of the options we’ve presented above.
One brand that you can consider is Ipanema which is a direct rival or Havaianas
but with a slightly less popular name. If you’re looking for a pair of flip
flops that is out of the ordinary, then Ipanema is one of your best options.
For those on a tight budget, the super affordable line of
slippers from Planet can definitely save you in terms of budget. Although
there’s a tradeoff between quality and price, each pair costs around P100-P150
which makes it really cheap.
There are also therapeutic and contoured types of flip flop,
such as Reva, that you can opt for if you’re looking for the most comfortable
walking experience that a mid-range budget could afford. Reva for instance would cost close to P1000
but may offer more comfort compared to a havaianas.
Lastly, consumers can opt for flip flops that are branded by
clothing labels. Popular RTW boutiques such as Bench, Penshoppe and Levi’s
among other sell their own line of slippers. If you’re very loyal to a specific
brand, these kinds of products may appeal most to you.
So there you have it. What’s your flip flop of choice? Do tell us by leaving a comment below. You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Google Plus. You can also subscribe to our blog using our RSSFeeds for other Filipino lifestyle stories about technology, fashion, fashion, food, beauty and travel.