The Vionic Tide Toe Post sandal is considered one of the best flip flops for plantar fasciitis. It’s made of a medium-density EVA foam footbed, a full-grain leather and textile upper and a rubber outsole. And with the Orthaheel technology, it is designed to be not only comfortable but effective for those dealing with heel pain issues.
It’s a fairly lightweight sandal compared to some of the foam-designed products, but should hold up better. It also comes in a variety of color options to choose from, that include several earthy tones that look casual and a bit sophisticated.
Arch Support
The Tide Post sandal for men is almost similar to the Wave Toe Post in every way aside from design. It comes with strong arch support alongside a biomechanical Orthaheel design, which is helpful for correcting your walking motion. It’s also gets great reviews for those dealing with plantar fasciitis.
This flip flop is designed with a textured footbed that provides maximum arch support and has been successful in alleviating heel pain for many. The arch aligns with your feet and allows for a more effective support system than a typical flip flop that usually offers very little by way of arch support.
The midsole in these Vionic flip flops is constructed with an EVA material that is good for shock absorption, as well a being able to relieve pressure on the feet and ankles.
What’s also noteworthy is the straps that help provide a comfortable fit and secure your foot in place against the arches all day long. They’re also lined with a textile material that feels comfortable and non-irritable to the skin, which also includes the toe post material.
Finally, the Vionic flip flops have received the APMA Seal of Acceptance, which attests to the fact that they are beneficial to foot health and may help relieve heel pain issues.
Heel Support
The Vionic Tide Post’s footbed offers excellent support throughout, including a wide and deep heel cup. While it can be a bit unstable in the heel for narrow feet, wider feet will find this to have plenty of space to cradle the foot. The design of the footbed actually helps to realign your feet to a more natural position, which should help create a more acceptable walking motion.
On top of that, the footbed is textured with a pattern that should help prevent your foot from slipping all over the place. While not as grippy as some other sandals, it still provides some traction without feeling intrusive and bothersome.
There are no wide sizing options for this Vionic flip flop, but that shouldn’t be a problem as they tend to run big. In fact, Vionic recommends that users that are half-sizes to size down in order to get the best fit.
Outsole
The Vionic Tide Post’s outsole is made of thermoplastic rubber that comes with a patterned tread. It’s durable, feels strong and should provide a good amount of traction for most surfaces. In fact, the pattern is the same as the Vionic Wave Toe Post.
And while they do offer good stability on most terrain, it’s probably not going to be sufficient for things like trekking, as the sole is rather firm overall. It’s also a bit thicker than some other sandals, but with that you can expect a good amount of shock absorption capabilities as well.
Overall Feel
When slipping into these Vionics, you’ll notice the arch immediately. It’s definitely more pronounced than anything else you’ll find on the market. The footbed is semi-rigid with some minor cushioning throughout, notably in the heel area. And the circular patterns aren’t noticeable at all. The strap is comfortable against the skin and the design looks classic enough to be worn with many styles of clothing.
This sandal is really designed to help with those suffering from heel pain, which is why the arch support is so high. For this reason, you’ll find many flat-footed people and those with neutral arches looking for this support. It may be a bit noticeable at first, but after breaking them in for a few days (as Vionic suggests), most will find that the support is unparalleled in the flip flop world.
Use
Since it’s designed by leading podiatrists, the Vionic Tide Post sandal works best for those who are suffering from a variety of foot conditions such as plantar fasciitis, fallen arches, heel and arch pain, arch strain, and more. It also works well for those with over-pronation.
The functionality of this flip flop makes this a great alternative to your typical store-bought sandals that offer little-to-no support. And with a classic leather look, they can be dressed up or down. They can be worn as a daily flip flop, around the house, at the beach, travel or even casual work environments.
But due to the leather upper, you’ll probably want to limit use in areas where it might get wet – especially if you want to preserve the look.
16 Best Sandals For Plantar Fasciitis
Online User Reviews Overall Experience
- One of the best flip flops with arch support
One of the most common positive feedback regarding the Vionic Tide Post sandal is that it works really well for individuals who are suffering from plantar fasciitis. Some even mention that their podiatrist specifically recommended them, and after wearing them, they were able to relieve their heel pain issues either partially or in full.
- Straps could be a bit more durable
Even though the flip flop is touted as a durable product, there have been several complaints on this. Multiple users feel like the quality is not up to their standard and want to see a better product. Also there were some reviews where the straps aren’t as comfortable for them.
- May want to size down
Some consistent feedback on these Tide Post flip flops is that the sizing is a bit hit or miss. For most users, they tend to run just a tad loose, so they recommend buying the next size down. This is especially useful as the flip flops only come in full size options. Our personal test reveal that narrow feet may find these to be a bit bigger than other brands.
- Works well for those with flat feet
For over-pronators – those with flat feet- this sandal really is beneficial for so many consumers. Probably more so than any other brand, Vionic wearers overwhelmingly (compared to other brands) help them with their issues stemming from having flat feet. The Tide Post for men is typical of these results, as per many who are now able to stand for longer periods of time without pain.
Pros:
- Offers excellent arch support
- One of the best flip flops for plantar fasciitis
- Received the APMA Seal of Acceptance
- Offers decent traction in both the footbed and outsole
- Easy to clean footbed
- Fairly thick and durable materials
Cons:
- Some complaints of early strap wear and tear
- May not be best when wet
- Not available in half sizes
- Might be too wide for individuals with narrow feet
- Footbed may be a bit too rigid for some