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You are here: Home / Travel gear reviews / Havaianas espadrilles review: when flip-flops don’t work

Havaianas espadrilles review: when flip-flops don’t work

April 29, 2019 | Posted in: Travel gear reviews

Yup, I have affiliate links on this blog and there may be some in this amazing and completely free content below. If you book or buy something through these links, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

You know when it's warm, but just not warm enough to walk around in flip-flops? Or when circumstances ask for just a little more fabric around your feet? That’s when you need espadrilles, Havaianas espadrilles.

Built in a light fabric but still covering your feet entirely, they’ll make you feel less “naked” while you still won't be wearing real shoes.

How do I know this? Havaianas asked me to review their espadrilles and as all women will surely understand, I couldn't say no to a job that needed me to try on shoes. Check out my Havaianas espadrilles review below.
 

Havaianas espadrilles review

Havaianas espadrilles review

The Havaianas espadrilles have the same rubber sole as the Havaianas flip flops, which makes them super easy to clean off. I’m mentioning this because I like to wear the espadrilles around the apartment when it’s still a bit too cold to walk barefooted.

The downside to these rubber soles might be that they make your feet a bit sweaty when it's really warm outside. I haven’t had this problem yet, but I can imagine that if you’re walking around on a sunny day in what is still a closed ‘shoe’, on rubber soles, that might be the cause for smelly feet. You could avoid this by wearing a very thin no-show low cut sock in your Havaianas espadrille.

Check out these socks. They get great reviews and:

  • are sweat-wicking
  • are made from durable cotton and spandex
  • have an anti-slip heel so your sock stays put in your espadrilles
  • come in an 8-pack with 4 different colors

havaiana espadrille

The Havaianas espadrilles come in a wide array of colors and can be machine washed, which is really practical. I was a bit afraid that they would cut into my feet as the fabric looked rather robust, but that wasn’t the case at all. I think Havaianas made a smart move by adding the rubber protective line at the top of the espadrilles.

espadrille havaianas

I got them in the size I usually wear and they fit perfectly around my feet. I do know people who prefer to get them a size bigger so that they fit more as a regular shoe, but I don’t find that necessary as the fabric becomes soft and stretches a bit the more you wear them.

Havaianas espadrilles are meant to be worn like shoes, but a lot of my friends wear theirs like some kind of flip flops, leaving the heel part down.

Actually, I know a lot of guys who own espadrilles. Girls can easily wear nice sandals or ballerinas when flip-flops are a bit too casual or open, but guys don’t have that many options. I think espadrilles from Havaianas are a good option in between flip-flops and light sneakers.

Get your own Havaianas espadrilles from Amazon.
 

FAQ

espadrilles havaianas origine

1. How to clean Havaianas espadrilles?
If you're wondering how to wash Havaianas espadrilles, I've got good news for you: you can simply throw them into the washing machine. The color will fade a bit over time (also because you'll probably be wearing them in the sun a lot) but I don't really mind that as it gives them a bit of a vintage look.

If you want to prevent getting smelly espadrilles without washing them too often, try putting them in the freezer for a night to kill all the bacteria. It works!
 

2. Do Havaianas run big or small?
With the Havaianas brand, it depends a bit on the type of shoe you get. I feel like my espadrilles are true to size. They fit snuggly around my feet which means it's easy to keep them on but if you prefer having a bit more space and your feet aren't too narrow, I think you could go for a size bigger as well.

While there are Havaianas for wide feet specifically in the flip flop model, there aren't any width sizes in the espadrilles model.
 

3. Do Havaianas stretch?
The sole of the Havaianas espadrilles stays nicely put but the fabric does stretch a little bit as you wear it. Actually, it's more that it becomes a bit more flexible and soft than that the espadrille itself becomes bigger.
 

Pin for later

Havaianas espadrilles are the perfect solution when you're looking for casual yet closed flats. Check out the review.
 

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:
Havaianas flip flops review
What I pack for travel

About Sofie

Sofie Couwenbergh has been a professional travel writer for 10+ years. She speaks at international conferences and has been featured as a travel expert in print and online publications. Her writing and social media content reaches over 140,000 people every month.
Learn more about Sofie and Wonderful Wanderings.

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Your Thoughts

  1. The Guy says

    These look very similar to what we in the UK would call “Deck Shoes”. Like you I often wear them indoors in the place of slippers (they tend to last a lot longer than slippers too).

    Reply
    • Sofie says

      You wear deck shoes indoors?
      I’ve only ever seen them worn outdoors, actually (deck shoes, not espadrilles).

