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With spring on its way, you may find yourself dreaming of tossing your boots in storage and enjoying a lighter set of spring and summer women\u2019s sandals<\/span><\/a><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n There are several different options for spring and <\/span>summer shoes,<\/span><\/a><\/span> but when the weather warms up, the real contest begins: <\/span>slides vs flip flops.<\/span><\/p>\n Whether you\u2019re anticipating some time at the beach, looking for trendy summer dress shoes, or just wanting to air out those toes, we\u2019ve got your sandal info. When it comes to picking the perfect pair of beach shoes<\/a><\/span>, here\u2019s everything you need to know when comparing women\u2019s slide sandals<\/span><\/a> <\/span>and flip flops.<\/p>\n Before we start contrasting these two <\/span>sandal types<\/span><\/a><\/span>\u2014and yes, both of them fall under the category of \u201csandal\u201d\u2014it\u2019s useful to understand the long past we share with <\/span>flip flops<\/span><\/a><\/span> and slides.<\/span><\/p>\n The flip flop is one of the world\u2019s oldest shoes. Egyptian murals from 4,000 B.C.E. depict variations of flip-flop-type footwear. There\u2019s even a 2,500-year-old flip flop on display in the British Museum.1 When you think about it, it\u2019s no wonder our ancestors wore them. Flip flops were affordable and easy to construct. They could also be made of anything from wood to leather.<\/p>\n Fast-forward to the years after World War II\u2014American soldiers started to bring home souvenirs from Japan. One such souvenir was the zori, a Japanese sandal made from straw that closely resembles what we now know as the flip flop. These sandals exploded in popularity in the 50s, and American manufacturers began making them with a rubber sole.<\/p>\n Nowadays, flip flops are one of the best-selling shoe varieties on the market. Everything from beachside souvenir stands to chic high fashion boutique shops boast endless colors and styles of flip flops. <\/span>Today, this <\/span>casual footwear option<\/span> ranks among the most popular <\/span>women\u2019s sandals<\/span>\u2014perfect for everything from summer barbecues to<\/span> casual outings. <\/span>Searching for a classic sandal that\u2019s as supportive as it is stylish? Our <\/span>Shore Toe Post Sandal<\/span><\/a><\/span> is an excellent option for casual settings.<\/span><\/p>\n Similar to flip flops, slides have been around for a long time. It\u2019s hard to pinpoint exactly when humans started wearing slide-like footwear, but archeologists in the American Southwest believe they\u2019ve found pairs from more than 8,000 years ago.2<\/p>\n In terms of modern-day fashion, slides entered the scene when artisan Italian shoemakers started crafting them after World War II ended (noticing a trend here?).3 Slides became popular in the US during the 60s, but it wasn\u2019t until the 70s that they really caught on. Legend has it that a German soccer team asked Adidas for a shower shoe, and the black-and-white banded athletic slides are what they came up with.<\/p>\n While the slides may have been built with changing rooms in mind, these summer sandals can now be seen at the beach, on the streets, and even on the runway. Never let anyone tell you that slides can\u2019t be high fashion! <\/span>One of our most versatile picks, the <\/span>Evie Knit Slide Sandal<\/span><\/a><\/span> seamlessly transitions from weekend brunches to summer vacations and is a wardrobe essential. <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Now that you\u2019ve completed our Introduction to Sandals class, you\u2019re probably noticing more similarities than differences between the two shoes. Both styles<\/span> of <\/span>women\u2019s sandals<\/span> are thousands of years old, both gained popularity after the Second World War, and both are still worn across the globe.<\/span><\/p>\n However, there are several significant differences between flip flops<\/span> vs. slides<\/span>. Let\u2019s talk about the three main distinctions.<\/p>\n One of the most noticeable ways that flip flops and slides differ is the strap. While the strap serves the same function for both styles (to keep the shoe on the foot while walking), the strap placement and shape vary between slides and flip flops.<\/p>\n When it comes to the insole\u2014the base of the sandal on which your foot rests\u2014flip flops differ from slides in a few ways.<\/p>\n Ultimately, there are so many variations of flip flops and slides out there that it can be hard to pick out the differences. When it comes to things like width, material, and so on, there are many flip flops with the characteristics of a slide and vice versa.<\/p>\n One thing that will always be different is the look of each sandal.<\/p>\n Though slides and flip flops are both sandals, they come with their own unique sets of benefits and drawbacks. To help you decide which option is best for you, we\u2019ve listed out some key factors of each <\/span>casual <\/span>footwear <\/span>option.<\/span><\/p>\n First, some of the benefits of flip flops:<\/p>\n Here are some concerns to keep in mind when shopping for flip flops:<\/p>\n And now, let\u2019s look at the best parts of <\/span>slides:<\/span><\/p>\n Below are some of the downsides of slides:<\/p>\n Whether you\u2019re looking for chic slides to wear to summer work meetings or adorable flip flops to complete your beach vacation, always look for a comfortable, supportive <\/span>sandal that<\/span> provides plenty of shock absorption regardless of which style you prefer. With stability, arch support, <\/span>Vio Motion technology<\/span><\/a><\/span>, <\/span>and cushioning built into all of Vionic\u2019s flip flops <\/span>and<\/span><\/i> slides, the hardest choice is which style to try first. <\/span>Explore our collection of<\/span> casual footwear<\/span> at <\/span>Vionic<\/span><\/a><\/span> and give your feet the comfort and support they deserve\u2014every step of the way.<\/span><\/p>\n Sources:<\/strong><\/p>\nSandal History 101<\/h3>\n
Flip Flops: Walk Like an Egyptian<\/h3>\n
Slides: From the Shower to the Spotlight<\/h3>\n
Core Differences<\/h2>\n
#1 The Strap<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\n#2 The Insole<\/h3>\n
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#3 The Look<\/h3>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\nSlide Sandals vs Flip Flops: Pros and Cons<\/h2>\n
Flip Flops<\/h3>\n
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Slides<\/h3>\n
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Supportive Sandals<\/h2>\n
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