5 Best leather sandals 2024 - Reef, Olukai, and more

[@RoseAnvil]

Get the Rose Anvil Boot Breaker insole to help with that tough break in here - bit.ly/4cDiOy9

[@Minionz]

- EDIT-- Looks like they responded and added the davidson back to the site. OG Comment- Looks like Southern Polished doesn't sell these sandals anymore. Missed out on a bunch of sales from this video.

[@jeffhicks8428]

I would never buy a product from either of those small companies you're promoting. I mean come on. $150 for that thing is a joke. What I want to know, what is the foam boot 4:10 in the video? Please and thank you.

[@treeboi]

My sandals are from Mauclère Leather in Provincetown MA, who apprenticed & took over for Victor Powell, a custom handmade sandal maker since 1970s. She basically draws your foot + arches & cuts a 5mm leather on top of 5mm leather on top of 10mm vibram. Best sandals I've ever owned, lasts forever & I'm currently resoling them for the 2nd time. She basically makes & sells custom sandals all summer & purses all winter.

[@Aperson156]

I wish companies like Southern Polished or District had more slide or Birkenstock style offerings. I hate the bit between my toes.

[@pubcollize]

Yes.

[@bigsmooshflopdong33]

Ive had many different Olukai footwear, they have all been excellent.

[@zachtan]

Olukais are like nothing else - I can never go back to ordinary flip flops

[@kd5byb]

I'm wearing my Southern Polished sandals right now. I really like them. I just wish that a high-quality manufacturer like Southern Polished or District Leather would make a Teva-like or Keen-like cap-toe sandal as not only are my toes absolutely disgusting looking...I stub them ALL THE TIME in open toe sandals!

[@eddiet2729]

Have you looked at Bedrock Sandals clogs?

[@kd5byb]

@@eddiet2729 No I had not! Thank you for the recommendation! I'm looking at them now. :)

[@eddiet2729]

@@kd5byb they are great, especially if you have puppies because they will rebuild the sandals

[@Ratchetfan321]

I mean if im being honest the Olukai seem the best all around for the price.

[@AntiAnathema]

I have Shamma's Elite Mountain Goats/Alphas-- they're quite good. wider toe box(or rather flat platform). optional leather footbed, additional power backheel straps(extra cost) securing good enough to run/jog with, flexible enough for halfway barefoot training, a rubber vibram zigzag lug outsole for decent durability and grip for slightly rough terrain. I wear these almost everyday for over a year and they've taken an absolute beating on medium level mountain hikes and everyday walkers yet still going strong. Very worth the value.

[@Madkalibyr]

I love my reefs. The last pair I had was left outside throughout the winter. I had to thaw them out lol and still wore them years after that

[@kimber3865]

I wish you had Rainbow on this list!

[@gearedup365]

I got a pair of Rainbows based on last year’s video. Easily the best flip flops i have ever had, only complaint with them is the leather under foot gets very slippery when wet so i dont use them around the pool and if they do get wet the pigment in the leather will stain the bottom of your feet that lasts a couple of days. Other than that they are awesome. I think adding a “wet foot traction” test to the flip flop reviews would be good since many people wear them around the pool/lake/beach

[@rertnerfurtheng3771]

No Rainbows? Also the focus on the upper materials dosen't seem particularly appropriate for sandals -- mine always fail at the sole.

[@justinrobertson5493]

He did Rainbows in an earlier video.

[@tlove9125]

I love my Rainbows! Perfect flip flops that eventually mold to my feet and become super comfortable.

[@JJ-zr6fu]

The look of the olukia all leather sandal is amazing. I’ll at the made in USA ones

[@D20NE]

I bought 2 pairs of southern polished flip flops last year. I got the tobacco brown leather and the nubuck leather. I wear them ALL THE TIME. Even after 1 year, these flip flops are still holding strong. The Nubucks have a great patina now and are my every day flip flops. I would buy more, not because I need them, but just because they’re such good quality. Wayyy better than Reefs, Rainbow, Quicksilver, or any flip flop brand out there. PLUS it’s real leather

[@shagster2828]

No Tevas. Still sporting my 27yo teva sandals. The old ones with velcro straps and the soles that look like they where made from used car tires. Love them

[@bryanduchane2371]

Own 2 pairs of the Olukia flops. 1 being full leather and the other being a rubber body. Absolutely love them by miles over any other I've ever owned. Mandatory footwear in SC year round.

