Reviewed by Muddy Madam

Flip flops aren't my thing. As a kid I always used to wear them on holiday, but since then I've found them uncomfortable, and migrated my affections to 'sensible' sandals instead. I always found that the cheap plastic flip flops rubbed between the toes, never quite fit my entire foot (I've got really wide feet) and the soles had about as much cushioning as a pancake. Fashionable flip flops didn't fare any better as the soles wouldn't last long or they were all about style above comfort (why put heels on a flip flop???). Consequently, neither appealed to me, so they've been banished from my wardrobe.

That was until I came across Freewaters footwear at a trade show. I was drawn to the stand by a colourful image showing how they support clean water projects around the globe (this ticks one of my boxes), which in turn made me examine the footwear on offer. They had a cracking collection of flip flops, sandals and lifestyle trainers, and the more I touched, bent and squished the shoes the more impressed I got. Oh, and they are vegan too (2nd tick).

I was offered a pair to take home and test. I looked at the ladies designs, but unfortunately they had run out of 7s (it was the last day of the show), so I searched through the mens styles. Now I don't think it really matters if flip flops are classed as mens or ladies (apart from the colours), so I picked a pair from the Treeline Therm-a-Rest collection (they don't do the Therm-a-Rest sole in a ladies version anyway, so it worked out great for me).

We already have a Therm-a-Rest sleeping mattress and pillow so I knew how comfy it is, so I was curious about having that in footwear. The ridged soles are squishy and flexible, but at the same time supportive; the tread on the bottom is grippy and functional, and should save you from skidding into the water when you are juggling those poolside margaritas. The nice wide material tops are perfectly positioned, and there's comfy fabric between your toes (absolute bliss). 

The sun finally arrived in Bolton, so I have worn them solidly for the last few days, and I can tell you that these flip flops have replaced my sensible sandals as my summer essentials.

I love them!

About the Clean Drinking Water Projects

I had a chat to the boss about the projects that Freewaters are involved with around the world.

Now, although it is only 1% that goes to projects, it's more than most companies do, and so far they have completed 58 projects in Haiti, Kenya and the Philippines (as of June 2017).

Technical Bits

• Therm-a-Rest™ Memory Footbed - soft cushion and grip
• Polyester Webbing Strap - geometric pattern & camping graphic
• Arch Support
• Grippy Rubber Outsole - flex grooves
• Vegan
• Size: EUR - 39-47
• 3 colours available - Black, Brown/Olive, Grey/Blue

Company website: free-waters.co.uk

RRP: £32