The Best Sustainable (and Stylish) Flip Flops for Summer Days
Flip flops are all too often treated as disposable one-season (or less) purchases — but there are, in fact, sustainable flip flops made with great quality that can last you years of wear.
The stylish and eco-friendly flip flops from these brands are made from recycled or responsibly sourced natural materials, such as recycled car tires and algae foam.
Note: this guide includes affiliate links. As always, all brands featured meet strict criteria for sustainability and are brands we love!
soleRebels
African sustainable footwear brand soleRebels was founded by Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu to combine "her Ethiopian community’s creative artisan talents with the traditional ‘barabasso’ (Ethiopian recycled tire) shoe. The brand's flip flops are handcrafted from their signature recycled car tires in soleRebels' own workshop in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Conscious Qualities: Black-Owned Brand, Recycled Materials, Ethical Production
Investment: $90
Rothy's
Best known for their flats made from recycled plastic bottles, Rothy's has also ventured into eco-friendly flip-flops. Their chic, functional sandals come in a variety of vibrant colors and are made from algae-based foam and the straps are made from marine plastic. The flip-flops are also entirely machine washable, so you can wear them season after season, even if they've been through their fair share of wears.
Conscious Qualities: Recycled & Eco Materials, Ambitious Circularity Goals (take-back program & zero waste workshop)
Investment: $65
Third Oak
Third Oak's comfy and sustainable flip flops are made from bio-based and recycled materials. And these flip flops are also 100% recyclable at the end of their life! The Georgia-based brand also produces their eco-friendly and vegan flip-flops locally in Buford, Georgia.
Conscious Qualities: Recycled & Bio-Based Materials, 100% Recyclable, Local Production
Investment: $30
Jivanas
Made from Italian vegetable-tanned leather with a supportive sole that molds to your feet, Jivanas are not your typical flip flops. These luxe-feeling sandals, which are colored with eco-friendly dyes, are the kind you keep around. Each pair is made ethically in Nepal by artisans earning fair wages, working in safe conditions, and receiving benefits like paid time off and health insurance.
Conscious Qualities: Ethical Production, Durable Design, Vegetable-Tanned Leather
Investment: $150-165
Indosole
Indosole is a certified B Corporation on a mission to address the world's massive car tire waste problem. (1.5 billion tires are landfilled every year!) The brand recycles car tires headed for the landfill are repurposes them into ultra-comfortable and durable sustainable flip flops.
Conscious Qualities: Recycled Materials,
Investment: $
Swahili Coast Design
For an elevated take on the classic flip-flop, check out Swahili Coast Design's fair trade sandals. Each pair is crafted with care by skilled artisans in the worker-owned Swahili Coast Cooperative in Tanzania. The makers — 80% of whom are women — earn fair wages, work in an empowering environment, and have opportunities for growth.
Conscious Qualities: Ethically Made, Worker-Owned Co-Op, Slowly Handcrafted
Investment: $99
EcoAlf
Circular-minded brand EcoAlf has two-town eco-friendly flip flops handmade in Spain from 60% recycled tires. The Spanish-based brand offers their flip-flops in men's sizes and women's sizes.
Conscious Qualities: Recycled Materials
Investment: $65
This is a reference only. Conscious Fashion Collective is not responsible for the brands we feature based off of publicly provided information. For specific information on products and pricing, please refer to each brand's website and reach out to its brand reps to ensure its products fit the values, ethics, and criteria you're looking for.
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Cover image: Made Trade