[@RictorIAG]

How did Rainbows get left off the list?

[@RaymondRAYCE]

Seriously...

[@914050]

They were in the previous year's video.

[@TacoMan99]

I got reef leather sandals but mine have a bottle opener on the bottom for a great party trick 😂 I’m not big on sandals either, they’ll probably last me forever and it’s great for beers with the boys

[@willburdick6846]

My southern polished are my favorite pair of sandals

[@SmokeyW]

For more closed sandals i really really enjoy Keens sandals with the guard for the toes, amazing quality.

[@123Ir0nman]

Idk how you do it, but I was just thinking of picking up leather sandals today and here you are releasing this video lol

[@tristanjones7427]

Love my southern polished! I live in the hot south and these are necessary here, plus they support a fellow southern state!

[@Secret_F4ce]

I bought my first pair of Southern Polished because of your original video. I have 2 pair now (one of which is the actual exact color and style in this vid) and love both. I gave your channel a shoutout on one of their auto follow ups asking how I liked the sandals. Would love to see more videos like this ranking topsiders and other contemporary leather shoes. Would also be interested in a breakdown and review of those US made Gold Cup Sperry's.

[@tarrevizsla9543]

Dang, Weston comes out with this the same week Jim Green and Q release thier "Slip slops", would have loved to have seen them stack up. Maybe next year!?

[@ChrisFranz-d7q]

I have 2 pairs of the olukai’s. After seeing this video I got a pair of southern polish and district. Sorry Trent and heath, I like the district the best. But both district and SoPo are super high quality. You can’t go wrong with either one

[@jt1559]

I went with OluKai for two reasons: 1. I don't like flip flops due to the bit in-between your toes, so I prefer slides. 2. They are B Corporation, so they are more ethical, plus they give back to Hawaii.

[@drtybrdy75]

I’m almost 50 and I’ve lived within 10 miles of the beach in California for over 3/4 of my life. For the money, the Reef Mick Fanning is the most comfortable longest lasting sandal I’ve ever worn.

[@PastyTomato]

Ayy!! I just got some Southern Polished Davidsons for this summer a few weeks ago. Love em. The blue color of the nubuck is really striking and they've held up well so far. 😊

[@mitrajordan]

Love your channel! I would be interested in a comparison between the same model of shoes, for women vs men. It’s often true that women’s clothing and shoes don’t last as long as men’s. Likely this doesn’t apply to unisex shoes, but consider that women’s sizing is smaller and sometimes with a narrower last. No reason companies couldn’t cheap out on the materials… please, Weston, I would love to see a series of such tests!

[@amalgam5107]

Love my Southern Polished flops.

[@ChronicAndIronic]

I got a pear of Olukais in Guam on deployment and i’ve been all over the world with them and now are my daily driver here in Hawaii. I condition them every once in a while

[@cjanquart]

I have a pair of OluKais in black and eventually wanted to get a pair in brown, then you show me the District...damn those are sweet!

[@ItsInstinctKnives]

Bedrocks are the only sandals I wear. I run, hike, and wear them casually. Super durable Vibram sole and a back strap so you don't have to clench your toes.

[@danbrowning4000]

In the UK I have a pair of Toms flip flops that are similar to these, have had them 5 years so far and they still are almost new looking, very comfy and hard wearing though of course I don't get to wear them as much as I would in the US 😂

[@davidoletep]

Ive got multiple pairs of leather olukais as well as their rubber lifeguard series flip flops in both inbiard and outboard side straps. Love them all. Ive tried various companies (not trenton and heath or district) and nothing comes close. My brother needed to velcro insoles onto his flip flop soles. He tried my olukai and said theyre as comfortable as his insoles

[@MYKWDBRN]

Olukia all day!!!

[@winc06]

Seems to me that switching from my barefoot style shoes to some sandals is a mistake. Don't want arch support with those either. Leather is OK, but not sure whether it is great getting it wet with a surprise wave near the surf. Does it slip and slide after that? I think most people in Hawaii where they wear them the most choose a cheap, flat rubber one with a rubber strap that is easy to kick on and off and their feet stay strong.

