The New Balance Recharge is definitely one of the best flip flops with arch support available. It has an upper that’s made of a synthetic polyurethane material with mesh liner, along with a contoured footbed with anatomical arch supports.
It’s a fairly lightweight flip flop compared to similar products on the market, especially those that feature arch supports. Sizing options are limited, but they look classic and, most importantly, have amazing arch supports. The are sized for men, but some women will be able to find one in their size if they appreciate the look.
Arch Support
The Recharge flip flop comes with the PureAlign anatomical arch support, which makes this really convenient for those that are dealing with heel pain. The contoured footbed is quite high and will definitely work well for those that need the support. While the whole footbed isn’t rigid, the arch supports are a bit stiff so that it can maintain that position. It also has a nice, textured material that looks nice and is non-intrusive.
The exceptional arch support in these New Balance sandals are really as good as they come. They are on par flip flops like the Vionic Wave Toe Post, which is created predominantly for those with plantar fasciitis. That speaks volumes to the amount of support you’ll receive in these.
The straps on the Recharge flip flop are made of synthetic polyurethane for durability, which is then covered with a mesh liner to make it more comfortable. It keeps your feet latched on and prevents slippage. Apart from that, the material also helps to prevent chafing and skin irritation, which is sometimes a problem with stiff toe post and strap materials.
Heel Support
The 360-degree heel cup that’s found in the Recharge flip flop is deep enough to provide you with the right amount of heel support. It is capable of holding your heel fairly well in the cradle, and combined with high arch supports, should help to provide a great experience for those with foot alignment issues.
The footbed texture is also dotted throughout, but that doesn’t create any problems. It might add to the grip somewhat, but certainly doesn’t feel bothersome or intrusive in any way.
Outsole
The outsole of the Recharge flip flop is made of rubber material, which provides a good amount of traction on almost any surface. Though, it’s not quite as durable as thicker rubber outsoles you’ll find on some of the other sandals with arch support.
It features a wave-like pattern that is capable of providing sufficient traction in your day-to-day activities. But for wet surfaces, this may not be the absolute best sandal for traction as it’s not grooved too deep. However, it will definitely till hold up well on its own.
It’s also not entirely flexible due to the stiff rubber and arch support component, however, it’s actually a bit more forgiving than some of the other thicker flip flops we’ve looked at. The forefoot to the midfoot flexes pretty well, while the arch and heel feel a bit more difficult to bend.
Overall Feel
When trying on these New Balance sandals, you’ll first be impressed by the arch support, which is not available in most flip flops. It’s semi-rigid and you’ll definitely notice the difference. When walking, it feels comfortable due to the somewhat but-not-overly-cushy footbed. It’s got a bit more padding than Vionic, to be sure, but not nearly as much as you’d find in the Oofos Unisex Ooriginal.
As far as the foot strap, it is soft and pleasant with that mesh lining. It also hugs your foot nicely when you order the right size. For our test, we ordered a size down since there are no half sizes available. The fit was almost perfect for a narrow foot, with almost a half-inch to spare in the front and back.
There is also lots of feedback from those with flat feet who find this to be beneficial to them. There doesn’t seem to be too much of a break-in period for most, which makes this a great sandal for over-pronators and those with neutral arches.
Use
The Recharge flip flop is a classic summer beach sandal, with material that may be able to withstand some water abuse but not totally be made for it. The design and look make this pretty versatile, in that you can use it at the beach, getting around town, during travel and even around the house.
Taking on more bumpy terrains, however, may not be best. Although it is a bit durable in the outsole, it may not be as good as an all-encompassing sandal with straps and more stability. Although, this will be fine for light hiking and similar trekking.
Of course, this sandal only comes in a few color options. But since they are classic colors, you can be sure that they go with whatever outfits you normally wear flip flops with.
16 Best Sandals For Plantar Fasciitis 
Online User Reviews Overall Experience
- Comfortable, durable, and stylish
Most of the reviews from users pointed to the Recharge flip flop’s overall comfort, durability, and style. According to the consumers, it’s quite possibly the most comfortable walking flip flop they ever had. This is especially useful for those that need arch supports, as some are simply too rigid, stiff. It also gets good reviews for being durable and looking fun and casual.
- Good fit if you don’t wear half size
A lot of reviewers who have tried on the Recharge flip flop were satisfied with how it fits according to their normal shoe sizing. Most of them mentioned that it fits just right for their feet, while there just a few who wish that the fit could be a little bit bigger. We actually sized down from a half size and the fit is good for a narrow foot.
- Great flip flop for plantar fasciitis
As a flip flop with high arches, this one gets great reviews for those suffering from plantar fasciitis. Several men find that they are able to relieve their heel pain in partial or fully by wearing these flip flops. The arch support is definitely above average compared to anything you’d find casually in a department store.
- Comfortable for those with flat feet
For over-pronators, there are multiple reviews from those that find these flip flops beneficial. No complaints of needing to break them in slowly, possibly since they are a bit softer in the footbed than some other brands. But the consensus online is that these flip flops are much better for those with flat feet compared to flat sandals they were previously buying.
Pros:
- Really good arch supports
- Semi-deep heel cup with textured footbed
- Nice fit for those with wide feet
- Durable rubber outsole provides good traction and stability
Cons:
- Minimal design options to choose from
- Some complaints of early strap wear and tear
- Outsole isn’t as flexible as some would like
- No half-size options to buy, probably need to size down