Havaianas review: the comfy flip flops saved my last day in Barcelona

I don't know if this is the case worldwide, but everywhere I travel and where it's at least a bit sunny, I see someone wearing Havaianas flip flops. The flip flop which comes in so many different colors and patterns but are all recognizable by the textured rice pattern on the footbed. This refers to the Japanese sandals made of fabric straps and rice straw soles that inspired the Havaianas brand.

A Havaianas review: my first experience wearing Havaianas flip flops

I purchased my first pair of Havaianas flip flops during my very first trip to Barcelona when I was 18 and “let loose” by my parents. I'd only brought sneakers on that trip and as it was the middle of summer, I soon had – yes, indeed – sweaty feet.

The thing is that when I was 18 I still thought my feet were two sizes bigger than they actually are (don't ask) and so I bought my Havaianas too big. I wore them a lot that vacation, but when I realized (this must have been when I started wearing heels and sliding forward in my shoes) that I actually needed shoes two sizes smaller, my pair of flip flops from Havaianas disappeared to the back of the closet.
 

My second pair of Havianas flip flops

So many years later it was time to make up for my mistake. But how?

As some things just happen to occur at the exact right moment, I received an email from Havaianas asking if I'd be interested in reviewing their footwear. This was the perfect opportunity to give these flip flops the chance they deserved. Especially since I had a second trip planned to Barcelona just two months later.

I asked for the right size this time (a European 37), but as it turned out, the Havaianas flip flops I'd ordered only came in 37/38. Would I be flipping around in thongs – as they call them in Australia – that were actually too big again? I'd just have to wait until it was time to test them to find out…
 

Saved by the flip flops

I always check the weather reports before I leave for a trip and as they predicted both rain and sun for Barcelona, I decided to play it safe and not only pack the Havaianas, but also some sneakers (and a rain jacket!).

It's a good thing I did because drops frequently fell out of the sky while we were there and one day it just didn't stop raining.

Because of that, I was forced to wear my sneakers quite a lot, but then my heel started hurting. I didn't get a blister or anything, but the point was my sneaker kept pushing into my heel whenever I took a step had turned blue and swollen.

I think it got a bit infected on the inside and as I really couldn't wear those shoes anymore, I turned to the flip flops hoping it would stay dry the next day.

And it did. It wasn't really warm, but I couldn't have been happier that I brought the Havaianas.

I was a bit afraid that they wouldn't give enough support to walk around all day, but they actually did. Of course, it's not the same as wearing sneakers or a walking shoe, but the sole is rather thick and the material gives you a kind of natural bounce, so that you're knees are taken care of.

The size turned out just fine and although I was worried that the flip flops would be a bit too wide (I have very slim feet), the width was perfect.
 

The verdict: are Havaianas good flip flops?

I can only conclude this Havaianas review on a positive note. Honestly, I think everyone should have a pair of these. They're just so easy to slip on at the beach, hanging around outside or to quickly run an errand.

Now, I'm sure there are many better things to wear on your feet to walk around in all day but if you're asking me “Are Havaianas comfortable?” then I can say yes. When I was wearing a pair of Havaianas all day in Barcelona, they didn't give me any blisters.

Other benefits to these flip flops are that they take up almost no space in your (carry-on) luggage and that they're super easy to rinse off. This makes them great travel flip flops.

I also think they're rather elegant and if you pick a basic color you can wear them with just about anything. The verdict of this Havaianas flip flops review: very favorable!
 

Alternative models: Havaianas Freedom sandal review

I think I've found the perfect combination of a comfy flip flop and a nice looking sandal: the Havaianas freedom sandal.

Now this isn't nothing. I usually pack my Havaianas flip flops to have something comfy and light to walk around on in warm weather, but then I also always pack a pair of more dressy sandals to wear to dinner or on other moments when flip flops just won't cut it.

The Havaianas Freedom flip-flops, however, are both comfy, waterproof and trendy. They come in different colors and I really went wild when I chose the silver once, as I usually go for “you can combine me with everything”-black.