[@narlyhunter]

I just got an exclusive pair of rainbow sandals with materials they don’t make anymore, just for the special anniversary, I got my sandals 🩴 signed by Sparky, the legend who created the rainbow sandals 🌈

[@michaelwagner3952]

I enjoy my Olukai flip flops. Thanks for this comparison. I’d love to see some comparisons of some quality leather shoes that aren’t sneakers. Brands like Rancourt, Oak Street Boot makers, Quoddy, etc.. Thanks!

[@Johnnybushwood]

Off topic, but disecting different Ralph Lauren polo boot varients is something I've been wanting to see. I know they're not the best quality, but they are a classic where I'm from.

[@marsarmory6236]

I like my Hari Mari x Nakona leather sandals a lot. Olukai 2nd, reef 3rd

[@james460xvryee]

Jim Green/Q Slip Slops are another great option

[@davidblet7601]

Check out Kino Sandals out of Key West for the next installment of sandal testing. I think you'll like their story. Made in Key West since 1966, iirc, and they haven't changed construction since then. Same factory since 1977, also in Key West. They are a staple of the local culture. All leather as well. The creator also has a cool back story, came from Cuba, saved up and started the company. They have expanded into wallets and other small leather goods as well. I am not a sandal guy either but always enjoy championing a great story from a traditional made in America company.

[@Inflorescensse]

My rainbows just kicked. I’ve been waiting for this.

[@virp9632]

Surprised rainbow isnt on here. Super comfortable (when broken in) and made to last.

[@robertsandgren9389]

Pleasantly surprised that the mass-produced pair looked rather decent! Of course, handmade is likely to be more beautiful and possibly better but it's not avaliable everywhere. By pure luck I happened upon a pair of handmade leather sandals for 30 bucks while on vacation but I have no idea where to find that quality where I live.

[@evergonzalez6350]

Would love to see Toe Hold (very pricey handmade) and Combat Flip Flops (AK47 leather model) both veteran owned. Great companies!

[@itsZdan]

Butts and Shoulders makes a sandal that stands between the mass produced and the hand made ones, check them out if you revisit this theme

[@scottlewis2372]

I don't wear "shoes" like that, but check out the Jim Green Slip Slops.

[@gmnelli]

You MUST include the Combat Flip Flops AK47 or Floperator. I’ve been wearing them since the company started and they’re always getting better.

[@kchortu]

Person with foot problems here get Olukais if you have tarsal or metatarsal problems, reefs are ok too

[@starkparker16]

Are the two good pair resoleable?

[@kkys7709]

Would be nice to see the jimgreen made flipflops in the comparison and also maybe thesoleworkshop too?

[@johnmcduggle4032]

Very FUN!!! I enjoyed the video!! I TOO hate things!!(Mule Guy)

[@ki6fn]

I had olukais that I promptly threw out after 1 year of them constantly giving me blisters near my big toe. Whats the point of flip flops if you need to wear socks? Went back to cloth strap flip flops with less sole weight and have been happy

[@ChrisBangz23]

We need you to check out toe hold flip flops 🤙🏽

[@ShutUpBubi]

Tell Jim Green to make a badass Flip Flop with those Tyre Tread soles!!!! Trust me.

[@hawkeye7527]

I'd love to see you review boots marketed for first responders. Bates, Rocky, etc...

[@beefalobob1334]

Clomps! The best sandals. No need to test anything else.

[@haolepirate]

I'm surprised Scotts Hawai'i wasn't included. It's practically the state shoe of Hawai'i. They last a long time and are tested by Junior.

[@Pharoh_95]

I would buy if any of these leather companies made slide style sandals 😮‍💨

[@kellogg2185]

No Combat Flipflops?! 🤔 Maybe they'll make the sequel...

[@thomasthewatchman]

No rainbow sandals?

[@carrioncrow8191]

Rainbow 🌈 Sandals 🩴 are top 🔝 notch

[@v3xx3r]

I just got a pair of southern polished and while they seem nice, they don't fit as tightly as rainbow so I'm worried about them falling off when they break in. I wish the straps were a little tighter. Also they are a bit too squishy for me. At first you think it's good but it adds to the looseness. The length and width are great it's just the straps are too loose. Also the quality feels pretty much identical to rainbows.

[@TrentonHeath]

Send us an email. We’ll get you taken care of. If we need to make a pair with tighter straps for you, we’ll get it done. 😉👍

[@aurtisanminer2827]

I want a pair of leather slides!

