The OOFOS OOriginal is one of the best flip flops with arch support on the market. They’re designed as a post-workout recovery sandal and help to prevent instances of plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis and other foot-related injuries. It’s made using OOFOS’ proprietary OOfoam technology, which is capable of absorbing 37% more impact compared to your traditional footwear.
It’s designed to be practical and lightweight, while still providing plenty of shock-absorption as you get around. As far as options go, there are a few vibrant and unique color choices to select from, so you’ll be able to match up well to your style.
Arch Support
The OOriginal is without a doubt one of OOFOS’ best selling products, thanks to its prominent arch support which really helps to relieve pain caused by poor support. It also offers enough support to help those that tend to get sore feet after hours of standing, walking or running around. The support in these recovery sandals is a bit unlike other flip flops, as the arch is quite a bit more rounded that others. It’s also considerably softer throughout the entire footbed, and many find immediate relief from soreness right when you put them on.
The superior arch support is made possible by way of their personalized footbed, which properly cradles and supports the arches of the feet. This could result in reduced energy exertion in your ankles by up to 20% when compared to competing products, as per OOFOS.
Their OOfoam material makes this extremely soft, comfortable and almost unlike any other flip flop you’ve ever tried on. That makes it a perfect sandal for flat feet as many can’t handle having rigid arches, as well as neutral and high arch types that simply need the support.
It also features a diamond-studded pattern across the entire footbed to help prevent slipping. What’s also beneficial to some is that the plushness of the material offers benefits to those that need metatarsal padding. While most sandals offer some level of padding, the OOFOS foam material seems to be on another level altogether.
The sandal’s toe post and strap are also made of OOfoam and may work well to prevent rubbing or chafing. Additionally, you’ll notice the strap covers a larger portion of the midfoot, which allows for more stability and overall support.
Heel Support
The OOriginal’s heel cup isn’t as deep as some may hope. However, partnered with a large foot strap, it cradles your foot enough that you can sit in there nice and secure. The footbed pattern also covers the entire sandal, including the heel, which should add some additional grip when compared to slick footbed sandals.
OOFOS has placed about an inch and a half of foam right under the heel. This provides you with a plenty of give before you feel any resistance. Your heels definitely will not be sorry in these sandals, especially for those dealing with heel pain.
What’s more, they claim you will be able to reduce the stress on your knees, feet, and lower back based on their design. it also should help to promote a better walking gait, which is another bonus for those with foot issues.
Outsole
The OOriginal sandal’s outsole is also made out of their OOFoam material, which they suggest is more durable than traditional EVA materials. It has the ability to retain its shape longer since the material moves with the ground instead of against it. And with a good amount of overall flexibility, it provides a better ride than some of the stiffer rubber outsoles.
Also noticeable is a good tread pattern on the outsole, which should also help with traction in any number of terrains. And, although it’s completely waterproof, it may not be best suited for walking on wet surfaces – like many other flip flops. But that’s not to say that it’s bad, however, you should use caution as always.
Overall Feel
When trying these OOFOS sandals on, the very first thing we notice is that the ride is different than most other flip flops. The toe curls up and it feels a bit less stable than a typically flat and rigid outsole. It may take a few days to get used to how it feels for some, but most find them to be ready to go immediately.
The arch support, however, feels full and round. It’s not bothersome like a typical arch support flip flop that may be tough against your arches. These feel smooth and forgiving with each step, so there’s really no breaking in period. The heel also feels like there is an abundance of padding and each landing feels great. Whats more, this sandal sits a bit higher than others, which will give you a bit more height.
As far as the straps, they are also made of the same foam material and it shouldn’t cause any uncomfort, especially when compared to nylon or synthetic straps that often have stitching that rubs the skin and causes redness.
The intention of these flip flops is to be used in between rigorous workouts or after long hours on your feet, with the intention to help reduce fatigue at a better rate than a typical sandal. The ride is different, but it definitely feels more comfortable than most.
Use
The OOriginal flip flops are pretty versatile in that they can be worn during any number of activities. The benefit is comfort, so you’ll want to put these sandals on any time you aren’t wearing work shoes, gym shoes or other footwear. That makes these perfect for using in your down time in and around the house, going out to the store, the mall, the beach and even during travel as they do well for long walks and moderate terrain.
One thing to note is that they are only available in full sizes, so you’ll want to make sure you get the right fit. OOFOS recommends you size down if you are in between full sizes, and based on our test, we would agree. They are a pretty big sandal overall, and should be ok for wide feet if you get your sizing right.
That said, they’re machine washable and its foam material makes it waterproof. It’s pretty convenient.
16 Best Sandals For Plantar Fasciitis 
Online User Reviews Overall Experience
- No break-in period required
Most of the OOriginal customers seem to agree that there is no break-in period at all with these sandals. Despite having a round arch support system, the material is so soft and comfortable that most are able to just slide them on and go about their business.
- Great reviews for plantar fasciitis
It is lauded by its users as one of the best flip flops for plantar fasciitis. There is a large amount of reviews that recommend these specifically for being able to bring relief to their heel pain. The considerable arch and soft footbed get a lot of favorable mentions here.
- The straps aren’t as sturdy as some would like
One of the concerns among buyers is that the flip flops’ straps don’t seem to last as long as they would like. There are some mentions of early cracking and some actually breaking after a few months of use. OOFOS actually recommends replacing these flip flops approximately every 6 months, so that should be taken into consideration.
- Extremely soft and comfortable
By far the most positive comments made about this footwear is how soft and comfortable they are, with plenty of “most comfortable flip flops ever” tossed in there. Most users, suffering from heel pain or using them after exercise, agree that the foam padding is just about as plush and cozy as a sandal can get. It’s very forgiving and your feet will sink in.
Pros:
- Works great for those with heel pain, foot fatigue and foot pain
- Pretty sufficient arch support
- Comes with a thick outsole to absorb shock
- Great for use after working out
- Machine washable and handles water well
- Very comfortable with plush cushioning
Cons:
- Not as versatile as the other flip flops
- Not ideal on rocky terrains
- Its shallow outsole pattern might not offer a good amount of traction
- Some feel that the footbed isn’t solid enough
- There are some issues with its overall durability