      Reply
      • The Guy says

        Absolutely :-) I’ve often done this since my days as a student. Very hard wearing and relatively comfortable.

        Reply
        • Sofie says

          My dad swears by the Dockside brand. He says they are super comfortable.

          Reply
  2. Tim | UrbanDuniya says

    Hahahaha Havaianas Espadrilles = awesome! At first I thought this was a joke, but it’s great to see that the company is diversifying their brand. I might need to invest in a pair!

    Reply
    • Sofie says

      I’m a fan. I get cold feet (literally) pretty quickly and with espadrilles I can wear something light while still having my feet ‘covered’.

      Reply
  3. Ben Leigh says

    its seems to be good, but such buff shoes are perfectly fitting to girls, while at outdoor events..

    Reply
    • Sofie says

      I actually know a lot more guys who own espadrilles than girls, and it all depends on what you mean with ‘outdoors’. Of course these aren’t hiking shoes. They don’t pretend to be either. Espadrilles can be worn to go to the beach, walk around town, hang around in a park or your garden… They’re ‘chill shoes’ :)

      Reply
      • David D says

        Best things ever, and zero blisters which can be a nightmare from some closed/no socks combos on hot days.

        Reply
        • Sofie says

          True! Although you can’t go wrong with Nikes either:)

          Reply
  4. Amandine says

    Thanks for sharing! Was just thinking espadrilles would be a good 3rd pair of shoes option for travel, along with sneakers and flip flops. And I love that colour!

    Would you say that they worth the price tag (around 30euros in Sweden), after all it’s just espadrilles?

    Reply
    • Sofie says

      Hey Amandine,

      It’s true that they aren’t sturdy sneakers, but then again you pay a lot more for sneakers than €30. I’m sure you could find cheaper espadrilles on a market somewhere, I’m just not sure how long they would last. I’ve only recently started wearing mine so I can’t yet comment on how long they’ll live, but they do seem made out of quality material, with decent stitches and such. Part of these espadrilles are also hand made, which probably makes the price a bit higher. Of course you also pay a bit for the brand name, but then again: don’t you always?

      If you’re planning on buying espadrilles, I’d go with these Havaianas as I think they will last you longer + the rubber sole is really handy.

      Reply
      • Amandine says

        Thanks for the details ;-)

        Reply
  5. Samantha @mytanfeet says

    Ooh I love their flip flops and now I want a pair of these, especially now that I ruined my Toms. I’m always looking for a pair of casual walking shoes that are cute

    Reply
    • Sofie says

      Well these definitely are cute:)

      Reply
  6. Shaun says

    Nice one! I picked up a dressier pair similar to these while in Thialand and love them. I am also not a flip flop fan so they are a great alternative.

    Shaun
    http://www.thislifeintrips.com

    Reply
    • Sofie says

      Thanks Shaun!

      Reply
  7. Anna @ The Blonde Banana says

    Those are cute! I also wear casual but cute sneakers a lot like Keds when I’m traveling.

    Reply
    • Sofie says

      Ooooh, I’m a big fan of Keds as well!
      I first owned Keds, which I thought were really comfi, and then also bought a pair of Vans as they’re ‘in’ over here. However, I think the Keds offer much better support as they have that bouncy arch support bobble thingy.
      You know what I’m talking about:D
      They do tend to give me sweat feet more easily though (shhhtt, don’t tell anyone!).

      Reply
  8. Mike says

    I can’t used to wearing these. Being a big fan of flip flops, Birkenstocks and slides I find I just go for sandals whenever possible. If I really need to, I wear light runners, which I find more comfy than these half flip flops/half runners. I find these shoes too hot and they get very damp in the heat. Probably why I’m often out in flip flops even before all the snow is melted in the spring and why you’ll see me walking around in flippies when it’s snowing. I would rather go barefoot if I am not wearing flip flops.

    Reply
    • Sofie says

      Brrrrrrrr I wear winter socks and thick boots when it snows :D

      Reply
  9. Mike says

    The only real issue I have with sandals in the winter, assuming it is not too cold out is grip on the ice. I can fit my YakTraxx grips onto some of my sandals, but on Havianas, the soles are too thin. The only other problem is with thongs that have the plastic plug in the bottom…the ice water squishes up through the hole and under my toes when I walk. Once “real” winter comes I wear hiking boots (I may be crazy, but not that crazy)..below certain temperatures it becomes dangerous to be in sandal feet.

    Reply
    • Sofie says

      I agree :D

      Reply

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