[@aurtisanminer2827]

I also just noticed there are no slides in this video.

[@jacob_d_f]

Need to get the Jim Green x Q collab sandals, called Slip Slops for the next leather sandal video.

[@thekeshwin]

Bro love the show . And Jim greens has sandals .

[@Yaarmehearty]

I think it’s cool that there are sandals using better materials, but I don’t understand the point in using a good leather footbed and not having an outsole that is replaceable. By the time the footbed is fully broken in and in a good place the outsole will be wearing through and as it isn’t easily replaceable then the whole thing would need to be tossed. It would make more sense to add a couple more dollars to the cost and make the outsole more easily replaceable so the leather footbed could be enjoyed for longer and reduce the waste.

[@kristmadsen]

I want a sandal that's a boot out sole with leather glued to the top and some leather straps.

[@JohnsonAdventureBlades]

Let’s see a review on Toe Hold flip flops!!

[@firedude3337]

I have been BEGGING Jim Green to come up with some flip flops! Please! My farm in Thailand is killing any flipflop I own. Olukai, Reef, they never last.

[@MrDragonorp]

Jim Green x Q slip slops exist

[@xandr13]

Would love to see a review of some quality leather sandals that aren't flip flops but are actually... Sandals, you know.

[@Idlehandzx2]

My southern polished sandals have labrum outsoles

[@coryernewein]

I'll take the THICC boy sandals😎

[@Oomph6006]

Birkenstock Arizona are the closest i get to flipflops..

[@LandLockedSailor69]

Allen Edmonds makes some great sandals

[@jeromeschmidt7805]

Can you do the Combat AKs? Those are getting great reviews. I’m torn!

[@mscdorman]

I've had a pair of Olukai , non leather for about 16 years now and they are still holding strong. They dont even make the model anymore.

[@milkncookie]

What about Birkenstocks?😮😮

[@kitcraft9516]

Now to find some handmade leather flip flops without arch support. I've had zero luck.

[@treeboi]

Mauclère Leather in Provincetown MA. Handmade custom sandals, in a variety of styles. She draws out your foot + arch, but you can always tell her to not do the arch. These are my sandals, originally made by her mentor, but she has since taken over his shop (he passed away a few years back). They are essentially 2 layers of leather on top of a vibram sole, so they can be resoled many times. Best sandals you'll ever find, easily beats out any sandal that Rose has ever reviewed.

[@JoshuaMaze]

@RoseAnvil I'd like to see a video on moccasins, just got a pair from Town View Leather, hand made in Maine, and they are insanely comfortable!

[@muhacnt7988]

The legionnaire caligae is the best sandal

[@jasonleung2763]

Thanks but which sandal has the best ass whooping ability?

[@J_LHAO]

Do a Havaianas next. As a brazilian I need to ask you to do it!

[@jlemons01]

I liked my old Olu'kai flip flops until the strap tore out. My new ones are super squeaky when I walk.

[@kiloyardstare]

Every sandal I've ever owned has failed at the toe strap long before the footbed was close to wearing out. While the strength tests are interesting, it doesn't tell the full story on the durability of that crucial piece of the sandal.

[@Ido013]

Still waiting for the Japanese boots I'd probably take those boot breakers..

[@Dr_Strangle]

Toehold flip flops?

[@lewisshemery2585]

No rainbows is crazy. I still wear my 10 year old pair, and they fit like a glove

[@jsmartin22222]

Rainbows should have been in the lineup.

[@ddutton0]

You really should dunk on the Old Navy two dollar flip-flops

[@5150farmsactual]

You should've put Combat Flip Flop's AK47 in the cue. They're solid quality, injection molded arch support and actually have a lifetime warranty.

[@actually_peanuts]

THE ULTIMATE EVERYDAY SANDAL. Dude your product descriptions this time were delivered on point. I applaud this amazing performance. I'm having a good laugh out of that. 10\10, watching right again.

[@worthtryingonce]

I’ve worn Rainbows every summer since 2005. My very favorite everyday sandal. Lasted years and I wore them everywhere, even hiking

[@joshwise6127]

Interesting thong review, not sure why you included the Amazon shower shoes unless it was comic relief - I buy them but literally to use in a gym shower

[@chrisadams7774]

Vionic is where it is at

[@tedmccauley9319]

Okay…..Amazon it is😳

[@666-dev]

thanks homie