So, how did I like them?

When I first got these Havaianas flip flops, I have to admit I was a little worried. They looked great, but it turned out they didn't come in a single size. There's a 35/36, 37/38, 39/40 … (European sizes).

I got a 37/38 for my 37-sized feet and had quite some space left at the back of the sandal. My main concern was that the flip flops would constantly slip out when walking in them.
 

What I liked

Luckily, they stayed right on my feet the whole time I was wearing them. That's because these Havaianas Freedom sandals have fully adjustable ankle straps. There are no holes and a pin-like with most sandals, you just have to double the long strap and pull it through two little loops and it'll stay fixed.

This wouldn't work so well with leather or fabric, but because these Havaianas with a back strap are made from the same rubber as the regular Havaianas flip flops, the strap ‘sticks' and stays nicely put.

Another thing I liked was the sole. Just like with my Havaianas flip flops, the sole is a bit higher at the back than in the front, which offers extra support and comfort. Same goes for the nice cushioning.

And of course, their look was important to me as well. These are flip flops that you can easily wear to the beach. They're easy to take off and put back on and because they're entirely made out of rubber you just have to wash them off with some water and they're good as new again.

On the other hand, their design, with the fine straps, makes them perfect to wear to dinner as well. I wore them under a dress one night and thought they looked really good.

What I liked less

Although I wasn't bothered by the double size, I think the Freedoms would've looked even more elegant if they'd just been a 37.
 

Havaianas sandals review: final verdict

I love these! I even think I prefer the Freedom flip flops to the regular Havaianas flip flops because the ankle strap gives just that little bit of extra support when walking around making them extra comfy.

Find your own pair of Havaianas Freedom sandals
 

Havaianas questions answered

1. Do Havaianas run big or small – How should Havaianas fit?
Whichever way they are comfortable for you, really, but ideally, you want the straps to fit nicely around your foot so that you don't lose your flip flops while walking.

The problem I find with Havaianas sizing is that there are no single sizes for the flip flops models (there for the espadrilles). So if you usually have a size 37, you'll need to get Havaianas sizes 37/38 in flip flops.

If you're balancing between two different double sizes – for example, you're between a 38 and a 39, then I wouldn't recommend buying flip flops a size smaller (so 37/38 in this case) but instead go for the larger size (so 39/40) as you don't want to risk your foot sticking out at the back of the slipper.

It all depends a bit on what model you're going for, though. Read some reviews of different models on Amazon to see some Havaianas sizing reviews.

2. What is the difference between Havaianas slim and regular?

Weirdly enough, there aren't any specific Havaianas wide fit nor slim fit ones, although the names of some of the models may lead you to think differently. The Havaianas Slim model, for example, isn't made to be a narrower version of the classic Havaianas flip flop but instead, the “slim” refers to the fact that the straps are slimmer.

Another difference between the Havaianas Slim vs Regular is the shape of the rubber sole which is a bit more elegantly shaped. This does, in fact, make the Slim model a bit narrower but not so much that you can say it's specifically designed for people with slim feet.

More than 2,000 people bought the Havaianas Slim model on Amazon so far. Check out their reviews.
 

3. How to make flip flops fit tighter?
Are your new flip flops too loose? Or did you buy your flip flops too big? Don't despair!

4. How to fix Havaianas slippers
I've never had anything happen to mine but if you completely wear them out and the straps start popping out of the soles, here's what you can do: slide something between the sole of the flip flop and the bottom of the strap that's a little wider and supposed to keep the strap in place.

Good things to try are a bread clip, paperclip, safety pin, bobby pin, or simply a flat piece of plastic or carton.
 

Get your own Havaianas

And that's it! I hope this Havaianas flip flops review gave you a better idea of whether these flip flops are for you as well. If you want to get your own Havaianas flip flops, you can find them here.
 

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YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:

• this Havaianas espadrilles review
• this list of my travel gear
• these other travel gear reviews

Havaianas offered me these flip flops and sandals to review.